By Herp News Emerging fungal pathogens pose a greater threat to biodiversity than any other parasitic group, causing population declines of amphibians, bats, corals, bees and snakes. New research reveals that amphibians can acquire behavioral or immunological resistance to a deadly chytrid fungus implicated in global amphibian population declines. Go to Source …read more Read […]
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Jul 09
Jul 09
Ranavirus predicted to be potential new culprit in amphibian extinctions
By Herp News Amphibian declines and extinctions around the world have been linked to an emerging fungal disease called chytridiomycosis, but new research from shows that another pathogen, ranavirus, may also contribute. In a series of mathematical models, researchers showed that ranavirus, which causes severe hemorrhage of internal organs in frogs, could cause extinction of […]
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Cats’ best friend? A new role for guard dogs in South Africa
By Herp News While there has been a surge of recovery and reintroduction programs to combat predator decline, human population growth and limited protected areas have led to increased rates of human-wildlife conflicts in many regions of the world. A study published recently tested the ability of trained guarding dogs to protect livestock in South […]
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Frankie Tortoise Tails – Let the Games Begin!
A friend e-mailed me yesterday. “You don’t write any. What is going on?” I dunno. It’s summer. A lot of things going on at home, with Greg and I, injured box turtles, geckos, new house, and Frankie. Things! I mean, it’s summer. Yeah, Frankie is busier than ever. Yesterday I was working in the yard […]
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Frog larvae have developed rapid defenses against red swamp crayfish
By Herp News The common frog is one of the amphibians with the highest distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. It reproduces preferably in permanent areas of water where it comes into contact with the red swamp crayfish, which preys on its larvae. Research confirms that the larvae of these frogs have developed a defensive response […]
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Stuff of fairy tales: stepping into Europe’s last old-growth forest
By Herp News There is almost nothing left of Europe’s famed forests, those that provided for human communities for millennia and gave life to the world’s most famous fairytales. But straddling the border between Poland and Belarus, the Bialowieza Forest is Europe’s last lowland old-growth forest, parts of which have never been cut by man. […]
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Even giant tortoises get the sniffles
The Bristol Zoo’s giant tortoise has been laid low with a sinus infection. From the BBC: Helen, a 90kg (14 stone) tortoise, was given a health check after keepers noticed her unusual breathing. Staff vet Richard Saunders said: “The whistling, raspy breathing in her nose could be heard from several feet away, so we took […]
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Green turtle senselessly killed on Kijal beach
By Herp News KEMAMAN: A police report has been lodged after an endangered Green Turtle was found brutally killed and tens of its immature eggs scattered in a leased turtle nesting area of the Kijal beach near here. Terengganu Fisheries Department director Abdul Khalil Abdul Karim said today the report was made after the lease-holder […]
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