Deadly frog fungus found in Japan

A deadly parasitic fungus that has been killing frogs around the world has has been found in wild frogs in Japan for the first time.

The chytrid fungus was first detected in captive imported frogs, Kyodo news service said Tuesday.

Researchers from Azabu University in Sagamihara and the National Institute for Environmental Studies said at a weekend conference that the fungus was detected in four American bullfrogs found in the wild.

The fungus was also found in 38 other frogs and newts acquired through pet shops or Internet auctions.

The chytrid fungus is blamed for a drop in the frog population and the extinction of species in Central America and Australia in recent years.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Citation: Deadly frog fungus found in Japan (2007, June 13) retrieved 28 June 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2007-06-deadly-frog-fungus-japan.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

New drone imagery reveals 97% of coral dead at a Lizard Island reef after last summer's mass bleaching

0 shares

Feedback to editors