Chytridiomycosis emerged as a serious threat to
amphibians when I was twenty-something. Over the subsequent decades, it has been
blamed for extinction or catastrophic population losses in numerous species of
frogs & toads globally. Now comes news that the responsible bacterium feeds
on keratin in mature frogs' skin, but that when tadpoles start producing
certain protective peptides well before they mature into adults, the
bacterium's damage can be foiled. In three Pyrenees test lakes where premature
peptide production occurs, toad populations have rebounded, whereas toads
continue to suffer in the fourth test lake where it has not occurred.
One, this is great news for herp lovers! It’s yet another example of a bio-arms race demonstrating that "life will find a way." Another report I read a few days ago also mentioned the rediscovery of a feared-extinct dart frog, but I forget the specifics (same peptides?).
Two, is that fourth lake a candidate for the assisted migration of healthy toads from the other three lakes? Of course, that assumes premature peptide production is genetic and not environmental. In this case, the migration assist would not be warranted because of global warming, but rather to assist natural mutation and genetic drift adaptation.
Three, is it possible that the bacterium might evolve the capability of invading the skin keratin of humans and other mammals? The horror!
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225523.htm
