TOP STORIES
Study documents widespread extinction of lizard populations due to climate change
A major survey of lizard populations worldwide has found an alarming pattern of population extinctions attributable to rising temperatures. If current trends continue, 20 percent of all lizard species could go extinct by 2080, according to Barry Sinervo, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
... The disappearance of lizard populations is likely to have repercussions up and down the food chain. Lizards are important prey for many birds, snakes, and other animals, and they are important predators of insects. "We could see other species collapse on the upper end of the food chain, and a release on insect populations," Sinervo said.
Physorg.com - www.physorg.com
13 May 2010
Image credit: Barry Sinervo
13 May 2010
Image credit: Barry Sinervo
Erosion of Lizard Diversity by Climate Change and Altered Thermal Niches. Science. 2010 May 14; 328 (5980): 894-899.
White-nose syndrome found in 3 more Tennessee caves, raising total to 6
State officials say bats from three more caves in Tennessee have been found to have white-nose syndrome.
Bats from Grindstaff Cave in Carter County, East Fork Saltpeter Cave in Fentress County and Camps Gulf Cave in Van Buren County have all tested positive for the disease.
WHNT 19 News - www.whnt.com (source Associated Press)
13 May 2010
Location: Carter County, Tennessee, USA - Map It
13 May 2010
Location: Carter County, Tennessee, USA - Map It
Fatal fungus in frogs may be key to saving humans in the future
Scientists have been alarmed for years about a mysterious fungus that wipes out frogs around the globe — even in wildlife sanctuaries like Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon national parks.
The fungus blitzes frog populations, allowing little chance for natural defenses to protect the amphibians, new research shows. Now scientists wonder if some new plague might do the same thing to humans.
"The thought of it makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck," said biologist Vance T. Vredenburg of San Francisco State University. "Emerging diseases for humans are cropping up much faster than before, and they might move like this one. We need to understand this."
Ashland Daily Times - www.dailytidings.com (source: McClatchy Newspapers)
13 May 2010
M Grossi
Cited Journal Article
Dynamics of an emerging disease drive large-scale amphibian population extinctions. PNAS. 2010 May 10; [Epub ahead of print]
Bay Area wildlife teams wait nervously at gulf
The Bay Area's most skilled, experienced wildlife rehabilitators have decamped to the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. They've built wildlife hospitals, brought in veterinary equipment and marshaled great armies of volunteers.The only thing missing is the wildlife.
So far, three weeks after one of the nation's most immense oil spills began, rescuers have found zero dolphins, sea turtles, whales or other marine animals soiled with oil, although some have washed up dead without oil on their bodies.
San Fransisco Chronicle - www.sfgate.com
14 May 2010
C Jones
Photo courtesy of The Chronicle/ Lee Celano
14 May 2010
C Jones
Photo courtesy of The Chronicle/ Lee Celano
Other Oil Spill Related News
TOP READ LINKS FROM LAST WEEK
News Stories
- Deadly Bat Disease Crosses Mississippi; Group Implores States to Take Preventive Action
- Gulf oil spill: How can wildlife survive?
- Berkeley woman, dogs attacked by aggressive deer
- How vegetarian voles got a taste for frogs' legs
- Surge in diseased animals reported in Chippewa Falls
- Gulf Oil Spill Hindcast/Forecast Model
- Wildlife Health Newsmaker Interview with Dr. Cindy Driscoll
- Lake sturgeon have genes from parasite, signs of human STD
- Experts offer tips on wolf parasite
- Study suggests fish virus spread by fish, not boats
Journal Articles
- Influence of genetic relatedness and spatial proximity on chronic wasting disease infection among female white-tailed deer
- Why Are Daphnia in Some Lakes Sicker? Disease Ecology, Habitat Structure, and the Plankton
- Prevalence and Pathology of West Nile Virus in Naturally Infected House Sparrows, Western Nebraska, 2008
Other Wildlife Health Related News
Photo courtesy of The Guardian
The week in wildlife- Program tracks turtles displaced by Intercounty Connector
- Is Lilly the whale on its way to Alaska?
- Invasive organism found in Oregon waters
- Two rabies cases confirmed in Rio Llano subdivision [Texas, USA, Babyhead - Map It and Llano -Map It]
- Dead bird found in Belleville tests positive for the West Nile virus [Illinois, USA - Map It ]
- Harbour porpoise deaths investigated: Necropsies seek to unravel mystery behind nine carcasses [ProMed Request for Information]
- Rare Whale Found In Coastal Bays [Gervais’ Beaked Whale][ Maryland, USA - Map It ]
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