Biologists find a high rate of deformities in Alaska wood frogs
Turnagain Times - www.turnagaintimes.com
07 May 2009
J Magowan
Location: Alaska, USA - Map It
Amphibians around the world are facing mass extinction due to habitat loss and environmental pollution. They are also commonly being found with deformities, and Alaska is no exception.
. . . Amphibians all over the world, including Alaska’s six species are becoming the subject of intense research. The reason for the interest in amphibians is that they are experiencing problems that could have implications for humans.
“Amphibians are bioindicators,” said David Tessler, regional biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game during an interview at his office. “Like the canaries in coal mines they can give an early warning of environmental problems. Because they breathe through their skin, they readily absorb and react to chemicals and gases from the environment.”
Biologists believe amphibians may be indicating something is going on in the environment but, they are not sure exactly what it is. Worldwide, amphibian populations are declining.
Older virus protects rabbits [myxomatosis]
Science Alert - www.sciencealert.com.au
08 May 2009
Location: Australia
Australian rabbits have had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at them over the years. Myxomatosis knocked them about but they bounced back. The same with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) or the calicivirus.
Now Dr Tanja Strive from CSIRO Entomology and the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre has found that some rabbits in cool, high rainfall areas carry a benign virus that gives them immunity to RHD.
Wis. wasting disease rise could mean trouble for W.Va.
The Charleston Gazette - wvgazette.com
07 May 3009
J McCoy
Biologists say a recent jump in chronic wasting disease rates among Wisconsin deer might spell trouble for deer in West Virginia's Hampshire County.
Infection rates in Wisconsin's Dane and Iowa counties rose sharply in 2008 after remaining relatively low for six years. Jim Crum, deer project leader for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, believes Hampshire County whitetails might someday experience a similar increase.
"What's happening to them is probably what's going to happen to us," Crum said. "There might be some factor somewhere that makes us different from Wisconsin, but right now I don't know that there is."
Caves Closed In U.S. To Slow Bat Disease Spread
Science Daily - www.sciencedaily.com
07 May 2009
Caves on state properties in a number of states will temporarily close as a precaution against the uncontrolled spread of white-nosed syndrome (WNS), which is killing bats in record numbers in the eastern United States.
. . . "Although we have not seen this disease in Indiana, the responsible thing to do is close our caves to help slow expansion of WNS," said DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. in announcing the decision. "Scientists need time to get a handle on the problem and solve it."
More white-nosed syndrome news
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