New strains of virus kill amphibians in Spain

(Scientists say a new deadly disease is attacking amphibians.

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Some viruses discovered in northern Spain are killing frogs, toads and newts. Infected animals may have ulcers on the skin and die from internal bleeding. Researchers are concerned that the strains of the Ranavirus group have spread to other countries.

This study is presented in Current Biology.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Stephen Price, of University College London, said: "Until the outbreak broke, we really didn't know about the strain."

"But since this dying condition has occurred, we have begun to see the virus everywhere - in giant salamanders, and it seems that they are also appearing in both France and the Netherlands.

The dead amphibians were first discovered in the Picos de Europa National Park in Spain in 2005. " This is a disease that causes high mortality rates.

A new investigation conducted by researchers has shown that a host of new viruses are the cause of this condition.

Two of the viruses, called CMTV - are like Ranaviruses, infecting a large number of animals. The strange thing is that these viruses can spread between a variety of species, killing frogs, toads and newts.

Dr. Price said: "At the Picos de Europa National Park, we observed a large decline in three species: the midwife toad, the toad and the newts An- However, we also found that all common amphibian species in this park are very sensitive, experiencing illness and death.

"It is a disease with a relatively high mortality rate: We have shown that these viruses cause a simultaneous decline in the number of host species."

Researchers believe that even these viruses can spread to reptiles.

"We noted a case where a snake was supposed to eat an infected frog, and it showed signs of infection , " Dr. Price said.

Conservationists are particularly concerned about the new strains, because up to 41% of amphibians have faced the danger of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Another disease, chytrid, has spread around the world, killing many amphibians.

Scientists fear that if these new viruses spread, they could have a devastating effect on these already vulnerable animals.

This new study is conducted by scientists at the University of London, London Zoological Society, Queen Mary University in London, Natural Science Museum in Madrid, and Picos de Europa National Park.