Some frogs escape the extinction caused by the fungus Chytridiomycosis

Chytridiomycosis has spread throughout the world and caused extinction for many amphibians.

Two years ago, researchers discovered the pathogenesis of this fungus: the fungus destroys the skin texture of the organism so that essential nutrients cannot be transported through the membrane, resulting in a heart attack. stop pulse. The frogs and other resilient amphibians were quickly killed but some died after several weeks of infection.

But some amphibians or some species that are completely unaffected by the fungus have confounded scientists.Caecilians and other amphibians (Caecilians) are also less affected than amphibians are also a mystery.

Scientists have made breakthroughs to find out why some frogs survive after chytridiomycosis , while others die quickly.

The Cornell University team (USA) has identified the genetic factors that are responsible for some of the frogs' immunity to the fungus. This immunity can change captive combinations - the research team published in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences.

To get this conclusion, the scientists collected groups of Leopard frogs from five different areas of Arizona state in captivity in laboratory conditions and infected them with chytrid fungi ( Batratochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd for short) . All of the individuals collected from 3 of the 5 areas have died. Some individuals of the other two groups survived and completely recovered after 2 weeks.

Scientists reanalyzed the frog's DNA sequence and discovered the antibody gene, the Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) . This gene plays an important role in preventing pathogens such as fungi or bacteria from entering the cell and being referred to as 'gatekeeper'.

Scientists have also concluded that the number of surviving leopard frogs in the two groups in the experiment is actually individuals infected with fungal infections in the wild but survived in the Arizona area in 1970. Science suggests that antibody genes are the result of natural selection because only the healthiest individuals survive.

Scientists believe that loss of habitat, invasive species and habitat degradation are the main causes of the decline in the number of amphibians. If it is possible to provide these species with suitable habitats for them to maintain their populations and increase their genetic diversity (genetic diversity) they will be more adaptable to Bd fungi.