A silent pandemic has gripped the planet. But, this one has not affected humans, instead, it has targeted the amphibian species and the culprit is a fungus.
The fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatids or Bd, has been attacking frogs and toads across continents, ravaging their skin and eventually leading to heart failure. This fungus, according to scientists, led to the decline of over 500 amphibian species, and 90 possible extinctions, including yellow-legged mountain frogs and the Panamanian golden frogs.
In a paper published in the journal Current Biology, scientists have revealed the discovery of a virus that infects Bd, and which could be engineered to control the fungal disease.
“Frogs control bad insects, crop pests, and mosquitoes. If their populations all over the world collapse, it could be devastating. They’re also the canary in the coal mine of climate change. As temperatures get warmer, UV light gets stronger, and water quality gets worse, frogs respond to that. If they get wiped out, we lose an important environmental signal," UCR microbiology doctoral student and paper author Mark Yacoub said.
Before the late 1990s, Bd, a deadly fungus affecting amphibians, was not prevalent. However, an alarming surge in frog deaths prompted research into its origins and mutations.
Microbiology professor Jason Stajich and his team at UCR used DNA sequencing to investigate Bd's population genetics across continents. Surprisingly, they identified viral genome sequences within Bd, previously unnoticed due to its complexity and the rarity of DNA viruses infecting fungi.
The virus seems to alter Bd's behavior, reducing spore production but potentially increasing virulence. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for conservation efforts.
Some amphibian species are developing resistance to Bd, the same way as immunity build-up against diseases like Covid-19.
Researchers aim to harness this knowledge to aid amphibians' survival. However, crucial questions remain about the virus's mode of infection and cellular mechanisms, vital for potential interventions. Nature's slow adaptation points to the need for scientific assistance in preserving biodiversity.
