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Western Ghats Frogs Face Fungal Foe
23 Oct
Summary
- Wildlife researcher investigated a fungus impacting amphibians.
- Worked in Western Ghats, documenting over 3,000 amphibians.
- Discovered an Asian strain of fungus in three endemic frog species.
Wildlife researcher Keerthi Krutha has spent years immersed in the Western Ghats' forests, investigating a fungus that significantly impacts amphibians globally. This fungal threat, known as chytrid fungus, causes a disease called chytridiomycosis, which affects amphibian skin and can be fatal. Krutha's extensive surveys covered 49 protected areas and 19 other landscapes, leading to the documentation of over 3,000 amphibians.
Her research involved extensive fieldwork, often at night, using non-destructive skin swabbing techniques to detect the fungus without harming the frogs. These efforts were crucial for developing standardized testing methods and monitoring fungal presence. Laboratory analysis confirmed the existence of an Asian strain of the chytrid fungus in threatened and endemic species such as the Bombay night frog, Leith's leaping frog, and Bombay bubble-nest frog.
The findings underscore the critical need for increased attention to amphibian diseases in conservation planning. This research also contributed to the identification of a new frog species, Mewa Singh's night frog. Disease surveillance in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats is vital for identifying threats and guiding conservation efforts.
