Deadly fungus threatens beloved Panamanian frog

Tuesday, February 7th, 2006

From Deadly fungus threatens beloved Panamanian frog:

‘I would say that the golden frog was already in critical danger, however, the advance of the fungus outbreak makes matters worse to a point that this species is likely to become extinct,’ said Roberto Ibanez, an amphibian expert at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama.

The rare golden frog is a much-loved national emblem that graces Panama’s lottery tickets and tourist brochures. Schoolchildren are taught the story of the frogs, which, according to pre-Columbian folklore, turn to gold upon death.

Panamanians believe that people who see the frog alive will be blessed with good luck.

The mysterious mold threatening the frog is spreading quickly in Panama, according to a report published by Southern Illinois University on Monday. It grows over the animals’ skin, sealing it up and effectively choking them to death,

‘Many frogs use their skin as we use our lungs. If it gets blocked up, they die,’ said zoologist Karen Lips at Southern Illinois.

Posted in Animals, Science | No Comments »

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Isegoria

Deadly fungus threatens beloved Panamanian frog

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