Severe Drought Can Bring Rare Amphibian Disease to Wild [Study]

Researchers warned of potential impacts of fungal diseases caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), threatening amphibian populations. According to the report, severe drought and lack of rainfall could contribute to the problem.

Climate change has been blamed for the intense weather events exacerbated by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Extreme weather events can cause devastating impacts on wildlife and human populations, especially the following:

• Wildfires
• Heatwaves
• Storms
• Drought

In the new report, researchers raised concerns about severe drought impacts on amphibian species, which can likely become exposed to harmful fungal diseases. Climate change can drive prolonged drought and dry concerns with a lack of rainfall and hotter temperatures.

Understanding the drought effects on many species is crucial to saving animals from health decline and preventing the outbreak of diseases in wildlife.

Severe Drought Can Cause Amphibian Diseases

The research report was published in the Ecology Letters journal, studying the skin microbiome and drought that are linked to deadly amphibian diseases. Researchers emphasized that abnormal rainfall patterns can potentially disrupt symbiotic microorganisms.

According to the report, the researchers observed the pumpkin toadlets present in the Brazillian Atlantic Forest, including the drought impacts. They analyzed the skin bacteria that was discovered in amphibian skin.

Researchers found that rainfall deficit could lead to a more problematic aftermath for amphibians due to the potential risk of widespread fungal pathogens.

In addition, rainfall variability could disrupt or impact the disease spread in wildlife. As a result, drought can unleash more environmental concerns, impacting animals' health and crucial habitats.

To analyze, the report sequenced the skin microbiomes of samples. With less rainfall and widespread drought, the vulnerability of fungal diseases is high.

With the rare die-offs of said species, researchers investigated the problem and collected samples for potential outbreaks. Climate change and deforestation have exacerbated the risks, with drought becoming more extreme and prolonged.

The research was conducted by the following:

• Shannon Buttimer, Penn State doctoral candidate
• Guilherme Becker, Biology professor

Meanwhile, the co-authors are from the following:

• Luís Felipe Toledo, Universidade Estadual de Campinas
• Diego Moura-Campos, The Australian National University
• Lucas Ferrante, Universidade Federal do Amazonas
• Sasha E. Greenspan, Wesley J. Neely, University of Alabama

Furthermore, the researchers advised the need for understanding microbiome health for studying areas affected by widespread habitat loss and diseases.

Devastating Drought Impact on Communities

In the recent NWN reports, the frequency of extreme weather events will leave a devastating impact on communities. People will have less time to adjust to challenging weather conditions, making them more vulnerable to environmental threats and biodiversity loss.

As a result, effective monitoring and prediction efforts are crucial to anticipate the climate change effects on humans, crops and wildlife.

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