1. The effect of trematode infection on amphibian limb development and survivorship.
- Author
-
Johnson PT, Lunde KB, Ritchie EG, and Launer AE
- Subjects
- Animals, Anura growth & development, California, Hindlimb growth & development, Hindlimb parasitology, Metamorphosis, Biological, Trematoda isolation & purification, Anura abnormalities, Anura parasitology, Hindlimb abnormalities, Trematoda physiology, Trematode Infections parasitology, Trematode Infections pathology
- Abstract
The causes of amphibian deformities and their role in widespread amphibian declines remain conjectural. Severe limb abnormalities were induced at high frequencies in Pacific treefrogs (Hyla regilla) exposed to cercariae of a trematode parasite (Ribeiroia sp.). The abnormalities closely matched those observed at field sites, and an increase in parasite density caused an increase in abnormality frequency and a decline in tadpole survivorship. These findings call for further investigation of parasite infection as a cause of amphibian deformities in other sites and species.
- Published
- 1999
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