Although this blog is mostly dedicated to
humanity and its liberation, I also value animals and their right to life. If
nothing else, we can learn a lot from the study of animals. In nature, things
have their place and that includes species of animals. Here we see that many of
the worlds salamanders are threatened with extinction. As with all animals - they
may hold the key to overcoming human diseases. For example, salamanders can
regenerate limbs when they are lost. Their study may point to ways in which
humans can someday grow back lost limbs, such as arms or legs.
I like salamanders. I have had some as pets and
they get quite tame and are amazingly adoptive.
From Scientist,
By Jyoti Madhusoodanan
More than 200 frogs, toads, and other
amphibian species around the world are threatened by a lethal skin disease
caused by the chytrid fungusBatrachochytrium
dendrobatidis (Bd).
Last year, a related pathogen was discovered decimating populations of fire salamanders in the Netherlands
and Belgium .
The new microscopic killer, known as B.salamandrivorans (Bs), is only the second known species
of its kind found to infect vertebrate hosts.
Now, an analysis of
more than 5,000 amphibians from four continents suggests that Bs may have
spread from Asia to Europe through pet trade.
The results, published today (October 30) in Science, also reveal the extent to
which other amphibian species are vulnerable to the fungus. So far, European
newts and salamanders appear to be the most severely affected.
The study “is a
stunning confirmation of the original paper that came out a year ago, which
reported for the first time this pretty much salamander-specific fungus,” said
zoologist David Wake of
the University of California, Berkeley, who was not involved with the work.
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