18thcenturythirsttrap:

He invented mini saunas for frogs – now this biologist has big plans to save hundreds of species

A deadly fungus has already wiped out 90 species and threatens 500 more but Anthony Waddle is hoping gene replacement could be their salvati

the Guardian

This is a very interesting article which highlights not only the existential threat that chytrid fungus poses to amphibians (it has wiped out 90 species already), but also the ethical dilemma around synthetic biology, in which organisms have genetic material introduced or deleted, for example in the hope of increasing disease resistance.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not say that there is an incredibly cute picture of two frogs sharing one of the ‘mini-saunas’, an intervention which has already helped Australian green and golden bell frogs face off the chytrid fungus threat.

(via herpsandbirds)