that Strigea robusta can infect different amphibians, but the possibility for parasites to penetrate into the organism of the host depends on the timing of the development of tadpoles.

Scientists at the Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences have found that limb anomalies in frogs and toads are associated with infection of their tadpoles by the parasitic worm Strigea robusta. The results of research on this topic are published in the scientific journal Journal of Experimental Zoology. They can be used to understand the life cycle of helminths (parasitic worms), which, among other things, can harm human health.

Initially, strange changes in amphibian organisms were associated with radiation or environmental pollution. However, Russian scientists conducted research and found that the whole thing is in parasitic helminths. The worm Strigea robusta changes owners three times during its life. From the intestines of ducks, it passes through their feces that enter water bodies to snails. Then it infects frogs. Parasites, getting into the body of developing tadpoles, provoke a malfunction of the limbs.

The study showed that under laboratory conditions, infection of toads and frogs occurs in the same way. In the wild, only frogs are at risk. It’s all about timing. Toads become adults faster, their life cycle does not coincide with the worm, so they do not fall under its influence. It is clarified that Strigea robusta can infect various amphibians, but the possibility for parasites to penetrate into the body of the host depends on the timing of the development of tadpoles.

“The results of the study can be used to understand why amphibians have anomalies in some water bodies, while not in others,” the Russian Academy of Sciences shared their findings. They clarified that the data obtained will make it possible to understand what harm flatworms can cause to human health.

Formerly MK informedthat biologists in Peru discovered species of toads previously unknown to science. A scientist from the National University of the Peruvian Amazon, Rommel Rojas Zamora, along with colleagues, made a discovery in the forest near his campus. The building is located in the Iquitos region. There Rommel Rojas Zamora discovered two species of previously unknown toads of the genus Rhinella.