In an attempt to combat the massive number of cane grub beetles that broke out in Australia in the 1930s, cane toads were brought into the country with the hope that they would keep the beetle population in check. However, the toads did not prey upon the beetles and had their own devastating effects. The toads produce bufadienolides, which are a type of toxin that are deadly to many of the country's native species that feed on them. One of these species, Bluetongue Lizards, faced a dramatic decline in population due to the arrival of the toads, but there is hope for them. A recent study that was conducted showed that lizards living in areas infested with the toads were vulnerable to the toxins, yet those living in areas where they had never encountered the toad had resistance. It was concluded that, oddly enough, the resistance was derived from exposure to an invasive species of a plant, called Mother-of-Millions, which was introduced to the area approximately 70 years ago. It was brought over from Madagascar and used as a decorative plant. The Mother-of-Millions produces a toxin that is almost identical to that of the cane toad, and so after decades of being consumed by the lizards in parts of Queensland and New South Whales, they have been able to develop a resistance, protecting them from cane toads.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120222132936.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment