2 Significant findings by Dr. Vance Vredenburg: 1.

Discovery of Chytridiomycosis Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to be detrimental to some species of amphibians There has been a lot of frog death occurring for the past century. Since the start of 1934, some frogs have already been dying in South Africa. Its starting to spread all over the world, and some even to parts of the Philippines. Scientists have wondered what caused this death. Through loads of tests and years of research, they have finally discovered zoospores of Chytridiomycosis Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis on the skin of frogs. This fungus disrupted their cutaneous respiratory system. They have discovered that if the count of zoospores on the skin was above 100,000, or the mortality threshold, the frogs will die.

2. Bio augmentation to stop Chytridiomycosis Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Due to observation, some frogs survived this plague. The scientists themselves wondered how they did and others couldnt. Then the scientists had a hypothesis. They thought that maybe those bacteria could actually protect the frogs from the fungal disease. And in the result of years of research, and a vast amount of skin sampling, they found a certain bacteria called J. lividum in the skin of the surviving frogs. In a controlled experiment, the frogs bathed with Chytridiomycosis Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and J. lividum survived, frogs with only

Chytridiomycosis Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis died, as expected, and no harm was caused to the frogs bathed with only J. lividum alone. Indeed, they were right. The frogs did not exceed the mortality threshold of 100,000 zoospores and led them to survival. Whats even better is that they dont have to bathe all the frog s in J.

lividum, since this bacteria can spread all by itself and share the benefits it gives with other frogs.

Crocidura canariensis - Canarian Shrew, Canary Shrew The Canarian shrew is a part of the mammal class. It is a very small creature having fur, with large ears and a long tail. Unlike other shrews, its fore claws are not enlarged [1]. It is very shy, and it likes to hide. It resembles mice, but has a long snout with long incisor teeth. Canarian shrews live in a barren lava field called malpas. They usually stay under lava tubes in order to be protected from the hot and dry conditions outside. Although they live here, some have even been found on gardens near that area [1].

The canarian shrew is the only land mammal endemic to the Canary Islands and they are too endangered there [1]. Being endangered, we can sense that they might have some weaknesses in them in result of their failure to adapt to changes. I feel that they have been endangered through their habitat. They live underground. Above them, anything can happen. Anytime, at any moment the ground can always collapse and cover them inside. Without protection from any shells, scales or large fore claws to dig up, how will they exit? How will they be able to save themselves from dying? Since they are also very tiny, it is not impossible that other bigger and stronger predators can try and get them. Judging from the length of their tail, I think theyre going to be pretty easy to catch.

The natural world can really have an effect on the extinction of animals, but one thing we should be mindful about is that humans have bigger. As humans, we

build and grow our society. As we build, we forget about the other creatures around us. This is probably the reason why these shrews have been endangered. We have destroyed their homes in order to build our own. Also, we humans have been very abusive of our resources and we tend to pollute. This pollution can greatly affect the shrews and cause them diseases.

I suggest that they stop building infrastructures around areas canary shrews are still in existence. Also, areas near here should stop polluting the area so these shrews could survive. We have to make it easier for them to live.

They may have a lot of weaknesses in them, but we cant just let them perish. They are a vital part of our biodiversity and they have a right to live in this world. Other than that, it is just right for us to treat them correctly because we too are a part of their decline.

Reference: [1] http://www.arkive.org/canarian-shrew/crocidura-canariensis/