Ranavirus Confirmed In Japan - 10,000+ Frogs Killed In Single Pond - Japan Times

[hatrack]

Thousands of frogs were found dead in a pond last fall in Japan's first confirmed case of the amphibian-destroying ranavirus, a researcher said Friday.

The death of American Bullfrogs occurred in a man-made pond in September and October, said Yumi Une, associate professor of veterinary science at Azabu University in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The dead frogs had symptoms unique to a ranavirus infection, such as bleeding on the surface of the skin and loss or deformity of toes or webs, Une said, adding that the virus was detected in their cells. Une did not reveal the location of the pond but said more than 10,000 frogs are believed to have died there.

Although the virus is not contagious to humans, no cure has been found for infected amphibian species.

EDIT

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090301a6.html

[raysr]

1. Yummie One?

[pscot]

2. How did 10,000 American Bullfrogs

find their way into a manmade Japanese pond? Were they migrating? Just alookin' for a home?

[Nihil]

3. Frog soup ...

... for research purposes only you understand ...
:evilgrin: