Australian Mutant Toads Are Creepy and Growing in Number
- 11 years ago
Australian mutant toads are increasing.
Toads aren’t always the most appealing creatures to look at.
In Gladstone, Australia, an increasing rate of mutant toads keep making appearances throughout the industrial city.
In some areas, up to 20% of the toads were discovered to have ‘malformations’ compared to about 1% of toads found in rural parts. On average, 6 to 8 percent of the total examined population in Gladstone has been found with defects in the last three years.
Some were found to have a fifth leg stemming out from their chests. Other toads had missing limbs. While follow-up studies are required to determine why the abnormalities are occurring, it could be due to ultraviolet radiation, chemical runoff and parasites.
Last year, research scientists noticed severe mutations in Pale Grass Blue butterflies collected in the Fukushima prefecture of Japan. The comparison of Pale Grass Blue butterflies from different regions revealed that the radiation from the earthquake and tsunami in March of 2011 that caused nuclear reactors to meltdown was affecting the wildlife.
Some of the effects included proportionately smaller wings and development of eyes differently than the same species of butterflies not impacted by the radiation.
Toads aren’t always the most appealing creatures to look at.
In Gladstone, Australia, an increasing rate of mutant toads keep making appearances throughout the industrial city.
In some areas, up to 20% of the toads were discovered to have ‘malformations’ compared to about 1% of toads found in rural parts. On average, 6 to 8 percent of the total examined population in Gladstone has been found with defects in the last three years.
Some were found to have a fifth leg stemming out from their chests. Other toads had missing limbs. While follow-up studies are required to determine why the abnormalities are occurring, it could be due to ultraviolet radiation, chemical runoff and parasites.
Last year, research scientists noticed severe mutations in Pale Grass Blue butterflies collected in the Fukushima prefecture of Japan. The comparison of Pale Grass Blue butterflies from different regions revealed that the radiation from the earthquake and tsunami in March of 2011 that caused nuclear reactors to meltdown was affecting the wildlife.
Some of the effects included proportionately smaller wings and development of eyes differently than the same species of butterflies not impacted by the radiation.