Diversity breeds disease resistance in frogs

Species-rich amphibian communities better able to fend off parasitic infections

In the frog pond, more species means better health for all. More diverse amphibian communities are less likely to transmit a virulent parasite that causes limb deformities in frogs, researchers report in the Feb. 14 Nature.

DIVERSITY AND DISEASE In a study involving a parasitic flatworm that causes limb deformities in frogs (shown), researchers show why many ecological communities with greater species diversity are better at controlling infectious disease.