Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 The West Australian Australia Monday August 5th, 2002 Virus plan to end toad march Melbourne. Scientists are preparing to test a virus that could spell the end for one of Australia's most infamous pests, the venerable cane toad. And if the trials are successful at the Animal Health Laboratories at Geelong, the virus could be adapted to rid Australia of the European carp and other exotic creatures. Researchers at the CSIRO in Canberra and Geelong have isolated several genes that aid the development of tadpoles into cane toads. The researchers also have identified a virus endemic to Australia. They plan to introduce the virus into one of the genes to prevent the metamorphosis, thereby blocking the species. One of the project leaders, Alex Hyatt, said yesterday that the six-person team was on the verge of proving the concept after a two year research project funded by the Federal Government. Cane toads were first introduced into Australia in 1935 to control cane beetles. When they failed to eliminate the bug, cane toads multiplied to such plague proportions across nothern Australia that they decimated the water rat, quoll, native frog and several bird species. Fears are held for the fragile Kakadu National Park, as the cane toad frogmarches across the Northern Territory. Dr Hyatt said the virus could be adapted to control other feral animals such as the European carp , which infest many Australian rivers, and to protect frog-producing industries overseas. Dr Hyatt said the virus had to be cane toad specific to protect other species of frogs and toads. The Age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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