Scientists have made a major breakthrough by sequencing the genome of the southern corroboree frog, one of Australia’s rarest and most endangered amphibians. This small, brightly colored frog lives only in a few cold, alpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park. Due to disease and shrinking habitats from climate change, experts now say the frog is “functionally extinct” in the wild.
A Unique Frog with Ancient Roots
The southern corroboree frog is black and yellow and part of a frog family that dates back more than 100 million years. It is found nowhere else in the world. The species has faced many threats over the years, especially from the chytrid fungus, a deadly disease that has wiped out many frog species globally.
Dr. Tiffany Kosch from the University of Melbourne led the research to sequence the frog’s full genome. The work took over ten years to complete. Scientists collected tissue samples from frogs and kept them frozen before sending them to a lab in New York for genetic study.
One of the Largest Genomes Ever Found in Frogs
Though the frog is small in size, its DNA is massive. In fact, its genome is about three times larger than the human genome. Much of this DNA does not code for genes but consists of repeated patterns. This makes the genetic map more complex and difficult to study, but also rich with information.
Dr. Kosch said that having access to the genome will help researchers learn why the frog is so vulnerable to disease. She hopes this information will be used to develop new ways to protect the species.
Fighting Back: Science Meets Conservation
Researchers are now using the genome data to test selective breeding and even gene editing. The goal is to help create frogs that are more resistant to the chytrid fungus. These frogs could be released back into the wild someday.
This kind of genetic science might be used for other threatened species as well. If it works, it could become a key part of global conservation plans.
Why This Matters for Global Biodiversity
Amphibians are the most threatened group of animals in the world. Diseases, pollution, climate change, and habitat loss have led to major declines. Scientists say genome mapping is a vital first step to saving them.
Dr. Simon Clulow from the University of Canberra praised the research. He said knowing the full genome can help scientists look for traits that offer natural resistance to disease. That could lead to better breeding programs and stronger frog populations.
Professor Nicki Mitchell from the University of Western Australia said that frogs have long been left out of the genome research space because their DNA is large and hard to work with. But she added that mapping the genome of this frog was urgent because it’s the most at-risk amphibian in Australia.
Calls for Better Government Support
Even though the frog is on Australia’s Threatened Species Action Plan, experts say the government is not doing enough. Professor Mitchell criticized the lack of funding for biodiversity programs. She called for at least 1% of Australia’s federal budget to go toward fighting climate change and protecting endangered species.
“This frog is not just a species,” she said. “It’s a symbol of what we’re losing and what we need to protect.”
Although this scientific success brings new hope, the road to saving the southern corroboree frog is still long. It will take time to breed disease-resistant frogs and even more time to bring them back into the wild in stable numbers.
But for now, researchers and conservationists are hopeful. With modern science, strong partnerships, and better funding, the southern corroboree frog might yet have a future.