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5. Frogwater: Parasites, Deformed Frogs, and Other Bizarre Stuff That Swims in the Water You Might Drink

Frogwater: Parasites, Deformed Frogs, and Other Bizarre Stuff That Swims in the Water You Might Drink

Podcast

August 26, 2010
New Brunswick Museum, Saint John, New Brunswick
Speaker: Dr. Donald McAlpine, Research Curator, Zoology, Department of Natural Science, New Brunswick Museum

Donald McAlpine, Ph.D., takes listeners on a journey to New Brunswick's ponds where much "drama" plays out among parasitic worms, dragonfly larvae and frogs. By studying the connections between these species, scientists have been able to explain some of the mysterious deformities found in frogs.

Some cases of multiple frog limbs that were earlier attributed to chemical contamination have now been credited to parasitic worms. Similarly, some limb deformities have now been attributed to dragonfly larvae, which like to "munch" on the hind legs of tadpoles.

This lecture was part of Voices: A Canadian Perspective on Water, the RBC National Lecture Series.