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| Asian relative of cane toad threatens Madagascar havoc | Asian relative of cane toad threatens Madagascar havoc |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A relative of the cane toad, which has devastated wildlife in Australia, has invaded Madagascar, scientists report. | A relative of the cane toad, which has devastated wildlife in Australia, has invaded Madagascar, scientists report. |
| The Asian common toad was first seen on the island in March, and there have been several sightings since. | The Asian common toad was first seen on the island in March, and there have been several sightings since. |
| In a letter to the journal Nature, researchers warn that the arrival of the amphibian could cause "an ecological disaster" and wreak havoc on the country's unique fauna. | In a letter to the journal Nature, researchers warn that the arrival of the amphibian could cause "an ecological disaster" and wreak havoc on the country's unique fauna. |
| They say that urgent action is needed to remove the toads before they spread. | They say that urgent action is needed to remove the toads before they spread. |
| The fear is that the poisonous amphibians could poison local wildlife and carry diseases, such as the deadly chytrid fungus that has killed amphibians around the world. | |
| One of the authors, Jonathan Kolby, of James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, said: "It's worrying because Madagascar has amazing endemic biodiversity - plants, animals and amphibians that are found nowhere else. | One of the authors, Jonathan Kolby, of James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, said: "It's worrying because Madagascar has amazing endemic biodiversity - plants, animals and amphibians that are found nowhere else. |
| "And this one species has the propensity to damage that." | "And this one species has the propensity to damage that." |
| The amphibians were first seen in Toamasina, the main port of Madagascar. It is thought that they arrived in shipping containers from their native home in South East Asia. | The amphibians were first seen in Toamasina, the main port of Madagascar. It is thought that they arrived in shipping containers from their native home in South East Asia. |
| "They are a very hardy and adaptable species," said Mr Kolby. | "They are a very hardy and adaptable species," said Mr Kolby. |
| "They can handle a long ride on the ocean in a container, and then hop out wherever they end end up. And this is most likely how they got there." | "They can handle a long ride on the ocean in a container, and then hop out wherever they end end up. And this is most likely how they got there." |
| The fear is that the warty brown creatures could repeat the damage that their relative, the cane toad (Rhinella marina), caused in Australia. | The fear is that the warty brown creatures could repeat the damage that their relative, the cane toad (Rhinella marina), caused in Australia. |
| Cane toads, native to Central and South America, were introduced to Australia in the 1930s, initially to control pests, but they are now widespread and number in their millions. | Cane toads, native to Central and South America, were introduced to Australia in the 1930s, initially to control pests, but they are now widespread and number in their millions. |
| They produce toxins that are deadly to the local birds, mammals and reptiles that prey on them and they have had a dramatic impact on the country's wildlife. | They produce toxins that are deadly to the local birds, mammals and reptiles that prey on them and they have had a dramatic impact on the country's wildlife. |
| Asian common toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are smaller than cane toads, but they are also venomous - and researchers think Madagascar's animals could be especially vulnerable. | Asian common toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are smaller than cane toads, but they are also venomous - and researchers think Madagascar's animals could be especially vulnerable. |
| "These animals have never been exposed to Asian toad toxins before and will likely not have an evolutionary defence against them," said Mr Kolby. | "These animals have never been exposed to Asian toad toxins before and will likely not have an evolutionary defence against them," said Mr Kolby. |
| The 11 co-signatories of the letter add that the toads could outcompete other species and potentially spread the deadly chytrid fungus. | The 11 co-signatories of the letter add that the toads could outcompete other species and potentially spread the deadly chytrid fungus. |
| The researchers, from Australia, the US and Madagascar, say that conservationists and Madagascan government need to act quickly to eradicate the toads. | The researchers, from Australia, the US and Madagascar, say that conservationists and Madagascan government need to act quickly to eradicate the toads. |
| Mr Kolby said: "The question is, can we still eradicate them? Have we caught it soon enough that eradication could be a feasible option? Obviously we all hope the answer is yes." | Mr Kolby said: "The question is, can we still eradicate them? Have we caught it soon enough that eradication could be a feasible option? Obviously we all hope the answer is yes." |
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