HOPES of using a parasite as a new biological control for cane toads have been dashed, as it has proven fatal to one of the Kimberley’s tree frog species.

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University of Sydney herpetologist Rick Shine says lungworm infected and killed splendid tree frogs during laboratory trials.

“Not only did the parasite infect the frog and find its way to the lungs but it killed the frog very quickly,” Professor Shine says.

“[This happened] much more quickly than it affected the cane toads.”

This story first appeared in Science Network WA [read this story]. The Kimberley Echo republished it on 9 October 2014. I am planning another story about how the parasite passes from toad to frog which I will post when available.