• Question: Why do you use frogs for your work

    Asked by knee520prex to zongyuanzhu, Tia F, Sophie P, Hayley on 9 Jul 2025.
    • Photo: Hayley Free

      Hayley Free answered on 9 Jul 2025:

      When looking for this kind of viral DNA, the majority of the research has been in mammals. Frogs and toads have been very understudied in this regard, and we think that by looking at this group of animals we can learn even more about the viral DNA. We know that viruses can undergo transmission between species, and we know that this viral DNA has had important roles in the evolution of mammals, and so finding out even more about it can only help us! We also think that it may have a role in disease, and as amphibians (including frogs and toads) are undergoing huge population declines across the world, understanding more about their health is very important.

Comments

  • Photo: paca520eras

    paca520eras commented on :

    what is your favourite frog

  • Photo: Hayley

    Hayley commented on :

    GREAT question! My favourite frog species is the mountain chicken frog – they are one of the largest frog species and they are called that because they used to be a national dish, and tasted like chicken! Now they are critically endangered (from disease and bad weather) and so they are no longer eaten. You can see them at a few zoos in the UK and they are wonderful!