Researchers have found that frogs’ population across the world is quite vulnerable as a highly infectious disease affects tadpoles of different species. Researchers said that they have new methods to test tadpoles for the infection.

Study researchers said that the infection happens due to an organism known as protists, single-celled microorganisms that store genetic information in a nucleus. The protists act as a parasite for tadpoles. They enter into their livers.

As a part of the study, researchers have tested tadpoles from six nations in three different continents. The researchers said that amphibians are the most threatened animal group on the planet. In 2008, 32% of frog species were classified as threatened or extinct and 42% were listed as being in decline.

Protists have been found to be members of a large, diverse group of microorganisms. After the assessment, it has been found that protists belong to Perkinsea, a parasitic group.

“Global frog populations are suffering serious declines and infectious disease has been shown to be a significant factor. We now need to figure out if this novel microbe causes significant disease and could be contributing to the frog population declines”, said Dr. Thomas Richards.

Dr. Richards said that their study has unveiled about an earlier unknown microbial group that infects tadpole livers in frog populations across the world. The research also shows that there is a growing ecological stress being faced by frogs, salamanders and other amphibians threatened by climate change.