evolution

SFU researchers identify relationship between diversity and extinction in amphibians

Simon Fraser University researchers have discovered a potential explanation that sheds light on why a third of amphibians are at risk of extinction. Following a year-long study, the biologists found that amphibian groups that diversify rapidly are more prone to extinction. Amongst the other vertebrate species, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, this pattern is only found in amphibians. “For many amphibians, the amount of distance they can travel is often limited and they are also typically sensitive to water availability. These traits likely contribute to why amphibians are one of the most threatened vertebrate classes in the world,”…

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