Episode 90. Understanding Spindly Leg Syndrome with Kathleen Higgins

Spindly Leg Syndrome is a condition that negatively effects developing tadpoles and causes them to develop thin "spindly" legs during metamorphosis.  The condition is ultimately fatal and as such it can be a difficult challenge for hobbyists and conservationists looking to breed dendrobatid frogs to overcome. Many have theorized why spindly leg occurs, but there hasn't been much in the way of peer reviewed literature until now. To shed light on the subject, I am joined tonight by Kathleen Higgins. Kathleen recently conducted extensive studies in Panama to discover the causes of Spindly Leg Syndrome in captive Andinobates geminisae with surprising results.  Kathleen co-authored a paper describing her findings and we discuss all of it in this week's epsiode.  For more information and to read Kathleen's Paper visit: https://theses.lib.sfu.ca/file/thesis/5427Orhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/zoo.21598For AmphibiCast Merch, Listener Discounts on In Situ Ecosystems Vivariums or to support the show by becoming a Patron Visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast