Under the killing sun

Studies by researchers at the Oregon State University, US, have shown that exposure to UV-B radiation is killing the eggs of some amphibian species. As a result, two species of amphibians -- the cascades frog and western toad -- are on the decline. The animals hatched 20-25 per cent more eggs when UV-B radiation was removed through sunlight filters. The scientists theorise that amphibians might be particularly vulnerable to an increase in UV radiation because they lack hair and feathers to shield themselves and their jelly-like eggs are not protected by hard shells.