'Voracious' cannibals help Australia fight invasive species

'Voracious' cannibals help Australia fight invasive species

Genetically modified, cannibal tadpoles may be the solution to Australia’s nearly century-old invasive cane toad problem. According to researchers, removing a single gene that controls production of a hormone called thyroxine can create swarms of tadpoles incapable of their usual metamorphosis into adult amphibians. Cane toad tadpoles have ravenous appetites already, so prolonging this life stage allows the modified hatchlings to devour as many …