'Super toads' going on a rampage

NT News
Feb. 16, 2006

IT HAS invaded the Northern Territory and now the hated cane toad is evolving - growing faster, longer legs as it rampages through the Top End.

Researchers have been studying the toxic pests in the NT, clocking them hopping up to 2km in a single night, or more than 50km a year - five times quicker than their predecessors travelled in the 1940s to 1960s.

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"There is very clear evidence that toads are evolving rapidly," said Professor Rick Shine, from the University of Sydney's School of Biological Sciences.

Scientists have been examining the warty pests at Fogg Dam, 60km east of Darwin, for a year, attaching radio transmitters to track how far and fast they can travel.

Their research, published today in the scientific journal Nature, found the first toads had longer, faster legs - which make up 45 per cent of their body length.

When the toad was first introduced in Queensland 70 years ago its legs made up about 35-40 per cent of its body length, Prof Shine said.

"Frogs and toads generally are slow moving little creatures," Prof Shine said.

"(But) our toads are moving northwest and they are just going as fast as they can."

He said it was possible toads were evolving to be faster because there was some advantage to being first to invade an area - either juicier grubs or less competition for food.

The report came as the NT renewed its attack on the toad, which is fast approaching Darwin.

Locals are being urged to check their yards and nearby parks for cane toads on March 14 - the official "Not in My Backyard Day" of action.

One cane toad even invaded Parliament sittings yesterday.