Gene-Edited Cane Toads Shed Light on Albinism

Experts from Macquarie University used CRISPR gene editing technology to uncover why albino animals are so rare in nature. The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, used gene-edited albino cane toads to test long-standing theories about the evolutionary challenges of albinism.

The study found that albino toads struggled to compete even in controlled environments without predators. Albino tadpoles were less likely to survive and matured faster when living alongside pigmented siblings. As adults, they grew more slowly and had trouble catching prey. Further experiments showed that albino toads needed brighter light to hunt and frequently missed prey, making survival difficult in their natural nocturnal habitats.

The study highlights the power of gene editing to answer evolutionary questions that have long been difficult to test. “By knocking out just one gene, we can directly compare siblings from the same parents, with pigmentation as the only difference,” explained Professor Rick Shine. The team says the findings not only challenge assumptions about albinism but also demonstrate how CRISPR can be used to explore other evolutionary puzzles and potentially inform invasive species control.

For more information, read the article from Macquarie University.