Tiny coquí frogs trade growth for immune defense under fungal threat

Researchers from the University of Florida used field data and mathematical models to show how young coquí frogs balance growth and immune defense in the face of a deadly fungal pathogen. When infection is low, they grow quickly to reach maturity; as infection rises, they allocate more energy to fighting disease, slowing growth and delaying maturity. Seasonal timing also matters: warmer seasons boost food and infection risk, influencing survival and lifetime reproduction. The study highlights how pathogens cause hidden costs in development and has implications for conservation and captive release timing.