Scientists studying a killer disease that kills thousands of frogs each year, have found that the severity of the virus increases in ponds containing non-native species such as goldfish.
Researchers from the University of Exeter are urging pondkeepers not to stock goldfish and other exotic species.
Ranavirus causes systemic haemorrhaging and severe skin ulcers in amphibians which can result in a loss of limbs, and often death. It is thought to have entered the UK via the pet trade and has contributed to the global decline in amphibians.
Lead author Alexandra North said: "Our results show that we can all help limit the impact of this devastating disease. It is important to reduce the use of garden chemicals like slug pellets and weed killers, which weaken the immune systems of frogs, and to stop stocking ponds with non-native species like goldfish.
"Crucially, people should not move fish, frog spawn, pond weeds or ornaments from one pond to another as this could spread the disease."
The researchers analysed a long term dataset of mortalities in the common frog from across Britain to identify which characteristics were associated with ranavirosis. Since 1992, UK pond owners have reported common frog mass mortality events to the charity Froglife which administers the dataset.
Dr Amber Griffiths from the Environment and Sustainability Institute at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall said: "We are currently undergoing a mass extinction of species, and amphibians are particularly under threat. The unprecedented loss of amphibians indicates widespread environmental degradation. The interactions between disease and climate change are deadly. The deeper problem is climate change, but our study shows that people can make an immediate difference by changing their habits in their own gardens."
For the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association's response to the report, click here.
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