New research indicates that perfectly natural factors (parasitism and predation) may account for the deformed frogs and toads (either having multiple hind limbs or lacking limbs entirely) that have created such media attention. Much of the publicity appeared to focus on a chemical/pollution cause, but it now appears that may have been misguided. Trematode parasites in tadpoles can disrupt limb development, resulting in a bizarre appearance, and nymphs of some dragonfly species appear to feed preferentially on the developing hind limbs of tadpoles. See http://tinyurl. com/lll5yy for detailed information.