The Memphis Zoo has successfully hatched Mississippi Gopher Frog (Rana sevosa) eggs. Along with the Wyoming toad, the Ramsey Canyon Leopard Frog, and the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, the Mississippi Gopher frog is part of AZA’s “Critical Four”. The frog is critically endangered with probably less than 100 in the wild with a range of 9 counties in Mississippi, but more likely found in only one. The frog is also Read more about it here. The frog was also recently found to be suffering from a new emergent disease caused by Dermomycoides – another fungal spore. More on this later…

With more threats to amphibians than ever, it is important for them to have more champions behind them. Just like Kermit realized long ago, singing, “It’s not easy being green”. It is often easy in our busy lives to overlook their natural beauty. Kermit is still a great champion for all amphibians!

photo: John M. Adamski

Ever wonder why animals that are supposed to be camouflaged sometimes have colors that appear to be too bright to be effective for a camouflage? Your probably not seeing them in the right light or conditions. Take for instance, this Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), if she was on the grass in the middle of the day she might be obvious. This image really surprised me when I got home and took a close look at it. The flash created a light filtering through the rain drops hitting the water -  showing how camouflaged she really is!

Pick up the May issue of Reptiles magazine or click here to read a great article about amphibian chytrid written by Jamie K. Reaser, Ph.D. There is also an article about Amphibian Ark written by Kevin Zippel Ph.D. Don’t forget to check out Kevin’s presentation next Wednesday, March 26th at the Eisenhart Auditorium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. The program starts at 7:30. Call (585) 697-1942 for ticket info.

Check out this frog! This is a testament to how much amphibians can live through. The Water Holding Frog (Cyclorana platycephala) can aestivate or “hibernate during the heat” for long periods of time. Take a look at the video and see what this frog will go through to reproduce after the rainy season arrives. Amphibians have survived for 350 million years and are in the wake of a mass extinction, yet this frog can ‘cocoon’ for 2 years or longer without eating. Something is really going wrong!

photo: John M. Adamski

True toads, like the Cane toad above (Bufo marinus), have glands that can produce toxins to deter predators. In the case of the Cane toad, the toxins can be deadly to predators. The toxin, called bufotoxin, can be found in the tadpoles. Even the eggs are toxic! Cane toads have been introduced to some countries to control plant pests. In Australia, where no true toads are found naturally, they have become pests themselves. The Cane toad is such a big eater, they often out-compete other animals in the same niche for food.

This toad was hanging out at the pool of the Hotel Campestre in El Valle, Panama. Cane toads were one of the few amphibians that didn’t seem to be affected by the chytrid fungus. They are prolific breeders that can be found in large numbers in Central and South America still.

So which amphibians are endangered or threatened in the Unites States? Be sure to check out the previous link to see an up to date listing from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or USFWS. So what does all of this mean? The IUCN or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, has created a “Red List” to evaluate how rare species become. The list and definitions are from highest to lowest:

Extinct (EX)

Extinct in the Wild (EW)

Critically Endangered (CR)

Endangered (EN)

Vulnerable (VU)

Near Threatened (NT)

Least Concern (LC)

Data Deficient (DD)

Not Evaluated (NE)

Many amphibian species are considered Data Deficient, so the threats to their well being are not known yet.

Eleutherodactylus caryophyllaceus                      photo: John M. Adamski

The Global Amphibian Assessment is the most comprehensive database of amphibian information around. You can search the database to find info on all known amphibian species (that’s almost 6000!). Information on taxonomy, red list status, and geographic range can be found, as well as, habitat biotype and past, present, and future threats to species. You can even learn about what conservation measures are in place and what conservation measures are needed for each species to increase it’s chances of survival. Search for pages of two of the Seneca Park Zoo’s critically endangered amphibian species: the Panamanian Golden Frog and the Lemur Leaf Frog.

Make sure to make time to hear Dr. Kevin Zippel speak about the extinction crisis, in the Eisenhart auditorium, at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. The program starts at 7:30 on Wednesday, March 26th. Dr. Zippel is the Program Director for the Amphibian Ark. We are very lucky to have him as a guest speaker for the Distinguished Scholars Lecture Series at the museum. Call (585) 697-1942 for tickets or find more info about the lecture series here. Don’t miss this!!

photo: John M. Adamski

So with all of the threats that amphibians face, what is their role in the food chain? That’s a question that many scientist’s are asking. The Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is an animal that relies on amphibians to make up the bulk of it’s diet. It’s important to understand the relationships between prey and predator. If the fragile balance get’s messed up, it can jeopardize other species and their environment. Just picture how many insects we would have if no animal ate them! How would that affect the plants that insects eat? If there are major declines in amphibians, what will Ribbon snakes eat? These are all questions that show how our world is inter-weaved together.

The Ribbon Snake above was born Friday, March 7th along with 5 siblings at the Zoo. We don’t feed them amphibians though! At around 3 grams at birth, these guys are a little bigger than a fireplace match. They start eating small cubes of smelt and eventually learn to take mouse pinks.