Focus on Amphibians
Amphibian populations are in decline in many areas of the world. In cities and in natural areas, in rainforests and in wetlands, countless areas which previously hosted a range of healthy amphibian populations now have fewer - or even no - frogs, toads, and salamanders. Although healthy populations of some species may exist elsewhere, in some cases, a few species - including Costa Rica's Monteverde golden toad and Australia's Gastric brooding frog - are now believed extinct.
How can you help?
Several amphibian conservation organizations and initiatives are working to stop amphibian declines.
Amphibian Facts
Frogs and toads, salamanders, and caecilians are members of the Class Amphibia. Of the world's seven continents, only Antarctica has no native amphibian species. The continental United States is home to at least 230 amphibian species: 90 frog and toad species, and 140 species of salamanders. In the U.S., declines in amphibian populations are particularly serious in California, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and Puerto Rico. Worldwide, decline "hot spots" also include Australia and Central America. Amphibian malformations - extra limbs, malformed or missing limbs, and facial malformations - have been documented in 44 states, and involve nearly 60 species. In some local populations, up to 60% of the amphibians exhibit malformations.
Amphibians in the News
Humans could one day re-grow limbs, thanks to gene discovery [
Wed Mar 17 19:59:00 EDT 2010 ]
The ability to make like an amphibian and regrow a limb may sound like the stuff of sci-fi movies. But thanks to a scientific discovery, it may one day be possible for humans to regenerate not just an amputated limb, but a broken back or even a damaged
Endangered California red-legged frog to receive large new protected habitat area -- finally [
Tue Mar 16 20:00:00 EDT 2010 ]
It's a good-news day for the endangered California red-legged frog, an amphibian that reached new heights of celebrity with the publication of Mark Twain's "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" in 1867.
The mysterious case of the frogs' legs. [
Wed Mar 17 05:00:05 EDT 2010 ]
In 1995, a group of schoolchildren from Minnesota discovered that half of the frogs they found in a pond were deformed. Some had bent, truncated legs, some had extra legs, while others had none at all.
1.6 million acres in 27 California counties set aside as frog habitat. [
Wed Mar 17 05:00:05 EDT 2010 ]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday designated 1.6 million acres in California as critical habitat for the endangered red-legged frog.
Twain's jumping frog gets new protections in county and across state. [
Wed Mar 17 05:00:05 EDT 2010 ]
The California red-legged frog, whose dwindling numbers empowered anti-sprawl advocates while thwarting farmers, ranchers and developers across California, is getting an established habitat to protect its recovery. Maybe.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat for endangered frog. [
Wed Mar 17 05:00:05 EDT 2010 ]
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will designate 1.6 million acres in California as critical habitat for the endangered red-legged frog, whose numbers have plunged due to land development, pollution and invasive species.
The mysterious case of the frogs' legs [
Tue Mar 16 12:00:00 EDT 2010 ]
Biological artist Brandon Ballengée takes strangely beautiful pictures of deformed frogs and toads. But just what is causing the deformities?
New protections set for Twain's jumping frog (AP) [
Tue Mar 16 18:07:42 EDT 2010 ]
Frogs, Foam and Fuel: Researchers Convert Solar Energy to Sugars [
Tue Mar 16 23:03:00 EDT 2010 ]
(PhysOrg.com) -- Engineers from the University of Cincinnati devise a foam that captures energy and removes excess carbon dioxide from the air -- thanks to semi-tropical frogs. For decades, farmers have been trying to find ways to get more energy out of
Internet trade driving rare salamander to extinction [Wed Mar 17 09:43:31 EDT 2010 ]
Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered [
Mon Mar 15 17:00:00 EDT 2010 ]
Researchers have described a new carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The 300-million-year-old remarkably preserved fossil is one of few amphibians displaying evidence of a land-based life history so early in time. The rocks where Fedexia was found are nearly 20 million years older than those of its fossil relatives, suggesting that the group's expansion occurred much earlier than previously thought.
New fossil amphibian provides earliest widespread evidence of terrestrial invertebrates [
Mon Mar 15 19:10:00 EDT 2010 ]
Evidence that the first widespread occurrence of terrestrial vertebrates 300 million years ago was in response to a brief episode of a globally warmer, drier climate IMAGE:Carnegie Museum of Natural History researchers and co-authors of the description
Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered [
Mon Mar 15 19:05:00 EDT 2010 ]
A team of researchers from Carnegie Museum of Natural History has described a new genus and species of carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The fossil skull, found in 2004 near Pittsburgh International Airport, was recovered from rocks
Meat-eating amphibian predates dinosaurs [
Mon Mar 15 17:20:11 EDT 2010 ]
Dinosaur -
Pennsylvania -
Federal Express -
Amphibian -
Paleontology
"FedEx" Fossil Amphibian Found [
Mon Mar 15 21:09:00 EDT 2010 ]
The meat-eating amphibian Fedexia striegeli wanders prehistoric Pittsburgh in an artist's rendering. Illustration by Mark A. Klingler, Carnegie Museum of Natural History Two views and an illustration of a Fedexia striegeli fossil skull. Photograph by
Rare Fossil Found Near Pittsburgh Airport [Tue Mar 16 09:54:27 EDT 2010 ]
Salamanders leave it all on the line for loveTue Mar 16 09:54:21 EDT 2010 ]
Environmental film festival includes a documentary on threats to frogs [Tue Mar 16 09:54:14 EDT 2010 ]
Filmmaker sheds light on plight of frogs, toads [Tue Mar 16 09:54:10 EDT 2010 ]
Bell frog thought to be on last legs spotted alive and kicking - Brisbane Times [
Thu Mar 04 15:03:32 EST 2010 ]
