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The New Age of Extinction
Wednesday, Apr. 01, 2009 The New Age of Extinction By Bryan Walsh / Madagascar There are at least 8 million unique species of life on the planet, if not far more, and you could be forgiven for believing that all of them can be found in Andasibe. Walking through this rain forest in Madagascar is like stepping into the library of life. Sunlight seeps through the silky fringes of the Ravenea louvelii, an endangered palm found, like so much else on this African island, nowhere else. Leaf-tailed geckos cling to the trees, cloaked in green. A fat Parson's chameleon lies lazily on a branch, beady eyes scanning for dinner. But the animal I most hoped to find, I don't see at first; I hear it, though — a sustained groan that electrifies the forest quiet. My Malagasy guide, Marie Razafindrasolo, finds the source of the sound perched on a branch. It is the black-and-white indri, largest of the lemurs — a type of small primate found only in Madagascar. The cry is known as a spacing call, a warning to other indris to keep their distance, to prevent competition for food. But there's not much risk of interlopers. The species — like many other lemurs, like many other animals in Madagascar, like so much of life on Earth — is endangered and dwindling fast. Madagascar — which separated from India 80 million to 100 million years ago before eventually settling off the southeastern coast of Africa — is in many ways an Earth apart. All that time in geographic isolation made Madagascar a Darwinian playground, its animals and plants evolving into forms utterly original. -
Species Assessment for Boreal Toad (Bufo Boreas Boreas)
SPECIES ASSESSMENT FOR BOREAL TOAD (BUFO BOREAS BOREAS ) IN WYOMING prepared by 1 2 MATT MCGEE AND DOUG KEINATH 1 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3023 2 Zoology Program Manager, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave, Dept. 3381, Laramie, Wyoming 82071; 307-766-3013; [email protected] drawing by Summers Scholl prepared for United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Wyoming State Office Cheyenne, Wyoming March 2004 McGee and Keinath – Bufo boreas boreas March 2004 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3 NATURAL HISTORY ........................................................................................................................... 4 Morphological Description ...................................................................................................... 4 Taxonomy and Distribution ..................................................................................................... 5 Habitat Requirements............................................................................................................. 8 General ............................................................................................................................................8 Spring-Summer ...............................................................................................................................9 -
Newsletter V5-N2
V irg in ia Herpetological Society August 1995 Volume 5, Number 2 NEWSLETTER Catesheiana Co-editors President Paul W. Saltier Ron Southwick R. Terry Spohn Paul Sattler - Pres. Elect Newsletter Editor Sccrctarv/Trcasurcr Mike Finder Bob Hogan microdistribution patterns of Worldwide Amphibian Decline salamanders in terrestrial environments Is There a Virginia Connection? (Wyman and Hawksley-Lescault, 1987). Increased ultraviolet radiation, apparently due to the thinning of the Submitted by Joseph C. Mitchell, Department of Biology, ozone layer, has been shown to k ill University o f Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173 developing eggs of the Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) and western toad (Bufo boreas) (Blaustein et al., 1994a). Amphibians have received Congress of Herpetology held in The widespread fungus (Saprolegnia considerable media and scientific Canterbury, England in 1989. ferax) introduced into ponds and lakes attention over the past half dozen years Pin-pointing the causes of in the Pacific northwest by introduced because of species extinctions and these problems has been elusive. Early fish has caused egg mortality in the population declines worldwide. on, scientists were looking for one western toad (Blaustein et al., 1994b). Observations such as (1) the last global smoking gun, but the results of An unidentified virus carried by individual of the Australian gastric studies that have been published since introduced fish, such as tilapia, brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus) the alarm surfaced indicate that the guppies, and carp, is suspected as was seen in 1979 (Tyler and Davies, causes are varied and often local. The causing frog decline in Australia 1985); (2) the golden toad (Bufo most common cause of local population (Anderson, 1995). -
American Toad (Anaxyrus Americanus) Fowler's Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri
Vermont has eleven known breeding species of frogs. Their exact distributions are still being determined. In order for these species to survive and flourish, they need our help. One way you can help is to report the frogs that you come across in the state. Include in your report as much detail as you can on the appearance and location of the animal; also include the date of the sighting, your name, and how to contact you. Photographs are ideal, but not necessary. When attempting to identify a particular species, check at least three different field markings so that you can be sure of what it is. To contribute a report, you may use our website (www.vtherpatlas.org) or contact Jim Andrews directly at [email protected]. American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) The American Bullfrog is our largest frog and can reach 7 inches long. The Bullfrog is one of the three The American Toad is one of Vermont’s two toad species. Toads can be distinguished from other green-faced frogs in Vermont. It has a green and brown mottled body with dark stripes across its legs. frogs in Vermont by their dry and bumpy skin, and the long oval parotoid glands on each side of their The Bullfrog does not have dorsolateral ridges, but it does have a ridge that starts at the eye and goes necks. The American Toad has at least one large wart in each of the large black spots found along its around the eardrum (tympana) and down. The Bullfrog’s call is a deep low jum-a-rum. -
The Puzzling Golden Toad Crack the Puzzle and Reveal the Secret Word Activity Guide
The Puzzling Golden Toad Crack the puzzle and reveal the secret word Activity Guide Did you know that the specific effects of climate change on animals are still unknown? Meet the golden toad and learn why scientists are still puzzled by his mysterious disappearance. Try This! Step 1: Set up the time line sheet. Step 2: Find the seven puzzle pieces and read the information on each. Step 3: Organize the time line to reveal the secret word. How do you think scientists study the effect of climate change on species such as the Golden Toad? Climate Connection The effect of climate change on species is still unknown and widely debated. Scientists believe that factors such as increased droughts and the spread of a fungus may have led to the demise of the Golden Toad. The number of Golden Toads people saw declined from 1,500 to zero in such a short period of time. Scientists suspect that conditions related to climate change was the reason for their extinction. Turn the page over to learn more! Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY Page 1 www.sciencenter.org The Puzzling Golden Toad Activity Guide What’s Happening? The Golden Toad (Bufo periglenes) was an amphibian only found in areas near the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in Costa Rica. This species strangely disappeared in the late 1980’s, which led to extensive studies on what caused the extinction of this species. After studying the drastic manner in which this species declined, scientists started to suspect that climate change was the reason for their extinction. Scientists began to study how stress relating to moisture, temperature, diseases and contaminants in combination with climate change could have affected the Golden Toad. -
Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Population of The
Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Population of the Boreal Toad, Anaxyrus boreas boreas Prepared by the Western Colorado Ecological Services Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Grand Junction, Colorado EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This species status assessment (SSA) reports the results of the comprehensive biological status review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for the Eastern Population of the boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) and provides a thorough account of the species’ overall viability and, therefore, extinction risk. The boreal toad is a subspecies of the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas, formerly Bufo boreas). The Eastern Population of the boreal toad occurs in southeastern Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico, and most of Utah. This SSA Report is intended to provide the best available biological information to inform a 12-month finding and decision on whether or not the Eastern Population of boreal toad is warranted for listing under the Endangered Species Act (Act), and if so, whether and where to propose designating critical habitat. To evaluate the biological status of the boreal toad both currently and into the future, we assessed a range of conditions to allow us to consider the species’ resiliency, redundancy, and representation (together, the 3Rs). The boreal toad needs multiple resilient populations widely distributed across its range to maintain its persistence into the future and to avoid extinction. A number of factors influence whether boreal toad populations are considered resilient to stochastic events. These factors include (1) sufficient population size (abundance), (2) recruitment of toads into the population, as evidenced by the presence of all life stages at some point during the year, and (3) connectivity between breeding populations. -
The IUCN Amphibians Initiative: a Record of the 2001-2008 Amphibian Assessment Efforts for the IUCN Red List
The IUCN Amphibians Initiative: A record of the 2001-2008 amphibian assessment efforts for the IUCN Red List Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Amphibians on the IUCN Red List - Home Page ................................................................................ 5 Assessment process ......................................................................................................................... 6 Partners ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Central Coordinating Team ............................................................................................................................ 6 The IUCN/SSC – CI/CABS Biodiversity Assessment Unit........................................................................................ 6 An Introduction to Amphibians ................................................................................................................................. 7 Assessment methods ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1. Data Collection .................................................................................................................................................. 8 2. Data Review ................................................................................................................................................... -
Signs of the Seasons: a New England Phenology Program Indicator
Signs of the Seasons: A New England Phenology Program Indicator Species Fact Sheet Eastern American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus The American toad is commonly found throughout New England and is native to eastern North America. Considered habitat generalists, these toads can be found anywhere that moisture and ample food are available, including multiple forest types, fields and urban areas. Toads play an important ecosystem role as insect consumers, thereby keeping populations in check. Appearance: Toads are shades of brown in color and are covered with warts. They have a wide head and short front limbs. Behind the eyes, there are kidney bean shaped glands; J.D. Willson, USGS Savannah River Ecology Lab, http://srel.uga.edu/ these paratoid glands produce toxins that give the toad an unpleasant taste. The toads range in length from 2-4 ½ inches. Females are slightly larger than males and lack the characteristic dark colored throat seen on males. Feeding: American toads are known to feed from early morning into the evening. They consume what is available and may eat a variety of larval insects, slugs, spiders, and centipedes, for example. Tadpoles feed on algae within their pools. Life History: Breeding season is triggered by the arrival of warmer temperatures and longer days. It begins in March or April when the toads arrive at shallow, fresh water pools. Males grasp the females around the belly in order to fertilize the eggs as they are laid. Between 4,000-12,000 eggs are laid in long parallel strands. They will hatch in 3-12 days, requiring 5-10 weeks to complete metamorphosis and 2-4 years to reach sexual maturity. -
Wildlife in Your Young Forest.Pdf
WILDLIFE IN YOUR Young Forest 1 More Wildlife in Your Woods CREATE YOUNG FOREST AND ENJOY THE WILDLIFE IT ATTRACTS WHEN TO EXPECT DIFFERENT ANIMALS his guide presents some of the wildlife you may used to describe this dense, food-rich habitat are thickets, T see using your young forest as it grows following a shrublands, and early successional habitat. timber harvest or other management practice. As development has covered many acres, and as young The following lists focus on areas inhabited by the woodlands have matured to become older forest, the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis), a rare amount of young forest available to wildlife has dwindled. native rabbit that lives in parts of New York east of the Having diverse wildlife requires having diverse habitats on Hudson River, and in parts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, the land, including some young forest. Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine. In this region, conservationists and landowners In nature, young forest is created by floods, wildfires, storms, are carrying out projects to create the young forest and and beavers’ dam-building and feeding. To protect lives and shrubland that New England cottontails need to survive. property, we suppress floods, fires, and beaver activities. Such projects also help many other kinds of wildlife that Fortunately, we can use habitat management practices, use the same habitat. such as timber harvests, to mimic natural disturbance events and grow young forest in places where it will do the most Young forest provides abundant food and cover for insects, good. These habitat projects boost the amount of food reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. -
Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 198/Thursday, October 12, 2000
Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / Proposed Rules 60607 designation of critical habitat. We note appointment, during normal business data and comments are available for that emergency listing and designation hours at the above address. public inspection, by appointment, of critical habitat are not petitionable during normal business hours at the References Cited actions under the Act. Based on the above address. information presented in the petition, You may request a complete list of all FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the habitat loss and other threats to the references we cited, as well as others, Jason Davis or Maria Boroja at the species have been long-standing and from the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office ongoing for many years. There are no Office (see ADDRESSES section). (see ADDRESSES section above), or at imminent, devastating actions that Author: The primary author of this (916±414±6600. document is Catherine Hibbard, could result in the extinction of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: species. Therefore, we find that an Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office emergency situation does not exist. The (see ADDRESSES section). Background 12-month finding will address the issue Authority: The authority for this action is Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered of critical habitat. the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Public Information Requested (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the Dated: October 5, 2000. Service make a finding on whether a The Service hereby announces its Jamie Rappaport Clark, petition to list, delist, or reclassify a formal review of the species' status Director, U.S. -
Frogs and Toads Defined
by Christopher A. Urban Chief, Natural Diversity Section Frogs and toads defined Frogs and toads are in the class Two of Pennsylvania’s most common toad and “Amphibia.” Amphibians have frog species are the eastern American toad backbones like mammals, but unlike mammals they cannot internally (Bufo americanus americanus) and the pickerel regulate their body temperature and frog (Rana palustris). These two species exemplify are therefore called “cold-blooded” (ectothermic) animals. This means the physical, behavioral, that the animal has to move ecological and habitat to warm or cool places to change its body tempera- similarities and ture to the appropriate differences in the comfort level. Another major difference frogs and toads of between amphibians and Pennsylvania. other animals is that amphibians can breathe through the skin on photo-Andrew L. Shiels L. photo-Andrew www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March-April 2005 15 land and absorb oxygen through the weeks in some species to 60 days in (plant-eating) beginning, they have skin while underwater. Unlike reptiles, others. Frogs can become fully now developed into insectivores amphibians lack claws and nails on their developed in 60 days, but many (insect-eaters). Then they leave the toes and fingers, and they have moist, species like the green frog and bullfrog water in search of food such as small permeable and glandular skin. Their can “overwinter” as tadpoles in the insects, spiders and other inverte- skin lacks scales or feathers. bottom of ponds and take up to two brates. Frogs and toads belong to the years to transform fully into adult Where they go in search of this amphibian order Anura. -
Golden Toad Fact Sheet
Golden Toad Fact Sheet Common Name: Golden Toad Scientific Name: Incilius periglenes, formerly Bufo periglenes Wild Status: Extinct Habitat: Cloud Forest Country: Costa Rica Shelter: Underground Life Span: Estimated 10 Years Size: 3 inches approx Details The golden toad is one of the many victims of global decline in amphibians. The causes are not well understood for amphibians or for the golden toad. Because golden toads laid many eggs in shallow pools, some speculate a drought harmed the toad population. Others believe it may be a combination of climate change, air pollution, and disease. As amphibian populations continue to decline, biologists look to the case of the golden toad as a sign of what could happen not just to toads, but any cold blooded creature sensitive to its surroundings. Cool Facts • Like many other toads, this species spent much of its life underground, waiting for the rain. • Was found only in Costa Rica in what is called a "cloud forest" due to the constant, cloudy fog. • Females were bigger than males and came in a variety of colors. Males were usually golden in color. • Unlike cane toads, the golden toads did not have poison • The last golden toad was seen in 1989. In 2004, it was considered extinct. Taxonomic Breakdown Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Incilius Species: I. periglenes Conservation & Helping Although the toads were closely examined and counted each year, scientists were not able to stop the decline of the toad, and they are considered extinct. Their average lifespan are just over 10 years, and no golden toads have been seen in decades.