DOCSLIB.ORG

Frogs and Toads Defined

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
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. Anurans are frogs. As the tadpoles metamorphose food is often what separates the tailless amphibians. They have a short (develop) into frogs or toads, their different frog and toad species. Some backbone with modified pelvis and legs back legs first “grow” from their small anurans remain close to their aquatic designed for jumping and hopping. bodies. Soon thereafter their front birthplace and live their entire lives Unlike salamanders, anurans possess a closely associated with an aquatic well-developed external habitat, such as a pond, lake, eardrum, or tympanum, stream or wetland. Other which they use to anurans take on detect predators, more of a prey and terrestrial mates. existence, Eastern American Toad photo-Tom Diez occupying Anuran drier places life cycle such as upland Anurans, like most woodlands, grassy other amphibians, have meadows and rocky two distinct life phases— hillsides. In these environ- aquatic and terrestrial. They hatch ments frogs and toads spend the from jelly-covered eggs into an aquatic remainder of their lives foraging, environment as long-tailed, legless and legs “pop” out of their bodies and brumating (winter dormancy), lungless larvae, or tadpoles (also known their tails slowly begin to absorb into estivating (summer dormancy) and as “pollywogs”), which breathe with gills their bodies. breeding. like fish. In this life phase the tadpole At the beginning of this second life Frogs and toads are typically develops quickly by feeding mainly on phase, the young frogs or toads (called nocturnal (active at night). Unlike algae, plankton and dead animal matter froglets or toadlets) develop lungs and other reptiles and amphibians, adult found on the bottom of ponds, lakes and begin to breathe air. At this stage, frogs and toads have vocal chords. streams. Toads tend to have a brief their diet changes dramatically. From They vocalize, or “sing,” during the larval stage, lasting from as little as two their humble, mainly herbivorous mating season. Males have a species- 16 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March-April 2005 www.fish.state.pa.us specific call that attracts females spit out the toad. Predators to a small area in an aquatic quickly learn to avoid toads. habitat that they defend Unless toads are from other males. Pickerel handled roughly, Mating occurs they will not externally; as Frog secrete the poison each female from the skin. may lay In addition, thousands of toads won’t eggs, males in give you amplexus warts, but secrete sperm wash your that forms a hands after protective jelly handling them around the anyway, as you eggs. would after photo-Andrew L. Shiels The cycle handling any wild continues. However, animal or herptile. tadpole predators are Toads are active abundant and include hunters that move about in newts, diving beetles and search of prey. Their short legs hellgrammites. Juveniles and adult assist them with hunting insects. anurans also attract a diverse group most of our frogs also live at the ground When a toad spots an insect, it crawls of predators including raccoon, level, several species dwell in trees and on all four feet within striking distance mink, opossum, skunks, foxes and shrubs and come down to the ground of the insect and then quickly flicks herons. Only a small percentage of only to breed. The color and camou- out its long, sticky tongue (attached to the several thousand eggs that were flage pattern on frog and toad skin helps the front of its mouth). Then it pulls laid by the female survive to adult- them blend in to the habitat they the insect back to its mouth. Frogs’ hood. occupy. Frogs tend to be mainly shades tongues are also sticky, but they are Frogs and toads are surprisingly of green and brown, similar to the green attached to the back of the mouth, so long-lived creatures—living up to 20 edges of ponds, lakes, rivers and frogs cannot extend their tongues as years in the wild. Toads have been streams. Toads tend to be colored by far as toads can. Frogs tend to make known to live more than 30 years in more earthy tones such as gray, brown, up the distance by ambushing prey captivity. red and yellow—similar to the leaf litter with an abrupt leap from a distance. in woodlands and dry grasses along They accurately catch an unsuspecting Frog and toad wetland borders. insect with their sticky tongue and differences Frogs and toads move differently. quickly consume it. Frogs differ from toads by having Their movement differs because they Frogs and toads also hibernate in smooth skin as compared to the have adapted differently to feeding and different habitats. Frogs usually “bumpy” or warty skin of toads. to avoiding predators. Frogs have long hibernate in water under mud or leafy Frogs need to keep their skin moist. legs adapted for leaping long distances debris at the bottom of streams or They tend to prefer more aquatic or when detected by a predator. Frogs also ponds. Toads hibernate in uplands by wet habitats. Toad skin tends to be have large webbed hind feet that assist using their back legs to dig deep drier and better suited to drier them with swimming and avoiding burrows in leaf litter or soft soil safely habitats. This skin difference affects predators in the water. Conversely, below the frost line. where frogs and toads live. Frogs toads have short, stalky legs used for never stray too far from water or a hopping. Eastern American toad damp environment, and toads are Avoiding predators is not as much an The eastern American toad belongs not restricted to damp environments. issue with toads because they secrete a to the family Bufonidae. It is the In fact, toads have been observed in poison from glands in the skin on the largest of our three Pennsylvania toad about every habitat type in Pennsyl- back when an animal bites them. Given species, reaching 4 inches in snout- vania. the quick reaction to the poison when a vent length. The eastern American All of our Pennsylvania toads are predator bites a toad (bad taste, nausea, toad is stout and squat in appearance, ground-dwelling animals. Although dizziness), most animals immediately with short, thick legs compared to the www.fish.state.pa.us PennsylvaniaPennsylvania AnglerAngler && BoaterBoater •• March-AprilMarch-April 20052005 1717 long legs of frogs. Although they vary tor its large paratoid glands. Another greatly in color and pattern, they tend defensive posture is to inflate itself to Resources to be mainly rusty or brown in color, make it look too large for the predator with warts on the back and legs. One to swallow. or two warts occur in each of the Although the majority of potential largest dark spots. The eastern predators avoid an adult eastern American toad has a cranial ridge American toad because of learned behind its eyes, which is a prominent behavior, many predators have adapted linear protrusion behind each eye that to their poisonous skin or have learned is either connected by one spur or not how to avoid it. touching the parotoid glands. The parotoid glands are large elongate Pickerel frog bumps located on its back behind the The pickerel frog (Rana palustris) is Patches eyes. If a predator bites the toad, these classified in the family Ranidae, or true The Commission continues its glands secrete a distasteful poisonous frogs. Adult pickerel frogs reach about series of nongame species limited- white fluid that contains a steroid, 3 inches in snout-vent length. The edition patches with an eastern which can affect a predator’s mouth, pickerel frog is characterized by a American toad patch and a pickerel heart and blood pressure. dominant brown or tan color with frog patch. Each patch sells for $4.71 Eastern American toads range from rectangular-shaped dark-brown spots plus 29 cents PA state sales tax for a Canada (Manitoba) through the New that run down the length of the back total of $5.00. Include $2.00 ship- England states and south to central in two rows, and rows of spots that run ping and handling for each order.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pond-Breeding Amphibian Guild
    Supplemental Volume: Species of Conservation Concern SC SWAP 2015 Pond-breeding Amphibians Guild Primary Species: Flatwoods Salamander Ambystoma cingulatum Carolina Gopher Frog Rana capito capito Broad-Striped Dwarf Siren Pseudobranchus striatus striatus Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Secondary Species: Upland Chorus Frog Pseudacris feriarum -Coastal Plain only Northern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans -Coastal Plain only Contributors (2005): Stephen Bennett and Kurt A. Buhlmann [SCDNR] Reviewed and Edited (2012): Stephen Bennett (SCDNR), Kurt A. Buhlmann (SREL), and Jeff Camper (Francis Marion University) DESCRIPTION Taxonomy and Basic Descriptions This guild contains 4 primary species: the flatwoods salamander, Carolina gopher frog, dwarf siren, and tiger salamander; and 2 secondary species: upland chorus frog and northern cricket frog. Primary species are high priority species that are directly tied to a unifying feature or habitat. Secondary species are priority species that may occur in, or be related to, the unifying feature at some time in their life. The flatwoods salamander—in particular, the frosted flatwoods salamander— and tiger salamander are members of the family Ambystomatidae, the mole salamanders. Both species are large; the tiger salamander is the largest terrestrial salamander in the eastern United States. The Photo by SC DNR flatwoods salamander can reach lengths of 9 to 12 cm (3.5 to 4.7 in.) as an adult. This species is dark, ranging from black to dark brown with silver-white reticulated markings (Conant and Collins 1991; Martof et al. 1980). The tiger salamander can reach lengths of 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in.) as an adult; maximum size is approximately 30 cm (11.8 in.).
    [Show full text]
  • Phalangeal Bone Anomalies in the European Common Toad Bufo Bufo from Polluted Environments
    Environ Sci Pollut Res DOI 10.1007/s11356-016-7297-6 RESEARCH ARTICLE Phalangeal bone anomalies in the European common toad Bufo bufo from polluted environments Mikołaj Kaczmarski1 & Krzysztof Kolenda 2 & Beata Rozenblut-Kościsty2 & Wioletta Sośnicka 2 Received: 7 March 2016 /Accepted: 20 July 2016 # The Author(s) 2016. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Every spring, many of amphibians are killed by ximately 20 % from the rural and semi-urban sites. In partic- motor vehicles on roads. These road-killed animals can be ular, we found hypertrophic bone cells, misaligned intercellu- used as valuable material for non-invasive studies showing lar substance, and irregular outer edges of bones. We suggest the effect of environmental pollution on amphibian popula- that these malformations are caused by different pollution, e.g. tions. The aims of our research were to check whether the with heavy metals. phalanges of road-killed toads may be useful as material for histological analysis, and whether various degrees of human Keywords Amphibians . Phalangeal bone . Poland . impact influence the level in bone abnormalities in the com- Pollution . Roadkilling . Skeletochronology . Urban area mon toad. We also examined whether the sex and age struc- ture of toads can differ significantly depending in the different sites. We chose three toad breeding sites where road-killed Introduction individuals had been observed: near the centre of a city, the outskirts of a city, and a rural site. We collected dead individ- Current knowledge widely indicates a direct relationship be- uals during spring migration in 2013. The sex of each individ- tween anthropogenic pressures and the deteriorating environ- ual was determined and the toes were used to determine age mental state and/or global extinction of amphibian popula- using the skeletochronology method.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibian Identification Guide
    Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Amphibian Identification Guide The NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University are working with communities to conserve forests, woodland pools, and the wildlife that depend on these critical habitats. This guide is designed to help volunteers of the Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project identify species they observe during spring migrations, when many salamanders and frogs move from forest habitat to woodland pools for breeding. For more information about the project, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/51925.html. spotted salamander* (Ambystoma maculatum) Black to dark gray body with two rows of yellow spots. Widespread distribution in the Hudson Valley. Total length 5.0-8.0 in. Jefferson/blue-spotted salamander complex* (Ambystoma jeffersonianum x laterale) Brown to grayish black with blue-silver flecking. Less common. Note: Hybridization between Jefferson and blue-spotted salamander has created very variable appearances and individuals may have features of both species. Because even experts have difficulty distinguishing these two species in the field, we consider any sightings to be the ‘complex.’ Total length 3.0-7.5 in. marbled salamander* (Ambystoma opacum) Black or grayish-black body with white or gray crossbars along length of body. Stout body with wide head. Less common. (Breeds in the fall.) Total length 3.5-5.0 in. *Woodland pool breeding species. 0 inches 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings: Amphibian Identification Guide Page 2 of 4 eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) Terrestrial “red eft” stage of newt (above) is reddish-orange with two rows of reddish spots with black borders.
    [Show full text]
  • Toads Have Warts... and That's Good! | Nature Detectives | Summer 2021
    Summer 2021 TOADS HAVE WARTS…AND THAT’S GOOD! Warts on your skin are not good. Warts can occur when a virus sneaks into human skin through a cut. A medicine gets rid of the virus and then it’s good-bye ugly wart. Toad warts look slightly like human warts, but toad warts and people warts are not one bit the same. Toad warts are natural bumps on a toad’s back. Toads have larger lumps behind their eyes. The bumps and lumps are glands. The glands produce a whitish goo that is a foul-tasting and smelly poison. The poison is a toad’s ultimate defense in a predator attack. It is toxic enough to kill small animals, if they swallow enough of it. The toxin can cause skin and eye irritation in humans. Some people used to think toad warts were contagious. Touching a toad can’t cause human warts, but licking a toad might make you sick! Toads have other defenses too. Their camouflage green/gray/brown colors blend perfectly into their surroundings. They can puff up with air to look bigger, and maybe less appetizing. Pull Out and Save Pull Out and Pick one up, and it might pee on your hand. Toads Travel, Frogs Swim Toads and frogs are amphibians with some similarities and quite a few differences. Amphibians spend all or part of their life in water. Frogs have moist, smooth skin that loses moisture easily. A toad’s dry, bumpy skin doesn’t lose water as easily as frog skin. Frogs are always in water or very near it, otherwise they quickly dehydrate and die.
    [Show full text]
  • Tadpole Consumption Is a Direct Threat to the Endangered Purple Frog, Nasikabatrachus Sahyadrensis
    SALAMANDRA 51(3) 252–258 30 October 2015 CorrespondenceISSN 0036–3375 Correspondence Tadpole consumption is a direct threat to the endangered purple frog, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Ashish Thomas & S. D. Biju Systematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India Corresponding author: S. D. Biju, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 5 July 2014 Accepted: 30 December 2014 by Alexander Kupfer Amphibians across the world are suffering alarming popu- Southeast Asia have witnessed drastic population declines lation declines with nearly one third of the ca 7,300 species caused by overexploitation over the last couple of decades being threatened worldwide (Stuart et al. 2008, Wake & (Warkentin et al. 2008). Often, natural populations are Vredenburg 2008, IUCN 2014). Major factors attributed harvested without regard of the consequences or implica- to the decline include habitat destruction (Houlahan et tions of this practice on the dynamics or sustainability of al. 2000, Sodhi et al. 2008), chemical pollution (Ber ger the exploited populations (Getz & Haight 1989). When 1998), climate change (Adams 1999, Carpenter & Tur- the extent of exploitation is greater than the sustaining ca- ner 2000), diseases (McCallum 2007, Cushman 2006), pacity or turnover rate of a species, there is every possi- and invasive species (Boone & Bridges 2003). The West- bility that the species may become locally extinct, which ern Ghats of India, a global hotspot for amphibian diver- would subsequently have drastic ecological implications sity and endemism (Biju 2001, Biju & Bossuyt 2003), has in the particular region (Duffy 2002, Wright et al. 2006, more than 40% of its amphibian fauna threatened with ex- Carpenter et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Frog Rana Temporaria
    Common frog Rana temporaria Description Common frogs are common, widespread and easily recognisable amphibians. They have smooth, moist skin and long stripy legs. Common frogs are usually olive-green, although their colouration can be variable (from brown, yellow, cream or black, to pink, red, or lime-green). They have a dark patch (‘mask’) around the eye and eardrum, and often have other irregular black blotches over their body and limbs. They have large golden eyes with oval horizontal pupils. Frogs hop and jump rather than walk or crawl, and they are most active at night. They hibernate during the winter in pond mud or under piles of rotting leaves, logs or stones. Outside the breeding season, frogs are largely terrestrial and can be found in meadows, gardens and woodland. Breeding takes place in ponds, lakes, canals, and even wet grassland or puddles! Spawning usually occurs in January in the milder areas of the UK, but not until March to April in the North or upland areas. Mating pairs and masses of clumpy frogspawn can often be seen in waterbodies during this time. The eggs hatch into tadpoles within two to three weeks. What they eat Adult frogs eat snails, slugs, worms, insects and other invertebrates caught using their long sticky tongue. Young tadpoles feed on algae, but become carnivorous as they mature. Where and when to see them z Frogs can be spotted in ponds, lakes, canals, meadows, woodlands and gardens most commonly between February and October. z Look for frogspawn just below the surface of the water. Frogs lay a mass of jelly-like eggs, whereas toadspawn is produced in long strings.
    [Show full text]
  • What Do Tadpoles Really Eat? Assessing the Trophic Status of an Understudied and Imperiled Group of Consumers in Freshwater Habitats
    Freshwater Biology (2007) 52, 386–395 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2006.01694.x OPINION What do tadpoles really eat? Assessing the trophic status of an understudied and imperiled group of consumers in freshwater habitats RONALD ALTIG,* MATT R. WHILES† AND CINDY L. TAYLOR‡ *Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, U.S.A. †Department of Zoology and Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, U.S.A. ‡Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. Understanding the trophic status of consumers in freshwater habitats is central to understanding their ecological roles and significance. Tadpoles are a diverse and abundant component of many freshwater habitats, yet we know relatively little about their feeding ecology and true trophic status compared with many other consumer groups. While many tadpole species are labelled herbivores or detritivores, there is surprisingly little evidence to support these trophic assignments. 2. Here we discuss shortcomings in our knowledge of the feeding ecology and trophic status of tadpoles and provide suggestions and examples of how we can more accurately quantify their trophic status and ecological significance. 3. Given the catastrophic amphibian declines that are ongoing in many regions of the planet, there is a sense of urgency regarding this information. Understanding the varied ecological roles of tadpoles will allow for more effective conservation of remaining populations, benefit captive breeding programmes, and allow for more accurate predic- tions of the ecological consequences of their losses. Keywords: amphibian, assimilation, diet, feeding behaviour, omnivory Amphibians are disappearing from the planet at an of the functional roles and trophic status of general- alarming rate (Stuart et al., 2004; Lips et al., 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica): a Technical Conservation Assessment
    Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica): A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project March 24, 2005 Erin Muths1, Suzanne Rittmann1, Jason Irwin2, Doug Keinath3, Rick Scherer4 1 U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Ave. Bldg C, Fort Collins, CO 80526 2 Department of Biology, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837 3 Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, P.O. Box 3381, Laramie, WY 82072 4 Colorado State University, GDPE, Fort Collins, CO 80524 Peer Review Administered by Society for Conservation Biology Muths, E., S. Rittman, J. Irwin, D. Keinath, and R. Scherer. (2005, March 24). Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/woodfrog.pdf [date of access]. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to acknowledge the help of the many people who contributed time and answered questions during our review of the literature. AUTHORS’ BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Erin Muths is a Zoologist with the U.S. Geological Survey – Fort Collins Science Center. She has been studying amphibians in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region for the last 10 years. Her research focuses on demographics of boreal toads, wood frogs and chorus frogs and methods research. She is a principle investigator for the USDOI Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative and is an Associate Editor for the Northwestern Naturalist. Dr. Muths earned a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (1986); a M.S. in Biology (Systematics and Ecology) from Kansas State University (1990) and a Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of the Genus Nasikabatrachus (Anura, Nasikabatrachidae) from the Eastern Slopes of the Western Ghats, India
    Alytes, 2017, 34 (1¢4): 1¢19. A new species of the genus Nasikabatrachus (Anura, Nasikabatrachidae) from the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, India S. Jegath Janani1,2, Karthikeyan Vasudevan1, Elizabeth Prendini3, Sushil Kumar Dutta4, Ramesh K. Aggarwal1* 1Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007, India. <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>. 2Current Address: 222A, 5th street, Annamalayar Colony, Sivakasi, 626123, India.<[email protected]>. 3Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Department of Herpetology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York NY 10024-5192, USA. <[email protected]>. 4Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), Nature House, Gaudasahi, Angul, Odisha. <[email protected]>. * Corresponding Author. We describe a new species of the endemic frog genus Nasikabatrachus,from the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, in India. The new species is morphologically, acoustically and genetically distinct from N. sahyadrensis. Computed tomography scans of both species revealed diagnostic osteological differences, particularly in the vertebral column. Male advertisement call analysis also showed the two species to be distinct. A phenological difference in breeding season exists between the new species (which breeds during the northeast monsoon season; October to December), and its sister species (which breeds during the southwest monsoon; May to August). The new species shows 6 % genetic divergence (K2P) at mitochondrial 16S rRNA (1330 bp) partial gene from its congener, indicating clear differentiation within Nasikabatra- chus. Speciation within this fossorial lineage is hypothesized to have been caused by phenological shift in breeding during different monsoon seasons—the northeast monsoon in the new species versus southwest monsoon in N.
    [Show full text]
  • Sideration of the Population Sizes of Associated Pond Breeding Species
    Adult Survivorship and Juvenile Recruitment in Populations of Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates Areolatus), with Additional Consideration of the Population Sizes of Associated Pond Breeding Species Item Type Thesis Authors Kinney, Vanessa C. Download date 01/10/2021 16:58:19 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10484/1808 ADULT SURVIVORSHIP AND JUVENILE RECRUITMENT IN POPULATIONS OF CRAWFISH FROGS (LITHOBATES AREOLATUS), WITH ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION OF THE POPULATION SIZES OF ASSOCIATED POND BREEDING SPECIES _______________________ A thesis Presented to The College of Graduate and Professional Studies Department of Biology Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana ______________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science _______________________ by Vanessa C. Kinney May 2011 Vanessa C. Kinney 2011 Keywords: amphibian breeding, Lithobates areolatus, drift fences - i - COMMITTEE MEMBERS Committee Chair: Michael J. Lannoo, Ph.D. Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology Indiana University Committee Member: William A. Mitchell, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology Indiana State University Committee Member: John O. Whitaker, Jr., Ph.D. Professor of Biology Indiana State University Committee Member: John C. Maerz, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Vertebrate Ecology The University of Georgia - ii - ABSTRACT Crawfish Frog populations have declined significantly in both the northeastern and southwestern portions of their range, and are listed as state endangered in both Iowa and Indiana. They are animals with a secretive nature, and comparatively little is know about their basic life history and natural history. To address this gap, and to obtain the information necessary to manage for this species in areas of decline, I studied the breeding biology of two Crawfish Frog populations during 2009 and 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • This Article Appeared in a Journal Published by Elsevier. the Attached
    (This is a sample cover image for this issue. The actual cover is not yet available at this time.) This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Toxicon 60 (2012) 967–981 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Toxicon journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/toxicon Antimicrobial peptides and alytesin are co-secreted from the venom of the Midwife toad, Alytes maurus (Alytidae, Anura): Implications for the evolution of frog skin defensive secretions Enrico König a,*, Mei Zhou b, Lei Wang b, Tianbao Chen b, Olaf R.P. Bininda-Emonds a, Chris Shaw b a AG Systematik und Evolutionsbiologie, IBU – Fakultät V, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Strasse 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany b Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Medical Biology Center, Queen’s University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK article info abstract Article history: The skin secretions of frogs and toads (Anura) have long been a known source of a vast Received 23 March 2012 abundance of bioactive substances.
    [Show full text]