Texas What’s in the Texas Watch WatWatcchh Monitoring Packet? MONITORING PACKET Amphibians in Texas – some background information...............2 mphibians are more anurans (frogs and toads), ranging Three Ways to Get Involved .........4 A important than you in diversity from the albino cave- might think–no, not as dwelling Texas Blind Salamander Amphibian-Spotter Guidelines .....5 the sources of warts and princes, to the bleating Sheep Frog of Amphibian-Spotter Data Sheet....7 but as a barometer of the health South Texas to the sausage-like Nocturnal Call Count of the environments we all share. Amphiuma of East Texas streams. Guidelines.................................9 At an international conference in You can participate in Texas Nocturnal Call Count 1989, scientists from all over the Amphibian Watch at several Data Sheet .............................11 world became alarmed at what levels, depending on your time Malformation Monitoring appeared to be dramatic declines and interest. Guidelines...............................13 in some amphibian populations. Malformation Monitoring Then, in 1995, a group of school For more information about Data Sheets............................15 children in Minnesota were the Texas Amphibian Watch or for Frog and Toad Survey first to notice an alarming rate of additional materials, call: Guidelines...............................19 malformed limbs in some frog 1-800-792-1112 x7011 Frog and Toad Survey populations. Because amphibians or e-mail: Data Sheets............................21 use wetland habitats during at [email protected] Private Lands Access Form.......29 least part of their life cycle and or visit: Data Guide.............................31 because they have permeable skin, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/amphibians/ Amphibian References...............33 ecologists believe that declines in amphibian populations and List of Frogs and Toads Found in Texas........................34 malformations may serve Some Useful Information ..........35 as early warning indicators of broader changes in ecosystems. Texas Amphibian Watch gives you a chance to help us under- stand what frogs, toads, and 4200 Smith School Road salamanders are telling us about Austin, Texas 78744 the world around us. Texas has an interesting array of about 30 PWD BK W7000-0493 (12/01) types of salamanders and over 40 2 3 Amphibians in Texas Amphibians in Texas mphibians have been more-or-less freely permeable to Chirping Frog, that lives in the Unfortunately, they are sending in large parts of the state where out. Don’t fill in or dump trash around for some 350 water. Amphibians have success- eroded limestone of central and us the same message as many they were once common. In all and chemicals into that wet cave A fully exploited this strategy of west Texas, probably lays eggs that other species of animals and million years and were the but a handful of cases the base- or sinkhole. Avoid deliberately or first vertebrates to leave the waters using quite different habitats at skip the larval stage and develop plants: ecosystems worldwide are line data with which to verify and inadvertently introducing species for dry land. The 80-odd species different times during their lives, directly into small froglets. changing faster than many understand population trends of of plants and animals, including of Texas’ frogs, toads and salaman- and today occur on every organisms can adapt, and the these species do not exist. We are amphibians, into areas where they ders, some of their modern continent except Antarctica. consequent extinction rate is in danger of letting this portion are not native. Work with local representatives, still demonstrate a They are the dominant significantly higher than the of our natural heritage slip away civic authorities and organiza- suite of anatomical, behavioral and vertebrates in some habitats, normal background levels almost unnoticed. tions to promote amphibian- ecological adaptations, unique both in the number of species throughout the long history of sensitive development. If you live “tricks-of-the-trade,” that allow and the number of individuals life on earth. Add in the alarm- What can you do to help amphib- in an urban or suburban setting, amphibians to use both aquatic present. ing rate of malformations in ians in Texas? First, become install an amphibian-friendly and terrestrial habitats. some amphibian populations, and familiar with the kinds that occur pond in your backyard. You can Texas has a diverse set of it seems amphibians may have in your area; learn about their even create a “toad house” by Marine toad The word “amphibian” comes species, the greatest abun- much to tell us about the quality habits, habitats and life-histories. knocking a hole in a flower pot from a combination of two Greek dance and diversity in the rela- Amphibians, because of their two- of our environments. Second, learn to recognize and turning it upside down near words which literally means “two tively wet habitats of the eastern stage life cycle and water- potential threats to amphibian your water faucet. lives,” and refers to the distinct third of the state. Many sala- permeable eggs and skin, are How do Texas amphibians fit into populations and work to help two-stage life-history pattern manders, such as the sirens, sensitive to climatic factors (such this picture? The short answer prevent them. If you own land One of the best things you can do characteristic of most members of amphiumas, waterdogs, and as drought), habitat changes, and is, no one really knows. Many with native wetlands, maintain is to join with other people in this group. Most amphibians spring- and cave-dwelling sala- to a wide variety of environmental Texas species are naturally some in their natural state. Texas Amphibian Watch to gather reproduce by laying eggs. These manders of the Texas Hill pollutants like pesticides, petro- adapted to drought, but the Build your stock ponds with the long-term data without which eggs lack any protective mem- Country, never metamorphose leum hydrocarbons, and heavy addition of habitat alteration at shallow areas where amphibians it is impossible to really under- branes, including a shell, and and spend all their lives in water. metals. The introduction of non- the same time may hasten their can breed, or don’t stock them stand what is happening to our therefore must be laid in moist Some frogs, including the “true native species such as fish in some demise. Data on the endangered with fish. Don’t dam up or cap amphibian populations. Keep a situations. Most amphibian eggs frogs” (such as Bullfrogs and habitats and, ironically, the Houston Toad strongly suggests that spring; let it run for a map and field guide handy and hatch into free-swimming, gill- Leopard Frogs), are basically tied Bullfrog in others has had this as the primary reason distance and then take the water watch for amphibians wherever breathing larvae. In most species to permanent wetlands, whereas profound negative effects on for this species’ disappear- you go. Pick a favorite pond or these strictly aquatic larvae others, like the treefrogs, can use many other species of frogs and ance from Harris County in Bullfrogs wetland and start counting the undergo a radical alteration of wetlands which are more seasonal toads. Amphibians, as a conse- the 1950s. One species kinds and numbers of each their body structure (metamorpho- in nature. Mole salamanders and quence of their unique character- native to the El Paso area, species that use it. Develop your sis), including the development of spadefoot toads may spend their istics, can serve as excellent the Northern Leopard skills and join the national North lungs, in order to live on land. entire lives underground, emerg- bioindicators of the environmen- Frog, has disappeared from American Amphibian Monitoring Even on land, the skin of adult ing only when rainfall creates tal health of a number of terres- Texas due to habitat Program. It’s the least you can amphibians differs from other sufficient standing water in which trial and freshwater aquatic alteration. Others have do–for where would we be without terrestrial vertebrates in being to breed. One species, the Cliff ecosystems worldwide. disappeared or become rare amphibians...? 2 3 Amphibians in Texas Amphibians in Texas mphibians have been more-or-less freely permeable to Chirping Frog, that lives in the Unfortunately, they are sending in large parts of the state where out. Don’t fill in or dump trash around for some 350 water. Amphibians have success- eroded limestone of central and us the same message as many they were once common. In all and chemicals into that wet cave A fully exploited this strategy of west Texas, probably lays eggs that other species of animals and million years and were the but a handful of cases the base- or sinkhole. Avoid deliberately or first vertebrates to leave the waters using quite different habitats at skip the larval stage and develop plants: ecosystems worldwide are line data with which to verify and inadvertently introducing species for dry land. The 80-odd species different times during their lives, directly into small froglets. changing faster than many understand population trends of of plants and animals, including of Texas’ frogs, toads and salaman- and today occur on every organisms can adapt, and the these species do not exist. We are amphibians, into areas where they ders, some of their modern continent except Antarctica. consequent extinction rate is in danger of letting this portion are not native. Work with local representatives, still demonstrate a They are the dominant significantly higher than the of our natural heritage slip away civic authorities and organiza- suite of anatomical, behavioral and vertebrates in some habitats, normal background levels almost unnoticed. tions to promote amphibian- ecological adaptations, unique both in the number of species throughout the long history of sensitive development. If you live “tricks-of-the-trade,” that allow and the number of individuals life on earth.