Tiny or large, smelly or poisonous, there are many kinds of frogs and are excellent indicators of the quality of the overall environment. To this day, scientists continue to find new varieties of frogs never been discovered all over the world. Recently, tiny frogs [its scientific name is Eleutherodactylus Iberia, smaller than a U.S. dime, were discovered under old leaves in Cuba in 1996 (“The World’s Smallest Frog”). See-through glass frogs were discovered in the Upper Nangaritza Basin in southeastern Ecuador which had previously been known to live only in one area of northeastern Peru ("Ugly" Salamander Among New Species Found in Ecuador”). An individual may think finding new frogs is a good indication that there are many of them in existence, but frogs around the world are facing a mass extinction. In most cases when I look around some ponds and creeks, I find that something is missing: frogs. One of the species near extinction is the Monteverde harlequin frog mainly found in the Costa Rican Mountains (“Why the Frogs Are Dying”). The Southern Yellow-legged frog and the Sierra Nevada Yellow legged frog populations have declined by 95-98 % even in highly protected areas such as the Yosemite Park (University of California - Berkeley). The massive world-wide decline of frogs can best be understood by their inability to keep pace with the current rate of global changes.
Frogs refers to “any of various largely aquatic smooth-skinned tailless leaping amphibians” (Merriam-Webster). Most of these frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits [fingers and toes], protruding eyes, and they are extraordinary jumpers with long powerful legs. They are often semi-aquatic or inhabit humid areas because of their permeable skin [allowin...
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“Pollution Causing Massive Frog Mutation.” BBC. Inc., Jul 2002. Web. Sep 7 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sci_tech/newsid_2117000/2117263.stm
Tyler, Michael. J., Wassersug, R., and Smith, Benjamin, “How Frogs and Human Interact: Influences Beyond Habitat Destruction, Epidemics and Global Warming” n.d. Web. Sep 5 2011.
"Ugly" Salamander Among New Species Found in Ecuador.” National Geographic News Inc., Jun 2009. Web. Sep 5 2011. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090616-ecuador-newspecies-video-vin.html
University of California - Berkeley. “Dying Frogs Sign of a Biodiversity Crisis.” ScienceDaily, Aug17 2008. Web. Sep 7 2011. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080812135654.htm
“Why the Frogs Are Dying.” The Daily Beast, Oct 2006. Web. Sep 5 2011. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/10/15/why-the-frogs-are-dying
Long-term survival of a species depends on its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions (Murphy, 1994). Genetic diversity within a species, which has taken 3.5 billion years to evolve, makes adaptations to these changing environments possible. Unfortunately, the rate of extinction of genetically diverse organisms is rapidly increasing, thus reducing this needed biodiversity, largely due to the human impacts of development and expansion. What was an average of one extinction per year before is now one extinction per hour and extinct species numbers are expected to reach approximately one million by the year 2000 (WWW site, Bio 65). As a result governmental and societal action must be taken immediately!
Coqui frogs are harming Hawaii's environment as they begin to reproduce faster than ever. Female coquis can deposit up to 28 eggs every eight weeks (Singer et al). The environment is not able to work efficiently when these little creatures are constantly reproducing. Coqui frogs are a serious threat to native insect population because they are consuming and removing insects from forest floor to treetops (Van Valkenburg). Insects have always been the major food source for birds and with coquis around, they have to compete and search for food. When Coqui frogs feed off of mites, ant...
The mudpuppy to me is one of my favorite animals that live under water. The mudpuppy is related to amphibians. One thing that makes the mudpuppy different is that their gills never go away like other amphibians gills do. There gills kind of look like bushes underwater just swaying around. According to “National Geographic” they say that, “mudpuppies are easily distinguishable by their bushy, red external gills, which they grow as larva and never lose. They have flat heads, wide tails, stubby les, and feet with four distinct toes. Their bodies are gray or brownish-gray with blue- black spots” (1). They have almost all the same characteristics as salamanders do: like toes and the patterns on their bodies. According to the book “A Natural History of Amphibians” the authors Robert C. Stebbins and Nathan W. Cohen talk about the skin of amphibians and they said,
Red-eyed tree frogs are found in tropical lowlands of southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The frogs live in the trees of the rainforest. The suction cups on their feet and their long tongues help them adapt to their habitat. Their green bodies help them blend in to their habitat and keep them safe from predators.
Purvis, A., E., J. K., & Mace, G. M. (2000). Extinction. In BioEssays (pp. 1123-1133).
The Gray Tree Frog can be found anywhere ranging from southern Ontario in Canada to the southern coast in the United States. Usually it is not found west of Texas or Manitoba, Canada. The can be found at Rice Creek Field Station. The best habitat is shallow water situated close to diverse stands of willows, oaks, and pines (Craighead, 2004, p. 2). The location of water and plenty of vegetation, which not only shades the forest but also covers the ground with broken brushwood, is what needed for the frog’s ultimate survival is.
Endangered species are plants or animals expected to die off within a few years. “Facts about Endangered Animals” is an article that teaches its readers general facts about many animals facing extinction. Four main categorizes for endangered plants and animals include vulnerable species, threatened species, endangered species, and extinct species. The vulnerable species have such declining numbers that they are at risk (1). Threatened species have enough numbers but are decreasing in their normal environment. Endangered species are on the verge of extinction. Existing no longer, are extinct species (2). Within the present years, there are currently thirty-eight known mammal species that have been listed as extinct (1). Endangered species are either headed towards extinction or are going up towards the threatened stage. Either way, their numbers are always altering, and the aspects are numerous.
There were 5 mass extinctions in the past, with the latest one more known to man, the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction that caused the wiped out of the dinosaurs. Though the latest one happened 65 million years ago, something representing this phenomenon of mass extinction is underway in our era. While past mass extinctions were caused by natural forces, and asteroid, climate change and sea level’s changes were thought to be the culprit, this time the actor behind is not natural, and it is us Human Beings. It might occur to many that the current trend of animal extinction has no consequences on us, but in fact it is not true. Many of the endangered species does matter to us significantly. In this paper, using examples of some neglected critical endangered species as main headings, I will look into different forms of human activities that had led to their losses, and also more importantly how these losses could have impacted on us.
When researching the population decline of amphibians as a global issue, it is evident that there have been drastic changes in the past 30 years. Mike Lannoo from the U.S. Declining Amphibian Task Force says that there have been significant losses in amphibian populations for an extensive period of time (No Single Reason, 1999). Stuart et al. (2004) stated that according to scientists at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), at least 427 species, roughly 7.4%, are at a dangerously high risk of extinction (Kaylor, 2006). The problem of amphibian decline cannot be linked directly to one single cause (No Single Reason, 1999). Instead, scientists have related the decline to disease, habitat loss, changes in climate, and pollution (Hayes, Falso, Gallipeau, Stice, 2010; Brooks et al., 2002; Dunson et al., 1992). It is concluded that many of these factors are related to and possibly caused by human interaction (McCallum, 2007). The declines could be caused by pathogens, climate change, or wildlife toxicology, says Dr. Ashley Mattoon from the Worldwatch Institute (Kirby, 2000).
Thirteen years ago, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Of two potential locations considered (Snowflake Springs and Butte Rock) they were placed in the low-risk prey Butte Rock for the purpose of encouraging the wolves to spread out and create packs. Before and during the reintroduction project, Oregon State University researchers measured the rate of willow growth along 2.6 miles of the Gallatin River, which ran through Butte Rock and Snowflake Springs. During their study from 1998 to 2002, the researchers discovered that Snowflake Springs, where the elk were and no wolves lived, the willow growth dropped from 92% to nothing (“How Wolves Help Willows,” 4).
As more time goes on, more species are in peril of becoming extinct. The rate at which they are being lost is startling, even when compared with the catastrophe of the extinction of the dinosaurs approximately 70 million years ago. Nobody knows exactly what the current extinction rate is, but according to leading scientists it is around 1,000 to 10,000 times greater than normal. The rate of extinction seems to keep escalating as time passes as well. Everywhere you go there are hundreds of species at risk of becoming extinct. They are threatened in every habitat of every continent. Freshwater habitats, especially rivers and lakes, are severely affected by species extinction because of the lackadaisical dumping of hazardous wastes.
As urbanization continues to expand amphibian population are on a global decline. In many rural areas, the only wetland available for aquatic reproduction is artificial ponds. While some species are able to persist in such an environment the majority of amphibians are negatively affected. The introduction of non-native species along with habitat degradation affects the successful reproduction of these native amphibians. Therefore, an understanding of the relationship between these species and their habitat is essential for conservation. This research sets out to determine conservation priorities for pond breeding amphibians in the hopes of preserving their existing populations.
Shah, Anup. Loss of Biodiversity and Extinctions. Global Issues, 19 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 May 2014.
The Earth is far and away the most biodiverse planet in our solar system, with about 8.7 million more unique species than the other 8 planets (UNEP). However, the Earth’s commanding lead is shrinking; not because the other planets are increasing biodiversity, but because Earth’s is decreasing. According to the World Wildlife Fund, we as a planet are losing 1,000 to 10,000 more species than the natural rate. Since the total number of species is hard to pin down, this can mean anywhere from 200 to 10,000 species going extinct per year (World Wildlife Fund). This obscenely high extinction rate is dangerous not just to ecosystems directly affected by the loss, but also creates a domino effect that circles around the globe and up and down the food
In our world today we have approximately 26,021 endangered species. Endangered species are organisms that may possible become extinct. The term 'endangered species' refers to all species that fits this description. However some conservation biologists and scientists normally use the term ‘endangered species’ to refer to species that are put on the IUCN(International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red List. Many factors can be looked at when considering the conservation status of a species. Factors such as human threats or environmental threats can cause a species to become endangered.