wes_von_papineäu
Our Roving Correspondent
KANSAS CITY INFOZINE (Missouri) 31 March 08 Missouri Amphibians Are Part of Worldwide Decline - Recent floods could benefit at least one Missouri amphibian species (Jim Low)
Jefferson City, MO: With spring peepers chirping like crazy and leopard frogs chortling up a storm, it may seem hard to believe that toad, frog and salamander populations are in decline worldwide. Missouri is no exception, however, and conservation agencies and private conservation organizations are working to find the causes of the decline and ways to stop it. They say citizens have a role to play in the effort.
Approximately 6,100 amphibian species inhabit the planet. Of that total, some 2,600 - 42 percent - are declining in number. Fully one-third are imperiled. Although other animal groups also are suffering, amphibians are especially hard-hit. Only 12 percent of bird species and 23 percent of mammal species are imperiled worldwide.
Twenty-three percent of the United States' 250 amphibian species are in decline. Approximately 16 percent of Missouri's amphibian species show declining population trends. One-third (14 of 43) of Show-Me State amphibian species are "species of conservation concern."
"Species of conservation concern are species showing declining trends, with limited occurrence in Missouri and/or are restricted to limited habitat," said Missouri State Herpetologist Jeff Briggler. "We try to monitor these species to detect declines early. We need to track them to make sure they remain part of Missouri's biological diversity."
He cited four examples of amphibians of conservation concern.
Eastern Spadefoot Frog (Scaphiopus holbrookii).
...
Deleted in order to meet the 'maximum character posting' limits.
Grotto Salamander (Typhlotriton spelaeus)
When grotto salamanders hatch, they have gills and functional eyes. At this stage, they are found mainly in cave streams, though they occasionally turn up above ground in springs. As they mature, however, they lose their gills, and their eyes disappear beneath a layer of white tissue. The blind, white adults live exclusively in cave streams. No one has ever discovered grotto salamander eggs in the wild.
According to Briggler, any sizeable Ozark cave with a stream running through it is likely to harbor grotto salamanders.
"We track them because they are only found on the Ozark Plateau and only in caves, which is a very vulnerable type of habitat. A problem with disease or impaired groundwater quality could threaten this species rapidly. You could lose this species if you didn't' keep some track of it."
In recent weeks, grotto salamanders in several Missouri caves have been found to be infected with the amphibian chrytrid fungus. This pathogenic fungus probably arrived in the United States in the 1960s or 1970s with shipments of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) for the pet trade. The same fungus has decimated frog populations in Central and South America and Australia, wiping out some species completely.
"The more we test for this fungus, the more we realize that it is more widespread than most biologists believe," said Briggler. We will continue to study its distribution and effects on native amphibians. Some native species are resistant to it, and we are making progress figuring out how those species fight it off."
Besides preserving cave habitat for grotto salamanders on its own property, the Conservation Department works with private landowners to maintain the health of caves on their property.
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa).
...
Hellbender, (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
This is North America's largest salamander. Adults typically measure 11 to 20 inches. The largest ever documented was 29 inches long.
Hellbenders have flat bodies and wrinkled, mottled gray to brown skin. Their tiny, dark eyes are difficult to distinguish from speckling on top of their heads.
Missouri is the only state with both hellbender subspecies - the Ozark and Eastern. Both are endangered in Missouri, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is building a case for giving both federal endangered status.
As recently as the 1960s, the Show-Me State had thriving populations of both subspecies in many Ozark streams. However, since the 1970s, Eastern hellbender numbers have plummeted 80 percent. During the same period, Ozark hellbender numbers have declined by 70 percent. The species has practically disappeared from Arkansas streams.
Dam building, gravel mining and declining water quality all are suspected contributors to the hellbender's decline. The Conservation Department has found amphibian chytrid fungus in more than half the hellbender streams it has checked for the pathogen.
Deliberate killing and removal also are problems. Illegal collection for overseas markets and for the pet trade has decimated hellbender numbers in some rivers. In other areas, hellbenders have been found dead on stream banks, apparent victims of fearful people.
"There is a superstitious belief that hellbenders have venomous spurs on their legs," said Briggler. "That isn't true. They are totally harmless."
In recent years, Briggler and other scientists have observed physical abnormalities in an alarming number of hellbenders. These include misshapen or missing toes, legs and eyes. Some have open sores, tumors or other abnormalities. In the Current River, three-quarters of all hellbenders have some kind of abnormality.
"This animal already has so much against it right now," said Briggler. "These abnormalities could be the tipping point that drives the species to extirpation."
The Conservation Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service have brought together other conservation agencies, universities and public zoos to form the Ozark Hellbender Working Group. Together, they are pursuing projects to pinpoint the causes of hellbender decline and reverse it.
The public has an important role to play in one of those efforts-population monitoring.
"At this point, every sighting is important," said Briggler. "If an angler hooks one and releases it, or if a gigger sees one, we would like to know about it. That kind of information is extremely helpful for keeping track of where these animals still live. I can't tell you how grateful we are to people who take time to call in such sightings."
Briggler said people can report hellbender sightings to any Conservation Department office. Several facts help him make the most of hellbender reports. Most important is location. He suggests looking for landmarks, such as barns, bluffs or other permanent features. He also needs to know the date of the sighting and the approximate length of the hellbender. Photographs are helpful if they can be taken without keeping the animal out of the water more than a few seconds.
Anglers who hook hellbenders can release them two ways. Removing the hook is best if the animal is not hooked deeply. Otherwise, the line should be cut and the hook left in place. Most animals released this way survive.
Besides studying hellbenders intensively and investigating possible contributing factors in their decline, the Conservation Department and the St. Louis Zoo are rearing hellbenders in captivity. Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Branson has 450 larval eastern hellbenders. The St. Louis Zoo has 55 larval, 60 juvenile and eight adult Ozark hellbenders. Animals raised at these facilities will help with research and may be used to replenish wild stocks.
"I am afraid that without artificial propagation the hellbender may not survive here," said Briggler.
Briggler stressed the importance of private land to survival of Missouri's dwindling amphibian populations. "Saving these species is going to take more than protecting them on public lands. Private lands have a lot of these animals. If you learn about them on your property, then you can go to the next step and learn what they need to survive - small ponds and so on."
One of the simplest and most important things people can do to help is find out what amphibians they have on land that they own or visit on a regular basis. Missouri has three groups that help people learn about amphibians. --The Southwest Missouri Herpetological Society, PO Box 14436, Springfield, MO 65814-0436, http://taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?Tn=992624. --The St. Louis Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 410346, St. Louis, MO 63141-0346, http://stlherpsociety.org/. --The Kansas City Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 118, Liberty, MO 64069, http://kcherp.com/.
Briggler said the following monitoring programs exist to help citizens get involved in amphibian conservation. --The American Amphibian Monitoring Protocols, pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/. --Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, http://parcplace.org/. --Frogwatch USA, http://nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/.
A new booklet from the Conservation Department has information about Missouri's 26 frog and toad species. Single copies are available by writing to MDC, Missouri's Toads and Frogs, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102-0180 or e-mailing pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.
Frogs and toads can be visually elusive, but their songs are easy to hear and identify. "Toads and Frogs of Missouri," a combination audio CD and color poster, makes sound identification of 20 frogs and toads easy. It is available for $8 plus shipping, handling and sales tax (where applicable) from the Conservation Department Nature Shop. You can order by calling, toll-free, 877/521-8632 or visiting http://mdcnatureshop.com.
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/27719/
Jefferson City, MO: With spring peepers chirping like crazy and leopard frogs chortling up a storm, it may seem hard to believe that toad, frog and salamander populations are in decline worldwide. Missouri is no exception, however, and conservation agencies and private conservation organizations are working to find the causes of the decline and ways to stop it. They say citizens have a role to play in the effort.
Approximately 6,100 amphibian species inhabit the planet. Of that total, some 2,600 - 42 percent - are declining in number. Fully one-third are imperiled. Although other animal groups also are suffering, amphibians are especially hard-hit. Only 12 percent of bird species and 23 percent of mammal species are imperiled worldwide.
Twenty-three percent of the United States' 250 amphibian species are in decline. Approximately 16 percent of Missouri's amphibian species show declining population trends. One-third (14 of 43) of Show-Me State amphibian species are "species of conservation concern."
"Species of conservation concern are species showing declining trends, with limited occurrence in Missouri and/or are restricted to limited habitat," said Missouri State Herpetologist Jeff Briggler. "We try to monitor these species to detect declines early. We need to track them to make sure they remain part of Missouri's biological diversity."
He cited four examples of amphibians of conservation concern.
Eastern Spadefoot Frog (Scaphiopus holbrookii).
...
Deleted in order to meet the 'maximum character posting' limits.
Grotto Salamander (Typhlotriton spelaeus)
When grotto salamanders hatch, they have gills and functional eyes. At this stage, they are found mainly in cave streams, though they occasionally turn up above ground in springs. As they mature, however, they lose their gills, and their eyes disappear beneath a layer of white tissue. The blind, white adults live exclusively in cave streams. No one has ever discovered grotto salamander eggs in the wild.
According to Briggler, any sizeable Ozark cave with a stream running through it is likely to harbor grotto salamanders.
"We track them because they are only found on the Ozark Plateau and only in caves, which is a very vulnerable type of habitat. A problem with disease or impaired groundwater quality could threaten this species rapidly. You could lose this species if you didn't' keep some track of it."
In recent weeks, grotto salamanders in several Missouri caves have been found to be infected with the amphibian chrytrid fungus. This pathogenic fungus probably arrived in the United States in the 1960s or 1970s with shipments of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) for the pet trade. The same fungus has decimated frog populations in Central and South America and Australia, wiping out some species completely.
"The more we test for this fungus, the more we realize that it is more widespread than most biologists believe," said Briggler. We will continue to study its distribution and effects on native amphibians. Some native species are resistant to it, and we are making progress figuring out how those species fight it off."
Besides preserving cave habitat for grotto salamanders on its own property, the Conservation Department works with private landowners to maintain the health of caves on their property.
Northern Crawfish Frog (Rana areolata circulosa).
...
Hellbender, (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
This is North America's largest salamander. Adults typically measure 11 to 20 inches. The largest ever documented was 29 inches long.
Hellbenders have flat bodies and wrinkled, mottled gray to brown skin. Their tiny, dark eyes are difficult to distinguish from speckling on top of their heads.
Missouri is the only state with both hellbender subspecies - the Ozark and Eastern. Both are endangered in Missouri, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is building a case for giving both federal endangered status.
As recently as the 1960s, the Show-Me State had thriving populations of both subspecies in many Ozark streams. However, since the 1970s, Eastern hellbender numbers have plummeted 80 percent. During the same period, Ozark hellbender numbers have declined by 70 percent. The species has practically disappeared from Arkansas streams.
Dam building, gravel mining and declining water quality all are suspected contributors to the hellbender's decline. The Conservation Department has found amphibian chytrid fungus in more than half the hellbender streams it has checked for the pathogen.
Deliberate killing and removal also are problems. Illegal collection for overseas markets and for the pet trade has decimated hellbender numbers in some rivers. In other areas, hellbenders have been found dead on stream banks, apparent victims of fearful people.
"There is a superstitious belief that hellbenders have venomous spurs on their legs," said Briggler. "That isn't true. They are totally harmless."
In recent years, Briggler and other scientists have observed physical abnormalities in an alarming number of hellbenders. These include misshapen or missing toes, legs and eyes. Some have open sores, tumors or other abnormalities. In the Current River, three-quarters of all hellbenders have some kind of abnormality.
"This animal already has so much against it right now," said Briggler. "These abnormalities could be the tipping point that drives the species to extirpation."
The Conservation Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service have brought together other conservation agencies, universities and public zoos to form the Ozark Hellbender Working Group. Together, they are pursuing projects to pinpoint the causes of hellbender decline and reverse it.
The public has an important role to play in one of those efforts-population monitoring.
"At this point, every sighting is important," said Briggler. "If an angler hooks one and releases it, or if a gigger sees one, we would like to know about it. That kind of information is extremely helpful for keeping track of where these animals still live. I can't tell you how grateful we are to people who take time to call in such sightings."
Briggler said people can report hellbender sightings to any Conservation Department office. Several facts help him make the most of hellbender reports. Most important is location. He suggests looking for landmarks, such as barns, bluffs or other permanent features. He also needs to know the date of the sighting and the approximate length of the hellbender. Photographs are helpful if they can be taken without keeping the animal out of the water more than a few seconds.
Anglers who hook hellbenders can release them two ways. Removing the hook is best if the animal is not hooked deeply. Otherwise, the line should be cut and the hook left in place. Most animals released this way survive.
Besides studying hellbenders intensively and investigating possible contributing factors in their decline, the Conservation Department and the St. Louis Zoo are rearing hellbenders in captivity. Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery in Branson has 450 larval eastern hellbenders. The St. Louis Zoo has 55 larval, 60 juvenile and eight adult Ozark hellbenders. Animals raised at these facilities will help with research and may be used to replenish wild stocks.
"I am afraid that without artificial propagation the hellbender may not survive here," said Briggler.
Briggler stressed the importance of private land to survival of Missouri's dwindling amphibian populations. "Saving these species is going to take more than protecting them on public lands. Private lands have a lot of these animals. If you learn about them on your property, then you can go to the next step and learn what they need to survive - small ponds and so on."
One of the simplest and most important things people can do to help is find out what amphibians they have on land that they own or visit on a regular basis. Missouri has three groups that help people learn about amphibians. --The Southwest Missouri Herpetological Society, PO Box 14436, Springfield, MO 65814-0436, http://taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?Tn=992624. --The St. Louis Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 410346, St. Louis, MO 63141-0346, http://stlherpsociety.org/. --The Kansas City Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 118, Liberty, MO 64069, http://kcherp.com/.
Briggler said the following monitoring programs exist to help citizens get involved in amphibian conservation. --The American Amphibian Monitoring Protocols, pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/. --Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, http://parcplace.org/. --Frogwatch USA, http://nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/.
A new booklet from the Conservation Department has information about Missouri's 26 frog and toad species. Single copies are available by writing to MDC, Missouri's Toads and Frogs, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102-0180 or e-mailing pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.
Frogs and toads can be visually elusive, but their songs are easy to hear and identify. "Toads and Frogs of Missouri," a combination audio CD and color poster, makes sound identification of 20 frogs and toads easy. It is available for $8 plus shipping, handling and sales tax (where applicable) from the Conservation Department Nature Shop. You can order by calling, toll-free, 877/521-8632 or visiting http://mdcnatureshop.com.
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/27719/
