Howdy Blain, et al.
I've been doing limited research here in the interior for 3 years
now on malformation incidence in R. sylvatica. I've not kept real close tabs
on the akherps emails that have been going around, but I'm assuming that
someone is putting together a photo collection of amphibs and malformations
encountered? If this is indeed the case, where should I send images? I've
got lots...
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 1:16 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [akherps] [SPAM (s)] THE ANCHORAGE PRESS article on amphibians
FYI:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Blain Anderson
Trails/GIS Specialist
National Park Service
240 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907.644.3577
` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `
THE ANCHORAGE PRESS
Vol. 15, Ed. 10 March 9 - March 15 2006
FLASHLIGHT
Our frogs are croaking
As amphibian populations decline worldwide, Alaska biologists are taking a
closer look at local frogs and toads. Their initial findings suggest that
Alaska's amphibian population may be dwindling, too, and that among the
remaining frogs and toads, cases of physical abnormalities are fairly high.
"Alaska has one of the highest rates of abnormal frogs in the U.S.," said
Dave Tessler, wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game.
The problem was recently described in an article by Alaska Department of
Fish and Game's Riley Woodford, published in the Juneau Empire March 5.
It can be difficult for biologists to determine whether an abnormality is a
malformation, which implies a developmental problem, or a deformity,
meaning the abnormality occurred naturally (a leg munched off by a
predator, for example). Even so, said Tessler, "we still probably have a
high rate of malformed frogs."
Tessler and other regional and national biologists met at the second Alaska
Amphibian Conference in Juneau last month to discuss the state's amphibians
and to develop standardized ways to observe them and categorize their
ailments, among other issues.
You may be surprised, as Flashlight was, to learn that Alaskan amphibians
even exist. We've been here six years and haven't seen so much as a
tadpole. But the boreal toad (Bofus boreas) resides on the southern edge of
Prince William Sound and southward, and the wood frog (Rana sylvatica),
lives in Southcentral and Interior Alaska; they're Alaska's most common and
widespread amphibians.
Frogs can be found almost anywhere in Alaska in standing water for most of
the summer, Tessler said, including "a four-wheeler track, a puddle, a
pond, a lake, or standing water on the side of the road." The wood frogs
only make noise while breeding, though, Tessler said, and if they're not
making noise, you're probably not going to be able to spot them.
Amphibian enthusiast Tim Shields has been observing boreal toads in Haines,
where he lives, for the last 10 years. About four years ago he and a small
group of people began monitoring several breeding ponds in the area.
Shields said he believes a massive decline of the boreal toad occurred
during the late 1980s or early '90s. "Old-timers say prior to that, you
would see thousands of toads in the spring, and now they're relatively
uncommon."
Scientists aren't sure what's caused Alaska amphibian populations to
decline and abnormalities within them to rise. Some suspect a chytrid
fungus is the culprit. Tessler says he wonders whether Alaska winters might
be involved, as wood frogs freeze then and thaw in the spring, which could
be stressful. Other possible causes, according to Tessler, include the
contamination of waterways and wetlands, changes in ultraviolet radiation,
and disease.
Tessler and others have developed a citizen-based frog-watch group, the
Alaska Wood Frog Monitoring Project. They need volunteers (individuals,
families, groups or clubs) to help observe wood frogs in their natural
habitat between specific dates in April, May and June. For more info, go to
www.akfrogs.net.
- Lori McAllister
