Raffael Ernst and colleagues at the Senckenberg Natural History Collections studied how abandoned forest roads in the rainforest of Central Guyana impact amphibian diversity. The study suggest that these roads serve as a sanctuary for amphibians during severe dry periods to enhance their survival and reproduction. For example, the water-filled potholes of roads act as spawning grounds. Researchers suggest these roads should not be disturbed as they are advantageous to amphibians during dry periods. However, this is not to encourage the establishment of new roads or restoring of old ones as there are different factors that should be considered for restoration initiatives. As a consequence of species ability to adapt to…
Frogs and toads are known as Anurans. Anurans represent the most diverse, and widespread of the three existent amphibian species. Anurans can be found throughout the world. Frogs can be spotted in urban areas and gardens. However, it is rare for the anurans to be seen in polar regions, as well as some oceanic islands and extremely xeric deserts, but anuran diversity is greatest in the tropical areas (Heying, 2003). The reason why anura was used to conduct this experiment was because the human…
The article “Eating Frogs to Extinction” by Ian Warkentin addresses amphibians, particularly frogs, contributes a significant role in the gastronomy of several cultures, thus leading amphibians susceptible to mass extinction. The article begins with a list of factors that is leading to the rising cause of amphibians’ extinction; from environmental degradation to community instability to individual mechanism. These factors include their role as important prey and predators, habitat loss,…
Varying environmental climates require organisms to develop defense mechanisms to survive. For conditions under freezing temperatures, each animal has a response. If an animal is unprepared for the extreme situation, the formation of ice leads to a destruction of tissues and most organisms are unable to tolerate even frostbite; which make animals adapt to stay warm and out of the cold. Biochemical studies have examined why amphibians can tolerate freezing temperatures. Many amphibians, though…
The remaining structures had become sanctuaries for the lower level marine life forms that inhabit the area. The city blocks are filled with countless vehicles converted into artificial reefs. The lost civilization was no match for the super-quakes that engulfed it. The aqua city was populated with dangerous amphibian species establishing powerful kingdoms beneath the surface. These kingdoms were always on high alert and patrolled by defense forces against neighboring enemies trying to…
Around the world, every living animal has its own life history and own ecology. Barking Treefrogs are unique and friendly amphibians usually found in Florida and surrounding states. Although they are one of the largest frogs found in the United States, the number of Barking Treefrogs in the United States are starting to reduce due to habitat loss. All amphibians have distinct traits that assemble each one of them as an individual; Barking Treefrogs are exclusive in every trait they own by…
This is a book report on the animal The Axolotl, which comes from Aztecs. Axolotl means water, while xolotl means monster. So this animal is considered a, “Water Monster.” It is a non-native fish that also goes by the name, “Mexican Walking Fish.” It’s an amphibian, like a frog, and is in a paused state of metamorphosis. Their classification is in the phylum, Chordata. The Axolotl was first founded in 1789, in Mexico City. The labs that they were founded in and tested on were in Paris. They are…
The Panamanian Golden Frog proves that size does not matter. The diminutive size was countered by potent defense, as the poison in just one of the frogs could kill about a thousand normal mice (Kolbert, 2014). In addition, their presence has transgressed the animal kingdom as it has left a remarkable impact on the town of El Valle de Antón in Panama. The Panamanian Golden Frog has become a cherished symbol synonymous in the area, as it is associated with good luck and fortune (Kolbert, 2014).…
Eurycea rathbuni otherwise known as Texas Blind Salamanders are incredible creatures that do not get their fair share of attention compared to animals such as cheetahs and lions. Specifically, they are only known to reside within the dark water filled caves of Edward’s Aquifer in Hays County, Texas.5 Thus, this species was discovered by the San Marcos National Fishery, which is now known as Texas State University.5,6 In 1967, Eurycea Rathbuni was listed as an endangered species, and within ten…
Some of these scientists include Katti et al (2015), Ji et al (2016), and Marcus and Fiumera (2016). Katti et al (2015) showed that agrochemicals, which includes atrazine, have adverse effects on the reproductive systems of amphibians. One of the effects is a reduction in the number of follicles in amphibians, which shows that agrochemicals have a negative impact on the reproduction system of female amphibians (Katti et al, 2015). Unlike Katti et al (2015), Ji et al (2016) was worried about the…