YEAR OF THE FROG
It's official--2008 is the Year of the Frog. As a response to the growing numbers of amphibian population declines, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other participants in the global zoological community will highlight this year as the Year of the Frog to mark a major conservation effort to address the amphibian extinction crisis.
The amphibians are a group of about 5,000 species of vertebrate animals including salamanders, frogs and toads, and caecilians (amphibians that look like worms). Amphibians are cold-blooded (their body temperature is controlled by their environment). They have specialized, usually smooth, moist skin that allows them to actually breathe through their skin. Some amphibians have very small lungs or no lungs at all as is the case with a small group of lungless salamanders. Usually amphibians go through a metamorphosis (change) as they grow up. In fact, the word amphibian means, almost literally, double like since the typical amphibian spends at least a portion of its life (usually early life) in water. An example of amphibian metamorphosis is the frog life cycle--egg, tadpole then adult frog.
Today, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has found that almost one-third of amphibians world-wide are threatened with extinction and fears that 165 species may already be extinct. North America is not exempt from this amphibian crisis with the wild extinction of the Wyoming toad. In areas of the Caribbean, 80-90% of the amphibians are considered threatened. Documenting these statistics was a first step; now is the time to take action.
Generally we think of habitat loss and degradation, pollution, invasive species or even climate change as major causes of animal endangerments, but in the case of amphibians we now know that in addition to the above mentioned problems, a rapidly dispersing infectious fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is leading to many amphibian declines and extinctions.
We need amphibians! From a purely selfish point of view, humans have studied amphibians and from them isolated antibiotic and anti-tumor properties, alalgesics, anti-inflammatory compounds, natural adheasives and volatiles. If we are to save these incredible creatures it will take an international effort incorporating many conservation organizations and YOU. So learn what you can about the amphibian crisis and support the critical work needed to prevent amphibian extinctions. In fact, you can be a friend to frogs if you create amphibian-friendly environments with clean water and hiding places, don't pollute (amphibians absorb chemicals throught their skin), conserve water, be a responsible pet owner by discouraging pets from pestering wildlife and educate yourself and family about amphibians. YOU, too, can be an amphibian champion!
