Fish and Amphibians

Naturalist April Claus will present “Introduction to Reptiles and Amphibians of Pennsylvania” at Blue Spruce Park Lodge at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. This Friends of the Parks interactive program will introduce participants to the different reptiles and amphibians that live in your backyard. In this program, you will be able to meet and touch snakes, toads, turtles and salamanders that are native to western Pennsylvania. The program suitable for all ages. Information about this year’s upcoming Friends of the Parks programs can be found at indiana county parks.org or on the organization’s Facebook page. http://bit.ly/2LfCa47

Chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by chytrid fungi, has caused the extinction of 90 species of frogs and other amphibians over the past 50 years, according to researchers from a number of worldwide universities. The pathogen has caused huge losses of 501 species of amphibians, including the 90 extinctions and 124 other species whose populations have declined by more than 90 percent, according to a report by an international group of scientists published in the March 29 edition of the journal Science (“Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity”). See also “Amphibian ‘apocalypse’ caused by most destructive pathogen ever” (National Geographic, March 28). The highly contagious fungus eats away the amphibians’ skin. Unable to properly respire, they die from cardiac arrest. Amphibians that are resistant to it become carriers, making it nearly impossible to eradicate. In my opinion , and from a One Health veterinary perspective , this disease

A Vermont researcher is working to raise awareness of the need to protect animal species and their habits, calling them key indicators of the state’s environmental health. “It’s just a beautiful and precious salamander,” Jim Andrews said of a yellow spotted salamander he and research assistants found Wednesday in a vernal pool in Craftsbury. Andrews is a herpetologist—someone who studies reptiles and amphibians. For a few decades now, he has been tracking the distribution of species in Vermont, strains or losses to habitats from construction, and how their behavior is shifting. Saviano Abreu/United Nation OCHA via AP Climate change is affecting wood frogs and other species, Andrews said. “On average, they’re emerging and starting to call a couple weeks earlier than they were just 20 years ago,” Andrews said of wood frogs. “And on average, the peak count of egg masses is, like, three days earlier than it was 20 years ago.” While this was a snowy winter for Vermont, Andrews sa

State wildlife officials are urging drivers to keep an eye out for frogs and salamanders. On warm, rainy nights during April and May, amphibians will emerge from their winter retreats. Anyone near vernal pools and forests can hear the trilling of toads migrating across the landscape to find their aquatic breeding sites or upland foraging habitats. For many that means trying to cross roads. MassWildlife is urging drivers to be on the lookout for amphibians, since they can be hard to see. Frogs and salamanders are small and typically move under the cover of darkness. Some range in size from one to three inches long. Drivers who see roads with high levels of amphibian activity or mortality should report the site to the Linking Landscapes for Massachusetts Wildlife initiative.  Copyright Associated Press http://bit.ly/2UOGAP4

RHINELANDER - Unused drugs can sit in cabinets for years. They can be forgotten and then fall into the wrong hands. Saturday, people from Rhinelander made sure that didn't happen.  "I spent a lot of time in the hospital last year and I got a lot more narcotics than what I needed," said Don Wightman. "We're getting rid of them today [Saturday]." He and his wife Marie noticed they had more pills just laying around. "We've been hanging on to these drugs for a long time and we just wanted to get rid of them," said Marie Wightman. They were among over a hundred people handing off their unused drugs at the Rhinelander Police Department for Drug Take-Back Day. "We're on pace to take in 100 pounds in pills," said patrol officer Ben Curtes, who was taking and storing pills for four hours Saturday. Curtes said misusing drugs is a huge problem nationwide, including the Northwoods. He stores the pills in boxes for them to be incin

Massachusetts wildlife officials are asking drivers to keep an eye out for amphibians on roads over the next couple of months. Amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, come out of their winter retreats during warm and rainy nights in April and May, leading them to go to other locations, such as marshes and forests, the state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said in a statement Tuesday. However, to get to their destinations, they might need to cross the road, a “daunting task,” MassWildlife said, and they may be tricky to see on the road — especially the ones that travel only at night. Read full article On some roads, driving may be impossible because of the density of such animals when they travel during mass migrations, wildlife officials said. For this reason, potentially hundreds of dead amphibians are reported on roadways near vernal pools, or temporary ponds, and other types of wetlands. “Please do your part to help ensure that future generations will come to know

Vernal pools are with us for only a short time each year in spring, but they are essential to the lives of amphibians like frogs and salamanders. Dave Havens, an environmental science teacher at St. Luke’s School and vice president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association, will lead a guided walk in search of vernal pools on Saturday, April 27, at 1 p.m., along the Norwalk River Valley Trail in Wilton. The walk will begin with a short introduction on amphibians and how to spot them, and continue along the trail to visit vernal ponds coming to life with salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Twin Oak Lane. Tall, waterproof boots are suggested. All ages are welcome to this free event. Register by emailing info@norwalkriver.org. Rain date: Sunday, April 28. Space is limited. http://bit.ly/2vpSOTT

A Vermont researcher is working to raise awareness of the need to protect animal species and their habits, calling them key indicators of the state’s environmental health. “It’s just a beautiful and precious salamander,” Jim Andrews said of a yellow spotted salamander he and research assistants found Wednesday in a vernal pool in Craftsbury. Andrews is a herpetologist—someone who studies reptiles and amphibians. For a few decades now, he has been tracking the distribution of species in Vermont, strains or losses to habitats from construction, and how their behavior is shifting. New Study Says Beards are 'Dirtier' Than Dogs Climate change is affecting wood frogs and other species, Andrews said. “On average, they’re emerging and starting to call a couple weeks earlier than they were just 20 years ago,” Andrews said of wood frogs. “And on average, the peak count of egg masses is, like, three days earlier than it was 20 years ago.” While this was a snowy winter for Vermont

The imperiled eastern hellbender, a creature most people consider ugly and few Pennsylvanians have ever seen, became the state’s official amphibian April 23, with the stroke of a pen from Gov. Tom Wolf. It was a crisscrossed journey — the nomination of another salamander briefly challenged the designation — but the persistence of a high school environmental group and other few but loyal fans of North America’s largest salamander succeeded in the end. A fully aquatic salamander with slimy, wrinkled skin, the hellbender can grow up to 2 feet long and goes by an unflattering array of nicknames such as devil dog, mud devil, snot otter and Old Lasagna Sides. It is not aesthetically pleasing or universally cherished like other Pennsylvania official emblems, such as ruffed grouse, brook trout, Pennsylvania firefly, white-tailed deer or mountain laurel. The new state amphibian is actually one of the least-known creatures in the state. But supporters say it serves as a symbol for something

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Endangered amphibians in Panama    AccuWeather.com The Smithsonian's National Zoo has rescue project to help the endangered amphibians in Panama like this Coronated Tree Frog. AccuWeather's Cheryl Nelson ... http://bit.ly/2GsuuGe

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Endangered amphibians in Panama    AccuWeather.com The Smithsonian's National Zoo has rescue project to help the endangered amphibians in Panama like this Coronated Tree Frog. AccuWeather's Cheryl Nelson ... http://bit.ly/2GsuuGe

KEENE, N.H. (WHDH) - Officials closed a street in Keene, New Hampshire overnight to allow for amphibians to cross the road. North Lincoln Street was shut down from 7:30 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday as amphibians trekked towards vernal pools to breed. Thousands of salamanders, frogs, and toads make the short journey when the earth thaws and spring rains drench the Granite State, according to the Harris Center for Conservation Education. Volunteers count the migrating amphibians in the Monadnock Region and safely usher them across roads in what they call “Crossing Brigades.” Since 2007, Harris Center says their “Crossing Brigades” have moved more than 42,750 amphibians out of harm’s way. Those looking to volunteer in the future can contact Brett Amy Thelen at (603) 358-2065. (Copyright (c) 2019 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) http://bit.ly/2UOGrjz

If you’re willing go out in the rain and maybe get your hands a little sticky, volunteers are needed to count — and sometimes rescue — amphibians as they cross the road during mating season. The Duxbury Conservation Commission is working with the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, lining up people who, during certain evenings as the weather allows, will join their effort to survey the migration patterns of the many amphibians that are native to the state, such as frogs, salamanders and spring peepers. And, as much as possible, the volunteers protect the creepers. “We pair people up with sites near them, we train them up, and we offer them online resources,” said Zac Cota, AmeriCorps teacher naturalist with the North Branch Nature Center. Teams are being assigned to multiple locations on Route 100 in Waterbury and Stowe, and to less trafficked roads such as Kneeland Flats and Perry Hill roads in Waterbury, Stowe Hollow Road in Stowe and River Road in Duxbury. The goal, C

Hadley Barndollar hbarndollar@seacoastonline.com @hbarndollar KITTERY, Maine - More than 200 Kittery Water District users turned out for a question and answer session on monochloramines Tuesday night, the drinking water disinfectant that has warranted much concern since last month�s announcement of its upcoming implementation. Tuesday�s meeting, hosted at the Kittery Community Center, was the third public presentation Kittery Water District Superintendent Michael Rogers has held since a public notice went out to water users informing of the district�s transition to the chlorine and ammonia combination, due to the ongoing water treatment plant renovation project. Despite Rogers� steady confidence that moving to chloramines, specifically a monochloramine disinfectant, is the safe and smart move for the Kittery Water District, a strong citizen opposition has developed, seeking alternatives and perhaps more time. Chloramines were originally scheduled to be implemented this month, but d

CUMBERLAND — It would have been much appreciated if the guests of honor had shown up on time and in droves as everyone hoped. Alas, the wood frogs, spring peepers and yellow-spotted salamanders apparently had their own schedule to keep and didn’t fully cooperate with the 10th annual Frog Night, hosted Sunday by the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust. Wearing their best rain gear and carrying flashlights, about 50 parents, children and other townspeople gathered just after dark on Range Road, between Frog Pond and Salamander Swamp. The vernal or spring wetland is at the edge of the 216-acre Rines Forest, a town-owned recreation and conservation area. Maple Gauthier, 8, of Cumberland transports a frog to Frog Pond on Range Road in Cumberland after discovering it in the woods.  The volunteers were there to protect frogs and salamanders as they made their annual migration from Salamander Swamp to the pond to breed. Press Herald photo by Derek Davis Their aim was to ensure that hun

Sunday, April 14, 2019 Scott Turner, Environmental Columnist View Larger + PHOTO: Brian Gratwicke Follow Lithobates sylvaticus (Woodfrog) Flickr After being cooped up, we thawed out, heading to Rome Point in North Kingstown to visit some ephemeral amphibians. Wood frogs are an early spring specialty in the vernal pools of Rome Point. Calls of the amphibians sound like a chorus of quacking ducks. Vernal pools are springtime-only ponds that provide important homes for certain plants and animals. The pools are short-lived, so there is usually just a small springtime window to catch the calls of wood frogs. At Rome Point, which is officially called John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, we found a whole lot of quacking going on. For us, wood frogs are more often heard than seen. But on this visit we used binoculars to spot some of the 3-4 inch-long, green-brown creatures floating at or near the surface of several ponds. We could even discern the black mask-like marking across their eyes.

Zoo Knoxville has announced an $18 million project – The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus (ARCC). Construction is set to begin on ARCC, a 2.5-acre home for its amphibians and 12,000-square-foot reptile facility, in August. According to Zoo Knoxville, ARCC will support the zoo’s “internationally recognised work with critically endangered amphibians and reptiles”. The $18m development will also provide immersive educational elements focusing on STEM, and will include a new species of Cuban crocodiles. ARCC will also feature a greenhouse that allows guests to watch herpetologists at work, and a large outdoor ecological habitat where children can collect specimens and take them back to the Adventure Lab to explore. The attraction confirmed a joint $5 million gift from Jim Clayton and FirstBank. The amphibian area will be named the Clayton Family ARC Campus, while the reptile facility will be called the FirstBank ARC Center. Zoo Knoxville’s herpetology team is international

By Thom Smith Q: I read your article, "Watch for salamanders, frogs on roads," The Berkshire Eagle, April 7, and I have a question: Do lawn pesticides harm amphibians? My reason for asking is this: When we moved to our neighborhood in Dalton back in 1992, lots of frogs and toads lived here, and dozens were killed in the street by passing cars. Since then, more and more of our neighbors have been using lawn services that include pesticide treatment and weed killers, and the population of frogs and toads has dropped to almost none. After they spray, I occasionally find a frog or toad on the sidewalk — not crushed, just dead. We used to hear spring peepers every year in April and May. Last spring, I heard only one lonely peeper calling. Are we are headed for "Silent Spring," thanks to my neighbors' desire for lush green lawns? Is there a remedy for this poisoning of Mother Earth? — Glendyne W, Dalton A: A less technical explanation from Mother Jones Magazine

A pair of skin-eating fungi responsible for the so-called amphibian apocalypse are now credited with driving toward extinction some 501 species — more than double the previous best estimate. This means they have likely caused more biodiversity loss than any other disease in world history. For example, according to a new paper in the journal Science, they are responsible for more species declines and extinctions than such well-known predators as rats and other rodents (threatening some 420 species) or Felis catus, better known as the house cat (in the lead until now, apparently, with 430). Against some familiar wildlife-killing pathogens, the chytrid fungi known as Bd and Bsal have done far more harm than the headline-grabbing white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has afflicted just six bat species, or the West Nile virus, which burdens 23 types of birds. The sudden die-offs of frogs, toads and salamanders has been a major ecological mystery over the last 50 years or so, init

Biologists are urging drivers to watch out for amphibians that will be crossing roadways across Vermont during their early spring migration. It's the time of year when frogs and salamanders are crossing the roads. Biologist Jens Hilke of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says the migration frequently takes them across roads and highways where they are killed by cars, which contributes to the species' decline in the state. Hilke says frogs and salamanders become active on rainy spring nights. On those nights, drivers should slow down on roads near ponds and wetlands, or try to use an alternate route. These amphibian "hotspots" can lead to the death of thousands of animals on a single night. Copyright Associated Press http://bit.ly/2GiAse4

SANTIAGO - A deadly disease affecting amphibians has descended into a global pandemic that has already wiped out 90 species, a prominent U.S. biologist warned Thursday at the World Organization for Animal Health Aquatic Conference in Santiago, Chile. Chytridiomycosis is caused by a fungus — Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis — that attacks the skin of frogs, toads and other amphibians. As the creatures use their skin to breathe and regulate their bodies’ water levels, the damage caused by the disease eventually leads to heart failure and death. Jonathan Kolby, co-author of a study published in March on the fungus’ devastating effects, lamented what he described as “the first global wild disease issue.” “It’s over 60 countries right now, and that’s part of the problem,” he said. Over the past five years, the highly contagious disease has already caused nearly 90 species to disappear, with over 500 impacted. The rapid global spread of the fungus is due to a lack of animal trade rules

A deadly disease affecting amphibians has descended into a global pandemic that has already wiped out 90 species, a prominent US biologist warned Thursday at the World Organisation for Animal Health Aquatic Conference in Santiago, Chile. Chytridiomycosis is caused by a fungus -- Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis -- that attacks the skin of frogs, toads and other amphibians.  As the creatures use their skin to breathe and regulate their bodies' water levels, the damage caused by the disease eventually leads to heart failure and death. Jonathan Kolby, co-author of a study published in March on the fungus' devastating effects, lamented what he described as "the first global wild disease issue". "It's over 60 countries right now, and that's part of the problem," he said. Over the past five years, the highly contagious disease has already caused nearly 90 species to disappear, with over 500 impacted. Read also: Unfroggetable: Endangered Bolivian amphi

Biologists are urging drivers to watch out for amphibians that will be crossing roadways across Vermont during their early spring migration. It's the time of year when frogs and salamanders are crossing the roads. Biologist Jens Hilke of Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department says the migration frequently takes them across roads and highways where they are killed by cars, which contributes to the species' decline in the state. Hilke says frogs and salamanders become active on rainy spring nights. On those nights, drivers should slow down on roads near ponds and wetlands, or try to use an alternate route. These amphibian "hotspots" can lead to the death of thousands of animals on a single night. All contents © copyright 2019 Associated Press. All rights reserved. http://bit.ly/2U4hN97

LA PAZ - The fate of a species may just rest on this love story. Happily, the first date between Romeo, once the last-known Sehuencas water frog, and Juliet, who was discovered deep inside a Bolivian cloud forest in January, went so well the two have been living together in his aquarium since. According to a statement by Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC) on Monday, the pair were introduced on March 1 after being cleared of chytridiomycosis, which has decimated amphibian populations throughout the Neotropics region. After a period of observation, they were moved into Romeo’s aquarium, where he made a mating call for the first time since 2017: a clear sign he is eager to breed. “Romeo has been really sweet to Juliet, following her around the aquarium and sacrificing his worm meals for her,” said Teresa Camacho Badani, chief of herpetology at the Museo de Historia Natural Alcide d’Orbigny in Bolivia, which is working on the project with the GWC. “After he’s been alone for so long,

Artistic reconstruction of newly discovered Peregocetus pacificus. Image: Alberto Gennari/Cell Press, Author provided Whales belong in the ocean, right? That may be true today, but cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) actually descended from four-legged mammals that once lived on land. New research published in Current Biology reports the discovery in Peru of an entirely new species of ancestral whale that straddled land and sea, providing insight into the weird evolutionary journey of our mammalian friends. We might think of them as smooth, two-flippered ocean swimmers that struggle to even survive the Thames , but whales originated more than 50m years ago from artiodactyls – land-dwelling, hooved mammals. Initially, whales’ ancestors resembled small deer, with four toes, each one ending in a small hoof. One particular fossilized “missing link” found in India suggests that the last whale precursors took to the water in times of danger but came onto land to give birth

Whales belong in the ocean, right? That may be true today, but cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises) actually descended from four legged mammals that once lived on land. New research published in Current Biology reports the discovery in Peru of an entirely new species of ancestral whale that straddled land and sea, providing insight into the weird evolutionary journey of our mammalian friends. We might think of them as smooth, two-flippered ocean swimmers that struggle to even survive the Thames , but whales originated more than 50 million years ago from artiodactyls —land-dwelling, hoofed mammals. Initially, whales’ ancestors resembled small deer, with four toes, each one ending in a small hoof. One particular fossilized “missing link” found in India suggests that the last whale precursors took to the water in times of danger but came onto land to give birth and eat. They would spend considerable time wading in shallow water, foraging for aquatic vegetation and invertebrates,