The latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ shows that 1,895 species out of the 6,285 assessed amphibian species are threatened with extinction. The results reveal 30 percent of all known amphibians assessed so far are under serious threat in the wild.The figures show that:

Total Extinct or Extinct in the Wild = 39 (1%) [EX = 37; EW = 2]
Total threatened = 1,895 (30%) [Critical = 484; Endangered = 754; Vulnerable = 657] Total Near Threatened = 382 (6%)
Total Data Defficient = 1,597 (25%)
Total LC = 2,372 (38%)

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Those second graders from Tremont Elementary are back at it again! With the help of their teachers, and Columbus Zoo, the students have raised another $992 for the Amphibian Ark by holding a read-a-thon.

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First Evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in China: Discovery of Chytridiomycosis in Introduced American Bullfrogs and Native Amphibians in the Yunnan Province, China.

See: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20372969 for full story…

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Morten E. Allentoft, and John O’Brien

Abstract: It is well established that a decrease in genetic variation can lead to reduced fitness and lack of adaptability to a changing environment. Amphibians are declining on a global scale, and we present a four-point argument as to why this taxonomic group seems especially prone to such genetic processes. We elaborate on the extent of recent fragmentation of amphibian gene pools and we propose the term dissociated populations to describe the residual population structure. To put their well-documented loss of genetic diversity into context, we provide an overview of 34 studies (covering 17 amphibian
species) that address a link between genetic variation and >20 different fitness traits in amphibians. Although not all results are unequivocal, clear genetic-fitness-correlations (GFCs) are documented in the majority of the published investigations. In light of the threats faced by amphibians, it is of particular concern that the negative effects of various pollutants, pathogens and increased UV-B radiation are magnified in individuals with little genetic variability. Indeed, ongoing loss of genetic variation might be an important underlying factor in global amphibian declines.

Keywords: amphibian conservation; fitness; genetic diversity; genetic drift; inbreeding

Full article: http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/2/1/47/pdf

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday designated 1.6 million acres in California as critical habitat for the endangered red-legged frog, made famous by Mark Twain in his story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”

The amphibian, once so plentiful that it was commonly featured on restaurant menus, eventually became endangered because of development encroaching on its habitat and the effects of pesticides and other chemicals.

The habitat area is divided into 50 units across 27 California counties, including six counties that previously did not have designated critical habitat: Mendocino, Sonoma, Placer, Calaveras, Stanislaus and Kings.

It was the third time the agency has attempted to assign a protected area for the frog. Prior efforts were thwarted, first in 2001 by a lawsuit from the building industry, which objected to setting aside 4.1 million acres for frog habitat. Most recently, the agency reduced critical habitat to 450,000 acres in a controversial 2006 decision by Interior Department official Julie MacDonald, who was found to have provided internal documents to lobbyists and pressured scientists to alter their conclusions. MacDonald later resigned.

Noah Greenwald, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, which sued over the original habitat decision, said the decision was a “step in the right direction” and noted that protecting California red-legged frogs has the benefit of protecting the greater ecosystem.

“Red-legged frogs are a strong indicator for clean flowing water and wetlands,” Greenwald said. “As we’ve lost wetland habitats and as we’ve polluted water, we’ve lost this species. That has consequences for all of us.”

Tuesday’s decision includes a provision formulated in 2006 that exempts ranchers and farmers from violations of the Endangered Species Act if their activities unintentionally harm protected frogs. The rule was crafted to credit private landowners for any benefit they provide for the frog, such as providing habitat in livestock ponds.

The Fish and Wildlife Service estimated the 20-year economic impact of the habitat designation to be $159 million to $500 million, with about 90% of the impacts on new development. Of the total cost, $48.4 million of the cost is projected crop loss.

julie.cart@latimes.com

Copyright 2010 Los Angeles Times – http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/17/local/la-me-frog-habitat17-2010mar17

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By Greg Miskelly for The 7.30 Report

Updated Thu Mar 4, 2010 8:34pm AEDT

A species of frog has been found alive in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands, more than 30 years after it was thought to have become extinct.

New South Wales Environment Minister Frank Sartor announced this morning the discovery of a population of yellow-spotted bell frogs.

The frogs were found in a remote creek on private property in the Southern Tablelands region.

NSW Fisheries field scientist Luke Pearce first spotted an unusually coloured bell frog late last year while conducting a native fish survey.

He then alerted his colleague, David Hunter, a frog expert with the state’s Environment Department.

But it was not until a field visit last month that the pair was able to return to identify the creature as the missing yellow-spotted bell frog.

Dr Hunter, who spends up to six months of the year monitoring remote frog populations, told The 7.30 Report’s Rebecca Baillie the initial capture was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

“Luke and I went out to the site, did a frog survey, found one of the bell frogs – and it just so happened to be this yellow-spotted bell frog,” Dr Hunter said.

“This was definitely the most exciting moment of my career and I will be surprised if I repeat it.”

He says the find highlights the important role that private landowners can play in habitat conservation.

“The property owner at this particular site is extremely excited about having this critically endangered frog species on his land, and is very much looking forward to working with us in collaboration towards the conservation of the bell frog,” Dr Hunter said.

However he warns the survival of the yellow-spotted bell frog rests on its fragile creek habitat remaining hidden.

“We really don’t want anyone going to the site, trying to capture the bell frog or photograph it, because that could introduce an unknown pathogen into the population and cause a problem,” Dr Hunter said.

A tiny tadpole and frog collection has now been established at Taronga Zoo and there are plans to breed a safety population for re-introduction to the wild.

Scientists warn Australia still has more than 40 threatened frog species, all battling the impact of chytridia mycosis, a devastating fungal disease responsible for amphibian declines world-wide.

Tonight, The 7.30 Report will visit Taronga Zoo and Kosciusko National Park for an exclusive look at the scientific battle to save Australia’s frogs.

From ABC News web site: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/04/2836418.htm

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