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http://www.benning.army.mil/garrison/dpw/emd/DuskyGopherFrog.html |
DUSKY GOPHER FROG
Listing Date: September 9, 2015
Type of Listing: Endangered
Description and Ecology
The dusky gopher frog, or rana sevosa is a rare species. Its typical lifespan is just under seven years with males reaching their biological maturity up to two years sooner than females (Davis). It is also commonly referred to as the Mississippi frog. Currently, the entire population has declined to an alarming 250 frogs that all reside in just two ponds in Mississippi, making this particular species critically endangered. If it were not unique enough, this frog has a very distinct appearance. It is stocky, yet small and spotted with its head often being larger than its body. When it feels threatened, this frog will cover its eyes with its arms and has a mating call that sounds similar to a human snore (Graham). This is one species that is known to secrete after significant stress or injury.
The dusky gopher frog, or rana sevosa is a rare species. Its typical lifespan is just under seven years with males reaching their biological maturity up to two years sooner than females (Davis). It is also commonly referred to as the Mississippi frog. Currently, the entire population has declined to an alarming 250 frogs that all reside in just two ponds in Mississippi, making this particular species critically endangered. If it were not unique enough, this frog has a very distinct appearance. It is stocky, yet small and spotted with its head often being larger than its body. When it feels threatened, this frog will cover its eyes with its arms and has a mating call that sounds similar to a human snore (Graham). This is one species that is known to secrete after significant stress or injury.
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The dusky gopher frog is found exclusively in the southern United States in more temperate climates. This endangered amphibian has historically through out parts of southwest in Alabama, in southern Mississippi and in southeast Louisiana. Related species of the gopher frog occur more broadly across the Southeast, but over time this species population has severely declined to the point of only being found in two ponds in Mississippi. They usually mate in isolated and grassy ponds that are inhabited by the frogs. This prevents fish from living there (Richter).
Main Threats
Main Threats
The biggest problem that the dusky gopher frog currently faces is loss of habitat. Since they like to breed in more isolated ponds, they can have a hard time finding areas to inhabit. Development has severely impacted their habitat as only five percent of the once millions of acres of inhabitable land in the south remains (Davis). Other factors like inbreeding and as a result of that, disease also contribute to the rapid decline of population, but it is mainly attributed to the loss of habitat.
Recovery Plan
Since this species is dangerously endangered, there are efforts being made to help restore its population. This includes monitoring the current population, finding more habitats for it, and fires are even being presented as an idea to restore some land that is now being rendered unusable (Davis). Its current habitat is under constant observation to catch any threats or factors that can hurt the frogs as there has been an invasive species seen in the past (Richter).
What Can You Do?
In order to help protect this species that is on the brink of extinction it is essential for all of us to do our part. It is important that we do not allow their numbers to drop so drastically again, This is a very unique species with a lot of intrinsic value that must be saved for generations to come. One way to help is by writing and making calls to senators to pass laws protecting this species, and others alike but also to find out how they will be enforced. While efforts are being made by national organizations, it is ultimately our job to demand that more area is conserved for this rare species, so spread the word!
Other Resources
Other Resources
To learn more about what you can do to help be sure to check out the following sites:
Full Recovery Plan-
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/2015_07_16_Final%20RP_R_sevosa_08212015%20(1).pdf
Geography-
Full Recovery Plan-
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/2015_07_16_Final%20RP_R_sevosa_08212015%20(1).pdf
Geography-
References:
Davis, Walter. "The Nature Conservancy." Dusky Gopher Frog Profile | The Nature Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2016.
"Dusky Gopher Frog Photos and Facts." ARKive. Wildscreen Arkive, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Graham, Ciaren; Richter, Stephen C.(2006). "Histamine-releasing and antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of the Dusky Gopher frog, Rana sevosa"
Davis, Walter. "The Nature Conservancy." Dusky Gopher Frog Profile | The Nature Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2016.
"Dusky Gopher Frog Photos and Facts." ARKive. Wildscreen Arkive, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
Graham, Ciaren; Richter, Stephen C.(2006). "Histamine-releasing and antimicrobial peptides from the skin secretions of the Dusky Gopher frog, Rana sevosa"
Richter, Stephen C. " Rana Sevosa: Implications for Conservation and for Monitoring Amphibian Populations". Biological Conservation. Web. 29 Nov. 2016
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Dusky Gopher Frog (Rana sevosa) Recovery Plan.
Atlanta, Georgia. 86 pp.
Cecilia Solorio
Great Blog! Frogs are a very interesting species and you provided a lot of helpful facts while also connecting to your audience through a clear voice and flow!
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