Amphibians need more publicity!

11:04am Monday 17th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

RESEARCH in January 2008 suggests that the most vulnerable group of animals under threat are the amphibians.

It has been suggested that 35 per cent of all amphibians are under threat of actual extinction whilst others are likely to show a decline in populations.

The conclusion is that more research is needed even with regard to species which seem at the moment to be common. Included here are our own frogs and toads.

Our common toad (bufo bufu) is a fascinating creature. As a tadpole (should it be a toadpole)? the animal breathes by means of special extreme gills which absorb oxygen from the water. The adults have a pair of lungs and so every so often toads raise their heads to draw in air.

With regard to mating, the larger female allows the male to ride on her back. She lays strings of eggs whilst the male fertilises and then the female winds the string around supporting vegetation.

The reason for the decline of amphibians worldwide is due to in the main, the loss of habitat and pollution.

Researchers are convinced, and I agree with them, that birds and mammals under threat get maximum publicity and therefore finance whereas the poor old amphibians get next to nowt!

This is not a case of toad in the hole, but many amphibians face not just a hole but extinction!