Download a low resolution version of FrogLog 108 here or the high resolution version here.
Dear FrogLoggers,
Finding solutions to counter amphibian declines and extinctions is one of the greatest conservation challenges of the century. But with a membership of over 500 of the world’s leading amphibian experts, the Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) is uniquely positioned to identify the current challenges to amphibian conservation, and to recommend potential solutions.
In mid 2013 the ASG, in partnership with the Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA), initiated a number of thematic working groups designed to review efforts since the publication of the ACAP in 2006 and identify a clear strategy for how we need to move forward as a community to address amphibian conservation challenges worldwide.
Each thematic working group maintains a web page aimed at sharing information and encouraging conversation action, which evolves as knowledge increases and progress is made. Using this as a basis for discussion these groups collaborate to identify immediate actions that could be achieved during the subsequent two years. The ASA, as an alliance of concerned institutions, is taking the lead on establishing partnerships to implement these priorities.
As you know, for too long now we have heard stories of declines, extinction and lack of hope with regards to conserving biodiversity and especially amphibians. The ASA also plans to change this rhetoric by focusing on new opportunities and delivering conservation successes.
We believe that this movement needs to be about more than people donating to a cause that they believe in; it needs to be about you sharing your stories, becoming engaged and focusing on making a difference to the survival of the 7000+ amphibian species that share our planet. We want you to be advocates for the cause and inspired to take action in many different ways.
This regional edition of FrogLog highlights some of the exciting ways that people are taking action for amphibians that we hope will inspire you to act as well. Inside these pages you will discover how volunteers are helping scientists learn more about endangered frogs in Korea and even how a toad conservation project has led to the successful coexistence of humans and amphibians in a region. Everyone can play a role in helping us save amphibians around the world.
This is a new and exciting time for amphibian conservation and research, and we hope you will join us.
Don Church
Executive Director, Amphibian Survival Alliance
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Editorial
NEWS FROM THE AMPHIBIAN COMMUNITY
4 Changes to the ASG Secretariat
4 New Action Plans Online
5 Working Groups Update
5 Membership Updates
6 Amphibian Survival Alliance Updates
8 Darrel Frost Wins the 2013 Sabin Award for Amphibian Conservation
9 Announcing the Leapfrog Conservation Fund
10 “Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians”
12 Amazing Amphibian: Archey’s Frog
13 Request for Information: Vertebrate Fauna in West and Central Africa
14 Endangered Species Act Protection Proposed for Oregon Spotted Frogs, Other Amphibians Under Settlement
16 Toad-in-the-hole: Western Leopard Toad Roadkill Mitigation Project
18 Pesticide Accumulation in California Sierra Nevada Frogs
19 Find the Frog!
20 Conservation in Action: The Road to Recovery
22 Meet Amphibians.org Blogger Tariq Stark
23 The Endemic Conraua derooi in Immediate Conservation Need in Togo
REGIONAL FOCUS: ASIA, RUSSIA AND OCEANIA
25 Teams from Reed College, Kangwon National University, and University of Oregon Collaborate on Multi-Year Study on Thermal Biology of Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, Bombina orientalis
27 Asia as a Center of Amphibian Resistance against Killer Fungus
28 Volunteers Help Scientists Learn More about the Endangered Suwon Treefrogs in Korea
30 A Review on Frog Find 1.0
32 Research Highlights: Launching Amphibian Conservation Physiology in India through Australia-India Collaborative Research
34Korea Regional Update
36 Successful Coexistence of Humans and Amphibians: A Long Term Toad Conservation Project in Cheongju-si, South Korea
38 Translocation of the Endangered Boreal Digging Frog (Kaloula borealis) in Lake Shihwa, Gyeonggi Province, Korea
40 Amphibian Conservation Programs at Taronga Zoo
43 Amphibian Chytrid Fungus and Ranavirus in Asia: Is Hong Kong Sitting in Hot Water?
47 Understanding Possible Etiologies of Amphibian Crisis in Sri Lanka
50 Caecilians of Goa
53 A Marvel of Nature: The Gastric Brooding Frog
55 Frogs of Asia and Madagascar
62 Promoting Amphibian Conservation in the Western Ghats of India – The Role of the Future Conservationist Award