The Amphibian Foundation's Frog Blog

Through a grant from Memphis Zoo, we have expanded to 33 artificial wetlands for breeding and head-starting imperiled amphibians.⁠ ⁠ In the next week or two, we will be adding Gopher Frog tadpoles!

In 2019, the Memphis Zoo and the Amphibian Foundation began collaborating on a project to further conserve the Gopher Frog , Rana ( Lithobates ) capito , through a Memphis Zoo Conservation Action Network (CAN) Grant . The grant was aimed at supporting the expansion of both the in situ and ex situ research initiatives developing at the Amphibian Foundation, and we are extremely grateful for the zoo's support in this project. In situ Goals Gopher Frog summit @ AF 2018 Amphibian Foundation staff serve on the Gopher Frog Task Team , which is an ad hoc interstate group of agencies and institutions dedicated to conserving this imperiled species throughout its range. The team targets populations in need of conservation and augmentation, as well as identifying areas in need of restoration to support wild populations of the species. We are happy for the opportunity to contribute in this talented and passionate group. In a task team meeting, we identified Alligator Cree...

Frosted Flatwoods Salamander ( Ambystoma cingulatum ). Photo by Pierson Hill This website, written by Dirk Stevenson and features Dirk's work as well as the work and photography of Pierson Hill — and incredible beautiful story crafted by Dirk's passion and experience and incredible photography. Take a minute to appreciate some of the species and habitat we are working so hard to protect. Visit Website

Recording by Mark Bailey — Here is the caption from Mark's post: Recorded 01-15-2020 at an isolated wetland in Conecuh National Forest, AL . Heard are Gopher Frog ( Lithobates capito ), Southern Leopard Frog ( Lithobates utricularia ), Ornate Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris ornata ), Spring Peeper ( Pseudacris crucifer ), and Southern Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris nigrita ).

Recently, Erin Cork of UGA and colleagues recorded this wonderful video which captures the lovely snoring calls of Georgia's rarest frog — The Gopher Frog ( Lithobates capito ) . There are at least 2 other species of frog in the background as well — can you tell what they are?? Survey frequencies and scope have increased this year in response to the continued decline of the species throughout the state. Sandhills WMA for example, is one of the source ponds of eggs for the now decade-long Head Start program, where eggs are collected and reared past the sensitive tadpole stage and released into protected habitat as froglets. In recent years, however, detections have declined, and this is the main reason that the Amphibian Foundation, in partnership with Zoo Atlanta, GA DNR, UGA and USFWS have begun establishing a captive propagation program. If we can produce healthy baby Gopher Frogs at the Foundation, then we don't have to rely on wild collected eggs for the conserva...

Today was the annual Georgia Gopher Frog Research and Conservation Summit . This year it was hosted here in Atlanta at the Amphibian Foundation. UGA (Maerz Lab), Zoo Atlanta, GA DNR and USFWS was in attendance. In all likelihood, the captive propagation program at AF (and also at Zoo Atlanta) will not produce eggs for experimental release this season as the frogs are still a bit young. We collectively decided to focus our attention on field surveys of known and historic ponds throughout Georgia. Georgia Gopher Frog Research and Conservation Summit, Amphibian Foundation, Dec 2018.  The Amphibian Foundation has been tasked with leading field surveys at Alligator Creek WMA , about 3 hours south of Atlanta. Surveys probably will not start for weeks, but we are putting the word out to the public that we need help! If you would like to get out to the field and help us look for Georgia's rarest frog (or at least the eggs of GA's rarest frog) Please let us know. If you send...

Last night, during a Thunderstorm, some brave souls joined us for a trial release of Gopher Frogs ( Lithobates capito ) into their mesocosm, where hopefully they will acclimate to their new home in time to reproduce this fall+. The Gopher Frog Release Team (July 31, 2018) Anthony Mandica, Crystal Mandica, Lillie Kline, Roberto Valencia and Aunt Christina Amphibian Foundation Co-founder Crystal Mandica introducing a Gopher Frog into the mesocosm Kevin McCauley, Executive Director of the Blue Heron Nature Preserve stopped by to release a Gopher Frog Lillie Kline, from Atlanta Audubon Society reaching for a jumpy Gopher Frog Roberto Valencia, our newest international intern from Ecuador, show here adding Gopher Frogs to their new home. This new captive breeding program, which the Amphibian Foundation is developing with Zoo Atlanta, GA DNR, USFWS and UGA aims to produce healthy, captive bred Gopher Frogs (a state 'Rare' species, and Georgia's rarest frog)....

We are nearly complete with our outdoor conservation research facility — an array of 20 tri-phasic mesocosms nicknamed 'Metamorphosis Meadow' or MetaMo. Todays Task: the completion of 3 sandhill mesocosms designed for the captive breeding of Georgia's rarest frog, the Gopher Frog ( Lithobates capito ). The source populations for the 11 year assisted metamorphosis and experimental release program continue to decline, so we have teamed up with Zoo Atlanta, Georgia DNR, UGA and USFWS to establish captive breeding groups of the species. Today's Mesocosm Team (front left): Nooch, Crystal and Mark Mandica, Roberto Valencia (visiting from Ecuador) and Caleb Black; (back left) Barbara Marston, Jason Bracken, Emma Slutsker, Juan Taquechel, Joshua Black, and Dr Michael Black (top right). Kate Carson looking happy with pride over completing a Gopher Frog mesocosm. Kate was instrumental in building the Flatwoods Salamander mesocosms as well. Anthony Mandica, co-founde...

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2hOK1Hz These pressures imposed on Gopher Frogs undermine their ability to manage other stressors such as infectious disease and #ClimateChange. #GopherFrogs #Lithobates #Lithobatescapito #AmphibianFoundation #Frog #Frogs #FrogsOfInstagram #FrogsNeedOurHelp

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2y0hnJs First, using #AssistedMetamorphosis and now (w @zooatl ) through #CaptiveBreeding and experimental release. #GopherFrogs #Lithobates #Lithobatescapito #AmphibianFoundation #Frog #Frogs #FrogsOfInstagram #FrogsNeedOurHelp

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2yl7qra  They get their name because they live underground, but rather than dig their own burrows, they rely on burrows provided by Gopher Tortoises and others — smart! #GopherFrogs #Lithobates #Lithobatescapito #AmphibianFoundation #Frog #Frogs #FrogsOfInstagram #FrogsNeedOurHelp

This year, USFWS joined GA DNR, UGA, Zoo Atlanta and the Amphibian Foundation in a state-wide project to increase population numbers of Georgia's rarest frog — The Gopher Frog. The fish hatchery at Warm Springs, and it's exceptional staff of biologists were excited to use their incredible facilities to rear amphibians. Historically, they have been focused on other aquatic vertebrates (fish) and invertebrates (muscles). The service has done an amazing job this year and we are excited to partner with them on another amphibian conservation project.  With USFWS covering assisted-metamorphosis for the species, the Amphibian Foundation and Zoo Atlanta are developing a program for the captive breeding of the species. The images below were taken by Carlos Echevarria, the Hatchery Manager at Warm Springs. USFWS Biologists checking the development of Gopher Frog larvae at the Warm Spring facility Over 700 Gopher Frogs were reared through the assisted metamorphosis program this ...