Golden Toad- Devon Winger

Golden Toad

Kingdom: Animalia

Class:Amphibia

Order: Anura

Family: Bufonidae

Scientific name: Incilius         Periglenes

The Golden Toad, Bufo Periflenes, has been extinct since 1989. It was a small, brightly colored toad that was abundant in tropical forests above Monteverde, Costa Rica.

HABITAT:

• The cloud forest in Monteverde was the only known habitat for the golden toad and it spans 35,089 acres.
• Monteverde relies on a thick veil of low-hanging clouds to provide moisture to the tropical forest during the dry season of January through April.

DEMOGRAPHICS:

-    In 1960, golden toads were first found during the mating season in which a few hundred males would gather around small ponds and wait for the females to join them. In 1987 an American herbalist and ecologist was fascinating by the species and got a grant to study them more the next year. However, by 1988 only ten golden toads were found, none of which were breeding and by 1989 only one golden toad was recorded.

-    Males were almost two inches long and unlike most toads, they had a bright orange skin color. The females were slightly larger and a lark olive color with scarlet spots that are encircled by a yellow ring.

-    The lack of a voice heard in the golden toad indicates the mates dependency of visual cues, which explains their brilliant coloring.

-    There is sexual dimorphism in which the snout length, salivary gland width, and arm and hind limb lengths are larger in males than in females.

-          As most amphibians, the golden toad relied on smaller inter vertebrates, flies, and insects.

-          Golden toads had no known predators due to sharp claws under their front paws. They also had a small population so no larger animal relied on the golden toads as a major food source. Their bright coloring also portrayed poisonous attributes that caused many potential predators to steer clear.

CAUSES OF EXTINCTION:

1. Climate change- The increasing number of dry days has radically changed the climate since the 1970’s and caused increased temperatures. As amphibians, the golden toads are very sensitive to environmental disruptions because they rely on land and water, are predators and prey and have permeable skin. The Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia says, “climate change may already be altering the ecology of the Monterverde cloud forest in Costa Rica”. The tropical rain forest relies on moisture, which is gotten from low clouds; however, climate change has caused a much drier atmosphere, inhibiting many toad species from surviving in their homes.

2. Pollution- Pollution from industrial factories has caused the ozone layer to become much thinner, leading to an increase in the sun’s ray temperature. This causes more permeation of the Monteverde clouds, leading to a warmer and less habitable climate. Since the golden toads are amphibians, they need a very particular environment, but the pollution made it too hot for a habitable environment. Industrial pollution also causes acid rain which leads to acidification in many bodies of water where amphibians largely occur.

3. Chytridiomycosis- A fungus that thrives in warmer climates and can cause convulsions, skin loss, and amphibian deaths. Due to climate change, Monteverde was suffering from warmer climates and the golden toad was especially vulnerable because of its limited habitat and relatively small population.

4. El Nino- The eradication of the golden toad coincided with a huge El Nino in Costa Rica where the climate was especially hot and dry. This climate was not ideal for the golden toads and made it much less habitable.

While there is no agreed upon explanation of the eradication of the Golden Toads, most believe that a combination of these factors caused their pitfall.

RECOVERY PLAN:

The beauty and rarity of the golden toad was used to create to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in 1972, saving many other endangered species. However, the combination of climate change, and pollution were most detrimental to the golden toad. The high temperatures caused changes in the habitat, making it unlivable for the toads. Amphibian species all over the world are declining and it is important for protection of the ecosystem to save amphibians. Amphibians will largely benefit from the protection of their homes, the tropical rainforests. This would include controlling pesticide and pollution use. It would also encompass a reduction in exotic animals, consequently shrinking exotic diseases and causing less competition. Despite the extinction of the golden toads, protection of rainforests all over the world will prevent similar species from suffering the same fate.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Help to save The Northern Sea Otters! By Violet Tylock

Source:https://gifts.worldwildlife.org

Northern Sea Otter 

(Enhydra lutris kenyoni)

Date of Recovery Plan:

August 02,2013

In early August of 2005, The Northern Otter, Enhydra Lutis kenyoni, was listed as in endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in Alaska. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game predation, overharvest, fishery interactions, disease, and oil spills are the major threats to the population size of the Northern Otter. Predation being the biggest concern, most likely by the killer whale. 

http://www.seaotters.org/otterspotting/

A little bit about our furry friends and their ecology:

 They are the second smallest of marine mammals and unlike other mammals they rely on their dense fur to keep them warm instead of blubber (Defenders). To forage for food, the Otter can drive into the water a couple hundred feet and use rocks to pry open their prey. Otters are found to be keystone species, because their prey are those who would eat up the kelp that provides a home for animals below the surface if they were not there to regulate the preys population (Defender). The Northern Sea Otter are found in Aleutian Islands, Southern Alaska, British Columbia,Washington, and majority found in Alaskan waters (Defender).  

The Northern Sea Otter population has been threatened once before during the 1700’s due the Fur Trade and were close to extinction. It wasnt until the early 1900’s that The Fur Seal Trade was finally implemented to help protect our furry friends (FWS). Although this act helped regrow the population, they are again finding themselves in need of help yet again due to these new threats. With the help of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Recovery plan, there is hope for The Northern Sea Otter’s future to be restored. 

What does the Recovery Plan Include? 

In 2005 the Fish and Wildlife Service had the Northern Sea Otter put on the threatened species list for the Alaskan waters and made particular goals such as:

-Monitoring the Population

-Control Natives impact

-Manage Predation

-Control and Lower Disease rates

-Habitat Protection

How to help?

Even if you do not live near Alaskan waters and can not physically help put a hand to help, you can always donate. It is easy to become a Friend of the Sea Otter and make a simple donation to www.seaotters.org. Or even subscribing to organizations like “Adopt a Sea Otter” to become more educated on the situation at hand. Being aware of when events like beach cleanups or conscious of how you are disposing of things, making sure not to put toxic chemicals down your drain can help to make a change. 

Other Resources:

www.worldwildlife.org

www.seaotters.org

Work Cited:

Dfg.webmaster@alaska.gov. "Northern Sea Otter Species Profile, Alaska Department of Fish and Game." Northern Sea Otter Species Profile,. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.

Davis, Randall. Mom with Pup in the Water. N.d. N.p. Trans. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Friends of The Sea Otter. Sea Otter Range Map. N.d. N.p.

Service, U.s. Fish & Wildlife. (n.d.): n. pag.Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the

Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) Recovery Plan . July 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 

2016. 

These Two Sea Otters Are Covered in Oil from a Spill. N.d. Kidz World. Web.

Https://www.facebook.com/DefendersofWildlife/. "Basic Facts about Sea Otters."Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 19 Sept. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Alex Vlasity

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat

(Lasiurus cinereus semotus)

Alex Vlasity

Description:

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), known locally as ‘ope’ape’a, is Hawai’i’s only endemic land mammal. Very little is known about the Hoary Bat or their behavioral traits. Researchers have recently taken more interest into studying these bats and are finding their population is bigger than previously estimated. The Hoary Bat is believed to be related to the North American Hoary Bat (MISC). Scientists are starting to discover similar traits between the North American Hoary Bat and the Hawaiian Hoary bat. These bats weigh only ½ an ounce (MISC) and are very acrobatic making them hard to find and study. The females are larger than the males with wingspans reaching 10.5 to 13.5 inches (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). These bats have a heavy brown and gray fur coat and ears tinged with white, giving it a frosted or "hoary" look (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). Unlike typical bats, Hoary Bats roost solitarily in trees and attach themselves to tree branches rather than roosting in caves in colonies. They give birth to twins during summer months following k-selected traits. The bats are key components of the island's delicate ecosystem as they feed on a variety of native and nonnative night-flying insects. Scientists believe that the bats migrated to and colonized the islands over 10,000 years ago (MISC). The bats would have covered over 2,000 miles while migrating to the islands. It is unheard of for any species of bat to travel such distances.

Hawaiian Hoary Bat

(http://www.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiian-hoary-bat-can-become-official-state-land-mammal, 2011)

Location:

The bats habitat covers the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i. There have been many population estimates for the Hawaiian Hoary Bat ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Due to little information about the population size, it is hard to determine the exact decline of the species but observations and species records suggest bats are now absent from previously occupied areas (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). The Hoary Bats have been found 2,228 meters above sea level as well as at the island summits reaching as high as 4,000 meters (Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office). From recent observations and available documents, scientists believe that the bats roosts in nearby forests during the summer months. However, due to their small size and solidarity, it is difficult to find roosting bats and determine their actual population size. 

Population Locations

(http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/Fact-sheet-hawaiian-hoary-bat.pdf, 2005)

Threats:

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat populations are believed to be threatened by habitat degradation and destruction due to agriculture and land development as well as pesticides, predation, deforestation, and roost disturbance. Hawai’i and the surrounding islands have become a popular tourist location and new building development is believed to be the direct primary threat. These bats roost in trees being removed for construction and agricultural purposes. The use of pesticides for agriculture on the island as well as destruction of the natural habitat is believed to be the indirect primary contribution to population decrease in previous years. Pesticide use has reduced the prey population for bats, making food scarce. Due to these factors, the listing date on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Conservation Online System was created on May 11th 1998 and is currently endangered wherever found (ECOS).

Hoary Bat roosting solitarily in local trees.

(https://endemicpanic.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-hawaiian-hoary-bat/, 2014)

Recovery Plan:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Environmental Conservation Online System has created a recovery program to help delist the Hawaiian Hoary Bat. First and foremost, more research will need to be done to better understand the species population, distribution, and habitat needs. There have been minimum criteria set to help protect the species. On the mainland of Hawai’i and other surrounding islands, the bat must be well distributed, naturally reproducing, and stable or increasing for 5 consecutive years (ECOS). During this time, essential research will be conducted to understand life history and ecology of this species of bat. Through further research key roosting and foraging areas, predators, the effects of pesticides, and other variables will be identified and minimized if necessary (ECOS). Another step to take will be to educate the public to help protect the species. Finally, the process of recovery will be evaluated and criteria possibly revised to prevent relisting of the species.

Researchers study the Hawaiian Hoary Bat tracing their origins to two distinct lineages.

(http://wildlife.org/researchers-trace-hawaiian-hoary-bat-origins/, 2015)

How you can help and other resources to visit:

There are many ways you can help protect the Hoary Bat. One way is to avoid cutting down trees until after the breading season to protect roosting sites (MISC). If you plan on building any structure such as fencing, make sure there are no sharp parts such as barbed wire to prevent the bats from snagging themselves while hunting. Research is still a vital part to the species survival. If you live in the area and come across a dead Hoary Bat, contact Fern Duvall the Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. You can also donate to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office to help protect and fund research for the Hawaiian Hoary Bat. For more information check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife page.

Works Cited

Afstaco. "The Hawaiian Hoary Bat." The Endemic Panic. N.p., 29 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <https://endemicpanic.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/the-hawaiian-hoary-bat/>

Ching, Melvin Ah. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat Can Become Official State Land Mammal." Hawaii Reporter. N.p., 04 Feb. 2011. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://www.hawaiireporter.com/hawaiian-hoary-bat-can-become-official-state-land-mammal>

Group, Pacific Region Web Development. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office." Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. N.p., 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < https://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/fauna/hihoarybat.html>

Kobilinsky, Dana. "Researchers Trace Hawaiian Hoary Bat Origins." THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY. N.p., 25 June 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <http://wildlife.org/researchers-trace-hawaiian-hoary-bat-origins/>

Misc. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat-Our Only Native Land Mammal." Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). N.p., 13 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://mauiinvasive.org/2014/12/01/hawaiian-hoary-bat-our-only-native-land-mammal/>

Parker-Geisman, Vanessa. "Hawaiian Hoary Bat - Ope’ape’a." Bat Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. < http://www.thewildclassroom.com/bats/hawaiianhoarybat.html>

Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species and Populations with Recovery Plans." Species and Populations with Recovery Plans. N.p., 5 May 1998. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=1>

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/Fact-sheet-hawaiian-hoary-bat.pdf