Earth Day 2015-Endangered Species Project-Dusky Gopher Frog-Rana Servosa

Aquatic Life & Ecosystem

Cvernon4 over 8 years ago The Dusky Gopher Frog , Rana Servosa, is an endangered species that lives in Mississippi. This species of frog inhabit sandy areas covered with leaves and pine as well as temporary wetlands for reproduction purposes. There are many factors that contribute to this particular frog being listed on the endangered species list, one of which is the areas they require for reproduction. Gopher Frog's lay eggs in temporary ponds, and as a result, droughts significantly impact their ability to reproduce. Without adequate temporary pond formation, the frogs do not have an area to have eggs that will sustain the life of the eggs as well as tadpoles. As the frequency of on going droughts continues, the Gopher Frog does not have a strong chance of surviving. More factors that contribute to the endangerment of this particular species are "genetic isolation, inbreeding, droughts, floods," and further economical development of the land which only adds threats to the quickly dwindling population. Frogs have many beneficial qualities when necessitate the importance of us preventing further endangerment of the Gopher Frog. Tadpoles help keep water clean by feeding on algae. Mature frogs play a crucial role in insect population control, especially insects that can pose threats to humans, such as mosquitoes. Frogs can also serve as a food source for other animals, which means that their endangerment could impact the food web. It is clearly important that we do what we can do protect as many endangered species as possible. In order to help the Dusky Gopher Frog, we could limit economical expansion into the one area that the frog is located. Deforestation severely impacts the livelihood of many creatures. The repercussions of expansion should always be considered before doing so.