Amphibian malformations and decline

PolymeliaSome Malformations

Amelia

EctromeliaAnophthalmia

Why are amphibians so susceptible to mutations?

What is causing the malformations?

North American Reporting Centerfor Amphibian Malformations

Ohio

Amphibian declines

Bufo periglenes

Atelopus ebenoides marinkellei

Atelopus nahumae

Declining Amphibian Populations

                                                                                                                                                                   

Hotspots of Amphibian DeclineSource: http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/index.html

• In the U.S., declines are particularly serious in California, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and Puerto Rico.

• Worldwide, decline "hot spots" also include Australia and Central America.

Bufo boreas

Bufo baxteri

Why care about amphibian declines/malformations?

Ecosystem structure and function

Why else do we care?