ARC wink launch a massive search for three critically imperiled amphibian species before it's too late. Specifically, we will search for: Hellbenders: Gopher Frogs and Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders – via Herp Digest

From Jeff Holmes-Executive Director

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

I am thrilled to announce that ARC, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous other partners to be named soon, will launch a massive search for three critically imperiled amphibian species before it's too late. Specifically, we will search for: 

            Hellbenders

            Gopher Frogs

            Frosted Flatwoods Salamanders

How will we do it? Using environmental DNA, or eDNA for short.  

When amphibians, adults or tadpoles, are present in a stream or wetland, their DNA is present in the water. Technology has progressed to the point that those tiny particles can be detected in a lab, confirming presence or absence of the targeted species.  

There will still be a need for long hours and backbreaking work searching for these precious natural treasures using traditional methods, but eDNA will expand on these efforts beyond anything we could have imagined!

And no matter what we find, ARC and Partners have layers of contingency plans, so a rapid conservation response is assured.  

More funding = more samples. Right now, we plan to sample HUNDREDS of streams and wetlands. But with your gift, we might break through into THOUSANDS!  

I'm excited! Are you?

Jeff Holmes

Executive Director

The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy 

Developer to work for land swap to protect Mississippi gopher frogs – via Herp Digest

NEW ORLEANS (AP) 3/9/12 — A developer has agreed to work toward a land swap that would protect an endangered frog that breeds near a development in Harrison County, Miss.

Only about 100 adult Mississippi gopher frogs live in the wild, with another 1,500 or so in zoos, including New Orleans' Audubon Zoo.

Collette Adkins Giese of the Center for Biological Diversity says developer Columbus Communities LLC will pay for appraisals of both parcels. Her group will map them.

Both are steps to prepare a proposal for the U.S. Forest Service to swap private land next to the DeSoto National Forest for Forest Service land on the opposite side of the development, which is called Tradition.

Giese says the exchange would let the development proceed while protecting essential habitat for an endangered species.