Page 23 - Gateways_Fall2021

CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY
The disease is caused by the waterborne fungus,
B. dendrobatidis, which enters its host through the S p e c ie s o f a m p h i b i a n s a n d r e p t i l e s a r e d i s a p p e a r i n g f a s t e r t h a n
Species of amphibians and reptiles are disappearing faster than
skin. In frogs, which breathe and drink through r researchers can study them. .
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their skin, the infection appears to kill by damaging E a c h l i v i n g c r e a t u r e h a s a p u r p o s e , s a i d A n d y S n i d e r , c u r a t o r
Each living creature has a purpose, said Andy Snider, curator
the skin. It is believed that the fungus originated in o f H e r p s & A q u a t i c s, w h e t h e r it i s a f o o d s o u r c e f o r o t h e r a n i m a l s
of Herps & Aquatics, whether it is a food source for other animals
Africa and was spread across the globe by human or provides pest control by eating small invertebrates. “When a
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activity, potentially including the importation of species becomes depleted or extinct, there is a ripple effect.”
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non-native amphibians and the illegal pet trade. W h e n a s p e c ie s d i s a p p e a r s, s o d o t h e a m a z i n g a d a p t a t i o n s t h a t
When a species disappears, so do the amazing adaptations that
“And relatively new diseases are decimating the e v o lv e d o v e r m i l l i o n s o f y e a r s — a d a p t a t i o n s t h a t m a y b e h a r n e s s e d
evolved over millions of years—adaptations that may be harnessed
salamander population,” said Snider. b y r e s e a r c h e r s, i n c l u d i n g m e d i c a l r e s e a r c h e r s . F o r e x a m p l e ,
by researchers, including medical researchers. For example,
Togo slippery frogs have been hunted and t the venom of the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard
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killed for their meat. Populations of reptiles and contains enzymes used in drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. Pit viper
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amphibians are being wiped out by poachers for sale venom is used in a drug to treat hypertension. New pain killers and
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at meat or illegal pet-trade markets. Animals targeted antibiotics may come from the bodies of f
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for the illegal pet trade are sometimes smaller species, animals that have yet to be studied. .
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such as frogs, said Snider, but they are often longer- S a v i n g t h e T o g o s l i p p e r y
Saving the Togo slippery
lived, larger animals. frog is especially urgent
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For example, once estimated to number in the b e c a u s e o f t h e s p e c ie s ’
because of the species’
millions, the radiated tortoises of Madagascar are un i qu e e v o l u t i o na r y
unique evolutionary
now critically endangered. These tortoises, which h i s t o r y . O n e o f t h i s
history. One of this
are prized for their beauty, can live for decades— fr o g ' s c l o s e st r e l a t i v e s
frog's closest relatives
sometimes more than 100 years. “Two years ago, i is the world’s largest t
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boats were seized that were smuggling out thousands frog, the Goliath
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of them,” said Snider. “That took out a good chunk frog from Africa. .
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of the population.” Removing adults is especially B o t h s p e c ie s b e l o n g
Both species belong
harmful to species that don’t reproduce often, t to an ancient family
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he said. Radiated tortoises lay clutches of only three o f a m p hib i a n s ,
of amphibians,
to 12 eggs, which incubate between five and eight Conrauidae, which
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months before hatching. diverged from other
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Snider receives calls from the U.S. Fish and amphibians more
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Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of than 70 million
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Agriculture asking CZS to house and rehabilitate y e a r s ag o .
years ago.
illegally imported and confiscated animals. In the
past few years, these animals included Chinese giant
salamanders, Oriental firebelly newts, and a critically
endangered Bourret’s box turtle. “The zoo
is an important placement facility for
confiscated animals,” said Snider.
From left to right: Togo
slippery frog eggs, tadpoles,
and a froglet
BROOKFIELD ZOO | FALL 2021 23