Study: Cars are major threat to amphibians

Published: April 19, 2008 at 11:01 AM
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JCP2002041101- JEFFERSON CITY, MO, April 11 (UPI) -- Throughout most of Missouri, the inch-long northern spring peeper frog is an audible harbinger of spring. During the breeding season, which lasts from early March to mid May, male peepers congregate near ditches and ponds and call repetitvely with a high-pitched "peep." Northern spring peepers remain hidden during the day and become active at dusk.   bg/Jim Rathert/Mo Dept. of Conservation    UPI
JCP2002041101- JEFFERSON CITY, MO, April 11 (UPI) -- Throughout most of Missouri, the inch-long northern spring peeper frog is an audible harbinger of spring. During the breeding season, which lasts from early March to mid May, male peepers congregate near ditches and ponds and call repetitvely with a high-pitched "peep." Northern spring peepers remain hidden during the day and become active at dusk. bg/Jim Rathert/Mo Dept. of Conservation UPI | Enlarge Enlarge
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 19 (UPI) -- A study led by Purdue University biologists finds cars may be a large factor in the declining U.S. population of several types of amphibians.

Nearly 95 percent of animals found dead on the side of the road in the study were amphibians, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Experts said they found more than 65 species of animals dead on an 11-mile stretch of road near West Lafayette, Ind. It is reported 75 percent of dead animals were found in the same 1-mile area along Lindberg Road over the Celery Bog wetland.

Purdue biologists Andrew DeWoody and Dave Glista reportedly found 142 dead eastern tiger salamanders.

"This could make a big difference for the population," DeWoody said.

Glista said the best way to fix the problem would be to avoid building roads over wetlands or at least construct an underpass for use by animals.


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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