Can we correctly identify tadpoles?
After the morning briefing we broke into 4 teams. Mabel, my partner and I were assigned the task of finding and emptying traps that were placed in 3 of the 22 ponds earmarked for study. The ponds were chosen to reflect the variability of ponds in the Hudson Bay Lowland.
The two frog species in the study are the wood frog and the chorus frog. Because they are not yet developed into their adult stage we were looking for tadpoles. The wood frog is especially interesting to researchers because populations can be found from the Arctic to the mid-coast of the U.S. and it could be termed an indicator species. Its survival through the harsh winters of the Arctic, is a result of an amazing adaptation. Its ability to survive after freezing for up to 193 days! The wood frog manufactures a sort of "anti-freeze" or cryogenic protectant in its liver which flows into its vital organs displacing the water that is in their organs. This process allows the frog to preserve its organs and to thaw intact when spring arrives.
Other teams were assigned data collection in each of the ponds as well. One team collected water chemistry samples and measured salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Other teams collected organisms by using a dip net. They then identified the various organisms using an ID chart. Lastly, a team made physical measurements of the ponds.
All data was entered and we felt we contributed to the ongoing research here at the CNSC.
All in all a very productive day in the field!
Photo is of two variations of the wood frog.
Can you see their differences?
After the morning briefing we broke into 4 teams. Mabel, my partner and I were assigned the task of finding and emptying traps that were placed in 3 of the 22 ponds earmarked for study. The ponds were chosen to reflect the variability of ponds in the Hudson Bay Lowland.
The two frog species in the study are the wood frog and the chorus frog. Because they are not yet developed into their adult stage we were looking for tadpoles. The wood frog is especially interesting to researchers because populations can be found from the Arctic to the mid-coast of the U.S. and it could be termed an indicator species. Its survival through the harsh winters of the Arctic, is a result of an amazing adaptation. Its ability to survive after freezing for up to 193 days! The wood frog manufactures a sort of "anti-freeze" or cryogenic protectant in its liver which flows into its vital organs displacing the water that is in their organs. This process allows the frog to preserve its organs and to thaw intact when spring arrives.
Other teams were assigned data collection in each of the ponds as well. One team collected water chemistry samples and measured salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature. Other teams collected organisms by using a dip net. They then identified the various organisms using an ID chart. Lastly, a team made physical measurements of the ponds.
All data was entered and we felt we contributed to the ongoing research here at the CNSC.
All in all a very productive day in the field!
Photo is of two variations of the wood frog.
Can you see their differences?