Secondary 2 Science Project On BioDiversity Cyber Exploration GROUP:
John Lim Qi En , Lim Jun Hao , John Lim Zi Yang , Randy Ng Wenkai , Roy Ng YaoHong.
CLASS:2E3
PHYLUM: Amphibians (AM)Species Chosen For Each Group Member:
Randy SPECIES:Australian Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)
Qi En SPECIES:Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
JunHao SPECIES:Necturus (Necturus maculosus)
Roy SPECIES:Eastern Newt (Notophtalmus viridscens)
Zi Yang SPECIES:Seymouria (Seymouria baylorensis)
1. Australian Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)
a)Description of species:the Australian green tree frog, simply green tree frog in Australia, White's tree frog, or dumpy tree frog is a species of tree frog native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand and the United States. The species belongs to the genus Litoria. It is physiologically similar to some species of the genus, particularly the magnificent tree frog and the giant tree frog
b)Interesting facts on the species:The green tree frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 cm (4 in) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about 16 years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green tree frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light. The green tree frog screams when it is in danger to scare off its foe, and squeaks when it is touched.
c)Importance of the role that the species plays in the ecosystem:
-Serves as a source of food for the Snake
-Controls the population of the mayfly
d)Construction of one food chain per Species:
Phytoplankton-->Mayfly-->Australian green tree frog-->Snake
e)Threats to species:
-Habitat destruction is a threat to the Green Tree Frog asswamps and ponds are filled in or the water is polluted
by chemicals or other toxins. Many of Australia’s frogs
are threatened by a fungus which
is causing the death (and sometimes extinction) of some
frogs.
f)Conservation of species:
-Australian law gives protected status to the green tree frog—along with all Australian fauna—under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The IUCN lists it as a "least concern" species, given its broad range and population, balanced habitats, and because it is likely not declining fast enough for more threatened status.
-Some of the green tree frog's natural habitat has been destroyed. Also, some of the frogs have been found to be infected with fungus These two factors associated with other frogs' declines in Australia threaten to reduce the population of the green tree frog. However, because of the long life expectancy of this species, any effects of a reduced reproduction rate will take longer to spot than they would in a species with a shorter life expectancy.
2.Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
a)Description of species:
-The
spotted salamander is usually found in eastern us and Canada, it can reach 19
cm and has yellow spots on its back. Their primary habitat are deciduous forests with
fish-free ponds or vernal pools for egg laying and larval development.b)Interesting facts on the species:
-Spotted salamanders return to the same mating pool via the same route every year
c)Importance of the role that the species plays in the ecosystem:
-Serves as a source of food for the Bald Eagle.
-Controls the population of dragonflies
d)Construction of one food chain per Species:
Phytoplankton->Dragonfly->Spotted Salamander->Bald Eagle
e)Threats to species:
-Bald Eagle as the Spotted Salamander serves as a source of food for the Bald Eagle.
f)Survival techniques:they secrete a noxious, milky toxin from glands on their backs and tails to dissuade predators
3.Necturus (Necturus maculosus)
a)Description of species:The necturo ( Necturus maculosus ) is an amphibious urodelo with long barrel. It has a flat tail, feathery external gills and 2 pairs of limb.
b)Interesting facts on the species:
-It feeds on small animals. The gills of necturo adapt to the oxygen content of the habitat. In cold and oxygen-rich waters are usually small but in stagnant, warm waters, they tend to be considerably larger.
-The male and female only differ slightly in appearance, with the male possessing two bumps on the Cloaca. The Cloaca area of the male becomes significantly swollen during the mating season and has a wrinkled margin
c)Importance of the role that the species plays in the ecosystem:
-Controls the population of Crayfish
-Serves as a source of food for the Northern Pike
d)Construction of one food chain per Species:
Decaying Plants/Animals-->Crayfish-->Necturus-->Northern Pike
e)Threats to species:
The population of the common mudpuppy is currently thought to be stable and widespread. However, water pollution and siltation are major threats to the habitat of the common mudpuppy, and have already resulted in the decline of certain populations. The common mudpuppy is also frequently caught by fishermen and discarded onto land due to the false belief that it is poisonous or detrimental to the game fish population
f)Conservation of species:There are not known to be any specific conservation measures currently in place for this species. However, reducing pollution and siltation from agricultural, industrial and residential areas would improve the quality of the common mudpuppy’s aquatic habitat and help to prevent future population declines
4.Eastern Newt (Notophtalmus viridscens)
a)Description of Species: A newt is an aquatic amphibian of the family Salamandridae, although not all aquatic salamanders are considered newts. Newts are classified in the subfamily Pleurodelinae of the family Salamandridae, and are found in North America, Europe and Asia.
b)Interesting facts: Newts metamorphose through three distinct developmental life stages: aquatic larva, terrestrial juvenile , and adult. Adult newts have lizard-like bodies and may be either fully aquatic, living permanently in the water, or semi-aquatic, living terrestrially but returning to the water each year to breed.
c)Important roles that it plays in the eco system:Eastern newts are important predators of small invertebrates in the freshwater ecosystems of eastern North America.
Leeches and other parasites attack eastern newts, which sometimes leave the water and begin to bite at and scratch parasites to get them off.
d)Construction of food chain per species
Decaying Plants/Animals-->Fresh Water Shrimp-->Water Spider-->Eastern Newt
e)Threats to the species:
Birds, carnivorous mammals, fish are some of the threats faced by the Eastern newts as they are a source of food to them
f) Survival techniques:
The Eastern Newt's Skin contains secreted toxics , and predators are often deterred by them ,Preventing them from being eaten , allowing them to survive
5.Seymouria (Seymouria baylorensis)
a)Description of Species:
-Seymouria was a reptile-like labyrinthodont from the early Permian of North America and Europe (approximately 280 to 270 million years ago)
-small
-60 cm
-well adapted to life on land
-Male Seymouria had thick skulls that may have been used to batter rivals in mating contests
c)Important roles that it plays in the eco system
-Controls the population of Worms
-A source of food for the snakes
d)Construction of food chain per species
Dirt-----> Worms ---->Seymouria ---->Snake
e)Threats to the species
-Snakes serves as a threat for the seymouria as they feed on the seymouria as food.
f) Survival techniques
-It had long and muscular legs, and may have had dry skin and the ability to conserve water. It may have been able to excrete excess salt from its blood through a gland in its nose, like modern reptiles
A Food web That Includes all the researched species:
