searching for blue frogs in Carinthia

[AFRO-thunder]

This weekend I was on a field excursion with my University. We went to a moor in Carinthia where Rana arvalis woltersdorffi (moor frogs) are occurring. These frogs are explosive breeders and during these 2-3 days, the males turn blue. Also, we found 9 other species of Amphibians there, which is remarkable because there are only about 16 species in total in Austria.
We did some field work there, e.g. testing some animals for chytrid fungus.

Enough talking, here are the pictures:

Overview of the Eiblhofmoor:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3416867873_56a9c3fcb5.jpg


Desinfection of shoes to prevent spreading of chytrid fungus
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3417668014_43ec3c4955.jpg


Some frogs. They are getting more blue during the day
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3416860867_f3a4dba4b0.jpg


Moor(e) frogs
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3416861405_45da32591d.jpg


Amplexus
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3416861577_c676451c8f.jpg


After some time... Many frogs, many eggs
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3417671166_431e877ea0.jpg


Underwater pic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3416862607_31da568d26.jpg


Dipnetting results:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3417668506_d0a93f5a1c.jpg


Small bivalves (Pisidium sp.) attached to a common newt (Lissotriton vulgaris). This was pretty common there. Once the clams are attached, they can't let go of the newts because they are disturbed all the time through the newt's movements and so their reflexes close the shell.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3416861005_17127f4b1c.jpg


Aberrant coloration on a common newt vs normal color
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3416862283_4b818122f5.jpg


A crested newt (Tritures cristatus)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3416861773_432c0a1788.jpg


Breeding frenzy in common toads (Bufo bufo)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3417669306_169fc3d2eb.jpg


Males will mount anything. This one wouldn't let go for several minutes before I shook him off ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3416862103_efc919651a.jpg


Underwater pic of waiting males
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3416863247_841fac4402.jpg


Female Bufo bufo
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3417670434_59e3a2918c.jpg


Green tree frog (Hyla arborea)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3417669784_7b73c87826.jpg


Yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The only specimen we found
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3308/3417670816_e573b336a4.jpg


That's why they are called yellow bellied toads:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3416863651_303f6b2263.jpg


The following morning: Checking drift fences and helping Amphibians cross the street
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3417670102_b857ce7f6d.jpg


These animals fell into the bucket during the night
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3417670252_c89030fe84.jpg


Finally: Taking DNA samples from collected animals to check if there is chytrid fungus
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3416868077_ff28a096af.jpg

[kearth]

Awesome pictures.

When will you have the results of the chytrid test?
Will you post them on here?

[Vicious_Fish]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[coura]

Amazing didnt know about the blue frogs:) Did you go as a teacher or as a student?

[AFRO-thunder]

When will you have the results of the chytrid test?
Will you post them on here?


Right now we don't have the money to run the DNA tests. So it will take at least 6 months until we have results. But of course I can post them as soon as they are there!

@cuora: I was there as a student. I wish I already had my diploma, but this will take at least another year of studying... ;)

[nigaharu]

Awesome looking blue frogs!