Why frogs croak

The Anniston Star ^ | 01-15-2006

[presidio9]

It appears global warming is not for the thin-skinned — and that’s bad news for amphibians. Frogs, toads, newts and the like have permeable skins, which makes them especially sensitive to environmental change. It also makes them good species to monitor to get an idea of the health of our planet.

In 2004, researchers conducting a global assessment concluded that almost a third of the world’s known amphibian species were threatened with extinction. Now, a new study suggests that global warming may be to blame for amphibians’ precarious state.

The study, published last week in the scientific journal Nature, found that a fungal disease is killing off tropical frogs in Latin America. Scientists believe large-scale warming is accelerating cloud formation in certain areas, causing nighttime temperatures to rise and daytime temperatures to fall — conditions that enable the frog-killing fungus to thrive.

To stop these excess clouds from gathering over tropical habitats, we’ll need to eliminate the fog of disinformation from current global warming debates.

[injin]

thin skinned amphibian ?
they must be talking about Harry Belafonte

[Carry_Okie]

It appears global warming is not for the thin-skinned — and that’s bad news for amphibians. Frogs, toads, newts and the like have permeable skins, which makes them especially sensitive to environmental change.

Is THAT why amphibians are one of the oldest groups of land animals on the evolutionary ladder? Gosh, who knew?

[Lurker]

Wow, the first three sentences of this article are complete conjecture. And the next paragraph doesn't give even attempt to support the arguments made in the first.

Is the person who wrote this in the 6th grade?

L

[presidio9]

Did you read on to the last sentence?

we’ll need to eliminate the fog of disinformation from current global warming debates.

Moment of clarity?

[Paleo Conservative]

[Lurker]

Moment of irony.

L

[caveat emptor]

Did you read on to the last sentence?

Yes, I did, and decided you had thrown it in at the end as a joke. Now I see that the guy who wrote it threw it in at the end as a joke. Or maybe he's just practicing saying totally off the wall things with a straight face in preparation for:

1. Running for US Senate.
or
2. Going to work for the NY Times.

[presidio9]

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

Does this frog croak at dawn?

[presidio9]

Let's get Alito confirmed. Then we can start wondering when Ruthie croaks (soon, hopefully).

[Fresh Wind]

It should be noted that this is an editorial. No facts or logic required.

[joesnuffy]

Hey nice likeness of Ruth Bader Meinhof

[SkyPilot]

<9>Why frogs croak

I heard moving cars are a reason.

[Salamander]

"It appears global warming is not for the thin-skinned — and that’s bad news for amphibians."

I feel perfectly fine.

[A_Niceguy_in_CA]

I was trying to be gentle with Ruthie and was only wondering if she made croaking sounds while most of us were still trying to sleep.

However, since she doesn't want to resign, perhaps she will literally croak and end the pain for herself and the majority of nearly 300,000,000 Americans today and millions more in future generations.

And Judge Alito was terrific and the Dem Senators shameful this past week.

[Chanticleer]

I'm losing track now. Frogs -- global warming bad. Polar Bears -- global warming surprisingly not so bad. Fungus -- global warming good.

So, what do you plan to do about the weather?

[Allegra]

But....but, what if there >i>is no global warming?

What's the explanation then?

[Allegra]

But....but, what if there is no global warming?

What's the explanation then?

[MNJohnnie]

"What's the explanation then?"

found that a fungal disease is killing off tropical frogs in Latin America

Like the black plauge or the flu pandemic? A perfectly natural spread of a disease native to frogs.