Pool Frog

Taxobox
name = Pool frog
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
status_ref = [IUCN2006|assessors=Kuzmin "et al"|year=2004|id=58643|title=Rana lessonae|downloaded=12 May 2006 Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern]
trend = down

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image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Anura
familia = Ranidae
genus = "Rana"
species = "R. lessonae"
binomial = "Rana lessonae"
binomial_authority = Camerano, 1882

The Pool Frog ("Rana lessonae") is a European frog. It is one of only three amphibian species recognized by the UK government as protected under its Biodiversity Action Plan. The reasons for declining populations are decreased pond habitat from human encroachment and also air pollution leading to over-nitrification of pond waters.

Pool Frogs in Britain

The Pool Frog has not always been recognised as a native British species. Part of the reason for this is that other similar species are known to have been introduced. However research has now shown that a native origin is most likely.

The Herpetological Conservation Trust website states that "The Pool Frog was formerly recorded from two sites in East Anglia although it was lost from one of these in the middle of the 19th century. It was presumed extinct in the wild at the last remaining site by 1995. A single individual known from this population survived in captivity until 1999. Other populations have become established in the UK and it is known that some of these included individuals of British origin in their founding stock."

An English Nature reintroduction project is underway in Breckland.

References

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vaw3OpTopcA Movie with sound Youtube]

ee also

*Edible Frog
*Marsh Frog

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/4143224.stm BBC News article on the reintroduction]
* [http://www.herpconstrust.org.uk/animals/pool_frog2.htm Species page at the Herpetological Conservation Trust website]