Amphibians

Long description:

Selected recordings in this collection can be played by anyone.

This collection of recordings focuses on amphibians, namely frogs and toads, and presents a comprehensive collection of vocalisations from around the world.

Herpetology is one of the many specialised fields of Zoology dedicated to the study of animals. The subjects of this particular biological discipline are reptiles and amphibians.

This collection of recordings focuses on amphibians, namely frogs and toads, and presents a comprehensive collection of vocalisations from around the world. Almost 1000 examples from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australasia are included in the database. Species are arranged according to Family and each recording has accompanying metadata providing summaries of the original recording notes. A small selection of recordings have either been identified to genus level only or not identified at all, giving users the opportunity to contribute their knowledge of amphibian taxonomy and resolve these unanswered questions.

Amphibians are a group of ectothermic (control body temperature through external means) vertebrates that include almost 6,000 known species of frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians. Dramatic declines in populations have been recorded all over the world since 1980 and this led to a three-year study, involving more than 500 scientists from over 60 countries, to assess the distribution and conservation status of the world’s amphibians. The results of the 2004 Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) were staggering: 1,856 species (32% of the total number of known amphibians) were identified as being threatened with extinction, with over 400 species being categorised as critical and at least 122 species having become extinct since 1980. The study clearly identified amphibians as the most endangered group of animals in the world and highlighted the need for immediate conservation measures to be put in place. Researchers continue to build on the work of the original study by regularly updating, reviewing and amending information on the current conservation status of the world’s amphibians. Full details can be found on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

There are several possible reasons why amphibians have suffered such huge declines in recent years, with habitat destruction, infectious disease and pollution being the most significant contributing factors. Amphibians possess highly permeable skin and are consequently extremely sensitive to changes in the condition of the environment. Such widespread population declines provided further evidence of the negative impact that humans can have on the natural world.

Sound recordings have a vital place in the documentation of the world’s natural history. They provide details of the vast array of acoustic communication systems present in nature and give us the opportunity to understand when, why and how vocalisations are produced. Recordings have many uses within the scientific community. They can be used to aid identification in the field, form the basis of behavioural studies, and act as source material for taxonomists involved in classifying the world’s organisms. Wildlife sounds are also used by artists, musicians, publishers, broadcasters and film-makers with an interest in the natural world.

All recordings on this site are governed by licence agreements.