Department
of Biology
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is an animal of great concern due to dramatic declines. This frog has a very short life span of about four months making it a very vulnerable species. Multiple studies are finding the frog to be declining at a drastic rate leading to not only state listings but also extirpation.
We have two sub-species of Cricket Frogs in WV, Acris crepitans blanchardi (Blanchard’s Cricket Frog) and Acris crepitans crepitans (Northern Cricket Frog).
A
recent study done by Nancy Dickson concerning distribution found no Blanchard’s
Cricket Frogs in this state. It
was noted that the frog may already be extirpated in WV. However, strong
populations were found in
For my study, I would like to further investigate this finding by continuing the search for the animal. Due to the chance that the frog may, in fact, be gone in this state and my interest in our neighboring state, I would also like to study Acris crepitans blanchardi distribution in OH. If time permits, I would like to extend my study into the eastern panhandle of WV and look at the distribution of Acris crepitans crepitans. The relationship between the health of the cricket frogs and emergent vegetation will also be investigated. Please feel free to contact me regarding any of this research at above e-mail.
Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs
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