This is the first time the prevalence of abnormalities in Alaskan amphibians has been examined. According to the study "Alaska represents an important place to examine hypotheses about amphibian abnormalities for a number of reasons. In contrast to the contiguous 48 states - where ecological cause and effect relationships are confounded by multiple broad scale land use alterations - Alaska is characterized by vast stretches of wilderness punctuated by local and self-contained disturbances such as roads and small towns. As such, it offers a unique opportunity to isolate the effects of human activities on amphibian populations." Alaska is also a good place to study the hypothesis that UVB may be causing limb abnormalities "because long summer days increase the duration of UVB exposure during tadpole development."

The abstract and full article can be found on the Environmental Health Perspectives web site (link provided, below).

Contacts:
Mari K. Reeves
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Anchorage Fisheries and Ecological Services Office
605 W. 4th Avenue, Room G-61
Anchorage, AK 99501
USA

Phone: 907-271-2785
Fax: 907-271-2786