Lab 8 Fearsome Frogs

There were many things that surprised me about the fearsome bullfrogs in Arizona.  First, I did not realize that they were initially introduced to Arizona as prey to be hunted, but the idea never really took off.  Secondly, the range of species that bullfrogs consume surprised me.  If you would have asked me prior to watching the video on the frogs, I might have guessed they consumed smaller species like grasshoppers, crickets, etc.  I would not have guessed that they consumed poisonous tarantulas, scorpions, snakes, turtles, etc.  Lastly, I was surprised by the negative impact they are playing on the ecosystem through mass consumption of species.  There is a fear of elimination of some species like the leopard frog due to the bullfrogs eating habits. 

            My proposed solution to slow the impact of the bullfrogs on the ecosystem would be to return to the original plan, bullfrogs for game and hunting purposes.  Initially, it was the hope by the government that bullfrogs would provide an additional species that hunters could hunt, but it never took off.  Somehow, I would return to the marketing and promotion of bullfrogs, as something to be hunted and consumed.  It seems like Arizona is a state full of people that like to hunt, so promote the need and opportunity to hunt this small game and help the ecosystem. 

            In doing some additional research there are several species that are considered invasive, in that they are causing problems by their presence in the local ecosystem.   According to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office the crayfish is similar to the bullfrog in its havoc that it is playing on the ecosystem.  The crayfish is a species introduced about thirty years ago.  It was introduced to provide life bait for fishing and to control aquatic weeds.  The crayfish are big eaters, much like the bullfrog, they consume a great deal of plant life, native fish eggs, frogs, etc.  Arizona now currently has laws prohibiting the transporting of crayfish within the state to try to prevent the spread of this invasive species.  Here is the article that I helped in the research of invasive species in Arizona.  http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1481e.pdf