Article appeared in the May 26, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
There are 24 species of reptiles and amphibians in Manitoba: frogs and toads, salamanders, snakes, lizards and turtles, collectively known as “Herps” (short for herpetofauna), but not enough basic information has been gathered about their biodiversity, especially in rural and northern regions of the province.
“It’s not a group that has received a lot of attention…and there really hasn’t been a lot of effort made in putting down what is known about them,” said Doug Collicutt, an independent biologist who has been working on an online Manitoba Herps atlas project in an effort to correct the situation.
Only a few small studies have been carried out in recent years, and the bulk of what is known about the various species is about 30 years old. A lot has changed since then, which means the data may be inaccurate today.
The Herp Atlas Project is now in its second year of development. It has reached the point where input from the public is greatly needed to help map the range and frequency of the various species of herpetofauna in the province.
“The goal of the project is to find out where the heck they are all over the province,” said Collicutt.
Of special interest to Interlake residents and visitors are the Red Bellied Snake, the Smooth Green Snake, and the Blue Spotted Salamander, which Collicutt suspects are within the area, but it is not clear exactly how abundant and how far north these species exist. Collicutt is also very interested to find out the northern range of Manitoba’s two species of tree frogs, as well as getting a clearer picture of the numbers of other herp species are in the area.
“We know there is a great concentration of frogs and toads in the Interlake. We have a great concentration of snakes because there are so many frogs and toads,” Collicutt said.
Currently a core group of about 20 herp enthusiasts and serious amateur naturalists are actively involved in recording and submitting data to the herp atlas website. Collicutt has set up an on-line system that collects data, and hopes to eventually create a self-updating system that evolves as people upload data.
People can go on-line to enter photos and audio files, as well as entering specific data via a detailed form on the website. If a person needs more information about a given herp, or needs help identifying one, they can email photos to Collicutt who will assist.
Collicutt hopes people will start looking everywhere for all of Manitoba’s herp species, whether in cities, towns, or in the countryside.
“Some of the herps have specific habitats, but some occur everywhere,” he said.
The Blue Spotted Salamander is the most elusive of the herps, and is difficult to find even when searching for it.
For photos of Manitoba herp species, and for more information on how to get involved with the project, visit http://www.naturenorth.com/Herps/Manitoba_Herps_Atlas.html
