TPWD Webinar: Population Genetics of the Crawfish Frog

Population Genetics of the Crawfish Frog
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m

Register here: Wildlife Diversity Webinar Series – Population genetics of the Crawfish Frog registration – Webex

Russell Pfau, Professor, Tarleton State University, Department of Biological Sciences
and Toby Hibbitts, Research Scientist, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute

The Crawfish Frog is associated with prairie habitats, which are rapidly being lost due to human activities. Populations of this species have declined in areas where these habitats have been lost. Habitat fragmentation can result in reduced demographic connectivity and loss of genetic diversity, further imperiling the species. The population genetic structure of the Crawfish Frog has not been investigated in Texas or regionally. We addressed four research objectives: (1) to determine if there is population subdivision within Texas, (2) to determine if Texas populations are unique from those in other states, (3) to determine the levels of genetic diversity within populations, and (4) re-evaluate the conservation status rank for this species in Texas.

Presenter Bio:

Russell Pfau’s research has focused on population genetics of many different species of animals and plants. His personal interests include the citizen science platform iNaturalist and spending time outdoors documenting biological diversity. Toby Hibbitt’s research has focused on the natural history, ecology, behavior and taxonomy of amphibians and reptiles. Toby comes from a family of Texas naturalists and enjoys outdoor sporting activities and travel.

Please record your AT Hours to: AT: TPWD Wildlife and Land Management Workshops and Programs.

This project was funded by a State Wildlife Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment (OCI).