User:Jessicaphillips10/Columbia Spotted Frog

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=== The Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) is a North American species of frog. It is green to brown in color with spots on the dorsal surface. The belly and upper lip are white in color. Individuals can be distinguished from other Rana species by their shorter back legs, narrow snout, and upturned eyes. Since they spend most of their time in the water, they also have more webbing in their hind feet than similar species. Although not threatened, this animal has been studied as a model species for the effects of habitat fragmentation. Specifically, in areas such as the Silver Valley in Northern Idaho, habitats are being destroyed by the effects of pathogens and pollution. Ecosystems are being contaminated with heavy metals and their byproducts which is disrupting the ability of Columbia Spotted Frogs to reproduce (Lefcort, 448). These young tadpoles are not able to reach metamorphic stages allowing them the ability to develop lungs and survive the pathogens polluting their habitats (Billman, 784). ===