Mastering Perl for Bioinformatics

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The animal on the cover of Mastering Perl for Bioinformatics is a North American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). It is native to the central and eastern United States, as well as southern portions of Canada. However, this bullfrog has since been introduced as far away from its native habitat as Asia, Europe, and Hawaii.

The North American bullfrog is the largest true frog in North America and can weigh over a pound. It can grow up to eight inches in length, although the norm is four to five inches. The gender of the bullfrog is ascertained by comparing the size of the external ear (the tympanum) relative to the size of the eye.

Bullfrogs are predators and also are cannibalistic. Their role in the environment is to control the population of insect pests as well as snakes and mice. In fact, the zeal of the North American bullfrog threatens to drive other frog species to extinction.

The generic name (rana) comes from the Latin for frog, while the species name (catesbeiana) honors an English naturalist. In the 18th century, Mark Catesby (1683-1749) produced the authoritative and exhaustive record of the flora and fauna found in the New World. Wealthy patrons in England eagerly received Catesby’s regular shipments of specimens, including plants, ...