 Research on the frogs has been carried out by a university student |
The results of new research could be good news for Jersey's frog population. It shows the island's endangered Agile frogs are the same as the French species, despite 6,000 years' separation.
It means frogs could be brought over from France as a last resort to strengthen Jersey's population.
The research has been carried out by Laura Racca, a student from the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Using DNA analysis, she compared Jersey's Agile frogs with Agile frogs in France.
The tests indicate they are still genetically the same species, but Laura said moving frogs would be a delicate process.
Rarest amphibians
"One has to be very careful because diseases could be brought to Jersey from France, so it would have to be done in a very careful way," she said.
Jersey's Agile frogs are important because they are among the rarest amphibians in the British Isles.
But the local population has been weakened by in-breeding.
It is hoped the Jersey frogs can increase their numbers naturally, but the French Agile frogs could be introduced to Jersey as a last resort.
Countryside manager John Pinel said there were no plans at the moment to bring in French frogs, but the test results were very important and might help save the species in future.
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