ROGLOG IUCN/SSCF Declining Populations Task Force

December 1994 No 11

page, fully illustrated and indexed the mountain dusky salamander in book issued early in 1994, is the first Quebec, Joel Bonin; Measuring the in a series of comprehensive works health of in agricultural describing standardised methods for subject to pesticides, J. Bonin et al.; measuring biological diversity. Fluctuations in abundance and age DAPTF congratulates the editors and structure in three species of frogs authors on the publication of this (Anura: Ranidae) in Algonquin Park, highly practical and valuable book, Canada, from 1985-1994, R.J. Task Force which will be useful to amphibian Brooks & L.J. Shirose; Estimated status of Manitoba based Priorities biologists worldwide. All Working Group Chairs, have on criteria used by the Nature

been supplied with copies of this Conservancy's Conservation Data book for use by their groups. Centre Network, J. Duncan et al.; Fowler's ups and downs, D.M. Ron Heyer, in consultation with the Green; Regional Dynamics of Task Force Board of Directors and amphibian pond communities in the chairs of the US and Canadian southwestern Ontario, S.J. Hecnar; Working Groups, has prioritized Task DAPCAN IV The effects of logging on stream Force areas of research. Through its breeding amphibian populations, K.A. Working Groups, the Task Force Kelsey; Disease Investigation, should continue its efforts to pathological findings and impact on answering two questions: anuran populations in southern Fifty Canadian scientists and wildlife 1) Why are declines happening, and Quebec, M. Ouellet et al.; Critical biologists and Ron Heyer attended is the effect local, regional or global? environmental stressors in adult the fourth annual meeting of the Task 2) Where have declines occurred anura: ultraviolet radiation and Force on Declining Amphibian and are they still happening? hydrothermal regulation, J.J. Roth & Populations in Canada (DAPCAN), The Task Force needs to find R. Westland; Diurnal and seasonal held October 1-3 at the Museum of answers to both of these questions, calling patterns of some Manitoban and both should be addressed. Man and Nature in Winnipeg, amphibians: opportunities to However, the first demands an urgent Manitoba. The conference, piggyback on bird surveys, P. Taylor. response because an understanding organized by Bill Preston (Museum of Copies of the abstracts are of causal factors of declines is Man and Nature) and Ron Larche available on request from the Task needed if mitigating measures are to (Manitoba Natural Resources), was Force Office. be recommended. co-sponsored by the Museum of Man Ronald Brooks (University of and Nature, the Manitoba Department Guelph) conducted a workshop on of Natural Resources, Environment how to estimate fluctuations in Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service Standard population numbers. (Prairie and Northern Region), and Methods for Results to date are inconclusive Ducks Unlimited's Institute for as to whether a global agent is Amphibians Wetland and Waterfowl Research. responsible, in whole or part, for Henry Wilbur was the invited keynote amphibian population declines in speaker. The following abstracts Canada. Factors related to human have been compiled: overpopulation, environmental The DAPTF Board wishes to Monitoring amphibians in Ontario contamination, and commend the editors (W. Ronald using volunteer observers, C.A. destruction have clearly been shown Heyer, Maureen A. Donnelly, Roy W. Bishop & K.E. Pettit; Environmental to be detrimental to amphibians Mc.Diarmid, Lee-Ann C. Hayek and fate and effects of generally, though the severity of the Mercedes S. Foster) and the 47 organophosphorous insecticides on effect varies from species to species. amphibians in Ontario, Canada, C.A. authors who produced the new book There is general agreement on the Bishop, et al.; Climatic and landscape entitled 'Measuring and Monitoring importance of population monitoring changes versus population decline Biological Diversity. Standard over many years and with the widest Methods for Amphibians.' This 364- and conservation: the chorus and geographical scope in order to S.A.Cortwright, Department of in the laboratory, and their use under distinguish long-term population Biology, Indiana University Northwest, field conditions is increasing. Some trends from short-term fluctuations. Gary, IN 46408. biomarkers indicate exposure or Local populations can be greatly Long-term population studies of reaction to specific chemicals, affected by weather and predation. amphibians are essential in order to whereas others indicate a general Research results indicate that the understand natural population stress response. The latter can health and size of individual frogs at dynamics. Further, consideration of provide an index of a population's transformation may be good species' attributes allows an initial health, and thus the overall suitability indicators of developing problems insight into the likelihood that the of the habitat in question. Several of when broader data are lacking. population features predominantly these general stress indicators are Amphibian research in Canada natural versus anthropogenic potentially measurable with minimal is thinly funded; thus the work of the dynamics. Two species from south- disturbance to the population. Tests DAPCAN relies almost exclusively on central Indiana are the focus of this for serum glucose concentrations, the volunteer efforts of researchers, report. Red-spotted newts various blood cell counts, and stress wildlife managers and members of (Notophthalamus viridescens) feature hormone levels, for example, require the interested public. The time, chemical protection against predators only that blood be collected from a energy and material expenses and also produce submerged eggs. representative sample of the required to enlist and co-ordinate a The former should make newts less population. volunteer force is considerable. vulnerable to fluctuations in In this study we examined the DAPCAN's achievements are almost predators, and the latter makes newts potential of the stress hormone entirely attributable to dedicated less vulnerable to changes in corticosterone. Objectives of the individuals who recognize the merits ultraviolet-B intensity. Green frogs study are (1) to develop a non of this research. However, long-term (Rana clamitans) feature some destructive technique for assessing funding commitments must be found chemical protection in the egg/larval hormonal response to acute stress in if this organization is to survive and stages, but their surficial eggs may be the field and (2) to assess the accomplish its aims. Fund-raising will vulnerable to changes in ultraviolet-B relationship between acute and now become a greater priority. radiation. Census data taken over chronic stress responses, under the David Green, retiring National ten to eleven years from 35 ponds hypothesis that individuals inhabiting Co-ordinator for DAPCAN, is the suggests no downward trend in either degraded environments would principal editor of the upcoming book, species. However, population experience chronic stress and thus Amphibians in Canada: Population fluctuations were sometimes great in show a diminished response to acute Status and Decline, which will detail this little-disturbed ecosystem, which stress. the results of the first three years of should help to interpret population Larval Ambystoma tigrinum the DAPCAN Task Force's activities. trends in other studies. from 24 different populations were Publication is expected in 1995. trapped in funnel traps. Blood It is the intention of the Hormonal Response to Acute samples were taken from half of the DAPCAN Task Force to hold its next Stress as a Biomarker for Chronic larvae immediately. The other half of meeting in Toronto in September or Stress in Larval Ambystoma the samples were exposed to an October of 1995. The details are tigrinum acute stress situation (confinement in being worked out to meet in D.L. Larson (Northern Prairie Science a 500 ml bottle for 30 minutes) before conjuction with the Centre for Center, Jamestown, ND 58401) & blood was taken. Corticosterone Endangered Reptiles' annual A.J. Fivizzani (Dept. of Biology, levels were significantly lower in symposium and with the members of University of North Dakota, Grand larvae from which blood was drawn the North American Amphibian Forks, ND 58202. immediately, than in those subjected Monitoring Program. Measures of suitability of habitat for a to acute stress. Thus the capture species have traditionally relied on technique did not obscure the acute relative population abundance across stress response. its range. Recent work shows, The stress response of larvae US Central however, that local populations may taken from populations adjacent to be maintained primarily through Group Meeting land supporting crops was inversely immigration. Although individuals related to the percentage of crop may survive in these sink habitats, land. In populations that were not the chronic stress of inhabiting sub close to crop land there was no optimal habitat may result in relationship between the stress On September 9th to 12th the US reproductive rates that are too low to response and any measure of land Central Group held its second sustain the population. It would be use. The acute stress response was meeting at Bailly Training Facility, useful to measure population health unrelated to any aspect of water Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. when considering amphibian habitat chemistry. These results, whilst not 24 papers were presented, and these suitability. conclusive, are suggestive of the will be compiled into a book The Biomarkers (defined as potential use of corticosterone levels Status of Midwestern Amphibians, to physiological, biochemical or as biomarkers for chronic stress. be edited by Mike Lannoo. histological responses in organisms Selected abstracts: to environmental stressors) hold The meeting was sponsored in promise as a method of assessing part by the US Fish and Wildlife Ten to Eleven Year Population the health of populations. Biomarkers Service, The National Biological Trends in Two Pond-Breeding are commonly used in toxicological Survey and the National Park Amphibian Species studies of response to contaminants Service. The meeting also included a

2 workshop, sponsored by National /pub directory or at keck.tamu.edu Email: [email protected] Biological Survey Biologists, Sam (165.95.41.233) also in the /pub Validating Larval Surveys Doug Droege and Diane Larson, which is directory. Johnson. Phone: 701-252-5363 Fax: summarized as follows: Research Needs: 701-252-4217 1. Validating Calling Amphibian Email:[email protected] A Proposed North American Surveys. Desert Amphibian Surveys David Amphibian Monitoring Program 2. Tadpole and Salamander Larvae Bradford. Phone: 702-798-2681 Fax Executive Summary Identification Material. :702-798-2208 3. Validating Larval Surveys Email [email protected] An international workshop was held in 4. Desert Amphibian Surveys Terrestrial Salamander Surveys. conjunction with the US Central A meeting both to report on the Brad Shaffer Phone: 916-752-2939 Group meeting, to investigate the results of 1995 amphibian monitoring Email: [email protected] possibility of developing a program techniques and to research and to For each of these groups we are for monitoring North American design the North American compiling lists of those biologists amphibians. During that meeting it Amphibian Monitoring Program will actively working in this area and became clear that developing such a be held in Toronto in conjunction with those who would like to be involved. program was feasible, but its the joint Canadian Declining By January 15th we will summarize scientific credibility would be Amphibian Task Force and the current research plans, identify the questionable unless a number of Centre for Endangered Reptiles gaps between planned activities and methodological issues were clarified annual symposium. Details on research needs, and present a prior to any implementation. meeting dates and publication of strategy to fill those gaps. Consequently, the process of proceedings are still being decided. If you would like to be on the developing a continental monitoring email list for the North American program begins here with a list of Call to the Amphibian Research Amphibian Program please email research needed in 1995 to address and Conservation Community for Sam Droege at: methodological issues. An appeal to Help with [email protected] recruit such research, and create a Researching Amphibian Mike Lannoo group that will help track and Monitoring Techniques US National Coordinator coordinate that research is made below. The purpose of this initiative is to: The broad goal of a North 1. Locate biologists who are already In Nevada, The American Amphibian Survey is to: researching the amphibian monitoring Odds are "Develop a statistically defensible techniques outlined in the research Against program to monitor the distributions needs document or who would be and abundance of amphibians in The Amargosa interested in modifying their field North America, with applicability at plans in 1995 to do so. the state, provincial, ecoregional, and 2. Encourage those biologists to, continental scales." when practical, decrease duplication The Biodiversity Legal Foundation No single monitoring technique of effort by coordinating their has petitioned the United States Fish can adequately sample all species of research efforts. and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the amphibians in North America. Four 3. Encourage groups already using listing of the Amargosa toad (Bufo techniques were identified, which, if some of these techniques to help nelsoni) as an in implemented in concert, would investigate issues of costs, observer the United States, including a request include most species. Two of these training, program precision, and bias. that the USFWS consider an techniques had good potential for 4. Encourage groups interested in emergency listing for the toad. The inclusion in a continental-scale starting new programs to consider petitioner contends that the species is volunteer effort: calling amphibian starting their efforts by participating in biologically endangered due to a surveys and larval surveys. Two some of the investigations. dangerously low population range, other techniques, terrestrial 5. Provide statistical review and continued , and salamander surveys and desert consultation for designing new inadequate government programs. amphibian surveys, are equally surveys and experiments. Less than 40 years ago, important to develop, but have Should you wish to help and you thousands of this species inhabited potentially greater technical and are working in any of the following the in Southern Nevada. logistical problems to overcome. areas, then please contact the listed Today, this endemic population Four principal research needs biologist. probably consists of fewer than 100 for 1995 were identified. Each Volunteer Management/ individuals. Only 30 adult and requires detailed investigations into Training/Bias Christine Bishop. juvenile toads have been observed the cost, feasibility, precision, and Phone: 905-336-4968 Fax: 905-336- along the Amargosa River and at bias of the proposed measures. For 6434 email: [email protected] surrounding springs in the Oasis further details see the following "Call Sam Valley this year. In the last decade for Help" section, request a copy of Calling Amphibian Surveys Droege. Phone 202-482-3925 Fax alone, despite the knowledge that the 8 page research needs document 202-273-0825 populations of this species were in from one of the listed authors, or Email [email protected] dramatic decline, toad populations download a copy of the research and habitat have suffered significant needs document (PHIBNEED) from Tadpole and Salamander Larvae Identification Material Roy degradation. Some of the factors the anonymous ftp sites at believed to adversely affect the toad ftp.its.nbs.gov (165.83.32.5) in the McDiarmid. Phone: 202-357-2780 Fax: 202-357-1932, and its habitat include grazing, off-

3 road vehicle use, grading for flood Professor. June 5th - July 7th, 1995. 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, control, and modification by heavy Scholarships to cover tuition and USA. equipment for the development of room and board available. To receive Fog, K. (1988). Reinvestigation of commercial enterprises. The information or to register write: Iowa 1300 amphibian localities recorded in introduction and existence of non- Lakeside Laboratory, Iowa State the 1940s. Memoranda, Societas pro native predators, such as and University, Ames, IA 50011 (515) Fauna et Flora Fennica, 64: 134-135. crayfish, pollution and diversion of 294-2488. Enrolment limited to ten spring water have also directly students. Kucken, D.J., Davis, J.S., Petranka, affected toad populations. J.W., Smith, C.K. (1994) Anakeesta 'This is one of the most Stream acidification and metal contamination - effects on a imperilled unprotected amphibians in Amphibian and the United States,' said Jasper salamander community. Journal of Reptile Carlton, Executive Director of the Environmental Quality 23 (6) 1311- Biodiversity Legal Foundation. 'This Conservation 1317. species may go extinct in the wild if Newsletter Rowe, C.L. & Dunson, W.A. (1994). the US Fish and Wildlife Services do The value of simulated pond not grant immediate protection under communities in mesocosms for the Endangered Species Act.' This is a new, monthly, herpetological studies of amphibian ecology and Carlton is also concerned about conservation newsletter to inform ecotoxicology. Journal of Herpetology the effect of political trends and readers of conservation efforts 28 (3) 346-356. economic interests on amphibians, as worldwide. Subjects covered are Kutka, F.J. (1994). Low pH effects on less glamorous wildlife causes. He wildlife trade, captive population swimming activity of Ambystoma is concerned that research into these management, general articles of salamander larvae. Environmenal species will be hampered if they are interest in conservation biology, Toxicology and Chemistry. 13 (11) not listed, since funding will tend to research summaries, species 1821-1824. be concentrated on those that are accounts, original research, breeding projects, husbandry, natural already listed. He also perceives a trend favouring captive rearing and history, ecology, behavior, country release schemes rather than habitat reports, legislative news, short New DAPTF protection measures. communications and travel. Most Working Group In Carlton's opinion, the three importantly it is for both the amateur Chairs species/populations most in need of and professional alike. The ARC listing are: the Amargosa toad, the newsletter is intended to form a western boreal toad Bufo boreas closer union, communication, and Canada boreas (southern Rocky Mountains co-ordination of private sector After three years in the post, David population) and the great basin conservation with those of the Green has handed over the role of population of the spotted frog (Rana professional conservation community. National Coordinator to: pretiosa ). In addition the Wyoming Contact: Amphibian & Reptile toad (Bufo hemiophrys baxteri) 'could Conservation, 2255 North University Stan A. Orchard become extinct in the next couple of Parkway, Suite 15, Provo, Utah Biology Section, Royal B.C. Museum years'. Jasper Carlton expects that 84604-7506, USA. Home Tel: (801) 675 Belleville Street, Victoria, litigation will take place within the next 373-2549. Voice Mail: (801) 371- B.C. V8V 1X4,CANADA year. 8457. Fax: (801) 373-0695 Phone 604-387-3649 The Biodiversity Legal Email : [email protected] or: Fax 604-387-5360 Foundation is a US, non-profit Craig.Hassapakis @m.cc.utah.edu The following new chairs have been organisation dedicated to the appointed in the Canadian Group: preservation of all native species, Regional Coordinator Eastern natural communities and ecosystems. Canada Publications The organisation is based in Boulder, Carolyn N. L. Seburn Colorado (PO Box 18327, Boulder , of Seburn Ecological Services, 930 CO 80308-1327), and has been at Interest River Rd. South the leading edge of efforts to protect RR#4 Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1JO the ecosystems of threatened and CANADA endangered species in the US. Devillers, J., & Exbrayat, J.M (eds.) Phone 613 258-6142 (1992). Ecotoxicity of chemicals to Regional Coordinator Western amphibians. Philadelphia Reading Canada Summer Course Paris Montreux Tokyo Melbourne: Andrew Didiuk Gordon and Breach Science in Vertebrate Canadian Wildlife Service Publishers. ISBN 2-88124-872-1. Ecology and 115 Perimeter Rd., Saskatoon, Evolution Dodd, C.K. Jr. Reptiles and Saskatchewan S7N 0X4, CANADA amphibians in the endangered Phone 306-975-4005 longleaf pine ecosystem. Our Living Fax 306-975-4089 A course in 'Vertebrate Ecology and Resources 1994. For further details Provincial Coordinator Manitoba Evolution', with an emphasis on contact C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., amphibian ecology and evolution will National Biological Survey, 7920 NW Ron Larche be offered by Michael J.Lannoo, Manitoba Dept. of Nat. Resources PO Box 14, 1495 St. James St.

4 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0W9 CANADA Phone 204-945-7740 Fax 9456-3077 FROGLOG Newsletter of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), Species Survival Commission (SSC) Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF). Available to interested parties upon request. Partial funding for FROGLOG is provided by donation from: Frog's Leap Winery, P.O. Box 189, Rutherford, CA 94573. John Baker, Editor Department of Biology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom. Phone 0908 652274 (+44 908 652274 if ex-UK) Fax: 0908 654167 (+44 908 654167 if ex-UK) E-mail: [email protected] FROGLOG is available on the World Wide Web at the following URL: http: //acs-info.open.ac.uk/info/other/ FROGLOG-11.html

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