ROGLOG FNewsletter of the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

Rediscovering the Oxapampa poison frog, Ameerega planipaleae Germán Chávez and Marco A. Enciso Vol 91 Mar 2009 he Oxapampa poison frog Ameerega planipaleae (Anura:

TDendrobatidae) was discovered in 1996 and described What’s Inside in 1998 under the name Epipedobates planipaleae (Morales & Velazco, 1998) from only four specimens (one female and Cover story Rediscovering the Oxampa poison frog, Ameerega planipaleae Page 1 Around the World: Research Red patch infection in the skipper frog in Sri Lanka Page 4 Insect attacks on amphibians from Sri Lanka Page 6 Remarkable amphibian diversity in the South Nguru Mountains of Tanzania Page 8 Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo americanus in Pennsylvania Page 10 Conservation Amphibian breeding station in Hanoi Page 12 Help the Amphibian Ark save the Pirri harelquin frog Page 16 Announcements Oxapampa poison frog, Meerega planipaleae. © G. Chávez Save the Frogs day 2009 Page 18 Seed Grants three males) found at the mountain forest of the Cordillera ASG Seed Grant Reports Page 19 Yanachaga-Chemillén, central Andes of Peru. The name was Instructions to Authors Page 19 subsequently changed by Grant et al. (2006) and included into

1 Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog Continued from Cover page the genus Ameerega. This spe- cies has been reported just once since its description, in 1999 in the type locality (Javier Icochea, pers. comm.), and never previ- ously photographed. It is likely that A. planipaleae is the poison- ous frog with the highest known elevational range. According to reports, habitat loss and frag- mentation in the type locality is a major problem for the species. For that reason, it was classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List (Icochea et al., 2004) and by the Peruvi- an category of threatened fauna (INRENA, 2004). This frog is known only for the type locality and its ecology and natural his- tory are practically unknown. This species has been Oxapampa poison frog, Meerega planipaleae. © G. Chávez reported just once six trips to the type locality; this frog. since its description, the survey included search- The population was found in ing streams and forests habi- only two streams close to the and never previously tats between 1900 to 2300 type locality, and we can say photographed m.a.s.l. in each season. The with some confidence that this effort was conducted by four frog is not common in these for- Considering this background, researchers, and the first re- ests. According to some observa- our team of peruvian research- sults were obtaind in August tions, the coloration described ers proposed a project in 2006 2007, when we found the by Morales and Velazco (1998) to find populations of A. plani- first individual of A. pla- is apparently incorrect, because paleae and to obtain data about nipaleae after almost nine we observed a color pattern their natural history and ecol- years. Since then, we have variation in this species (Med- ogy, with the aim of elaborat- found eighteen specimens ina-Müller & Chávez, 2008). ing an action plan to help the (according to the last record We are not sure about the sexual conservation of this species. in January 2009) and we re- dichromatism mentioned in the From 2007 to 2009, we made corded valuable data about first description, which consists

2 Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog Continued from previous page We have already sampled in carry out more research to reveal of a dark gular region in males several localities in the north- the natural history and ecology and bluish with dark reticula- ern Peruvian Andes and we are of A. planipaleae and to increase tions in females. We found interested in conducting mon- our knowledge on the distribu- both of them with the gular itoring in the central Andes, in tion of the species in order to region dark or bluish color- localities including Oxapampa, suggest conservation actions for ation without predominance where A. planipaleae occurs. It this enigmatic and endangered of any color for males or fe- will declared our flagship spe- frog. males. Apparently, this frog cies. We have initiated a health prefers rock habitats close to evaluation in the A. planipaleae Acknowledgements streams and it is sympatric population that we know. We with direct development frogs must consider the great threat We thank Iniciativa de Especies of the family Strabomantidae that chytridiomycosis presents, Amenazadas-IEA Perú, Pro- and glass frogs of the family and the importance of research- grama de Becas Maria Koepcke Centrolenidae. None of these ing this disease in amphibian (APECO-C.I.) for supporting species were diurnal like A. species of Peru (von May et al., this research. To Javier Icochea planipaleae, so we can con- 2008). This evaluation is not for their values comments on clude that it is the only di- only for the fungal disease, but the project, to Margarita Me- urnal frog in these forests. also for the diseases of bacterial dina-Müller, Rudolf von May, To confirm the distribution, origin. Jennifer Jacobs, Mirella Villena, we conducted several surveys From our data we concluded Ana Patricia Mendoza, Carlos in other localities near to the that Ameerega planipaleae is an Martinez and Amanda Delgado type locality, with no success. endemic frog with a very short for their help with fieldwork, While we recorded the same distributional range. It does not and to Samanta Cairo for the sympatric species as found in have diurnal competitive spe- translation help and the com- the Planipaleae´s streams, it cies, and it appears to exhibit ments on the manuscript. was impossible to find A. pla- a preference for streams and nipaleae. The photo record in- habitats close to water bod- References cluded on the previous page is ies. These habitats are threat- the first of this species, but it ened by habitat degradation Enciso, M.A.; Villena, M.; is the second to be published caused by agricultural activi- Mendoza, A.P. & Chávez, G. (two photos were previously ties, with increasing amounts (2008). Rapid survey on am- published by Medina-Müller of agro chemical substances in phibian skin diseases in a moun- & Chávez [2008]). The call the soil and water. Addition- tain forest at the northern andes was not recorded and the tad- ally, garbage is not recycyeld in of Peru. Froglog 87:4-7. poles are unknown. this area, and there are exotic Grant, T.D.; Frost, D.R.; Since 2007 we have been species present. There is also a Caldwell, J.P.; Gagliardo, R.; working on a project to mon- possibility to find pathogenic Haddad, C.F.B.; Kok, P.J.R.; tor disease in Peruvian am- agents, but we´re still working Means, B.D.; Noonan, B.P.; phibians (Enciso et al., 2008). on this aspect. It is necessary to Schargel, W. & Wheeler, W.C.

3 Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog Continued from previous page cursos Naturales [INRENA]. gulo, A.; Brown, J.L.; Carril- (2006). Phylogenetic system- (2004). Categorización de espe- lo, J.; Chávez, G.; Córdova, atics of dart-poison frogs and cies amenazadas de fauna silves- J.H.; Curo, A.; Delgado, A.; their relatives (Anura: Athes- tre. D.S.N°034-2004-AG. Enciso, M.A. et al. (2008). phatanura: Dendrobatidae). Medina-Müller, M. & Chávez, Current state of conserva- Bulletin of the American G. (2008). Ameerega planipaleae: tion knowledge on threat- Museum of Natural History Color pattern variation and its ened amphibian species in 299:1-262. relevance to Ameerega taxono- Peru. Tropical Conservation Icochea, J.; Lehr, E.; Jung- my (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Science 1:376-396. fer, K. & Lötters, S. (2004). Herpetotropicos 4:64. Ameerega planipaleae. In: Morales, V.R. & Velazco, P.M. or further information IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red (1998). Una nueva especie de Fplease contact: vamp- List for Threatened Species. Epipedobates (Amphibia, Anura, [email protected] (GC) & (Online) Available: www.iuc- Dendrobatidae) de Perú. Am- [email protected] nredlist.org [02/03/09] phibia-Reptilia 19:369-376. (MAE) Instituto Nacional de Re- von May, R.; Catenazzi, A.; An-

Around the World: Research Preliminary note on the ‘red patch’ infection in the skipper frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) in Sri Lanka Anslem de Silva, N. P. K. Dawundasekera & Panduka Gunawardena

uring an ongoing island- Dwide survey to ‘Investigate the incidence and geographical pattern of Malformations, Ab- normalities, Injuries and Para- sitic infection of Frogs, Toads and Caecilians of Sri Lanka’ we observed in some aquatic frogs redness above the eye. We have named this condition ‘red patch’. This is the first report of this condition from Sri Lanka.

The host species Of several species of sympatric aquatic anurans that were in- Figure 1. Skipper frog (Euphlytics cyanophlyctis) showing ‘red patch’ vestigated during the ongoing © Anslem de Silva

4 Seed Grants

Red patch infection in the skipper frog of sri lanka Continued from previous page

tissue processor and em- bedded in paraffin wax. Mi- crosections of 5 m cut from paraffin embedded tissue blocks and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) were subjected to microscopic examination. Presently detail investiga- tions are been conducted to see etiology of the condi- tion.

Acknowledgements Figure 2. Conspicuous ‘red patch’ in a dead specimen© Anslem de Silva Dept of Wildlife Conser- survey, we observed a conspicu- Laboratory investigations vation, Sri Lanka for the ous ‘red patch’ externally above These frogs were investi- permission granted for the the prominent eye balls of Eu- gated in the veterinary pa- study to the first author phlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, thology laboratory. Tissue and the Amphibian Spe- 1799) (Skipper frog = English; samples including the ‘red cialist Group Seed Grant to Utpatana mädiya = Sinhala). It patch’ collected form the the first author. We thank was present in both sexes (Figure affected frogs were fixed in Ms. W.R. Jayaweera for her 1). Two frogs that had this con- 10% formol saline for his- technical assistance in his- dition died, however, the ‘red topathological examination. topathological studies. patch’ infection was highly vis- The fixed tissues were grad- ible even in the dead specimens ually dehydrated in ethanol Author Email: kalds@ (Figure 2). by means of an automatic sltnet.lk

Insect attacks on amphibians: some recent observations from Sri Lanka Anslem de Silva, N. P. K. Dawundasekara & Sameera Karunarathna ans (beetle) larvae (species here are few reports from Sri Silva, 1997), hemipterans not yet identified) attack- TLanka of predation by in- (de Silva, 2001a) and Dip- ing and feeding on the body vertebrates on amphibian larvae teran larvae (de Silva 2001b, fluids of amphibians. These and adults. These invertebrates de Silva and de Silva, 2001). were observed during an on ranged from arachnids (Bamaba- The present paper is on going island wide study on radeniya, 2001), crustaceans (de two incidents of coleopter- amphibian malformations.

5 Insect attacks on amphibians in Sri Lanka Continued from previous page The second episode was ob- served at Talawakele (1400m above sea level) in an anthro- pogenic habitat around 10 am where an arboreal shrub frog Philautus viridis Mana- mendra-Arachchi & Pethi- yagoda, 2005 was attacked on the ventral surface of the frog by two coleopterans (beetle) larvae. One larva was attached to the lower chin area whilst the other on to the abdomen. However, the attack on the chin appeared Figure 1. Beetle larvae clinging on to Duttaphrynus melanostictus severe as the larvae has virtu- © Anslem de Silva ally burrowed into the flesh (Figure 3). The frog appeared weak and died subsequently within an hour. Both larvae fell during photography (Fig- ure 4). This attractive frog is highly polymorphic in colour (Figure 5); it is an endemic and an endangered species Figure 2. Unidentified beetle larvae © Anslem de Silva (IUCN, 2007). The above two cases- sug On December 9th, 2008 we cae of an adult common house gests not only of an unusual observed around 10 am a toad (Figure 1). This beetle larvae clinging on to a larvae did not fall or toad: Duttaphrynus melanostic- detached itself from tus Schneider, 1799 (common the toad though the house toad) in an anthropo- toad was handled genic habitat at Puttalam (N quite freely during 08º 00’ 59.7” and E 7.9 50’ photography. The 17.7”, 28 m asl). The insect insect was removed was clinging on to the toad by photography for its claw-like appendage about identification (Fig- one millimeter above the cloa- ure 2). Figure 3. Fatal attack on the chin of Philautus viridis © Anslem de Silva

6 Insect attacks on amphibians in Sri Lanka Continued from previous page

riocephalus 3(2): de Silva, Anslem and 28. Panduka de Silva. 2001. de Silva, Some observations on Anslem. 2001a. the spawn and larval suc- Some aquatic in- cess of Polypedates cruciger sects: predators Blyth, 1852 in Gampola, of anuran larvae Sri Lanka. Lyriocephalus at Horton Plains Special Edition. 4 (1 & National Park. Ly- 2):28-35. riocephalus Spe- IUCN Sri Lanka & the cial Edition. 4 (1 Ministry of Environment Figure 4. Unidentified beetle larvae© Anslem de Silva & 2):145-146. and Natural Resources. de Silva, Anslem. 2007. The 2007 Red List predator of amphibians, but 2001b. Some in- of Threatened Fauna and also that it could be fatal for sect predators of anuran larvae Flora of Sri Lanka. Co- amphibians. observed in Gampola, Sri Lanka. lombo. 148 pp. Lyriocephalus Special Edition. 4 Acknowledgements (1 & 2):147-149. Author Email: kalds@slt- Dept of Wildlife Conservation, net.lk Sri Lanka for the permission granted for the study to the first author and the Amphibian Specialist Group Seed Grant to the first author. K. G. Roshan S. Nandana for assistance in the field.

Literature cited Bambaradeniya, C. N. B. 2001. An incident of a Huntsman Spider (Arthropoda; Araneae; Heteropodidae) feeding on a Rhacophorid frog. Lyriocepha- lus Special Edition. 4 (1 & 2): 140 de Silva, Anslem. 1997. Crab feeding on a tadpole. Ly- Figure 5. Philautus viridis green color phase© Anslem de Silva

7 Remarkable amphibian diversity in the South Nguru Mountains, Tanzania Simon Loader, Michele Menegon Hendrik Müller, David Gower, Mark Wilkinson, Kim Howell, and Frances Orton

yers et al’s (2000) iden- derstanding of amphibians in the main blocks. Several locali- Mtification of the East- EAM is almost entirely founded ties were surveyed for the ern Arc Mountains (EAM) as on work conducted on only three first time during this work. a hotspot of species richness of the thirteen mountain blocks The surveys were conducted provided a much-needed fo- (Poynton et al. 2007). Outside of collaboratively by a group cus on an area long regarded as these three areas only fragmentary of herpetologists working in biologically rich. The Eastern surveys have been carried out, the region. A recent survey Arc is a chain of disconnected and these have provided tantaliz- of the Nguru Mountains mountain blocks that strikes us as being run subparallel to the particularly inter- coast in a Northeastern esting to report direction from southern and highlights the Tanzania up into south- remarkable am- ern Kenya. The area is phibian diversity renowned for its high in the EAM. species richness, which Our group re- is mostly concentrated ceived funds from in the forests covering the Declining each mountain block. Amphibian Popu- Amphibian diversity on Diversity of the Nguru Mountains lation Task Force these mountain blocks to conduct ad- is high, with many en- ditional surveys demic species and even gen- ing glimpses of the species assem- in the Nguru Mountains, era. Of the spatially restricted blages in less well-studied parts of complementing those re- species, many are rarely en- the EAM (e.g. Emmrich, 1998). cently reported in Menegon Previous surveys pro- A clearer understanding of spe- et al. (2008). Our work was cies diversity and distribution focused on the collection of vided tantalizing throughout the fragmented EAM data to continue ecological, glimpses of the species is a priority if basic questions on morphological and molecu- the evolution and conservation of lar studies on the Eastern assemblages in less amphibians are to be addressed. Arc amphibian fauna. In well-studied parts To meet this need, over the past 2008 we collected voucher ten years herpetological surveys specimens of various life countered or collected and have been conducted in areas history stages, swabbed 400 generally very little is known outside of the Usambara, Ulu- specimens that are now be- of their distribution and biol- guru and Udzungwa Mountains, ing used in PCR-based tests ogy. The basis for current un- the three relatively well surveyed for the presence of poten-

8 Remarkable amphibian diversity in the south Nguru Mountains, Tanzania Continued from previous page tially lethal chytridomyco- tane forest of the Nguru South ed to within the Eastern Arc sis fungus, and collected tis- Forest Reserve between 1800- Mountains. The surveys and sue samples for phylogenetic 2200m. This giant Arthrolep- taxonomic assessment of the analyses. Our overall aim was tis was described by members species collected show that, to gain a better understand- of our team (Poynton et al. in total, 16 amphibian taxa ing of the species inhabiting 2008) and has a Critically En- are probably distinct enough the Nguru Mountains. dangered conservation status (based on morphological and because of its highly restricted molecular data) from other the South Nguru distribution and the changing known taxa to be considered Mountains stand out land use patterns in the Ngu- new species. Thus the South as being exceptionally rus. Many other potential new Nguru Mountains appear to species await description from be one of the most important diverse our collection, which includes ranges for amphibian diver- a new toad and caecilian spe- sity on the continent of Af- In total, our combined cies figured. rica (Menegon et al. 2008). work surveyed 15 sites in the The number of unde- The need for a rapid- tax Nguru Mountain forests; nine onomic and conservation sites in Nguru South For- scribed and endemic assessment of these newly est Reserve, and six in Kanga species is striking discovered, but as yet un- Forest Reserve. Sampling sites described species is clearly a were located in submontane From our study of amphib- high priority. Today, because and montane forests between ians, species identifications of a combination of the rela- 750 and 2200 m asl. A total suggest that the South Nguru tively recent exploration of of 41 species of amphibians Mountains stand out as being the area and a taxonomic hi- from 12 families were re- exceptionally diverse. Indeed, atus, the Nguru Mountains corded in South Nguru For- the South Ngurus are compa- has few described endemic est Reserve, Kanga Forest Re- rable to, and potentially richer species, and consequently serve and adjacent farmland. than the better-surveyed areas a perceived low diversity. Of the species collected, the in the EAM. The number of Conservation concern is majority was recorded from undescribed and endemic spe- therefore accordingly low, forest, and their altitudinal cies is striking. Based on pre- as an area with relatively and habitat distribution sug- liminary results of our work, few species. With increas- gests strong dependence on 39.02% of the herpetofauna ing land use changes in the the fragmented forest habitats species are strictly endemic to South Ngurus being a real that remain. A good example the South Nguru Mountains concern, several of the unde- of this forest-restricted assem- and all but one of these are cur- scribed species are likely to blage is the recently described rently undescribed (Poynton et be threatened. We continue species Arthroleptis nguruen- al. 2008). A further 24.3 % of with our aims to better un- sis, known only from mon- the species have ranges restrict- derstand and promote this

9 Remarkable amphibian diversity in the south Nguru Mountains, Tanzania Continued from previous page richly diverse amphibian as- Reserves (Menegon et al. in The South Nguru semblage (see www.tanzanian- print). This will ensure better Mountains appear to herps.org), and suggest focused long-term protection to the attention be accorded to this area and the species that in- be one of the most area in the future. A positive habit the forests of the Nguru important ranges for direction from government in- Mountains. stitutions is already evidenced amphibian diversity by the possible designation of Corresponding author: Si- on the continent of the South Nguru Mountains mon Loader: simon.loader@ Africa as a Nature reserve by the Tan- unibas.ch zanian Government’s Nature

Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo americanus tadpoles in the Nine Mile Run Restoration Area, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania USA Kalyn Wylie, Michal-Lynn Gramby and Mary Kostalos mphibian decline is a sig- area in Frick Park, a city park restoration, new wetland areas Anificant problem world in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. were constructed and existing wide. This group of verte- These studies were conducted areas expanded. brates has been on the earth for as senior research projects by In 2007 Gramby (unpub- over 300 million years. Over Biology majors at Chatham lished thesis) conducted a 168 species may have already University. The Nine Mile Run population survey of Bufo become extinct and about restoration was a $7.7 million americanus in two wetland ar- 1,856 species of amphibians eas within the restora- are threatened (AmphibiaWeb, tion area. She estimated 2008). Since toads often breed that at least 13 pairs of in temporary pools, any delay toads had laid eggs in in metamorphosis can reduce the two wetland areas the likelihood of completing (A and B) that she sur- metamorphosis before the pool veyed, and thousands dries up, leading to a reduction Nine Mile Run Restoration Area of tadpoles were present in the population. in late April. However, For two years, 2007 and dollar project to help control metamorphosis seemed to be 2008, studies were conducted flooding and sewer overflows in inhibited or delayed, and none on the population of Ameri- this urban watershed, and re- of the tadpoles had developed can toads, Bufo americanus, in store the stream area to a more legs by the middle of June when the Nine Mile Run restoration natural state. As a part of the the wetlands dried up, killing

10 Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo americanus tadpoles Continued from previous page the tadpoles. No toadlets were A few had developed hind legs poles were kept in an envi- observed in the study area. As by this point, but most had only ronmental chamber (Peri- the wetlands were drying up, an leg nubs. cival model AR-36) at 17.5o extensive bloom of an unidenti- C with a 12 hour light cycle. fied filamentous green algae -oc The algae affected The tadpoles were observed curred in one of the wetlands. survival, but did not for 126 days, and were mon- In 2008, Wylie (unpublished itored for survival, develop- thesis) conducted a field and appear to inhibit ment of hind and front legs, laboratory study to examine the metamorphosis body length and transforma- role of the green algae in tadpole tion into toadlets. development. Egg masses were In order to study the possible The results, illustrated in first observed in both wetland effect of the algae on tadpole Fig 1. indicated that the Ex- areas on April 20, 2008. Tad- development, tadpoles were tract Treatment was acutely poles were collected from Site maintained in an environmental toxic and all tadpoles died A for the laboratory portion of chamber under controlled con- in less than two weeks. In the study on April 23. On May ditions. The alga was identified both the Algal Treatment 27, 2008, the tadpoles at site B as a species of Spirogyra. Three and Control, 5 of 30 tad- had developed hind legs while bowls containing 750 ml of wa- poles developed hind legs those at Site A had only leg ter and 10 tadpoles were set up and one tadpole completed nubs. By June first, hundreds of for each treatment. Three treat- metamorphosis to become a toadlets were observed at Site ments were established, stream toadlet. An Anova test, com- B, while the tadpoles at Site A water from near the wetland paring survival among treat- still had only leg nubs. By the sites (Control), stream water ments, showed that survival end of June, a few tadpoles at to which approximately 10 gm was significantly higher in Site A had developed hind legs of live algae were added (Algal the Control group compared and few toadlets were seen; Treatment), and water in which to the Algal Treatment and however, most of the tadpoles the algae had failed to develop. By early had been July, the wetlands had dried up, maintained killing the tadpoles. Additional for several observations from a small back- weeks, but yard pond about a mile from from which the study site showed that some the algae of the toad tadpoles completed were fil- metamorphosis; however, in tered before both 2007 and 2008, when the use (Extract pond was cleaned in Novem- Treatment). ber, tadpoles were still present. The tad- Fig 1. Impact of algae on Survival Rates of B.americanus tadpoles

11 Inhibition of metamorphosis in bufo americanus tadpoles Continued from previous page the Extract Treatment (p= Further studies are planned tershed. Unpublished Thesis. 0.5; f= <.001). The tadpoles to try to confirm these results Chatham University. Pitts- in the Control generally sur- and determine the reason for burgh, PA vived until week 13 after this phenomenon. One im- Worldwide Amphibian De- which there was a rapid de- portant aspect is to try to de- clines: How big is the prob- cline, while the tadpoles in termine the geographic extent lem, what are the causes and the Algal Treatment began to of this problem. The authors what can be done? (2008) die in week 6 and showed a would appreciate any infor- AmpbiaWeb http://am- steady decline until the end mation on the delay or failure phibiaweb.org/declines.html. of the experiment. The algae of metamorphosis observed in Downloaded on 27 August, affected survival, but did not other areas or other species. 2008 seem to be a factor inhibit- Wylie, K. (2008) The effects ing metamorphosis. Acknowledgements of the green algae, Spirgyra on Although Bufo americanus The authors wish to thank metamorphosis of toad tad- are common in the study Mr. Jim Sweet for identifying poles (Bufo americanus). Un- area and are not threatened the algal species. published Thesis. Chatham or endangered, continued University. Pittsburgh, PA delay or failure of the tad- References poles to complete metamor- Gramby, M. (2008) A pop- For further information phosis will result in a decline ulation study of Bufo Ameri- please contact: kostalos@ in the population over time. canus at Nine Mile Run Wa- chatham.edu.

Conservation Amphibian breeding station in Hanoi: a trial model for linking con- servation and research with sustainable use

Nguyen Quang Truong, Dang Tat The, Pham The Cuong, Nguyen Thien Tao and Thomas Ziegler

t present, Vietnam con- lov et al. 2006a,b, Orlov & Ho medicine use. In response, Atains a total of 176 spe- 2007, Nguyen et al. 2008, Or- the Institute of Ecology and cies of amphibians (Nguyen lov 2008, Orlov et al. 2008). Biological Resources (IEBR), et al. in prep.). Within the In contrast to this increasing, together with the Cologne past four years, 15 new spe- still underestimated and poorly Zoo, decided to upgrade an cies have been described studied species richness, many already existing facility on (Böhme et al. 2005, Orlov populations, if not whole spe- the outskirts of Hanoi that 2005, Orlov & Ho 2005, cies, are facing extinction as a was established in 2004 by Stuart & Bain 2005, Stuart result of habitat loss and over- IEBR. et al. 2005, Bain et al. 2006, collecting for food consump- The main focus of the am- Ohler & Delorme 2006, Or- tion, trade and traditional phibian breeding station is

12 Amphibian Breeding Station in Hanoi Continued from previous page In their preliminary report, amphibians and four rep- to keep, breed and study Viet- Ziegler & Nguyen (2008) re- tiles) are kept at the Hanoi namese amphibians and select- ported about 24 already exist- station. All of them are reg- ed reptilian species in an “in ing enclosures for the keeping istered with the Forest Pro- country (i.e., in situ)” facility, and breeding of amphibians tection Department of Ha- with the following goals: 1) to and reptilians at the station, noi. In 2008 we developed a breed endangered species for a) plus a workroom and two store breeding program for half of maintaining a captive assurance rooms for different kinds of the amphibian species kept; population especially in times of food. Within the Vietnamese Hylarana maosonensis, Rha- world-wide emerging chytridi- / German cooperation project cophorus feae, R. maximus, omycosis, and b) preparation for between IEBR and the Co- and R. rhodopus. Three of subsequent release of offspring logne Zoo, both manager and these species, H. maosonen- into the wild, if required; 2) to technical staff of the station sis, R. maximus, and R. feae, were sucessfully bred at the station meanwhile. Three hundred froglets of Rhacoph- orus dennysi, which was suc- cessfully bred in 2007, were released in June 2008 into the wild at Tam Dao NP, from where the parents were collected. Captive animals, and those being released, are tested for the amphibian chytrid fungus; to date it has not been detected within the station’s inhabitants. Releas- ing a limited number of the offspring of Rhacophorus feae Fig 1. Rhacophorus maximus at the Amphibian Station in Hanoi and R. maximus is planned study the natural history, espe- participated in a training course for 2009. Also initial reptil- cially the reproductive biology at Cologne Zoo in February ian breeding successes (e.g., of rare or poorly known spe- 2008, focused on amphibian the first breeding of the en- cies in captivity; and 3) to pro- rearing methods and provid- dangered Shinisaurus croco- vide a surplus of offspring of ing an introduction to respec- dilurus from Vietnam) con- certain species for the trade to tive techniques. Subsequently, firm the current husbandry a) decrease the number of wild in addition to more facilities, a concept of the Hanoi breed- caught specimens, and b) guar- quarantine station was built in ing station. antee a long-term maintenance 2008. and self financing of the station. Currently, 12 species (eight

13 Amphibian Breeding Station in hanoi Continued from previous page amphibian working group. To all Salamandridae), from northern Acknowledgments of them we express our sincerest Vietnam. Salamandra, 41(4): We thank Prof. Dr. Le gratitude. 215-220. Xuan Canh (IEBR) and Nguyen, Q. T., Hendrix, Theo Pagel (Cologne Zoo) References R., Böhme, W., Vu, N. T., for their support and en- Bain, R. H., Stuart, B. L., and and Ziegler, T. (2008). A new couragement. Dr. Frank Orlov, N. L. (2006). Three new species pf the genus Philautus Mutschmann (EXOMED, Indochinese species of cascade (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacoph- oridae) from the Truong Son Range, Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam. Zootaxa, 1925: 1-13. Nguyen, T. T., Tran, T. T., Nguyen, Q. T., and Pham, T. C. (2008). Rhacophorus maximus (Nepal Flying Frog). Herpetological Review, 39(3): 364. Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C., and Nguyen, Q. T. (in prep.). Her- petofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira. Fig 2. Tadpoles of Rhacophorus feae Ohler, A. and Delorme, M. (2006). Well known does not Berlin) supported us, e.g., frogs (Amphibia: Ranidae) allied mean well studied: Morpho- in chytrid testing. The to Rana archotapnus. Copeia, logical and molecular support breeding program at the 2006(1): 43-59. for existence of sibling species Amphibian Station was par- Böhme, W., Schöttler, T., in the Javanese gliding frog tially supported by the Insti- Nguyen, Q. T., and Köhler, J. Rhacophorus reinwardtii (Am- tute of Ecology and Biologi- (2005). A new species of salaman- phibia, Anura). Comp. Rend. cal Resources (IEBR), the der, genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Biol., 329: 86-97. Cologne Zoo, the Number of World Association Species adults froglets Breeding success (parents) (offspring) of Zoos and Aquar- Tylototriton vietnamensis 36 - not yet Hylarana maosonensis 11 42 first in April 2008 iums (WAZA), the Kurixalus verrucosus 12 84 first in July 2007 Rhacophorus rhodopus 12 - not yet European Union of Rhacophorus dennysi 50 about 12,000 first in February 2008 Aquarium Curators Rhacophorus maximus 20 about 1,500 first in April 2008 Rhacophorus feae 20 about 1,500 first in October 2008 (EUAC), and by Theloderma corticale 20 60 first in September 2008 the Cologne Zoo’s Table showing breeding success of amphibians at the Amphibian Station in Hanoi

14 Amphibian Breeding station in Hanoi Continued from previous page

Orlov, N. L. (2005). A new species of the genus Vibrissa- phora Liu, 1945 (Anura: Me- gophryidae) from Mount Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum Province) and analysis of the extent of species overlap in the fauna of amphib- ians and reptiles of the North- west of Vietnam and Central Highlands. Russ. Jour. Herpe- tol., 12(1): 17-38. Orlov, N. L. (2008). Descrip- tion of a new species of Rha- cophorus genus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Fig 3. Release of froglets (Rhacophorus dennysi) within Tam Dao National Park, Vinh Kon Cha Rang Area (Gia Lai Phuc Province, Vietnam Province, Vietnam). Russ. Jour. Ghate, H. V., and Kent, Y. Rana megatympanum Bain, Herpetol., 15(2): 133-140. (2006b). New species of Th- Lathrop, Murphy, Orlov Orlov, N. L. and Ho, T. eloderma from Kon Tum and Ho, 2003 from Laos C. (2005). A new species of Province (Vietnam) and Na- and Vietnam. Herpetolog- Philautus from Vietnam (Anu- galand State (India) [Anura: ica 61(4): 478-492. ra: Rhacophoridae). Russ. Jour. Rhacophoridae]. Russ. Jour. Stuart, B. L., Orlov, N. L., Herpetol., 12(2): 135-142. Herpetol., 13(2): 135-154. and Chan-ard, T. (2005). Orlov, N. L. and Ho, T. C. Orlov, N. L, Nguyen, N. A new cascade frog (Am- (2007). Two new species of S., and Ho, T. C. (2008). De- phibia: Ranidae) from Laos cascade ranids of Amolops ge- scription of new species and and Vietnam. Raffles Bull. nus (Anura: Ranidae) from new records of Rhacophorus Zool., 53(1): 125-131. Lai Chau Province (Northwest genus (Amphibia: Anura: Rha- Ziegler, T. & Nguyen, Vietnam). Russ. Jour. Herpe- cophoridae) with the review of Q. T. (2008). The amphib- tol., 14(3): 211-228. amphibians and reptiles diver- ian and reptilian breeding Orlov, N. L., Ananjeva, N. sity of Chu Yang Sin National station at Hanoi. WAZA B., and Ho, T. C. (2006a). A Park (Dac Lac Province, Viet- Magazine, 9: 10-11. new cascade frog (Amphibia: nam). Russ. Jour. Herpetol., Ranidae) from Central Viet- 15(1): 67-84. For more information nam. Russ. Jour. Herpetol., Stuart, B. L. & R. H. Bain please contact Thomas 13(2): 155-163. (2005). Three new species of Ziegler: ziegler@koelner- Orlov, N. L., Dutta, S. K., spinule-bearing frogs allied to zoo.de

15 YOU can help the Amphibian Ark save the Pirri harlequin frog from extinction

Kevin Zippel s the Froglog com- Amunity well knows, there are nearly 2000 am- phibian species currently threatened with extinc- tion. Most of them are facing threats that can be mitigated in time to pre- vent their extinction, and we should all continue to support those organiza- tions who are working to protect these species in the wild (e.g., the ASG). How- ever, there are perhaps 500 part of the ACAP is the Amphib- they can be secured in the species facing threats that we ian Ark www.AmphibianArk. wild. AArk partners around cannot mitigate in time to save org, in which select species that the world are already work- them in the wild (e.g., disease, would otherwise go extinct will ing with nearly 50 prior- climate change). An integral be maintained in captivity until ity species in captivity and continuously working to increase our capacity to save more. Currently we are promot- ing a fundraiser through the online community Face- Book to help our partners in Panama save the Pirri harlequin frog (Atelopus gly- phus). This species occurs in the highlands of extreme eastern Panama in the Ser- ranía de Pirre and just cross- es over into the Chocó re- gion of Colombia The Pirri harlequin frog occurs in

16 Help Save the Pirri harlequin frog Continued from previous page ian Conservation Center (EVACC) has shown that they are straightforward to keep and breed. Our rescue facility will be a modified, refrigerated shipping container, a cost-effective, biosecurity- friendly system pioneered at the Am- phibian Research Centre in Australia. Our “amphibian pod” will be estab- lished at the Summit Zoo on the east- ern side of the Panama Canal, one of multiple species-specific rescue facilities planned there. Long-term management of the facility will be the responsibility of a consortium involving multiple in- stitutions, including the Houston Zoo, which established and supports EVACC to the west of the canal. Saving the Pirri harlequin frog from imminent extinction will cost $53,000 and we are hoping to raise this by June 1, 2009. This amount includes $41,000

two protected parks, yet it has been fungus within classified as Critically Endangered five years. by the IUCN and as a priority for We are fairly rescue by the AArk because of the certain that we imminent arrival of the amphibian will be success- chytrid fungus. Of approximately ful with this spe- 113 species in the genus Atelopus, cies in captivity thirty are presumed extinct and because prelimi- only ten can be found in ‘stable’ nary husbandry populations today. We predict that research con- the Pirri harlequin frog will be hit ducted at the El (and possibly driven extinct) by the Valle Amphib-

17 Help Save the Pirri harlequin frog Continued from previous page adult pairs plus a managed Pirri harlequin frog by do- for purchase, outfitting, and in- group of offspring for a total of nating today and recruiting stallation of the facility (shelves, about 500 animals required for your friends! tanks, lights, generator), and proper genetic management. $12,000 for the first year of op- Never before has it been so Author email: KevinZ@ eration (staff, live food, vet ser- easy to be a part of prevent- AmphibianArk.org vices, etc.). The facility will hold ing an imminent extinction. approximately 20 wild-caught Please, do your part to save the

Announcements Save the frogs day - April 28th, 2009

Kerry Kriger care for versus destroy the en- labs; and n an effort to raise aware- vironment, and thus by edu- (3) Issues that are en- Iness of the plight of am- cating the public regarding grained in the public’s con- phibians, the scientific com- environmental issues we will sciousness receive more munity has declared April help to ensure that our current monetary funding from 28th, 2009 the 1st Annual hard work will not be laid to governments, private foun- ‘Save The Frogs Day’. On this waste by the environmentally- dations, and average citi- day we encourage the appre- destructive actions of future zens, and we all depend on ciation and celebration this money. of amphibians by people Can you de- from all walks of life. vote half of a It is our duty as her- day on April petologists to protect 28th towards amphibian populations, educating the and this will not be pos- public about sible unless we rapidly the amphib- and successfully educate ian extinction the public about the am- crisis? Please phibian extinction crisis. help us make A large sector of society is Save The Frogs still unaware that amphibians generations; Day successful by giving a are in trouble, and we all have (2) Increasing students’ inter- free public lecture on am- a vested interest in changing est in herpetology will mean a phibian extinctions (or this: larger pool of potential gradu- your area of expertise) at a ate students for us to choose local school on April 28th, (1) An environmentally from, and thus higher qual- 2009. It’s great publicity conscious society attempts to ity researchers working in our and a great way to spread

18 Save the Frogs Day 2009 Continued from previous page com), help you develop the have your group announce the word about amphibian lecture, find local journalists Save The Frogs Day via its declines and get students in- who can attend the event, mailing list and website. terested in herpetology and and provide you with infor- Our goal is to make the environmental conservation. mational flyers to distribute. amphibian extinction cri- Please email me if you are If you can help develop les- sis common knowledge by able to give a free lecture so son plans for teachers, please 2010: help make it happen! that we can list the event on also let us know. the SAVE THE FROGS! If you are affiliated with a Author email: kerry@ website (www.savethefrogs. herpetological society, please savethefrogs.com

Seed Grants ASG Seed Grants members. Below are reports Boby Darmawan, Mirza D. ecipients of ASG Seed that we have received recently. Kusrini & Angus P. Kartono. RGrants are generally Anyone wanting a copy of ei- (2008) Amphibian Diver- expected to publish the re- ther should contact the author sity in Ex-Forest Concession sults of their projects in ref- in the first instance; if you Area of PT Rimba Karya In- ereed journals, or as articles cannot reach the author, con- dah, Bungo Regency, Jambi in Froglog. They are also tact Robin Moore - rdmoore@ (Sumatra). required to send us reports, conservation.org. Please keep ([email protected]) so that their results can be an eye on www.amphibians.org made available to ASG for announcements of an up- coming round of seed grants.

Instructions to Authors ROGLOG publishes a words and follow the style FROGLOG is the bi-monthly Frange of articles on any of FROGLOG Vol 83 (as newsletter of the Amphibian Spe- research, discoveries or con- should references). You may cialist Group (ASG). Articles on servation news relating to the also submit images, maps, any subject relevant to the under- amphibian decline phenom- figures or tables. We encour- standing of amphibian conserva- enon. We encourage authors age the submission of pho- tion, research and / or assessments describing original research tographs to accompany text. should be sent to: Robin Moore, to first make submissions to Short news items and press Editor, Conservation Interna- a refereed journal and then, releases are also acceptable. tional, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite if appropriate, to publish a Please submit potential con- 500, arlington, VA 22202, USA. synopsis in Froglog. Submis- tributions to Robin Moore E-mail: sions should be in English, at the address in the box to [email protected] normally no more than 1000 the right.

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