DOCSLIB.ORG

Amphibian Diversity and Nestedness in a Dynamic Floodplain River (Tagliamento, NE-Italy)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Amphibian Diversity and Nestedness in a Dynamic Floodplain River (Tagliamento, NE-Italy) View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by RERO DOC Digital Library Hydrobiologia (2006) 565:121–133 Ó Springer 2006 R.S.E.W. Leuven, A.M.J. Ragas, A.J.M. Smits & G. van der Velde (eds), Living Rivers: Trends and Challenges in Science and Management DOI 10.1007/s10750-005-1909-3 Amphibian diversity and nestedness in a dynamic floodplain river (Tagliamento, NE-Italy) K. Tockner1,2,*, I. Klaus1, C. Baumgartner3 & J.V. Ward1 1Department of Limnology, EAWAG/ETH, 8600 Du¨bendorf, Switzerland 2Institute of Ecosystem Studies (IES), Box AB, Millbrook, 12545 NY, USA 3Alluvial Zone National Park, 2304, Orth/Donau, Austria (*Author for correspondence: E-mail: [email protected]) Key words: braided river, Bufo bufo, conservation, disturbance, indicator species, island, large wood, population, parafluvial pond, Rana latastei, restoration Abstract Amphibian distribution and assemblage structure were investigated along the last morphologically intact river corridor in Central Europe (Tagliamento). Thirteen taxa were identified with Rana latastei and Bufo bufo being the predominant species. In the main study reach, a 2 km2 dynamic island-braided floodplain in the middle section of the river, 130 water bodies were delineated that were situated either in the active floodplain (82 sites) or in the adjacent riparian forest (48 sites). Results demonstrated that the active floodplain increased appreciably the available habitat for amphibians, despite frequent disturbances by floods or droughts. Amphibian richness within a given habitat was significantly correlated with distance from vegetated islands, fish density, and water temperature. In the active floodplain, species distribution was highly predictable, exhibiting nearly perfect nestedness, suggesting that selective colonisation and extinction processes predominated. The degree of nestedness was much higher than in the adjacent riparian forest or in regulated floodplains in Central Europe. Results clearly emphasise that amphibians can exploit the entire hydrodynamic gradient, except the main channel. In the active floodplain, vegetated islands and large woody debris are important, directly and indirectly, in maintaining both habitat and amphibian diversity and density in this gravel-bed river. Introduction landscape-corridor function place floodplains high on the conservation agenda (Ward et al., 1999a; Globally, amphibian populations have declined Hughes & Rood, 2001; Tockner & Stanford, over the past several decades and continue to do so 2002). However, today they are among the most (Houlahan et al., 2000; Stuart et al., 2004). Possi- endangered ecosystems worldwide. In Europe, for ble underlying causes of the decline are changes in example, more than 90% of the former floodplains climate, increased exposure to UV-B radiation, either disappeared or they are functionally extinct increased prevalence of diseases, acidification, (Tockner et al., 2006). Amphibians are generally water pollution, habitat fragmentation, and habi- considered as ‘indicators’ of stable floodplain tat loss (Leuven et al., 1986; Alford & Richards, ponds with a low degree of hydrological connec- 1999; Kiesecker et al., 2001). Therefore, many tivity, or as indicators of temporary waters lacking amphibian species are listed as threatened or fish predators (e.g., Waringer-Lo¨ schenkohl & endangered, regionally and globally (Beebee, 1996; Waringer, 1990; Joly & Morand, 1994; Morand & No¨ llert & No¨ llert, 1992). Joly, 1995; Wellborn et al., 1996; Skelly, 1997; Natural floodplains are highly dynamic envi- Tockner et al., 1999; Kuhn et al., 2001). Limited ronments with floods as the primary agent of dis- information is available, however, about amphib- turbance. Their high species diversity and ian populations in dynamic gravel-bed rivers, since 122 such rivers were never the main focus of amphib- is a 7th order river, characterised by a flashy ian research (e.g., Beebee, 1996). One reason was hydrological regime, with highest discharges dur- that nearly all formerly dynamic floodplain rivers ing spring and autumn. The main-stem corridor in developed countries were regulated during the covers about 150 km2. The corridor is character- last two centuries (Petts et al., 1989; Nilsson et al., ised by a high number of vegetated islands within 2005; Tockner & Stanford, 2002). Further, flood the active zone (652 islands >0.01 ha), numerous prone gravel-bed rivers were not expected to pro- gravel bars (952), a considerable habitat diversity vide hospitable habitats for amphibians. Kuhn and a continuous riparian woodland along the (1993), however, demonstrated that species such as margins of the active channel (Tockner & Ward, Bufo bufo exhibited a pronounced reproduction 1999). For a complete description of the catchment plasticity that allowed this species to exploit and longitudinal geomorphic features see Ward dynamic and ephemeral habitats in gravel-bed rivers. et al. (1999b), Arscott et al. (2000, 2002), Gurnell Understanding patterns and processes in natu- et al. (2001), and Tockner et al. (2003). ral river corridors is a prerequisite for a sustainable We investigated the amphibian fauna in conservation and management of their biodiversity six geomorphic reaches along the entire corridor, (e.g., Ward & Tockner, 2001). The Tagliamento with detailed studies in an island-braided reach River in NE-Italy, the last morphologically intact in the middle section of the river. The six river corridor in the Alps, offered the rare oppor- geomorphic reaches are: constrained headwater tunity to investigate amphibian populations under streams (Reach I, 1005–1200 m a.s.l.), headwater natural environmental conditions. In the main island-braided floodplain (Reach II, 705 m a.s.l.), investigation area, an island-braided floodplain, we bar-braided floodplain (Reach III, 200 m a.s.l.), compared amphibian population density, diversity island-braided lowland reach (Reach IV, 180 m and nestedness in the active floodplain (area that a.s.l.), braided-to-meandering transitional flood- extends laterally to the lower limit of persistent plain (Reach V, 19 m a.s.l.) and meandering vegetation and is frequently modified by floods) floodplain (Reach VI, 5 m a.s.l.). and the adjacent riparian forest (periodically The main investigation focused on a 2 km2 inundated by the river). In the present paper, we island-braided floodplain in Reach IV (river-km link habitat heterogeneity with the composition 80; Figs 1 & 2). There, the floodplain was separated and distribution of amphibians and identify indi- into the active area frequently inundated and cator species for different floodplain habitats. In reworked by floods and the adjacent riparian forest addition, we present an empirical example of only inundated during annual floods. Along the left nestedness in the dynamic floodplain system and bank, hillslope forests of Monte Ragogna bordered compare it with more regulated riverine flood- the active floodplain. Along the right bank, the plains. Measure of nestedness provides a quanti- riparian forest extends laterally to a distance of tative indicator of the degree of community ‘order’ about 0.5–1 km. Bare gravel, aquatic habitats and in fragmented systems (e.g., Atmar & Patterson, vegetated islands were the main landscape elements 1993; Patterson & Atmar, 2000). of the active floodplain. The Tagliamento is char- acterised by a dynamic flood regime, with turnover Materials and methods rates of aquatic habitats in Reach IV as high as 50 % during a single flood season (Arscott et al., The Fiume Tagliamento 2002; Van der Nat et al., 2003). The Fiume Tagliamento in NE-Italy (46° N, 12° 30¢ E; Fig. 1) is the last large gravel-bed river Sampling methods and data analyses in the Alps that has escaped intensive river man- agement (Mu¨ ller, 1995; Ward et al., 1999b; Along the mainstem corridor, all water bodies in Tockner et al., 2003). More than 70% of the the six reaches were sampled in March, May, and catchment area (2580 km2) is located within the July 2000, periods without severe floods. In the southern fringe of the Alps, with Mt. Coglians as detailed investigation of the floodplain in Reach the highest peak (2781 m a.s.l.). The Tagliamento IV, the exact location and area of aquatic habitats 123 But A I II SL Fella I IV III Pinzano Udine Tagliamento Pordenone Varmo V 0 25 km VI Latisana Adriatic Sea Water Gravel Riparian vegetation KilometerKilometer Figure 1. Tagliamento catchment, locations of study reaches I–VI, and map of the main study area (Reach IV; mapping date: May 2000). Most ponds investigated are too small to be shown at this scale. The river flows from right to left. 124 distance can be up to 1500 m (C. Baumgartner, unpubl. data). Because it was not possible to distinguish the forms of green frogs expected for the Tagliamento corridor (Rana lessonae, R. klepton esculenta; Gu¨ nther & Plo¨ ttner, 1994, Lapini et al., 1999) from eggs or larvae, they were grouped as a single taxon in all analyses. Maximum water depth (m), specific conductance (lS; portable meter), water temperature (°C) and the presence of fish (four abundance classes based on visual examinations: absent, rare, abundant, dominant) were recorded Figure 2. The main investigation area in the mid-section of during each field campaign. Oxygen (% satura- Reach IV. Active floodplain width is up to 900 m (Photo: tion), sediment composition (relative proportion D. Arscott, May 2000). of silt, sand, fine and coarse gravel, coarse partic- ulate organic matter), density of riparian vegeta- within the active floodplain and the adjacent tion (four cover classes: <10%, 10–25%, 25–75% riparian forest were measured using a differential- and >75%), macrophyte cover (four classes as for GPS (Global Positioning System). Individual riparian vegetation), accumulations of large woody water bodies were marked (130 in all) and debris (LWD) (four cover classes as for riparian numbered in the field. Between 7 March and 15 vegetation), and actual surface area (m2) were July 2000 all water bodies were repeatedly (totally estimated every second visit (four times totally). eight times) visited throughout the amphibian Rank-correlation analyses (Spearman-rank test) breeding period.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Long-Term Monitoring of the Endemic Rana Latastei: Suggestions for After-LIFE Management
    Long-term monitoring of the endemic Rana latastei: suggestions for after-LIFE management L UCA C ANOVA and A LESSANDRO B ALESTRIERI Abstract We monitored egg clutch numbers of a popula- loss (Houlahan & Findlay, ; Cushman, ), pollution tion of the endemic Italian agile frog Rana latastei in a (Bridges & Semlitsch, ), disease epidemics and climate Site of Community Interest in northern Italy (SCI IT change (Kiesecker et al., ; Ficetola & Maiorano, ). ) during – with the aim of assessing the As for many other taxa (Menzel et al., ; Thackeray long-term variation in its abundance. We walked along et al., ; Chen et al., ), a shift to earlier breeding as the banks of canals and small ponds (n = ) – times per a result of global warming has been reported for several week between early February and mid-April each year to anuran species (Terhivuo, ; Reading, ; Corn, ; detect egg clutches. The relationships between the start of Tryjanovski et al., ). Shifts are stronger for anurans than the breeding season, yearly egg mass counts, rate of yearly those reported for trees, birds and butterflies (Parmesan, change in the number of recorded egg masses and climat- ), but the consequences of earlier breeding for popula- ic and environmental variables were assessed by multiple re- tion dynamics are still unknown. gression. The first deposition of eggs occurred progressively Neither phenological shifts (Blaustein et al., ), nor later in the year throughout the study period and mean air population decline (Blaustein et al., ; Richter et al., temperature during the breeding season decreased over this ; Stuart et al., ) affect all amphibian populations. period. Agile frogs showed high deposition site-fidelity.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology and Pathology of Amphibian Ranaviruses
    Vol. 87: 243–266, 2009 DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS Published December 3 doi: 10.3354/dao02138 Dis Aquat Org OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS REVIEW Ecology and pathology of amphibian ranaviruses Matthew J. Gray1,*, Debra L. Miller1, 2, Jason T. Hoverman1 1274 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry Wildlife and Fisheries, Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-4563, USA 2Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 43 Brighton Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA ABSTRACT: Mass mortality of amphibians has occurred globally since at least the early 1990s from viral pathogens that are members of the genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae. The pathogen infects multiple amphibian hosts, larval and adult cohorts, and may persist in herpetofaunal and oste- ichthyan reservoirs. Environmental persistence of ranavirus virions outside a host may be several weeks or longer in aquatic systems. Transmission occurs by indirect and direct routes, and includes exposure to contaminated water or soil, casual or direct contact with infected individuals, and inges- tion of infected tissue during predation, cannibalism, or necrophagy. Some gross lesions include swelling of the limbs or body, erythema, swollen friable livers, and hemorrhage. Susceptible amphi- bians usually die from chronic cell death in multiple organs, which can occur within a few days fol- lowing infection or may take several weeks. Amphibian species differ in their susceptibility to rana- viruses, which may be related to their co-evolutionary history with the pathogen. The occurrence of recent widespread amphibian population die-offs from ranaviruses may be an interaction of sup- pressed and naïve host immunity, anthropogenic stressors, and novel strain introduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana Latastei) in Europe
    Strasbourg, 26 October 2006 T-PVS/Inf (2006) 16 [Inf16e_2006.doc] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 26th meeting Strasbourg, 27-30 November 2006 __________ Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana latastei) in Europe Document prepared by Paul Edgar* and David R. Bird *c/o The Herpetological Conservation Trust, 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4AP, UK, E-mail: [email protected] This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2006) 16 - 2 - CONTENTS A. ITALIAN AGILE FROG - SPECIES ACTION PLAN SUMMARY........................................................3 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3 2. Rationale............................................................................................................................................3 3. Objectives ..........................................................................................................................................3 4. Recommended Actions....................................................................................................................4 Table 1: Urgent Priority Actions for the Italian Agile Frog Rana latastei ................................................4 B. ITALIAN AGILE FROG – SPECIES
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix 1 to PRIORITISED ACTION FRAMEWORK (PAF) for NATURA 2000 in SLOVENIA 1
    Appendix 1 to PRIORITISED ACTION FRAMEWORK (PAF) FOR NATURA 2000 in SLOVENIA 1. List of species dependent on grassland habitats (E.2.4) for which Agri-environmental measures Sub-measure 10.1 - Payment of agri-environment-climate commitments in the period 2014-2020 were identified depending on the type of measure Special grassland habitats (HAB): Plants: Marsh gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris), Adriatic lizard orchid (Himantoglossum adriaticum), Liparis loeselii, Pulsatilla grandis, Scilla litardierei, Serratula lycopifolia, Butterflies: Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Large Copper (Lycaena dispar), False Ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus), Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) Birds: Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor), Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), Wood Lark (Lullula arborea), Common Grasshopper-warbler (Locustella naevia), Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Little Crake (Zapornia parva), European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Common Redshank (Tringa tetanus), Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis), Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops), European Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), Eurasian Scops-owl (Otus scops), Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata), Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) Molluscs: Congeria kusceri,
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Monitoring of the Endemic Rana Latastei: Suggestions for After-LIFE Management
    Long-term monitoring of the endemic Rana latastei: suggestions for after-LIFE management L UCA C ANOVA and A LESSANDRO B ALESTRIERI Abstract We monitored egg clutch numbers of a popula- loss (Houlahan & Findlay, ; Cushman, ), pollution tion of the endemic Italian agile frog Rana latastei in a (Bridges & Semlitsch, ), disease epidemics and climate Site of Community Interest in northern Italy (SCI IT change (Kiesecker et al., ; Ficetola & Maiorano, ). ) during – with the aim of assessing the As for many other taxa (Menzel et al., ; Thackeray long-term variation in its abundance. We walked along et al., ; Chen et al., ), a shift to earlier breeding as the banks of canals and small ponds (n = ) – times per a result of global warming has been reported for several week between early February and mid-April each year to anuran species (Terhivuo, ; Reading, ; Corn, ; detect egg clutches. The relationships between the start of Tryjanovski et al., ). Shifts are stronger for anurans than the breeding season, yearly egg mass counts, rate of yearly those reported for trees, birds and butterflies (Parmesan, change in the number of recorded egg masses and climat- ), but the consequences of earlier breeding for popula- ic and environmental variables were assessed by multiple re- tion dynamics are still unknown. gression. The first deposition of eggs occurred progressively Neither phenological shifts (Blaustein et al., ), nor later in the year throughout the study period and mean air population decline (Blaustein et al., ; Richter et al., temperature during the breeding season decreased over this ; Stuart et al., ) affect all amphibian populations. period. Agile frogs showed high deposition site-fidelity.
    [Show full text]
  • Italian Agile Frog Tadpoles Can Learn to Evade Crayfish Terror
    © 2021. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Journal of Experimental Biology (2021) 224, jeb242685. doi:10.1242/jeb.242685 INSIDE JEB Italian agile frog tadpoles can learn to evade crayfish terror scrutinised the movies, they found the tadpoles were afraid of the fed dragonfly larvae, freezing ∼80% of the time, while the fasted dragonfly larvae were almost as terrifying for the tadpoles. And when the youngsters did move after catching a whiff of their predator, they wove around more, in a bid to throw off the hunters, and switched course in all directions, to keep an eye out all around. However, the tadpoles were less savvy when Gazzola added eau de crayfish to their water. Only the tadpoles retrieved from a pond where crayfish reside showed any sign of toning down their activity to evade detection. The tadpoles from ponds A 25 day old Italian agile frog (Rana latastei) tadpole. Photo credit: Giovanni Scribano. with few or no crayfish didn’t alter their behaviour much, as if they didn’thavea care in the world. However, when An invader prowls the ponds and rivers of Collecting both predators from nearby Gazzola added a dash of water from the Northern Italy, taking out locals and waterways, Andrea Gazzola fed them on container of fed crayfish to the threatening entire species; can they fight Italian agile frog tadpoles, to make sure youngsters’ home, the developing ’ back? This is not a Hollywood movie; it s that they reeked of danger; predators amphibians became more wary. Even the happening right now in the gentle streams release the alarming aroma of their tadpoles that did not share their home of Lombardy and the chief intruders are dismembered victims in their vicinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Strasbourg, 22 May 2002
    Strasbourg, 21 October 2015 T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 [Inf18e_2015.docx] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 35th meeting Strasbourg, 1-4 December 2015 GROUP OF EXPERTS ON THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES 1-2 July 2015 Bern, Switzerland - NATIONAL REPORTS - Compilation prepared by the Directorate of Democratic Governance / The reports are being circulated in the form and the languages in which they were received by the Secretariat. This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 - 2 – CONTENTS / SOMMAIRE __________ 1. Armenia / Arménie 2. Austria / Autriche 3. Belgium / Belgique 4. Croatia / Croatie 5. Estonia / Estonie 6. France / France 7. Italy /Italie 8. Latvia / Lettonie 9. Liechtenstein / Liechtenstein 10. Malta / Malte 11. Monaco / Monaco 12. The Netherlands / Pays-Bas 13. Poland / Pologne 14. Slovak Republic /République slovaque 15. “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” / L’« ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine » 16. Ukraine - 3 - T-PVS/Inf (2015) 18 ARMENIA / ARMENIE NATIONAL REPORT OF REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA ON NATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES ON THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE COUNTRY AND ITS BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Armenia is a small landlocked mountainous country located in the Southern Caucasus. Forty four percent of the territory of Armenia is a high mountainous area not suitable for inhabitation. The degree of land use is strongly unproportional. The zones under intensive development make 18.2% of the territory of Armenia with concentration of 87.7% of total population.
    [Show full text]
  • Edna Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population
    viruses Technical Note eDNA Increases the Detectability of Ranavirus Infection in an Alpine Amphibian Population Claude Miaud 1,* ,Véronique Arnal 1, Marie Poulain 1, Alice Valentini 2 and Tony Dejean 2 1 CEFE, EPHE-PSL, CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Biogeography and Vertebrate Ecology, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France; [email protected] (V.A.); [email protected] (M.P.) 2 SPYGEN, 17 Rue du Lac Saint-André, 73370 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France; [email protected] (A.V.); [email protected] (T.D.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +33-(0)4-67-61-33-43 Received: 15 March 2019; Accepted: 4 June 2019; Published: 6 June 2019 Abstract: The early detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms is essential in order to deploy appropriate mitigation measures. Viruses in the Iridoviridae family, such as those in the Ranavirus genus, can infect amphibian species without resulting in mortality or clinical signs, and they can also infect other hosts than amphibian species. Diagnostic techniques allowing the detection of the pathogen outside the period of host die-off would thus be of particular use. In this study, we tested a method using environmental DNA (eDNA) on a population of common frogs (Rana temporaria) known to be affected by a Ranavirus in the southern Alps in France. In six sampling sessions between June and September (the species’ activity period), we collected tissue samples from dead and live frogs (adults and tadpoles), as well as insects (aquatic and terrestrial), sediment, and water. At the beginning of the breeding season in June, one adult was found dead; at the end of July, a mass mortality of tadpoles was observed.
    [Show full text]
  • Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 112:9-16
    This authors' personal copy may not be publicly or systematically copied or distributed, or posted on the Open Web, except with written permission of the copyright holder(s). It may be distributed to interested individuals on request. Vol. 112: 9–16, 2014 DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS Published November 13 doi: 10.3354/dao02792 Dis Aquat Org High susceptibility of the endangered dusky gopher frog to ranavirus William B. Sutton1,2,*, Matthew J. Gray1, Rebecca H. Hardman1, Rebecca P. Wilkes3, Andrew J. Kouba4, Debra L. Miller1,3 1Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA 2Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA 3Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee Center of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA 4Memphis Zoo, Conservation and Research Department, Memphis, TN 38112, USA ABSTRACT: Amphibians are one of the most imperiled vertebrate groups, with pathogens playing a role in the decline of some species. Rare species are particularly vulnerable to extinction be - cause populations are often isolated and exist at low abundance. The potential impact of patho- gens on rare amphibian species has seldom been investigated. The dusky gopher frog Lithobates sevosus is one of the most endangered amphibian species in North America, with 100−200 indi- viduals remaining in the wild. Our goal was to determine whether adult L. sevosus were suscep- tible to ranavirus, a pathogen responsible for amphibian die-offs worldwide. We tested the rela- tive susceptibility of adult L. sevosus to ranavirus (103 plaque-forming units) isolated from a morbid bullfrog via 3 routes of exposure: intra-coelomic (IC) injection, oral (OR) inoculation, and water bath (WB) exposure.
    [Show full text]
  • Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana Latastei) in Europe
    Strasbourg, 12 October 2005 T-PVS/Inf (2005) 14 [Inf14e_2005.doc] CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 25th meeting Strasbourg, 28 November-1 December 2005 __________ Action Plan for the Conservation of the Italian Agile Frog (Rana latastei) in Europe Document prepared by Paul Edgar* and David R. Bird *c/o The Herpetological Conservation Trust 655a Christchurch Road, Boscombe Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4AP, UK E-mail: [email protected] This document will not be distributed at the meeting. Please bring this copy. Ce document ne sera plus distribué en réunion. Prière de vous munir de cet exemplaire. T-PVS/Inf (2005) 14 - 2 - CONTENTS SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................3 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................4 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION...........................................................................................................4 2.1. Systematics ..................................................................................................................................4 2.2. Description...................................................................................................................................4 2.3. Life History..................................................................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • The Brazilian Amphibian Conservation Action Plan
    Alytes, 2012, 29 (1¢4): 27-42. 27 A leap further: the Brazilian Amphibian Conservation Action Plan Vanessa K. Verdadea, Paula H. Valdujob, Ana Carolina Carnavalc, Luis Schiesarid, Luís Felipe Toledoe, Tami Mottf, Gilda V. Andradeg, Paula C. Eterovickh, Marcelo Menini, Bruno V. S. Pimentaj, Cristiano Nogueirak, Cybele S. Lisboal, m n Cátia D.dePaula & Débora L. Silvano 2, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Av. dos Estados 5001, 09210-971, Santo André, SP, Brazil b Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade de São Paulo, R. do Matão, trav. 14, 321, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil c Department of Biology, City University of New York, Marshak Science Building, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA d Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Arlindo Bétio 1000, 03828-080, São Paulo, SP, Brazil e Museu de Zoologia ‘‘Prof. Adão José Cardoso’’, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, 13083-863, Campinas, SP, Brazil f Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, R. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, 78060-900, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil g Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses s/n, 65085-580, São Luis, MA, Brazil h Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Av. Dom José Gaspar 500, 30535-610, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil i Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Av. General Rodrigo Otávio Jordão Ramos 3000, 69077-000, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil j Bicho do Mato Meio Ambiente Ltda. /Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa, Rua Perdigão Malheiros 222, 30380234, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil k Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil l Fundação Parque Zoológico de São Paulo, Av.
    [Show full text]
  • A Thesis Presented for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Amber Teacher
    POPULATION AND IMMUNOCOMPETENT GENETIC VARIATION: A FIELD-BASED STUDY A thesis presented for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Amber Teacher School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London & Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London Submitted December 2008 1 Declaration 2 Statement of Originality I certify that this thesis, and the research to which it refers, are the product of my own work (apart from the simulations as noted in chapters 5 and 6), and that any idea or quotations from the work of other people, published or otherwise, are fully acknowledged in accordance with the standard referencing practices of the discipline. I acknowledge the helpful guidance and support of my supervisors, Dr Trenton Garner, Prof Richard Nichols and Dr Andrew Cunningham. Signed: Acknowledgements 3 Acknowledgements I would particularly like to thank Trent Garner, Richard Nichols and Andrew Cunningham for their invaluable advice and support throughout. I’m also very grateful to Seirian Sumner and Kate Ciborowski for teaching me all things lab-related before I started this work, and to Dada Gotelli for keeping the genetics lab running so smoothly. This project could not have taken place without all the pond owners who allowed access to their frog populations, nor without Jules Howard and Froglife (registered charity no.1093372) who shared records of amphibian mortalities, and the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council (registered charity no. CHY6829) who assisted with locating study populations in Ireland. Thanks to my panel members at Queen Mary, Rob Knell and Jon Grey, for reading preliminary reports and giving feedback that undoubtedly improved this work.
    [Show full text]