DOCSLIB.ORG

Froglognews from the Herpetological Community Regional Focus Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Updates and Latests Research

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Froglognews from the Herpetological Community Regional Focus Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Updates and Latests Research July 2011 Vol. 97 www.amphibians.orgFrogLogNews from the herpetological community Regional Focus Sub-Saharan Africa Regional updates and latests research. INSIDE News from the ASG Regional Updates Global Focus Leptopelis barbouri Recent Publications photo taken at Udzungwa Mountains, General Announcements Tanzania photographer: Michele Menegon And More..... Another “Lost Frog” Found. ASA Ansonia latidisca found The Amphibian Survival Alliance is launched in Borneo FrogLog Vol. 97 | July 2011 | 1 FrogLog CONTENTS 3 Editorial NEWS FROM THE ASG 4 The Amphibian Survival Alliance 6 Lost Frog found! 4 ASG International Seed Grant Winners 2011 8 Five Years of Habitat Protection for Amphibians REGIONAL UPDATE 10 News from Regional Groups 23 Re-Visiting the Frogs and Toads of 34 Overview of the implementation of 15 Kihansi Spray Toad Re- Zimbabwe Sahonagasy Action plan introduction Guidelines 24 Amatola Toad AWOL: Thirteen 35 Species Conservation Strategy for 15 Biogeography of West African years of futile searches the Golden Mantella amphibian assemblages 25 Atypical breeding patterns 36 Ankaratra massif 16 The green heart of Africa is a blind observed in the Okavango Delta 38 Brief note on the most threatened spot in herpetology 26 Eight years of Giant Bullfrog Amphibian species from Madagascar 17 Amphibians as indicators for research revealed 39 Fohisokina project: the restoration of degraded tropical 28 Struggling against domestic Implementation of Mantella cowani forests exotics at the southern end of Africa action plan 18 Life-bearing toads on amisty 31 Monitoring of the endangered mountain Hewitt’s ghost frog 20 Unravelling the mysteries of Lake 31 Frog Monitoring in the Western Oku, where the frog is “Fon” (king) Cape 23 Adaptation or extinction – 33 Madagascar and Chytrid news anurans along altitudinal and 34 Association Mitsinjo: Captive degradation gradients in southwestern breeding program Cameroon GLOBAL NEWS 40 Discovering Ecuador’s five- 45 Costal sand-dune habitats, 51 Planning Amphibian Conservation hundredth Amphibian frog-bromeliad relationship and in Mexico 43 Abc Taxa as a highway to the conservation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 53 ARMI (Amphibian Research and build-up of taxonomic capacity 47 Invasive plants and amphibians: a Monitoring Initiative): Founded 44 Cheery, the true adventures of a cryptic connection Locally; Engaging Globally Chiricahua Leopard frog 48 Global Amphibian BioBlitz Recent Publications 54 | Meetings 68 |Internships & Jobs 68 Funding Opportunities 70 | Author Instructions 72 2 | FrogLog Vol. 97 | July 2011 Editorial FrogLog ub-Sahara Africa is a focus for this issue of Froglog. In April I had a chance to visit Tanzania to meet with members of Conservation SInternational’s Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network from across the world. In particular, there were African site managers ASG & EDITORIAL COMMITTEE from Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. It was a privilege to be with researchers and conservation area managers who invest time and energy every day to James P. Collins gather the information needed to manage wisely Africa’s natural resources. Coincidentally, the 12 July 2011 issue of Nature also highlights Africa, where so much of the continent’s biology is still waiting to be discovered. I ASG Co-Chair hope that you will enjoy all of the stories and reports in this Froglog issue, but in particular those from our colleagues in Africa. A report on the 2011 Sabin Award honorees is an especially bright spot in this issue. Alonso Quevedo and Jonh Jairo Mueses Cisneros have invested time Claude Gascon and energy to advance amphibian research and conservation in Colombia. Their pioneering work bridges the gap between science and conservation with ASG Co-Chair the aim of protecting some of the most threatened species and habitats in the world. There is a lot that we can all learn from the deep commitment that these two investigators have made to understand the causes of global amphibian decline and extinction while also helping to conserve the most endangered species. Robin D. Moore Finally, here are a few thoughts on Froglog itself. Froglog began as the newsletter of the Declining Amphibians Population Task Force (DAPTF). ASG Program Officer The newsletter was started by DAPTF’s Board of Directors to keep our community informed regarding the most recent work on amphibian research and conservation. The goal was not to be another peer-reviewed publication. The current editorial group endorses this mission. We are interested in news, views, reports, and any other messages you feel will foster amphibian research, James P. Lewis conservation, outreach, and the ASG network. We feel that this particular issue of Froglog begins to strike the balance we want of some international/ general articles with most focusing on the work of regional groups. While we ASG Program Coordinator edit submissions for content and presentation, we do not submit them to the rigorous peer review typical of our best scientific publications. Froglog is your newsletter, so please send us your articles and your ideas for stories, reports, or news items that you would like to see covered in future editions. James P. Collins ASG Co-Chair Editorial Office Conservation International 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202 USA Please consider the enviornment before printing this publication. Reduse, reuse, recycle. FrogLog Vol. 97 | July 2011 | 3 ASG Updates The Amphibian Survival Alliance By Jaime Garcia-Moreno and Phil Bishop. he Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) is a new initiative set-up by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to coordinate and magnify conservation T In 2009, a coalition of organisations agreed to set up an efforts to stop and reverse the ongoing crisis of global amphibian declines. inter-institutional Amphibian Survival Alliance to oversee the implementation of ACAP – focusing initially on The first release of the Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) habitat destruction and climate change, the fungal disease in late 2004 led to an immediate response by the conservation chytridiomycosis, and over-harvesting. This is expected to community. By September 2005 the IUCN-SSC and Conservation promote synergies and facilitate communications both within the International had convened an Amphibian Conservation Summit amphibian community and with all the relevant stakeholders. to determine the best way forward. Two main results of the IUCN has recently appointed Dr. Jaime García-Moreno M and Summit were (i) the creation of the Amphibian Specialist Group Dr. Phil Bishop to serve, respectively, as Executive Director and of the IUCN-SSC (www.amphibians.org) and (ii) the publication Chief Scientist of the Amphibian Survival Alliance. They will of a well-formulated Amphibian Conservation Action Plan in oversee the formation and coordination of a global network of 2007 (ACAP, http://www.amphibians.org/ASG/Publications), partner organizations to facilitate implementation of research, which outlines the steps needed to understand, halt, and control conservation and assessment programs as outlined in the ACAP. this crisis. The ACAP, which has a 5-year price tag of over US$ 400 million, highlights eleven thematic areas relevant to The ASA is supported by and will be working in collaboration amphibian conservation and provides guidance for implementing with organizations such as Conservation International, the conservation actions and research initiatives at all scales, from Zoological Society of London, the Detroit Zoological Society, local to global. Unfortunately, in spite of such an excellent road the North of England Zoological Society, Wildlife Conservation map, progress has been slow and intermittent, and a shortage Society and Frankfurt Zoo, as well as related initiatives such as of funds dedicated to amphibian conservation has made the the Amphibian Ark and the Amphibian Specialists Group. Jaime implementation of the ACAP extremely difficult. However, Garcia-Moreno will work from his office at EAZA (European progress has been made to some extent for both in situ and ex Association of Zoos and Aquaria) and is based in the Netherlands, situ conservation by the Amphibian Specialist Group and the closely collaborating with the Zoological Society of London and Amphibian Ark respectively. Meanwhile, between the first GAA in other partners of the Alliance. Phil Bishop will remain based at 2004 and the most recent update, the number of species thought the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. To contact to be extinct increased from 122 to 168, the number of declining them directly please email them at the following addresses: Jaime. populations continues to increase and the threats to habitats [email protected] and [email protected]. preferred by amphibians continue unabated. ASG International Seed Grant Award Winners 2011 We are pleased to announce the first round of recipients of the continents on which amphibians occur. A thread running through 2011 ASG International Seed Grants. The Seed Grant program, the recipients of this round of Seed Grants is bridging the gap founded by the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force, between research and conservation. As amphibians continue to continues to be a hugely popular mechanism for kick-starting decline and go extinct it is important that we apply our knowledge research and conservation programs that often develop into larger to their protection, and it is hugely
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The New Age of Extinction
    Wednesday, Apr. 01, 2009 The New Age of Extinction By Bryan Walsh / Madagascar There are at least 8 million unique species of life on the planet, if not far more, and you could be forgiven for believing that all of them can be found in Andasibe. Walking through this rain forest in Madagascar is like stepping into the library of life. Sunlight seeps through the silky fringes of the Ravenea louvelii, an endangered palm found, like so much else on this African island, nowhere else. Leaf-tailed geckos cling to the trees, cloaked in green. A fat Parson's chameleon lies lazily on a branch, beady eyes scanning for dinner. But the animal I most hoped to find, I don't see at first; I hear it, though — a sustained groan that electrifies the forest quiet. My Malagasy guide, Marie Razafindrasolo, finds the source of the sound perched on a branch. It is the black-and-white indri, largest of the lemurs — a type of small primate found only in Madagascar. The cry is known as a spacing call, a warning to other indris to keep their distance, to prevent competition for food. But there's not much risk of interlopers. The species — like many other lemurs, like many other animals in Madagascar, like so much of life on Earth — is endangered and dwindling fast. Madagascar — which separated from India 80 million to 100 million years ago before eventually settling off the southeastern coast of Africa — is in many ways an Earth apart. All that time in geographic isolation made Madagascar a Darwinian playground, its animals and plants evolving into forms utterly original.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Xinjiangchelyid Turtle from the Middle Jurassic of Xinjiang, China and the Evolution of the Basipterygoid Process in Mesozoic Turtles Rabi Et Al
    A new xinjiangchelyid turtle from the Middle Jurassic of Xinjiang, China and the evolution of the basipterygoid process in Mesozoic turtles Rabi et al. Rabi et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:203 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/203 Rabi et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:203 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/203 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access A new xinjiangchelyid turtle from the Middle Jurassic of Xinjiang, China and the evolution of the basipterygoid process in Mesozoic turtles Márton Rabi1,2*, Chang-Fu Zhou3, Oliver Wings4, Sun Ge3 and Walter G Joyce1,5 Abstract Background: Most turtles from the Middle and Late Jurassic of Asia are referred to the newly defined clade Xinjiangchelyidae, a group of mostly shell-based, generalized, small to mid-sized aquatic froms that are widely considered to represent the stem lineage of Cryptodira. Xinjiangchelyids provide us with great insights into the plesiomorphic anatomy of crown-cryptodires, the most diverse group of living turtles, and they are particularly relevant for understanding the origin and early divergence of the primary clades of extant turtles. Results: Exceptionally complete new xinjiangchelyid material from the ?Qigu Formation of the Turpan Basin (Xinjiang Autonomous Province, China) provides new insights into the anatomy of this group and is assigned to Xinjiangchelys wusu n. sp. A phylogenetic analysis places Xinjiangchelys wusu n. sp. in a monophyletic polytomy with other xinjiangchelyids, including Xinjiangchelys junggarensis, X. radiplicatoides, X. levensis and X. latiens. However, the analysis supports the unorthodox, though tentative placement of xinjiangchelyids and sinemydids outside of crown-group Testudines. A particularly interesting new observation is that the skull of this xinjiangchelyid retains such primitive features as a reduced interpterygoid vacuity and basipterygoid processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Diversity in the Riverina Rice Fields—
    Reconciling Farming with Wildlife —Managing diversity in the Riverina rice fields— RIRDC Publication No. 10/0007 RIRDCInnovation for rural Australia Reconciling Farming with Wildlife: Managing Biodiversity in the Riverina Rice Fields by J. Sean Doody, Christina M. Castellano, Will Osborne, Ben Corey and Sarah Ross April 2010 RIRDC Publication No 10/007 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000687 © 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 983 7 ISSN 1440-6845 Reconciling Farming with Wildlife: Managing Biodiversity in the Riverina Rice Fields Publication No. 10/007 Project No. PRJ-000687 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter V5-N2
    V irg in ia Herpetological Society August 1995 Volume 5, Number 2 NEWSLETTER Catesheiana Co-editors President Paul W. Saltier Ron Southwick R. Terry Spohn Paul Sattler - Pres. Elect Newsletter Editor Sccrctarv/Trcasurcr Mike Finder Bob Hogan microdistribution patterns of Worldwide Amphibian Decline salamanders in terrestrial environments Is There a Virginia Connection? (Wyman and Hawksley-Lescault, 1987). Increased ultraviolet radiation, apparently due to the thinning of the Submitted by Joseph C. Mitchell, Department of Biology, ozone layer, has been shown to k ill University o f Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173 developing eggs of the Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) and western toad (Bufo boreas) (Blaustein et al., 1994a). Amphibians have received Congress of Herpetology held in The widespread fungus (Saprolegnia considerable media and scientific Canterbury, England in 1989. ferax) introduced into ponds and lakes attention over the past half dozen years Pin-pointing the causes of in the Pacific northwest by introduced because of species extinctions and these problems has been elusive. Early fish has caused egg mortality in the population declines worldwide. on, scientists were looking for one western toad (Blaustein et al., 1994b). Observations such as (1) the last global smoking gun, but the results of An unidentified virus carried by individual of the Australian gastric studies that have been published since introduced fish, such as tilapia, brooding frog (Rheobatrachus silus) the alarm surfaced indicate that the guppies, and carp, is suspected as was seen in 1979 (Tyler and Davies, causes are varied and often local. The causing frog decline in Australia 1985); (2) the golden toad (Bufo most common cause of local population (Anderson, 1995).
    [Show full text]
  • Analyses of Proposals to Amend
    CoP17 Prop. 38 Inclusion of False Tomato Frog Dyscophus guineti and Antsouhy Tomato Frog D. insularis in Appendix II Proponent: Madagascar Summary: The False Tomato Frog Dyscophus guineti and the Antsouhy Tomato Frog D. insularis comprise two of three species in the genus Dyscophus, all of which are endemic to Madagascar. The third species, D. antongilii was included in Appendix I in 1987. It is subject to a separate proposal to be transferred from Appendix I to Appendix II (Proposal 37). All three are attractive red-orange coloured frogs. Dyscophus are known to breed explosively with the availability of water during the rainy season (typically January-March) and during that time they can be found in abundance at breeding sites. Hundreds of eggs are laid in water following mating. Dyscophus guineti The known distribution of D. guineti includes a number of patches in the remnant central eastern rainforest of Madagascar. The species is secretive and believed likely to be more widespread than records indicate1. Overall population is unknown; locally the species can vary from extremely common to very rare1. Sexual maturity is attained between two and four years, comparatively earlier in males than in females2. The habitat of the species is affected by conversion of forest to agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal production and potentially small-scale mining activities. The species reportedly does not tolerate severe degredation1. There is not known to be local use of the species. As a consequence of the Appendix-I listing in 1987 of the similar Dyscophus antongilii, collectors interested in "red Dyscophus" have shifted their attention to D.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Turtles in the East Pacific Ocean Region
    Sea Turtles in the East Pacific Ocean Region IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group Annual Regional Report 2019 Editors Juan M. Rguez-Baron, Shaleyla Kelez, Michael Liles, Alan Zavala-Norzagaray, Olga L. Torres-Suárez, Diego F. Amorocho, Alexander R. Gaos Photo: Olive ridley (RMU LO-EPO) at Ostional, Costa Rica Photo credit: Roderic Mast Recommended citation for this report: Rguez-Baron J.M., Kelez S., Lilies M., Zavala-Norzagaray A., Torres-Suárez O.L., Amorocho D., Gaos A. (Eds.) (2019). Sea Turtles in the East Pacific Region: MTSG Annual Regional Report 2019. Draft Report of the IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, 2019. Recommended citation for a chapter of this report: AUTHORS (2019). CHAPTER-TITLE. In: Rguez-Baron J.M., Kelez S., Lilies M., Zavala- Norzagaray A., Torres-Suárez O.L., Amorocho D., Gaos A. R. (Eds.). Sea Turtles in the East Pacific Region: MTSG Annual Regional Report 2019. Draft Report of the IUCN- SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, 2019. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS REGIONAL OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 7 1. RMU Dermochelys coriacea (DC-EPO) ....................................................................................... 8 1.1. Distribution, abundance, trends ........................................................................................................... 8 1.2. Other biological data ............................................................................................................................. 8 1.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparing the Bacterial Communities of Wild and Captive Golden Mantella
    Comparing the bacterial communities of wild and captive golden mantella frogs : implications for amphibian conservation Passos, LF, Garcia, G and Young, RJ http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205652 Title Comparing the bacterial communities of wild and captive golden mantella frogs : implications for amphibian conservation Authors Passos, LF, Garcia, G and Young, RJ Type Article URL This version is available at: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/48640/ Published Date 2018 USIR is a digital collection of the research output of the University of Salford. Where copyright permits, full text material held in the repository is made freely available online and can be read, downloaded and copied for non-commercial private study or research purposes. Please check the manuscript for any further copyright restrictions. For more information, including our policy and submission procedure, please contact the Repository Team at: [email protected]. RESEARCH ARTICLE Comparing the bacterial communities of wild and captive golden mantella frogs: Implications for amphibian conservation 1,2 2 1 Luiza F. Passos , Gerardo Garcia , Robert J. YoungID * 1 School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford Manchester, Salford, United Kingdom, 2 Chester Zoo, Cedar House, Upton by Chester, Chester, United Kingdom * [email protected] a1111111111 Abstract a1111111111 Bacterial communities are frequently found in symbiotic associations with most animal a1111111111 a1111111111 species. The characteristically moist amphibian skin provides a good environment for the a1111111111 growth of some species of bacteria; among these a few can act as a first line defense mech- anism against infections. Amphibians in the wild have relatively high exposure to bacteria through environmental transmission and through interactions with different conspecifics, whilst in captivity animals interact with fewer individuals, as well as experiencing a less com- OPEN ACCESS plex environment through which to obtain their bacterial community.
    [Show full text]
  • Cop17 Prop. 37
    Original language: English CoP17 Prop. 37 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Johannesburg (South Africa), 24 September – 5 October 2016 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDICES I AND II A. Proposal Downlisting of Dyscophus antongilii from Appendix I to Appendix II B. Proponent Madagascar* C. Supporting statement 1. Taxonomy 1.1 Class: Amphibia 1.2 Order: Anura 1.3 Family: Microhylidae Gunther 1859, subfamily Dyscophinae 1.4 Genus, species: Dyscophus antongilii Grandidieri 1877 1.5 Scientific synonyms: 1.6 Common names: English: Tomato Frog French: La grenouille tomate, crapaud rouge de Madagascar Malagasy: Sahongoangoana, Sangongogna, Sahogongogno (and similar writings) 2. Overview The genus Dyscophus contains three species of large microhylids composing the subfamily Dyscophinae endemic to Madagascar. D. antongilii, D. guineti and D. insularis. Dyscophus antongilii is red-orange in coloration and commonly called the tomato frogs because of its appearance. It is well-known and iconic amphibian species. Described by Alfred Grandidier in the 1877, D. antongilii occurs in a moderate area of northeast and east of Madagascar. Dyscophus antongilii has been listed within CITES Appendix I since 1987 while the other two species currently have no CITES listing but proposed to be inserted into Appendix II for this year by a separate proposal. Some studies on the species led by F. Andreone demonstrate that this species is frequently found outside of protected area and one of the strategies to conservation purpose is the trade. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of Myxidium (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln John Janovy Publications Papers in the Biological Sciences 6-2006 A New Species of Myxidium (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae), from the Western Chorus Frog, Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, and Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans blanchardi (Hylidae), from Eastern Nebraska: Morphology, Phylogeny, and Critical Comments on Amphibian Myxidium Taxonomy Miloslav Jirků University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého, [email protected] Matthew G. Bolek Oklahoma State University, [email protected] Christopher M. Whipps Oregon State University John J. Janovy Jr. University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected] Mike L. Kent OrFollowegon this State and Univ additionalersity works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/bioscijanovy Part of the Parasitology Commons See next page for additional authors Jirků, Miloslav; Bolek, Matthew G.; Whipps, Christopher M.; Janovy, John J. Jr.; Kent, Mike L.; and Modrý, David, "A New Species of Myxidium (Myxosporea: Myxidiidae), from the Western Chorus Frog, Pseudacris triseriata triseriata, and Blanchard's Cricket Frog, Acris crepitans blanchardi (Hylidae), from Eastern Nebraska: Morphology, Phylogeny, and Critical Comments on Amphibian Myxidium Taxonomy" (2006). John Janovy Publications. 60. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/bioscijanovy/60 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in John Janovy Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Authors Miloslav Jirků, Matthew G. Bolek, Christopher M. Whipps, John J. Janovy Jr., Mike L. Kent, and David Modrý This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ bioscijanovy/60 J.
    [Show full text]
  • Pre-Incursion Plan PIP003 Toads and Frogs
    Pre-incursion Plan PIP003 Toads and Frogs Scope This plan is in place to guide prevention and eradication activities and the management of non-indigenous populations of Toads and Frogs (Order Anura) in the wild in Victoria. Version Document Status Date Author Reviewed By Approved for Release 1.0 First Draft 26/07/11 Dana Price M. Corry, S. Wisniewski and A. Woolnough 1.1 Second Draft 21/10/11 Dana Price S. Wisniewski 2.0 Final Draft 11/01/12 Dana Price S.Wisniewski 2.1 Final 27/06/12 Dana Price M.Corry Visual Standard approved by ADP 3.0 New Final 6/10/15 Dana Price A.Kay New DEDJTR template and document revision Acknowledgement and special thanks to Peter Courtenay, Senior Curator, Zoos Victoria, for reviewing this document and providing comments. Published by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, May 2016 © The State of Victoria 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000. Front cover: Cane Toad (Rhinella marinus) Photo: Image courtesy of Ryan Melville, HRIA Team, DEDJTR For more information about Agriculture Victoria go to www.agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186. ISBN 978-1-925532-37-1 (pdf/online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Goliath Frogs Build Nests for Spawning – the Reason for Their Gigantism? Marvin Schäfera, Sedrick Junior Tsekanéb, F
    JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY 2019, VOL. 53, NOS. 21–22, 1263–1276 https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2019.1642528 Goliath frogs build nests for spawning – the reason for their gigantism? Marvin Schäfera, Sedrick Junior Tsekanéb, F. Arnaud M. Tchassemb, Sanja Drakulića,b,c, Marina Kamenib, Nono L. Gonwouob and Mark-Oliver Rödel a,b,c aMuseum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany; bFaculty of Science, Laboratory of Zoology, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; cFrogs & Friends, Berlin, Germany ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY In contrast to its popularity, astonishingly few facts have become Received 16 April 2019 known about the biology of the Goliath Frog, Conraua goliath.We Accepted 7 July 2019 herein report the so far unknown construction of nests as spawning KEYWORDS sites by this species. On the Mpoula River, Littoral District, West Amphibia; Anura; Cameroon; Cameroon we identified 19 nests along a 400 m section. Nests Conraua goliath; Conrauidae; could be classified into three types. Type 1 constitutes rock pools parental care that were cleared by the frogs from detritus and leaf-litter; type 2 constitutes existing washouts at the riverbanks that were cleared from leaf-litter and/or expanded, and type 3 were depressions dug by the frogs into gravel riverbanks. The cleaning and digging activ- ities of the frogs included removal of small to larger items, ranging from sand and leaves to larger stones. In all nest types eggs and tadpoles of C. goliath were detected. All nest types were used for egg deposition several times, and could comprise up to three distinct cohorts of tadpoles.
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Affecting the Occurrence and Abundance of the Natal Cascade Frog
    Factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of the Natal Cascade frog, Hadromophryne natalensis, at Mariepskop, South Africa by KATRINA HEATHER DU TOIT Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY FACULTY OF NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA PRETORIA SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR WILLEM FERGUSON JUNE 2016 i © University of Pretoria Factors affecting the abundance and occurrence of the Natal cascade frog, Hadromophryne natalensis along streams at Mariepskop, Limpopo Student: Katrina Heather du Toit Supervisor: Professor Willem Ferguson Centre for Environmental Studies University of Pretoria Pretoria, 0002 Email: [email protected] Submitted for the degree Master of Science (Environmental Ecology) in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science ii © University of Pretoria SUMMARY Amphibians have long been recognized as excellent indicators of both biological and ecological health of ecosystems, as they occupy many habitats and environments and have a diverse range of impacts on their immediate environments. It is thus important to investigate the critical habitat requirements, as well as the preferred environmental variables that are associated with different amphibian species in order to provide insight into conservation and management plans, and to predict what effects climate change and disease might have on amphibian populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the abundance and occurrence of the Natal cascade frog, Hadromophryne natalensis on Mariepskop Mountain in Limpopo, South Africa. In this regard, we investigated what environmental factors had an effect on the occurrence and temporal variation of H. natalensis (i.e. pH, water temperature, stream substrate) and, determined when the optimal breeding period of H.
    [Show full text]