ISSN 1026-0269 ROGLOG NewsletterF of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force of the World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission.

March 1997, Number 21.

bring such potential sources to my (including tales, rhymes etc.) for Anonymous attention at my new e-mail address: educational purposes. Donation [email protected]. Boosts Seed Ron Heyer, DAPTF Chair. Grant Funds! Hungarian

Working Group An anonymous donor is generously Report making two contributions to our Seed and the Grant program. The first contribution is Year of the Conservation an outright gift of $10,000 to support Salamander Meeting in investigations of the role of climate Hungary change and UVB exposure in worldwide amphibian declines. The From Miklós Puky second contribution is a challenge DAPTF-Hungary Location: Parassapuszta, 78 kms grant, to be matched on a dollar-for- Last year's conservation meeting was north of Budapest on the dollar basis, of up to $10,000 (for a very successful, with 58 participants Hungarian/Slovakian border. total of $20,000). The pool of funds from several nations including Croatia, Duration: 29/3/1997 - 6/4/1997 raised by the challenge grant will Germany, Hungary, Poland and the Accomodation: in a local school support investigations of the role of United States. We measured more participants cook for climate change and UVB exposure, Meals: than 5,000 amphibians of 9 species themselves chemical contaminants, or synergistic during a week. A good piece of news Travel: by train and bus, or car effects of these possible causes of is that we managed to get the Goals: This time the focus will be on global amphibian declines. Chemical floodplain area designated as a strictly middle-mountain valleys in the contaminant studies, to be eligible for protected part of a would-be national Börzsöny Mountains, the investigation this pool of funds, must have regional park together with an area including of an important amphibian breeding or global implications. We encourage amphibian summer habitat and site, the floodplain of the River Ipoly studies of environmental oestrogen hibernacula. and possible conservation measures mimics for these funds. At least half of As a consequence, this year we in the would-be national park area. the available funds will be dedicated to shall focus on management options The main target species are four climate change and UVB exposure and the revitalization of areas which protected amphibians (two listed under studies. The challenge period ends 31 have been destroyed. We are also the Bern Convention as strictly July 1997. running an educational campaign for protected), together with three other Persons interested in applying local people on the advantage of living species not mentioned here but for these funds should submit a Seed at the edge of a national park. present in the area: Grant proposal (see guidelines in Another brand new project we FROGLOG 20 or contact John are just about to launch is the 1997 - Salamandra salamandra (the ratio of Wilkinson). We have set up a small Year of the Salamander programme. red and orange, spotted and striped committee to determine whether We aim to generate publicity towards individuals, length and weight proposals received meet the amphibians with a focus on the fire characteristics, habitat descriptions). guidelines established by the salamander, involve the general public Pelobates fuscus, a disappearing anonymous donor. If the guidelines in collecting data, set up a salamander species (sex ratio, the analysis of its are not met, then the proposals will be day directory for schools, study circles disappearance, the investigation of its considered for our non-restricted seed etc. where they can find a day-long breeding sites). grant funds. activity for different ages (from , the species which Members of the DAPTF Board Rana dalmatina kindergarten to secondary school), survives drought most successfully, and I are embarking on activities to compile a datailed distribution map (length-weight characteristics, sex raise the $10,000 to fully meet the and include a detailed study of some ratio, breeding sites). challenge by the anonymous donor. populations. However, as time is short, any A new element is to record the Bufo bufo, once the commonest suggestions of possible donors would cultural associations of amphibians amphibian in the region (sex ratio, the be very much appreciated. Please analysis of its disappearance, the analytical methods and to choose (Mike has also been generating some investigation of its breeding sites). priority areas for amphibian valuable income for the DAPTF by the The event is organized on the basis of conservation. In one Natural Park, sale of chocolate frogs!) active participation in all aspects of there have been no observations of the meeting. For further information, Alytes obstetricans and Pelobates contact: cultripes since 1979. These species 1996 IUCN Miklós Puky, 1013 Budapest Pauler u. are probably locally extinct. Red List. 19. III. em. 2. Hungary. Tel/Fax: Following these studies, we are

(Hungary) 36-1-1162181 attempting to begin a long term study on a mountainous area (1800-2000m) Or: Szövényi Gergely The 1996 IUCN Red List of inside Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Threatened Animals, compiled and [email protected] This area seems to be more adequate edited by J. Baillie and B.

to study the effect of global factors Groombridge, has recently been Amphibiansi without the confounding effects of published by IUCN/SSC. A total of n Portugal habitat modification or fragmentation. 156 amphibian species are listed, Contact: Octavio Paulo, Depto. using IUCN's new system of Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade categories and criteria (Extinct 5; From Octávio Paulo de Ciências da Universidade de Critical 18; Endangered 31; DAPTF - Portugal Lisboa, P-1700 Lisboa, Portugal. Vulnerable 75; Lower risk The overall situation of amphibian Tel: 351 - 1 - 7573141 ext. 1514 (conservation dependent) 2; Lower populations in Portugal is good, Fax: 351 - 1 - 7500028 risk (near-threatened) 25). The editors although the desertification process in make it very clear that amphibians the southern half of the country has a (together with fishes and reptiles) have strong effect on populations, and Herbicides not been as comprehemnsively probably contributes to their decline. Kill Frogs assessed as other taxa, notably birds Destruction or habitat fragmentation and mammals, and that these figures also has a considerable effect. Large are very likely to be an underestimate. hydroelectric projects like the Alqueva By Michael J. Tyler Of the amphibian species that have Dam have influences over a very large DAPTF - Australia been assessed, 25% of species are area. This is probably the biggest The Australian Government has taken threatened with extinction, a higher artificial lake in Europe. Other, smaller unprecedented action and banned 84 proportion than that for birds and (but widespread) hydrological projects herbicide products from use near mammals. The inadequacy of the also result in the alteration of local water because of their impact upon data for amphibians is perhaps species compositions. These effects frogs and tadpoles. illustrated by a geographical analysis are magnified by the introduction of All of these products, of which that suggests that Australia and the exotic fish, which prey on amphibian Roundup (Monsanto) is the best USA have much greater numbers of larvae. Fortunately, no exotic known, contain glyphosate as the threatened amphibian species than amphibians have yet become active ingredient. However, there is other countries. This surely reflects established. agreement that it is not the glyphosate our greater knowledge of amphibians Discoglossus galganoi, that is the principal problem but a in these countries rather than the Pelodytes punctatus and Triturus detergent additive termed a dispersant actual situation. helveticus are species worthy of or wetting agent. The function of the Tim Halliday, International Director. particular concern. There are very few dispersant is to break down the observations of T. helveticus in this surface tension at the leaf surface, so country. The other two species are not that the individual spray droplets Georgia Herp as rare as T. helveticus but have disperse to completely cover the leaf. Atlas localized populations dependent on Unfortunately, all detergent one kind of habitat. These local compounds interfere with cutaneous populations can contain a large respiration in frogs and particularly gill From Michael E. Dorcas number of animals, which sometimes respiration in tadpoles. Impact may DAPTF - Monitoring Protocols gives the erroneous impression that vary with water temperature because Working Group the species is very common. oxygen saturation decreases with The Georgia Herp Atlas (GHA) was Recent work from Oporto temperature. To date there have been initiated to learn more about the University shows a very good situation no tests at 40oC or above - conditions distribution of reptiles and amphibians for Chioglossa lusitanica and Rana when oxygen availability is very low. in this understudied state. Because of iberica. Both species seem not to be Although the herbicide is claimed the paucity of professional in immediate danger, although C. to be "environmentally friendly", it is herpetologists in Georgia, we are lusitanica is vulnerable because of its clear that users have been lulled into a depending on amateurs to help us highly specialized habitat false sense of security. The use of more efficiently survey the infrequently requirements. these herbicides near water is already visited parts of the state. The Our group, from Lisbon banned in the UK and the USA. It is to qualifications of GHA participants are University, did a series of short term be hoped other countries join Australia quite modest: ownership of a camera, studies in Serra de S. Mamede in following suit. willingness to donate photos, and an Natural Park (1993-1994), Serra da interest in the well-being of all reptiles Estrela Natural Park (1993 and 1995) Contact: Michael J. Tyler, Department of Zoology, The University of and amphibians. Participants are and Sintra-Cascais Natural Park simply asked to photograph herps as (1995). The main objectives of these Adelaide, GPO Box 498, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, AUSTRALIA. they encounter them, either through studies were to establish a baseline active searches or opportunistically, for future comparisons and detection [email protected]. edu.au and document locality, date, and of declines, to test our field and observer's name on provided field

2 cards. Participants range form "hard- Photography, 840 S.W. 97th Street, ponds, larger animals (with a higher core" herpetologists to school children Wakarusa, KS 66546. volume: surface-area ratio) are found, and are located throughout the state. Tel: 1-913-836-2119 and with high rates of exchange and Because of the photo-documentation [email protected] low skin penetration. Steady requirement, participants need not reproduction at a low average know what species they observed, just Taiwan fecundity and small egg size, as well who they themselves are, where they Amphibian as a series of adaptive features at are , and what day it is. embryo, larva and froglet stages Since the official GHA "kickoff' in Status testify to the difference between

August 1996, over 250 records have reproductive strategies in R. arvalis been submitted representing over sixty A new committee has recently been from urban and natural populations. different species. Additionally, more formed to review the status of Populations of sympatric species than 30 of the records have been from Taiwanese amphibians. A status of brown frog from the same counties not previously documented category has been assigned to each urbanized landscape display a as harboring a particular species. species based on species distribution, different adaptive reproductive Despite a few out of focus photos, population size and population growth strategy. In urban R. temporaria most shots have been very revealing trends. populations, animals with a high as to the identity of the particular herp Four species have been growth rate, early sexual maturity and in question. One shortfall of the use of categorized as "endangered": short longevity predominate. The photos as vouchers is the difficulty in Rhacophorus arvalis, Rhacophorus increase in frequency of abnormal accurately identifying some species aurantiventris, Rana psaltis and Rana spawn in urban populations reflects from a photo alone (i.e. five-lined taiwanian. The species Hynobius definite changes in the most important skinks, Bufo, Desmognathus). formosanus, Hynobius sonani, of their functions, reproduction. This Professional biologists have been Microhyla butleri, Rhacophorus represents the extreme expression of asked to sacrifice single voucher prasinatus and Rana taipehensis are these processes and can facilitate specimens of considered "vulnerable". A further their early diagnosis. These changes these cryptic species to supplement three species are listed as "rare", and in reproductive strategy produce photographic vouchers. In addition to eighteen species are deemed as territorially limited, small, isolated photographs, audio recordings of frog being currently under "no risk". populations in the city area. calls, videos, and road-killed For further information contact: Contact: Vladimir L. Vershinin, specimens are also considered Kwang-Yang Lue, DAPTF - Taiwan, Institute of Plant & Animal Ecology, acceptable verification. Department of Biology, National Uralian Branch - Russian Academy of For more information please contact: Taiwan Normal University, 88 Ding- Sciences, Ul.8 Marta, 202, John Jensen, Georgia Herp Atlas, chou Road Sec. 4, Taipei 117, Ekaterinburg 620008, RUSSIA. Nongame Program, 116 Rum Creek TAIWAN, REPUBLIC OF CHINA. Dr., Forsyth, GA 31029, USA. Tel: 886-2-9326234 ext. 338 Toad Embryo Phone: (912) 994-1438 Fax: 886-2-9312904 Mortality: land.forsyth_nongame@mail. [email protected] Abstract dnr.state.ga.us

Report from Pedraza, E.M. and Lizana, M. (1996) US Amphibian the Urals Mortality of toad embryos because of Teaching UV-B radiation in high mountain areas Packs of the Sierra de Gredos (Spanish From Vladimir L. Vershinin Central System). An abstract of a

DAPTF - Urals (Urban Areas) paper presented at the Spanish- It is now possible for high school and Research has been conducted on Portuguese herpetological meeting in college biology classes, as well as amphibian populations in areas with a Porto, December 1996. other interested environmental groups, high degree of urbanization. We have During the breeding season of Bufo to become more involved in the established that specific reproductive bufo and Bufo calamita in Prado de research into global amphibian strategies have appeared, promoting las Pozas, Sierra de Gredos, at declines. A professionally prepared, the formation of new genotypes in city 1920m, we collected 1800 eggs of hands-on teaching unit entitled populations. This is manifested both species from six different "Amphibians as Bio-Indicators" is now phenotypically and in features of these clutches (300/clutch). Eggs were available. populations' physiological functions. A distributed in 12 enclosures The unit consists of a set of high mortality in the early stages of (150/enclosure) which permitted the professional 35mm colour slides of development is compensated for by a circulation of water and air. Four each of the 206 species of amphibians sharp decrease in mortality at the enclosures were covered with Llumar of the United States. Each slide is point of metamorphosis. filters which blocked UV-B radiation numbered and a variety of information The high tolerance of the spawn and four were covered with PVC filters is available with regard to the animals of R. arvalis in an urban environment which slightly impeded the passage of and their lifestyles. Customized sets represents the consequence of UV-B rays. The remaining four were are available for each of the 36 state adaptive changes which promote covered with a 2cm-mesh plastic units completed to date. More successful reproduction in city netting which permitted the passage of customized sets are expected to be populations. Other population light and air and prevented possible offered soon. dynamics result in the formation of predation. The enclosures were Information about this unique specific genetic characters in new placed in the natural spawning sites of teaching unit may be obtained from: generations, that are displayed in a the two toads, a wide, quiet stream Suzanne L. Miller, Kansas Heritage series of changes in phenotypic and a very shallow pond for Bufo bufo features. Under the conditions in city and B. calamita respectively.

3 Periodically (circa every 2 days), contacting our other members in that country with a view to establishing a the remaining eggs were counted and, Publications of later, the tadpoles in each enclosure, Working Group. taking note of the average Gosner Contact: Robstein L. Chidavaenzi, Interest stages and water temperature. The P.O. Box 3562, Bulawayo, experiment was carried out during ZIMBABWE. June 1996 and ended when the Cynthia Carey is the new Chair of our A draft document entitled tadpoles were in Gosner stages 25-29: Climate and Atmospheric Change Standardized Field Sampling Methods free-swimming tadpoles. Working Group. for Assessing Headwater Habitat In Bufo bufo, significant Contact: Cynthia Carey, Department Streams in Ohio is now available from differences in survival were observed: of EPO Biology, University of its author: Robert Davic, Ohio 78% in embryos covered with the UV- Colorado, N122 Ramaley, Campus Environmental Protection Agency, B filter; 50.83% in enclosures covered Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, Division of Surface Water, Northeast with the PVC filter and only 18% in the USA. District Office, 2110 East Aurora Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087, USA. enclosures without filters. Bufo [email protected] calamita embryos showed no Tel: (216) 963-1132 significant differences in survival DONATIONS We gratefully [email protected]. between the various enclosures. We acknowledge receipt of donations from ohio.gov discuss the possible adaption of B. the following between 1st December 1996 and 15th January 1997. Braña, F., Frechilla, L. & Orizaola, G. calamita to very shallow ponds in high (1996) Effect of introduced fish on Organizations: Desert Fishes mountain areas and the comparison amphibian assemblages in mountain with other geographic zones where the Council, Mid-Missouri Herpetological Society, National Aquarium in lakes of northern Spain. Herpetol. J: levels of photolyase enzyme of some 6: 145-148. amphibians are known. Baltimore, Oklahoma Herpetological Society, Zoologischer Garten, Köln. Cunningham, A. A., Langton, T. E. S., Contact: Miguel Lizana, Departmento Individual donors: Kraig Adler, Jim Bennett, P. M., Lewin, J. F., Drury, S. de Biologia Animal, Universidad de Andrews, Neil Armantrout, Jim E. N., Gough, R. E. and MacGregor, Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca, Spain. Armelagos, Chris Banks, Breck S. K. (1996) Pathological and [email protected] Bartholomew, Bill Belzer, Robert microbiological findings from incidents Bernstein, Justin Bookey, Janalee of unusual mortality of the common frog (Rana temporaria). Phil. Trans. Froglog Shorts Caldwell, Charles Carpenter, James Christiansen, Ted Davis, William R. Soc. London: 351: 1539-1557.

Degenhardt, Michael Dloogatch, R. A. Cunningham, A.A., Sainsbury, A.W. Early, Dinorah Echeverria, Arthur and Cooper, J.E. (1996) Diagnosis Frog populations nearly absent in Echternacht, Karen Furnweger, Carl 1988 have exploded on a West and treatment of a parasitic dermatitis Gans, Merete Gerdel, George in a laboratory colony of African Michigan farm. The farm was originally Gorman, Steve Gorzula, D. Earl in a conventional soy / corn rotation clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). Green, P. A. Greenberg, Gregory Veterinary Record 138: 640-642. using traditional environmental Gruener, Suzanne Gunderman, John Fleming, L. V., Mearns, B. and Race, biocides. When the site was converted Hall, Benjamin Hammett, Judy D. (1996) Long term decline and to an organic farm and nursery, Rana Hancock, James Hanken, James potential for recovery in a small, pipens, the leopard frog became Harding, Julian Harrison, John isolated population of natterjack toads extremely abundant. Tea coloured Harshbarger, John Hays, Kurt Henkel, Bufo calamita. Herpetol. J. 119- water associated with increased Stanley Hillman, Douglas Holmes, 6: 124. compost use tints the temporary pond Eugene Holmes, Mrs. M. Hope & water. This organically charged water friends, Peter Hovingh, Roberto Gorzula, S. (1996) The trade in supports enormous populations of Ibáñez, Mark Jennings, Jett, Douglas dendrobatid frogs from 1987 to 1993. tadpoles. The diversity of amphibian Johnson, Gilbert Kaback, Sharon Herpetol. Rev. 27: 116-123. species has also increased since the Kinsman, Charlotte LaTier, John Halliday, T.R. (1996) Amphibians. In: transition, and the species present Larsen Jr., Michael Lau, Greg Linder, Sutherland, W.J. (ed.) Ecological now include: green frogs (Rana Michael Lodato, Michael Long, Kuang- Census Techniques. A Handbook. clamitans), pickerel frogs (R. Yang Lue, Tom Mason, James Cambridge University Press. pp. 205- palustris), wood frogs (R. sylvatica), Menzies, Matthew Mickiewicz, Joseph 217. western chorus frogs (Pseudacris Mitchell, Edward and Judith Moll, John Hays, J. B., Blaustein, A. R., triseriata triserata), lesser gray tree Murphy, Allan Muth, Kathy Nemec, Kiesecker, J. M., Hoffman, P. D., frogs (Hyla chrysoscelis), spring John Netherton Jr., Hidetoshi Ota, Pandelova, I., Coyle D. and peepers (Hyla crucifer) and American William Parker, Debra Patla, Don Richardson, T. (1996) Developmental toads (Bufo americanus). Garter Perschau, James Petranka, John E. responses of amphibians to solar and snakes and other predators have also Petzing, Belinda Porter, Harvey artificial UVB sources: a comparative returned to check the advancing Pough, Andrew Price, Stanley Rand, study. Photochem. Photobiol. 64: amphibian populations. Alan Resetar, Christina Richards, Dale 449-456. For further information contact: Patrick Roberts, Douglas Rossman, David D. McKown and Samuel M. DeFazio, Saugey, Barbara and Alan Savitzky, Hecnar, S. J. and M'Closkey, R. T. Praxis, 2723 116th Ave., Allegan, Mi John Serrao, Tibbar Sindt, Heather (1996) Regional dynamics and the 49010, USA. Skadsen, Hobart Smith, Betsy status of amphibians. Ecology. 77: Tel/Fax: 616-673-2793 Spettigue, Glenn Stewart, Margaret 2091-2097. Robstein Chidavaenzi, Curator of Stewart, Mark Stromberg, K. and D. Lötters, S. (1996) The Neotropical Herpetology at the Natural History Trachsel, David Wake, Marvalee Toad Genus Atelopus. M. Vences & F. Museum of Zimbabwe has kindly Wake, Robin Walsh, Peter Warny, Glaw Verlags GbR, Köln. ISBN: 3- agreed to be the DAPTF contact in Howard Youth, Richard Zweifel. 929449-02-1. DM38 + mailing charge. Zimbabwe. He is currently engaged in (The book is in English with a Spanish

4 summary, and contains a checklist, biological and distribution information, colour photographs and a large reference section. There is also information on the declines occurring in this genus.) Means, B.M., Pallis, J.G. and Bagget, M. (1996) Effects of slash pine siviculture on a Florida population of Flatwoods salamander. Conservation Biology 10: 426-437. Wilson, L.D. and McCranie, J.R. (In press) The biogeography of the herpetofauna of the subhumid tropics of middle America (Isthmus of Tehuantepec to northwestern Costa Rica). Royal Ontario Mus. Contrib. Ser. Wilson, L.D. and McCranie, J.R. (In press) Two new species of Bolitoglossa and Nototriton from Parque Nacional La Muralla, Honduras. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington. FROGLOG is the newsletter of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force. Partial funding for FROGLOG is provided by donation from: Frog's Leap Winery, P.O. Box 189, Rutherford, CA 94573, USA. Edited by John W. Wilkinson, Department of Biology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom. Phone: 01908 (44 1908 if ex-UK) 652274. Fax: 01908 (44 1908 if ex-UK) 654167 E-mail: [email protected]

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