Bufo viridis by Tim Halliday ISSN 1026-0269 FROGLOG Newsletter of the IUCN /SSC Specialist Group (ASG)

October 2006, Number 77

between two or more factors that available to Seed Grant donors and IUCN /SSC Amphibian Specialist have been identified as actual or ASG members. A reporting structure Group (ASG) potential causes of amphibian will be provided with award letters. Seed Grants 2007 population declines and which, Please contact Jeanne McKay if

The IUCN/SSC Amphibian implement amphibian conservation clarification or advice is required.

Specialist Group (ASG) is pleased on the ground. to announce a new round of Seed Applicants should indicate which Tropical amphibian diversity Grants for 2007. These are of the above categories they wish and edge effect

intended as one-time awards of their application to be considered By J. Nicolas Urbina-Cardona between $500 and $2000 for the for, but we will consider applications Instituto de Biologia, UNAM, support or initiation of research that in the ARMI and Chester Zoo D.F.

furthers the ASG’s mission to categories also in the Unrestricted Amphibian diversity is threatened by conserve biological diversity by category. direct threats (e.g. diseases, stimulating, developing, and Proposals should be no more pesticides, habitat loss and trade) executing practical programmes to than 4 pages and contain 1) Name, and indirect threats (e.g. climate study, save, restore, and manage affiliation and contact information of change, invasive species and and their habitats the proposer(s), (2) Project title, (3) synergistic effects), which reduce around the world Description of the intended work, their population viability and There are three categories in this including localities and species increase their vulnerability to year’s round, thanks to generous involved, (4) Start date and extinction (Semlitch, 2003). One of support from Andy Sabin, the US schedule of the project, (5) the most important factors causing Department of the Interior’s Explanation of how the project will tropical amphibian decline is habitat Amphibian Research and Monitoring further the ASG’s mission, (6) loss (Semlitch, 2003) which often Initiative (ARMI), and from the North Budget breakdown, including details results in a seminatural landscape of England Zoological Society- of additional funding obtained or composed principally of forest Chester Zoo in the UK. sought from elsewhere (please note fragments immersed in an

that we do not provide funds to agricultural matrix (Saunders et al., ARMI AWARDS. The criterion for support salaries), (7) References, if these awards is that the proposed 1991). Edge effects play an appropriate, and (8) Any other important role in fragmented work should be done on species or pertinent information. issues of concern in the USA. ARMI habitats, and edge-avoiding Please send proposals by the amphibians are particularly prone to is particularly interested in funding 15th of December, 2006 to Jeanne research on potential stressors of local extinction (Lehtinen et al., McKay at: [email protected] or 2003). amphibian populations. For more to: Jeanne McKay c/o The Durrell information about ARMI, go to: For my doctoral dissertation at Institute for Conservation and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma http://armi.usgs.gov/ Ecology (DICE), The University of de Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico D.F., CHESTER ZOO AWARDS. Grants Kent, Marlowe Building, Canterbury, the relationship between amphibian are available to support specific Kent CT2 7NR , UK. diversity and their microhabitat was amphibian conservation action for All information acquired with the evaluated along a pasture–edge– new or existing initiatives. This support of the ASG remains the interior gradient, in the tropical action may be captive breeding, intellectual property of the grant rainforest at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, local community initiatives, habitat recipient, but must be freely Mexico. To investigate the protection or population monitoring. available to the ASG for use in relationships between microhabitat furthering its mission. Successful UNRESTRICTED AWARDS. The variables and species composition applicants are generally expected to ASG welcomes applications that and richness, 14 ecotones were publish the results of their projects in address any aspect of amphibian each divided into three habitats refereed journals, or as articles in declines, but favours joint (pasture, forest edge and forest the ASG newsletter, Froglog. In applications involving partnerships interior). Three transects per habitat addition, Seed Grant recipients will between herpetologists in developed were then sampled four times be required to provide a brief mid- and developing countries. We are between June 2003 and May 2004 term and final report of their project also prioritising projects that: using equal day and night efforts. so their findings can be made investigate synergistic effects Twelve environmental variables

1 describing the microclimate, is not large enough to exclude edge refereed journals, or as articles in vegetation structure, topography effects (Urbina-Cardona et al., Froglog. They are also required to and distance to forest edge and 2006). These species should be send reports, so that their results streams were evaluated. monitored more closely, since they can be made available to a wider A total of 1256 amphibians are highly sensitive to perturbation audience. Below is a list of reports belonging to 21 species (12 in the and are often the most vulnerable to that have been received recently. pasture, 14 at the edge, and 13 in fragmentation. Anyone wanting a copy of a report the interior) were recorded. The Relating the use of the pasture- should contact the author in the first greatest percentage of amphibian edge-interior gradient with instance; if you cannot reach the individuals was recorded in the amphibian microhabitat provides author, contact Tim Halliday - interior (47%) and on the edge important information for the [email protected].

(45%), while only 8% were captured development of conservation Ansel Fong G. (2001) Monitoring in the pasture. At the forest edge strategies to preserve amphibians amphibian populations in two and forest interior habitats, 52% of as a whole in seminatural sensitive habitats in Cuba. the individuals were adults, and 48% environments. Future studies should ([email protected]) were juveniles. In the pasture 81% therefore carefully explore the of the individuals were adults, and mechanisms and synergies that Ansel Fong G. and Jean-Marc Hero 19% were juveniles (Urbina- explain the amphibian ensembles (2003) Population dynamics of Cardona et al., 2006). The that inhabit the interior of the stream-dwelling surrounding pasture matrix was fragmented forest. Eleutherodactylus cuneatus on La Gran Piedra, eastern Cuba. (See dominated by the leprus chirping References: this FROGLOG) frog Syrrhophus leprus. The forest Lehtinen, R.M., Ramanamanjato, J. edge and forest interior habitat was ([email protected]) & Raveloarison, J.G. (2003) Edge dominated by the polymorphic effects and extinction proneness in a The following papers report work robber frog rhodopis. herpetofauna from Madagascar. supported by previous DAPTF Towards the pasture, amphibian Seed Grants: Biodiversity and Conservation 12: species that displayed a 1357–1370. Andreone, F., Mercurio,. V. & reproductive mode with aquatic Saunders, D., Hobbs, R. & Mattioli, F. (2006) Between eggs and larvae (type 1) and Margules, C. (1991) Biological environmental degradation and occupation of terrestrial habitats consequences of ecosystem international pet trade: conservation increased. While towards the forest fragmentation: a review. strategies for the threatened interior amphibian species with Conservation Biology 5: 18–32. amphibians of Madagascar. Natura- direct embryo development and with Semlitsch, R. D. (2003) Amphibian Soc. it. Sci. nat Museo civ. Stor. nat. fossorial and arboreal habitats Conservation. Smithsonian Milano: 95; 81-96. increased (Urbina-Cardona & ([email protected]) Institution Press, USA.

Reynoso, 2005). Urbina-Cardona, J.N., Olivares- Bank, M.S., J. Crocker, B. Connery, Amphibian community structure & A. Amirbahman. (2007) Mercury was strongly affected during the wet Pérez, M. & Reynoso, V.H. (2006) Herpetofauna diversity and bioaccumulation in green frog and season by the combination of bullfrog tadpoles from Acadia canopy cover, temperature, and leaf microenvironment correlates across the pasture-edge-interior gradient in National Park, Maine, USA. litter cover; and during the dry Environmental Toxicology & season by the combination of tropical rainforest fragments in the region of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz. Chemistry: 26; 37-44. distance to streams, temperature, ([email protected]) Biological Conservation 132:61-75. and leaf litter depth and cover. A high degree of complexity was Urbina-Cardona, J.N & Reynoso, Widder, P. D. & Bidwell, J. R. detected in the relationship between V.H. (2005) Recambio de anfibios y (2006) Cholinesterase activity and forest interior amphibian species reptiles en el gradiente potrero- behaviour in chlorpyrifos-exposed and their microhabitat (Urbina- borde-interior en la Reserva de Los Rana sphenocephala tadpoles. Cardona et al. 2006). The species Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México. Chapter Envtl. Toxicol. & Chem: 25; 2446- 2454. ([email protected]) Pseudoeurycea orchimelas, 15. In: Halffter, G., J. Soberón, P. Koleff & A. Melic (eds.) “Sobre Tim Halliday Cranopsis valliceps, and Craugastor vulcani, were identified as being Diversidad Biológica: El significado Population truly forest interior, edge-avoiding de las Diversidades Alfa, Beta y Gamma”. CONABIO, SEA, dynamics of the species. These amphibians tend to stream-dwelling DIVERSITAS & CONACYT. 4th undergo local extinction in Los frog volume. Monografías Tercer Milenio Tuxtlas because they require forest Eleutherodactylus fragments with high habitat quality Press, Zaragoza, España. Pp:191- cuneatus on La 207. (In Spanish) (e.g., high leaf litter cover, Gran Piedra, understorey density and relative For further information please eastern Cuba humidity, and low temperatures) in contact: [email protected] A Seed Grant report by Ansel order to reproduce and survive. Fong G. and Jean-Marc Hero These species could reflect the Reports and papers on habitat quality of the forest interior previous DAPTF Seed Grants Eleutherodactylus cuneatus is one of five semi-aquatic, stream-dwelling and their disappearance may be an Recipients of previous DAPTF Seed Cuban of this genus. E. indication of habitat degradation Grants are generally expected to cuneatus lives in forest areas and within a fragment, or that a fragment publish the results of their projects in

2 individuals are typically found on the petioles, etc. Attempts were made to juvenile E. cuneatus could suggest ground, in little caves in earth walls capture all individuals in the stream, continuous reproduction, the or in the ground. Juveniles are but some frogs escaped by jumping seasonal changes in abundance sometimes found on shrub leaves into the water. The total number of and calling observed and the peak up to 30 cm above ground. individuals captured, after of juveniles in March/April suggest The natural history of this standardizing for search effort, was breeding primarily occurs in the wet species is poorly known, and is used as an index of relative density season. limited to anecdotal information (Galatti, 1992). A total of 604 frogs were counted found primarily in taxonomical Frogs were marked by exclusive with 427 frogs captured and marked, papers (Schwartz & Henderson, combinations of toe clips (Hero, including 71 recaptures, 106 frogs 1991; Estrada & Hedges, 1998). 1989), and in a few cases when escaped capture. Adults comprised In Latin America, most regeneration was noted, toes were a greater proportion of the unexplained declines have affected re-clipped. Horizontal distance from individuals caught and re-caught. species living close to streams to a water, exact point of capture, and The time of residence on the far greater extent than terrestrial microhabitat were recorded for each transect was approximately four species (Young et al. 2001). The individual captured. months. Immigration rates were high aquatic habits, highland distribution To quantify calling activity of as suggested by the high number of and large body size in the genus males, five call point-counts were new (unmarked) frogs in each Eleutherodactylus are traits established around the stream at a survey. There was no correlation predicted that species susceptible to minimum distance from water of 100 between the number of days of decline share (Lips et al. 2003). m. At each point the number of residence and the initial snout- Therefore, knowledge of E. calling-frogs within a five minute urostile length of each individual, cuneatus population dynamics and time interval was recorded by two indicating that ontogenetic ecology is needed as it would be at persons. Counts were made differences are low or non-existent. high risk of decline or disappearing if between 2000 and 2200 h, on one Only two individuals were found on a threatening event took place in night of each of the months transect for the complete year of Cuba (Williams & Hero, 1998; Lips surveyed. survey. et al. 2003; Hero et al., 2005). Relative density of frogs The four month time of residence The principal purpose of this encountered on the transect varied on the transect could indicate a study was to determine temporal throughout the year. The number of highly mobile population or a high variation in abundance for E. adults decreased rapidly in August mortality, but it is not possible to cuneatus on La Gran Piedra of and remained low until February, distinguish between them. Cuba to gather base-line and then increased until July. In Nevertheless, a high proportion of knowledge, which will contribute to a contrast, the number of juveniles individuals moved, reaching rapid detection of any decline this peaked in March-April, and distances as far as 82 m, some population may undergo in the remained low throughout the rest of individuals were able to move up to future. Data on demographic the year. The decrease in the 4 m in only five days. Movement parameters, call activity and habitat number of juveniles from March to data, plus the fact that adults move were also recorded for this September could be explained by away from the stream to breeding population. either high mortality or rapid growth sites suggest that it is a very mobile The study was undertaken on La into the adult size class contributing species and this may contribute to Gran Piedra (20°00’N, 75°36’W, to the high adult relative density the high turnover of individuals 1200 m altitude); a protected area between May and July. observed. located 30 km east of Santiago de The variation in the relative Frogs used six substrates during Cuba city. The study site is a stream density correlated with adult male the study, all of them on the ground. tributary of the Indio River, which is vocalization suggesting strong There was no difference in a tributary of the Baconao River. seasonality in reproductive activity. substrates used by adults and The study was conducted from June The number of calling males was juveniles. Most of the individuals 2003 to June 2004 at approximately highest in June - July and calling used cover objects on the ground bimonthly intervals. The sampling activity extended through (rock, palm, trash, etc.) and only a transect was along a 100 m section September, but no calls were heard few individuals were found in of a 1-2 m wide stream and from October to February. rock/earth walls. Frogs used searches for frogs were undertaken Vocalizations began again in March approximately the same proportion up to 1.5 m from each bank. and extended until July, suggesting of substrates each month. Flagging-tape was tied to vegetation reproductive activity is highest in Specimens were found either over along the banks every 5 m along these months. While amplectant the water or in the banks or over the transect to provide reference points pairs or nests could not be found in earth. Most individuals were less for frog capture. these months, females with mature than 20 cm from the water and Searching began at 0900 h and eggs were only captured in March, many of them were on the water’s finished when the complete transect June, July, and August (months with edge. The mean horizontal distance was traversed, typically in 5-7 hours. calling activity). from water did not differ by month. Frogs were detected visually by Eleutherodactylus cuneatus is Seasonal activity, year-round wading along the stream and unusual, as it is a stream-dwelling reproduction with periods of high thoroughly searching in all possible frog with terrestrial direct-developing intensity, highly mobile individuals microhabitats: ground, under rocks oviposition away from the stream. and semi-aquatic habits with and logs, inside decayed palm leaf Although the year-round presence of reproduction in terrestrial sites are

3 attributes that characterize this Young, B., K. R. Lips, et al. 2001. Job Announcement population of E. cuneatus. Some of Population declines and priorities for

these attributes are shared with the amphibian conservation in Latin Executive Officer, Amphibian other Eleutherodactylus living in this America. Cons. Biol. 15:1213-1223. Specialist Group (ASG) locality (Fong, 2004). Additional study For further information please contact: is necessary to discover what factors Ansel Fong G., BIOECO, Museo de The Amphibian Specialist Group are conditioning the life history Historia Natural “T. Romay”, (ASG) is seeking a conservation characteristics of E. cuneatus and Enramadas # 601, Santiago de Cuba leader who can take on the global what aspects differ among other 90100, Cuba amphibian decline within the broader species living in sympatry. E-mail: [email protected] context of the biodiversity crisis. The

Acknowledgments: Jean-Marc Hero, Endangered Frog ASG, a unit of the IUCN Species Financial support for this project was Research Centre, School of Survival Commission, strives to from a Seed Grant from the Declining Environmental and Applied Sciences, conserve biological diversity by Amphibian Population Task Force Griffith University Gold Coast, PMB stimulating, developing, and executing (DAPTF). The Centro Oriental de 50, Qld 9726, Australia E-mail: practical programs to study, save, Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad [email protected] restore, and manage amphibians and (BIOECO) provided permits and their habitats around the world. The logistic facilities. Other participants in ASG is taking IUCN’s Specialist Group the project (Rolando Viña, Irelis Froglog model to the next level of Bignotte, Beatriz Lauranzón and Shorts effectiveness through the Josefina Blanco) are very thanking. establishment of a Secretariat that will The following publication is now Sergio Scherlowski hand carried the serve as a dynamic hub to coordinate available: equipment to Cuba. Yaquelín Rivera, a global web of stakeholders and to Luis Alberto Rueda, Yeison Gutierrez, Wilkinson, J. W. (Ed.) (2004) leverage the intellectual, institutional, Arminda Barrientos, Yordi Barrientos, Collected DAPTF Working Group and financial capacity towards shared, José L. Fernández and Freddy Reports: Ten Years On. DAPTF, strategic amphibian conservation Milton Keynes, UK. goals. The Executive Officer will be Rodríguez provided very useful field assistance. This 135-page document contains responsible for coordinating the reports from 27 Declining Amphibian activities of the ASG to ensure a References Populations Task Force (DAPTF) unified, strategic and sustainable Estrada, A. R. and S. B. Hedges. Regional Working Groups across four approach to global amphibian 1998. Sistemática de las ranas geographic regions: Afrotropical, conservation, effecting policy change ribereñas de Cuba (Leptodactylydae: Oriental & Australasian, Neotropical and communicating the work of the Eleutherodactylus) con la descripción and Palearctic. To obtain a copy, ASG to raise the profile of amphibian de una especie nueva. Carib. J. Sci., please contact Tim Halliday: issues in the public arena. 34: 218-230. [email protected]. Please see the full job

Fong, A. 2004. Monitoring amphibian announcement at populations in two sensitive habitats in Important new journal http://www.parcplace.org/2006-03- Cuba. Technical Report, DAPTF. 24CI.htm for details.

Herpetological Conservation and Galatti, U. 1992. Population biology of the frog Leptodactylus pentadactylus Biology is a peer- reviewed journal Instructions for Authors in a Central Amazonian rainforest. J. publishing original research, reviews, FROGLOG publishes a range of Herpetology 26: 23-31. perspectives and correspondence on articles on any research, discoveries Hero, J.M. 1989. A simple efficient the life history ecology, management and conservation of amphibians and or conservation news relating to the code for toe clipping anurans. Herp. amphibian decline phenomenon. We Review 20:66-67. reptiles. Its focus demonstrates the importance of natural history to encourage authors describing original Hero, J.-M., S. E. Williams and W. E. conservation efforts. Articles are research to first make submissions to Magnusson. 2005 Ecological traits of published electronically in PDF with a refereed journal and then, if declining amphibians in upland areas full pagination upon final acceptance. appropriate, to publish a synopsis in of eastern Australia. J Zoology Lond. A print version will be provided to a Froglog. Submissions should be in 267: 221-232. network of key public institutions, but English, less than 1,000 words and Lips, K. R., J. D. Reeve and L. R. will be of limited availability to others. follow the style of past FROGLOG Witters. 2003. Ecological traits Submissions of experimental, issues (as should references). Due to predicting amphibian population descriptive or inferential research are space and formatting restrictions, declines in Central America. Cons. welcomed. please do not submit images, maps, Biol. 17: 1078-1088. Subject matter and topics for figures or tables. Short news items Schwartz, A. and R. W. Henderson. inclusion in the journal include: life and press releases are also 1991. Amphibians and reptiles of the history (reproduction, physiology, acceptable. Please submit potential West Indies. Descriptions, etc.), sampling (design, techniques), contributions to Jeanne McKay: distributions, and natural history. [email protected]. inventory and long-term monitoring, all University of Florida Press, aspects of ecology (especially field Accepted submissions will be Gainesville, xvi + 720 pp. studies) and management case printed in order of receipt. Williams, S. E. and J. M. Hero. 1998. studies. Rainforest frogs of the Australian Wet For further details, please visit the FROGLOG is the bi-monthly Tropics: guild classification and the journal web site at: newsletter of the IUCN / SSC ecological similarity of declining http://herpconbio.org Amphibian Specialist Group. species. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B. 265:597-602.

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