Ambystoma mexicanum by Tim Halliday ISSN 1026-0269 FROGLOG Newsletter of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force

February 2005, Number 67 *LAST PRINTED ISSUE* (see page 4)

fields of mud and vegetation reclaimed the shores of the lake as a base, and DAPTF GRANTS 2005 from the lake – has been going on for with funding from DAPTF and the British centuries and has reduced the system to Government’s Darwin Initiative a series of canals running between programme, the project partnership has islands of development. Today, the run training workshops on amphibian landscape is often referred to as the biology and conservation for local

‘floating gardens’ (a misnomer, as the students and conservation SEED GRANTS We have received 48 are not floating at all). organisations, nature guiding for local applications this year, from 24 countries. Habitat loss, introduced predators, boatmen, and souvenir production for Seven applications are for Chester Zoo pollution, and illegal collection for food unemployed artisans. In addition, the grants, 13 for ARMI grants and 28 for and medicines have all taken their toll on project has been engaged with ongoing the . Consequently, the threats biological research on population status Unconditional grants. Awards in the facing this species are complex and not and the assessment and impact of Unconditional category are likely to be easily reversible. However, its prominent threats. DAPTF International Co- very few in number, as we are currently position within Aztec mythology and the ordinator, Jeanne McKay, has been very short of funds. For the first time, we have received proposals from Laos, ancient lacustrine economy of the region involved with the project through her Seychelles and Trinidad. Successful means that the axolotl is well known – Master’s research (McKay, 2003) and although poorly understood – among workshop facilitation, and will continue to applicants will be notified in February. local people. Some 2000 remeros (local act as a consultant as the conservation boatmen) earn a living by punting programme develops. DAPTF/CEPF We have begun visitors along the lake’s canal system in Despite its precarious status in discussions with potential applicants for gaily decorated pleasure trajineras the wild, the axolotl is one of the most CEPF-funded grants, announced in (pleasure boats), and the chinamperos familiar amphibians in laboratories and Froglogs 65 and 66. It has become clear (local farmers) cultivate the adjacent aquaria throughout the world. Animals that it is very important that anyone land in a way that their ancestors have were originally collected in 1863 for the interested in these grants contact us at done for centuries. Fishing is also Natural History Museum in Paris, and an early stage, outlining their ideas. fundamental to the local economy, and many of today’s captive animals There are a number of constraints on although non-native carp and Tilapia probably stem from these founders these grants, particularly in relation to may have replaced the axolotl as the (Smith, 1989). As a result of its well- the geographical location of projects, main catch, researchers have yet to known reproductive biology and the and we do not want people to waste time improve upon the highly skilled availability of captive populations there is developing proposals that we cannot traditional netting method used by the considerable interest in reintroducing support. Contacts: Tim Halliday fishermen for finding . axolotls to Lake . However, ([email protected]) and Don Building on its existing profile there are several problems associated Church ([email protected]) among the Xochimilcans, a partnership with such releases at this stage. At the Action for the axolotl at Lake of British and Mexican organisations has very least, threats need to be neutralized Xochimilco, been developing a conservation and potential disease and genetic programme for the axolotl over the past problems addressed before captive three years (Griffiths et al., 2004). The animals are put back into the wild project was the brainchild of the late Dr (Griffiths et al., 2004). Despite the wide Virginia Graue of the Universita availability of captive bred axolotls, wild Autonoma Metropolitana at Xochimilco animals are still captured and sold By Richard A. Griffiths and Ian G. (UAM-X), who contacted the Durrell illegally in local markets (McKay, 2003). Bride Institute of Conservation and Ecology A proposal to upgrade Ambystoma The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma (DICE) in 1999 for assistance with mexicanum from CITES Appendix II mexicanum) is one of ’s development of the project. As it was (controlled international trade) to most threatened amphibians. The vast clear that addressing the many threats Appendix I (species threatened with wetland upon which was that the axolotl faced would be extinction and international trade founded – and which once provided a impossible without the co-operation of permitted only in exceptional rich and productive habitat for the axolotl local stakeholders, the project focused circumstances) is currently under and other endemic fauna – is now on embracing local people within the discussion by the Mexican authorities. reduced to a handful of small, isolated conservation planning process by As the project enters its final patches surrounded by development. Of developing the axolotl as a flagship phase, a round-up seminar and these, Lake Xochimilco is the largest, species for nature tourism and workshop on the ‘Conservation of Axolotl covering just over 2 square kilometres - conservation education within the region. and the Xochimilco System’ was held at but it is certainly no longer a lake. The Using UAM-X’s existing field station on UAM-X from 6-9 December 2004. The development of the ‘chinampas’ – raised

1 fifty participants consisted of Smith, H.B. (1989) Discovery of the and embryonic and early larval representatives from government and axolotl and its early history in biological development. non-government organisations, research. In Developmental Biology of Out of 53 previously universities, research institutions, the the Axolotl, pp. 3-12. Armstrong, J.B & documented populations 21 (40 %) were media, remeros and other local Malacinski, G.M. (Eds.). New York: not recorded. According to local stakeholders. Over the first two days of Oxford University Press. inhabitants, most change had taken

the meeting, partners had the For further information please contact: place over the last decade. Reasons opportunity to present findings that had [email protected] / I.G.Bride mentioned by local inhabitants included emerged from the project and other @kent.ac.uk a prolonged spring drought resulting in related work. The presentations covered http://www.kent.ac.uk/anthropology/di changes in the underground water level legal protection, local planning, nature ce/research/azaxs and drainage. At another eight sites, the tourism, engaging the local community, water bodies remained but no crested ecology and impact of threats, captive The Status of Great Crested Newt newts were recorded despite intensive breeding and reintroduction, ecoregional Breeding Sites in Serbia searches. Considering our good design, flagship species and public sampling effort and the fact that the education. The presentations served to aquatic phase of the crested newt is summarize and consolidate information prolonged, either as reproductively gathered during the course of the active adults, embryos or larvae, we project, and provide a framework for two concluded that all populations had By Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Ivan further days of participatory workshop. become extinct. Since five out of these Aleksic & Jan Willem Arntzen, Bilingually facilitated by Gerardo Garcia eight ponds were stocked with fish, we DAPTF Seed Grant Recipients of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation attribute the loss mostly to fish Trust, the workshop groups were set The crested newt (Triturus cristatus predation. For two of these sites, goal-oriented tasks with a view to superspecies) is a group of four closely interviews with local inhabitants suggest producing the framework for a Species related species that inhabit a broad part that fish were introduced after the and Habitat Action Plan. After of Europe and the adjacent area. In the breeding sites were initially described. brainstorming the issues facing the Balkans, all four species exist and show Out of the 24 remaining crested newt axolotl, the workshop groups set about largely parapatric distributions. The populations, 18 (77%) were found in placing the issues into categories, distribution of the four crested newt habitats of anthropogenic origin which setting goals and objectives for species in Serbia is complex (for details were more than 50 years old (41%) or addressing the issues, identifying see Arntzen and Wallis 1999; Arntzen between 20 and 50 years old (36%). appropriate actions and finally assigning 2003) Local introgression of karelinii mt Most of these man-made breeding sites timeframes and organisations to the DNA haplotypes was detected in T. were quarries, irrigation channels and various actions. The workshop format dobrogicus, T.cristatus and T. carnifex clay and gravel pits situated near provided an opportunity for input from all macedonicus populations, as well as abandoned brick factories. stakeholders – ranging from local introgression of dobrogicus haplotype in The pH of breeding sites boatmen to representatives from local T. karelinii populations. ranged between 6.2 and 10.1 with an government agencies and NGO’s. Discordance between morphology and average of 7.8 consistent with the The goals for the conservation genetics was frequent in analysed recorded preference of crested newts for of the axolotl and its habitat were finally populations from Serbia. neutral and slightly alkaline water distilled into eight categories: (1) biology Crested newts are among the (Langton et al, 2001). The maximum of the species; (2) legislation; (3) social largest members of the genus Triturus depth of the breeding sites was less that actions; (4) political actions; (5) and are a great conservation concern 0.5 meters in 4 sites, 0.5 - 2 m in 15 ecological interactions; (6) local because they require larger and deeper sites, greater than 2 m in 4 sites and environment; (7) education; and (8) ponds for breeding than other Triturus undetermined in 3 sites. resource use and harvesting. These will species. Documented decline, which is Up to 38% of active crested provide the framework for the action substantial, identifies agricultural newt breeding sites had more than half plan, which will be written up and intensification (e.g. Langton et al, 2001) of their shoreline covered by trees, in published by the end of the project in and modernization of farming methods, comparison to 0% of breeding sites March 2005 following further including the destruction of water bodies where crested newts were not detected consultation. One of the most important as the most notorious threats. These in 2003. Shadow from the trees covers outputs from the Darwin Initiative project factors highlight the importance of the southern side of the water body in is the partnership of diverse maintaining the genetic distinctiveness 46% of active crested newt breeding organisations who all have an interest in of evolutionary significant units. sites, but in only 29% of ponds without the future of the axolotl and its habitat - In Serbia, the status of crested newts in 2003. Significant Grupo por la Investigacione del Ajolote y amphibian breeding sites is poorly differences, however, between ponds Xochimilco (or GIAX). Although the documented. In particular, their with and those without crested newts Species and Habitat Action Plan will importance as centres for the existed only in the percent of shoreline provide a blue-print for the future, the maintenance of local amphibian covered by trees (p=<0.05 for G-test most difficult stage – implementing the community diversity is neither with Williams correction =11.528, df=4). plan – lies ahead. GIAX will be understood nor appreciated by the Twenty-five percent of water bodies with instrumental in making this happen. public. Consequently, amphibian crested newts had no vegetation cover, breeding sites are frequently used as References while 21% of them had from 1% to 50% dumping places for all kinds of domestic of the surface covered by floating Griffiths, R.A., Graue, V., Bride, I.G., and and industrial waste. vegetation. About 46% of water bodies McKay, J.E. (2004) Conservation of the The main goal of this study inhabited by crested newts contained axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) at Lake was to investigate the status of 53 submerged vegetation covering more Xochimilco, Mexico. Herpetological crested newt breeding sites across than 50% of the pond. No significant Bulletin 89: 4-11. Serbia. Some of the populations had differences were found between ponds McKay, J.E. (2003) An evaluation of previously been the subject of various currently with and without crested newts captive breeding and sustainable use of genetic and/or morphological studies for these two parameters. About 13% of the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma (references below). All sites were visited active breeding sites dry up every year, mexicanum). MSc dissertation, University from May to July 2003, coinciding with 46% of them only in situations of of Kent, Canterbury, UK. the main period of reproductive activity prolonged drought and 42% are

2 permanent. On the other hand, only 13% Museum Nationall d' Histoire Naturelle abiotic factors (water level, temperature) of breeding sites without crested newts (IEGB/SPN),Paris. and can tolerate poorly oxygenated do not dry out. Again, significant Kalezic, M.L., Dzukic, G., Mesaros, G., water, enabling it to persist in small, differences were not found between Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J. (1997) The stagnant water bodies – favourable these two types of ponds. The presence crested newt (Triturus cristatus breeding sites of native amphibians. of fish seems to be an important factor superspecies) in ex-Yugoslavia: To investigate rotan-amphibian that determines the long-term survival of Morphological structuring and interactions, research is being conducted o local crested newt populations; while distribution patterns. The University in the region of Lake Glubokoe (55 45’N, o only 17% of them were found to live Thought, Publication in Natural Sciences 36 30’E; located 50 km west of Moscow) syntopically in aquatic habitat with 4: 39-46. at the oldest Russian freshwater fishes, in 63% of water bodies without Langton, T.E.S., Beckett, C.L., Foster, biological station founded in 1891. The crested newts fishes were present. J.P. (2001) Great Crested Newt lake and surrounding area form the Lake These differences appear to be Conservation Handbook. Froglife, Glubokoe Reserve. Since 1994, annual significant (p=<0.05 G = 4.51, df=1). Halesworth. ecosystem monitoring of aquatic habitats Great crested newts suffer heaviest has been carried out. The number of Litvinchuk, S.N., Borkin, L.J., Dzukic, G., predation by fish during the egg and water bodies monitored has increased Kalezic, M.L., Khalturin, M.D., Rosanov, larval stages of their life cycle (Langton from 24 in 1994 to 37 in 2004. Faunal J.M. (1999) Taxonomic status of Triturus et al, 2001). and general limnological data were karelinii on the Balkans, with some It appears that global climate obtained and field observations comments about other crested newt changes have an apparent impact on the (including space distribution of rotan taxa. Russian Journal of Herpetology 6: status of local crested newt breeding populations and breeding success of 153-163. sites in Serbia. Mild winters without amphibian species in a system of ponds) snow and long spring droughts in Wallis, G.P. & Arntzen, J.W. (1989) were completed with laboratory aquarium combination with high air temperatures Mitochondrial-DNA variation in the experiments (on comparative palatability (above 25oC) do not support Crested Newt superspecies: limited for rotan of amphibian larvae of different regeneration of amphibian breeding cytoplasmic gene flow among species. species). Evolution 43: 88-104 sites whose function depends on the The rotan diet includes a wide magnitude and duration of rainfall in the range of animal species of all trophic spring and early summer. In addition, Meeting on disease and threats levels. Rotan consumes larvae of newts intensive anthropogenic induced to amphibian biodiversity. Triturus cristatus and T. vulgaris and

changes (soil deposition, drainage and adults of the latter and this predation may introduction of fish species) have From November 11th to 13th about 60 also interrupt the courtship behaviour of destroyed the suitability of many long- investigators studying the role of these newts. Both species of newts were lasting crested newt breeding sites. pathogens in amphibian declines met at extirpated from permanent ponds and

Acknowledgements: This work was Arizona State University in Tempe to persist in only a few unstable water supported by a Seed Grant from the share their latest results. Participants bodies. Over the next few years DAPTF in 2003 and by grant B1725 from came from South Africa, Australia, T. cristatus may disappear from the Lake the Ministry for Science, Technology and Canada, and throughout the U.S. Glubokoe region. Urodeles seem to be Development of the Republic of Serbia. Progress is being made in many facets most vulnerable. Frog species Rana We thank postgraduate student Natasa of understanding how ranaviruses and arvalis, R. lessonae and R. temporaria Tomasevic for assistance in the field. the fungus Batrachochytrium do not avoid spawning in ponds inhabited by rotan, although the fish References dendrobatidis,(Bd), the cause of chytridiomycosis, infect and kill frogs and entirely eliminate their larvae. However, Arntzen, J.W. (2003) Triturus cristatus frog species are more persistent due to Superspecies – Kammolch-Artenkreis. salamanders. Meeting participants heard some of the strongest evidence yet for the relatively high migratory capabilities In: Bohme, W. (Ed.) Handbuch der of the adults, which allow them to actively Reptilien und Amphibien Europas. Band Bd's role as a cause of infectious disease spreading through tropical use temporary water bodies and to avoid 4/IIA: Schwanzlurche (Urodela) II A. isolation of separate populations. Thus Aula-Verlag, Wiebelsheim. forests and resulting in what the recent GAA report called the "enigmatic" rotan stops newt and frog juveniles Arntzen, J.W. & Wallis, G.P. (1999) decline of amphibians. For further recruiting in permanent water bodies and Geographic variation and taxonomy of information contact: James Collins transforms the metapopulation space crested newts (Triturus cristatus super ([email protected]) structure of these species. The presence species): morphological and of this fish in small water bodies leads to mitochondrial DNA data. Contributions to Introduced fish, rotan Percottus a considerable decrease in species Zoology 68: 181-203. glenii -an unavoidable threat for diversity of amphibian larvae. In contrast Crnobrnja, J., Kalezic, M.L., Dzukic, G. European amphibians to the other amphibian species, toads (1989) Genetic divergence in the crested Bufo bufo successfully breed in those newt (Triturus cristatus complex) from By Andrey Reshetnikov waterbodies due to the comparative Yugoslavia. Biosistematika 15: 81-92. unpalatability of their larvae. It is well known that the introduction of Crnobrnja, J., Kalezic, M.L. (1990) The fish into amphibian breeding sites can Colonization of this species organization of the genetic variation in have negative consequences for continues. Information about non-native the crested newt (Triturus cristatus amphibians caused by fish predation on range of rotan was gathered through an complex) from Yugoslavia. Genetika 22: eggs and tadpoles. To minimize this analysis of literature sources and through 133-146. threat, many amphibian species a questionnaire survey of specialists (78

Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J., Dzukic, G., Krstic, reproduce in small hydrologically isolated persons), including the personnel of N., Kalezic, M.L., 1997. Evolutionary and ponds. reserves and national parks, in regions of paleogeographical effects on the The fish, rotan Perccottus glenii Russia and other countries. As a whole, distribution of the Triturus cristatus Dybowski (Odontobutidae), a native of 502 localities of rotan were taken into superspecies in the central Balkans. regions of Far East of Russia, northeast account. This information has been Amphibia-Reptilia 18: 321-332. China, and northern North Korea, has entered into a database registered at the Science and Technical Center Gasc, J-P., et al. (Eds.) (1997) Atlas of become distributed in European Russia “Informregister” (Reshetnikov 2003; Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe. since 1916. This species differs from database №0220309453®). At present, Societas Europaea Herpetologica & most other fish because it is able to tolerate considerable fluctuations in non-native ranges of rotan include

3 Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia, Herp Digest's listserve at : Savitsky, Suzanne Gunderman, James Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, http://www.herpdigest.org/ We will Collins, Columbus Zoological Park Serbia, and 41 regions of the Russian continue printing a limited number of Assoc., J. Eric Juterbock, John M. Federation. In Europe, rotan distribution hard copies for our board members, Penko, Charlotte La Tier, Rebecca reaches the basins of the Vistula and sponsors and submitting authors. Christoffel, Oklahoma City Zoological

Tisza rivers (territories of Poland, Reports on DAPTF Seed Grants Park, Ed Styskel, Marie George, Bayard Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia) and Recipients of DAPTF Seed Grants are Brattstrom, Dr. & Mrs. Eugene W. European ichthyologists have recorded generally expected to publish the results of Holmes, Dr. Sandra L. Mitchell.

their projects in refereed journals, or as rotan in Poland (since 1993), in Hungary Ponds, Puddles and Pools - Trieste 2005 (1997), in Slovakia (1998) and in Serbia articles in Froglog. They are also required The first international and to send us reports, so that their results can (2001). Soon, rotan may reach the friendly meeting on conservation and Danube River and Western regions of be made available to DAPTF members. Below is a list of reports that we have management of small wetlands to be Poland (rivers Varta and Oder). Oder and held in Trieste, 20-22 May 2005. other European rivers are all received recently. Anyone wanting a copy of a report should contact the author in the This is an informal meeting among interconnected by a network of channels. people who are involved, with different Therefore, there are no geographical first instance; we can supply copies if you cannot reach the author. titles and levels, in the management and barriers for preventing the further conservation of biodiversity of small colonization by this dangerous invasive Jinzhong Fu & Yuchi Zheng (2001) No infectious disease in western Chinese freshwater ecosystems. species. During the coming decades, a The meeting is an occasion to significant number of local amphibian stream salamanders of the genus Batrachuperus. ([email protected]) meet, to learn, to teach and to exchange populations will disappear in Europe as a any kind of experience among ponds consequence of rotan expansion. Oommen V. Oommen (2003) Populations managers, workers, scientists, students, Acknowledgement:s of southern Western Ghats’ caecilians (Gymnophiona) – hypothesis testing and administrators and volunteers. Posters, I am sincerely grateful to everyone who continued monitoring oral presentations, lectures, and provided unpublished data about new ([email protected]) multimedia video are most welcome but discoveries of rotan. This work was J. Kirwin Werner et al. (2002) The last not strictly necessary. PPP05 is supported by RFFI (grant № 03-04- leopard frogs in western Montana? organized by the Pond and Wetland 48152), Section of Biological Sciences of ([email protected]) Tim Halliday Wardens of Friuli Venezia Giulia in the Russian Academy of Sciences (grant collaboration with the Trieste Natural № 2.3.8.), Ministry of industry, science We gratefully acknowledge receipt of History Museum. and technologies of RF. donations from: The Geraldine Dodge The program of the meeting is a Foundation, Marvalee H. Wake, Contact: Dr. Andrey N. Reshetnikov, "work in progress" according to people Frederick H. Pough, Norm Damm, [email protected] subscription, presentation and

Donald R. Farrar, David G. Rich, Joseph suggestion. Final object of the meeting is References & Betty Davidson, Association of

to enrich shared knowledge about small Manteifel, Y.B. & Reshetnikov, A.N. Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, freshwater habitats conservation and (2002) Avoidance of noxious tadpole Walter F. Fish, Charles C. Carpenter, management. prey by fish and invertebrate predators: Mark R. Jennings, Joseph D. For further information, adaptivity of a chemical defence may MacDonald, John A. Hall, Robert M. suggestions and notes, please contact depend on predator feeding habits. Storm, Gary S. Casper, John Ferner, us by e-mail at the following address: Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 153(4): 657-668. Jumping Frog Research Institute, Linda [email protected] T. Torp, Ronald A. Brandon, Lorraine M. Reshetnikov, A.N. (2003) Impact of http://www.zoneumide.org/PPO5/index Maloof, Cecile Leavell, Arthur C. rotan, Perccottus glenii, on amphibians in en.html Echternacht, George C. Gorman, Pierre small waterbodies. Ph. D. thesis. R. Warny, Jr. Pierre R. Warny, Jr., Moscow, IPEE RAN, 179 p (in Russian). Robert T. Brooks, Audubon Zoo, Lincoln Reshetnikov, A.N. (2003) The introduced P. Brower, Chicago Herpetological fish, rotan (Perccottus glenii), depresses Society, John C. Murphy, Jr., Kurt A. populations of aquatic animals Henkel, Debra Patla, Don Perschau, (macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and a Margaret Gunzburger, J. Kirwin Werner, fish). Hydrobiologia 510(1-3): 83-90. AZ Game & Fish Department, Herps Reshetnikov, A.N. (2004) The fish Program, Richard G. Zweifel, Julian R. Perccottus glenii: history of introduction Harrison, Char Corkran, John D. to western regions of Eurasia. Constable, Desert Fishes Co Trevor Hydrobiologia 522(1-3): 349-350. Persons uncil, Lawrence A. Wilson, RANA and the US National Science

Marilyn Ortt, Kentwood Wells, Stanley S. Foundation grant DEB-0130273 helped Hillman, Rudolfo Ruibal, Trevor Persons, support the publication of this issue. Froglog Shorts Stephane Ostrowski, Richard Nord, FROGLOG is the bi-monthly newsletter of the

Susan Sindt, Mary Brewster, Center for Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR North American Herpetology, Margaret Articles on any subject relevant to the READERS: Stewart, Ron & Miriam Heyer, Fred understanding of amphibian declines should Kraus, David Bradford, Bonnie Raphael, Due to escalating printing and shipping be sent to: Jeanne McKay, Editor, Department Rene A. Honegger, Brian K. Sullivan, of Biological Sciences, The Open University, costs, we will be unable to continue Arizona Zoological Society, Kevin de Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, U.K. providing free paper copies of Froglog to Queiroz, Stanley Rand, Owen J. Sexton, Tel: +44 (0) 1908 - 652274. our subscribers worldwide. Therefore, Michael Dloogath, Anne & Colin Phipps, Fax: +44 (0) 1908 - 654167 this is our last printed issue. However, E-mail: [email protected] C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., Norman Scott, with your continued support we look Douglas A. Rossman, Norah Fletchan, forward to the possibility of increasing Funding for FROGLOG is underwritten by Ted Davis, Beth Leuck, Christina M. the size and frequency of our newsletter the Detroit Zoological Institute, P.O. Box Richards, Heather Brook Taylor, Evan C. 39, Royal Oak, MI 48068-0039, USA electronically which will remain available Evans, III, Bio-Resources, Inc., Bryan S. free on our website at: Windmiller, Aaron M. Bauer, Ray http://www.open.ac.uk/daptf/froglog/ Pawley, Karen Menczer, Robert F. Inger,

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