Heleophryne hewitti by Tim Halliday ISSN 1026-0269 FROGLOG Newsletter of the Declining Populations Task Force

December 2001, Number 48.

monitoring will hopefully provide an establishing optimal future monitoring Project opportunity for future reflection on programs of these populations. potential indirect human perturbations Collection of data on Anuran as possible culprits for apparently requirements and community mysterious amphibian declines in such structure, over and above simple areas (sensu the golden toad of Costa measures of diversity and abundance, By Emily Fitzherbert Rica). allows a more multidimensional & Toby Gardner The focus of our efforts was on approach to monitoring to be taken. It vocalizing , predominantly of is hoped that a more detailed picture Project Anuran is a research the family Hylidae. Eight breeding will provide an enhanced ability to expedition founded as a joint initiative sites, representing a range of sub- identify changes in assemblage between students from the University habitat types from large, open structure and the potential onset of of Edinburgh and the University of permanent ponds to small ephemeral any future population declines. Belize (formerly University College forest pools, were assessed over a A second direction of our work Belize). The project’s main research total of 25 survey nights. Surveillance during Phase I was to conduct a aim is to establish an intensive of each site ran from 1900 to 0300 (or preliminary assessment of ground monitoring program of and toads earlier if calling ceased), and data dwelling species, predominantly of the in the region around the research were collected at hourly intervals. genus Eleutherodactylus. Over one station of the Natural History Museum, Recordings were made on a nominal hundred man-hours of visual Las Cuevas, in the Chiquibul Forest scale of the audible abundance of encounter surveys, in addition to five Reserve, Belize. During the summer each species present following permanent drift-fence arrays, of 2000, the initial field phase of the MAYAMON protocol, and an produced an initially disappointing project collected baseline data on the additional measure of calling intensity result with four species, and less than diversity and relative abundance of (calls per minute) was taken to allow a 30 individuals recorded in total. This anurans, alongside basic ecological more detailed consideration of calling work serves to highlight both the low information such as habitat behavior and reproductive effort. In local abundance of these species and associations, community patterns and addition to these biotic data, the notorious difficulty of fairly calling behavior. The output of the measurements were made to record representing such a cryptic group. project is able to contribute directly to the abiotic environment on each Interestingly, during a week’s the monitoring efforts of the DAPTF in survey night, and each site was surveillance of a region of Caribbean the Yucatan region, under the Mayan mapped in detail to describe its floral pine (Pinus carribea), a much higher Forest Anuran Monitoring Project community. This intensive abundance was found, including an as (MAYAMON), coordinated by Dr. Jack methodology allowed a relatively yet unidentified ranid specimen. Eight Meyer. comprehensive assessment of specimens collected were deposited in Fieldwork is conducted in the vocalizing anurans around Las the Natural History Museum (London), immediate vicinity of the research Cuevas, with 12 species being where they will form an important part station, in an area of broadleaf recorded in particular detail. As well as of the ongoing revision of this little subtropical wet forest interspersed by a photographic record, digital known but highly diverse genus. evergreen forest. Standing at 500 m recordings were made of each species The standard survey methods elevation, Las Cuevas is within the which will form a valuable contribution used were effective in identifying and northern foothills of the Maya to the work of future monitoring groups describing the activity of the majority Mountains of Belize, which form part (see www.projectanuran.org). A of anuran species found. However, it of one of the largest expanses of number of pleasant surprises were is important to recognize, as noted continuous forest in Central America. uncovered, including evidence of a above, that some species are Although the area was extensively high local abundance of the regionally consistently misrepresented using cleared during the peak of the Maya rare Morelet’s tree , Agalychnis traditional techniques. One such group civilization (ca. 800 AD), apart from moreletti. Aside from an improved is what can perhaps be termed the selective logging for mahogany and understanding of diversity and relative ‘explosive’ breeders, such as the cedar, and harvesting of latex from the population abundance, an insight was burrowing toad (Rhinophrynus sapodilla tree, it has seen little further gained into the habitat preferences of dorsalis), and Mexican tree frog human disturbance. In this regard it each species, their calling patterns (Smilisca baudinii), whose true represents an excellent location from and the extent of temporal separation numbers are revealed only after which to monitor the dynamics of of each species in an assemblage. intense rains and in suitable clearings. anuran populations in relatively Such information is highly valuable in It is crucial that such considerations pristine tropical environments. Such

The World Conservation Union (IUCN)/Species Survival Commission (SSC) The Open University ● The World Congress of Herpetology ● Harvard University are incorporated into future monitoring History Museum (London). twice with cell culture medium in TM programs in order to obtain a more Contact: Emily Fitzherbert & Toby NANOSEP centrifugal concentrator representative picture of amphibian Gardner, Project Anuran, Institute of tubes (molecular weight cutoff 300K, communities (even if it means Ecology and Resource Management, Pall Gelman) before being used to impromptu surveys in the middle of a Kings Buildings, University of inoculate the monolayers. Sterile storm at night!). Edinburgh, UK. water was used in place of the bleach Following the success of www.projectanuran.org to control for these manipulations. Phase I of Project Anuran, a second [email protected] After ten days we scored inoculated field phase is due to be conducted in cells for virus. the summer of 2001, with the intention Not surprisingly, simply of developing a long-term monitoring Disinfection of spraying several million virions with a program. The dearth of long-term, and Ambystoma disinfectant was not very effective. A adequately quantitative, studies of tigrinum spray of bleach reduced titers over a amphibian populations has all too Virus (ATV) thousand-fold, but fell short of frequently been identified as the major complete inactivation. The alcohol- shackle to improving our sprayed samples were still highly understanding of global declines and By Jesse Brunner & Tim active. Soaking samples in 70% their potential causes. Such Sesterhenn isopropyl alcohol and 10% bleach, information is critical in order to Ambystoma tigrinum Virus (ATV) and however, completely inactivated the distinguish between natural inter- related ranaviruses from North virus. One virion remained viable after annual variation in populations and the America, Europe and Australia 45 minutes of exposure to 70% progression of true, long-term trends. (Daszak et al. 1999) are highly lethal ethanol, not complete inactivation, but Ecosystems are dauntingly complex to , and are frequently over a million-fold reduction in active phenomena, and few more so than associated with epizootics of virus. tropical rainforests, where a seemingly amphibian populations. Researchers Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and infinite number of dimensions of have recognized that they may bleach are all adequate disinfectants variability, both spatial and temporal, inadvertently play a role in spreading for viral contamination, but must be serve to confound the naïve ecologist. these and other pathogens and have used methodically. It is not enough to Survey schemes of sufficient duration been urged to implement common simply spray surfaces. Instead, and breadth, so as to allow a high sense disinfection protocols to avoid liberally pour the disinfectant on spills degree of confidence in the spreading disease. Common methods and soak or scrub waders and other predictions of declines and include washing waders, boots, and equipment. Also, it is essential to keep assessment of decline rates, are a nets with a 10% bleach solution or disinfectants fresh: in an initial trial we pivotal step towards the vital with Quat-128. Our lab uses 70% found that the 70% ethanol we had unraveling of this complexity. While ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to been using in the lab was ineffective, little can be done to rectify the lack of disinfect surgical equipment when PIT presumably because it had degraded. historical records, it is in our hands to tagging or taking tail clips in the lab Heat, ultraviolet light and organic ensure the continued provision of new, and field. Ethanol is a standard matter degrade chlorine compounds accurate data sets. It is here that we disinfectant in most laboratories. quickly (Springthorpe and Sattar consider undergraduate contributions, Given that ranaviruses can survive up 1990). Each of these disinfectants is such as Project Anuran, are able to to several months when dried readily available and, especially offer a significant contribution. Our (Langdon 1989; J. Brunner, bleach, relatively cheap. Disinfection, preliminary survey during 2000 unpublished data) and that the then, is simply a matter of following showed that the gathering of detailed effectiveness of chemical disinfectants adequate protocols. can be variable (Springthorpe & Sattar information on amphibian populations Contact: Jesse Brunner, Dept. of 1990) we tested the effectiveness of does not require highly trained field Biology, Arizona State University; Tim 70% ethanol, 70% isopropyl alcohol, ecologists. Rather, it is our experience Sesterhenn, Dept. of Zoology, Ohio and 10% bleach as disinfectants of that with support from appropriate Wesleyan University. experts and institutions, ATV. [email protected] undergraduate biologists can offer We dried 500 µlofATV 6 significant manpower, resources and (~4x10 pfu) in cell culture material Check out the DAPTF Fieldwork Code boundless enthusiasm to monitoring onto the wells of tissue culture plates of Practice at: work. It is necessary here to highlight to simulate a spill of virus culture, http://www.mpm.edu/collect/vertzo/ both the importance and invaluable presumably the highest viral herp/Daptf/fcode_e.html (English) or contribution that can be made from concentration one would encounter. http://www.mpm.edu/collect/vertzo/ close liaison between workers in We then applied 70% ethanol, 70% herp/Daptf/fcode_s.html (Spanish). visiting and host countries. The isopropyl alcohol, or 10% Literature Cited continued involvement of both commercially available bleach (final Daszak, P., Berger, L. Cunningham, Edinburgh and Belize students in concentration 0.6% sodium A.A., Hyatt, A.D., Green, D. E. & Project Anuran is a crucial necessity in hypochlorite), either by spraying a mist Speare, R. (1999) Emerging infectious maintaining its long-term operation. over the wells or by ‘soaking’ the wells diseases and amphibian population In light of these comments, we with 0.5ml of the disinfectants. The declines. Emerging Infectious would like to take this opportunity to disinfectants were left for 45 min, in Diseases 5: 735-748. express our sincere thanks for the which time the alcohols evaporated, Jancovich, J.K., Davidson, E.W., continued support of a number of and then the bleach was drawn off. Morado, J.F., Jacobs, B.L. & Collins, scientists in our work, namely, John The virus samples were resuspended J.P. (1997) Isolation of a lethal virus Wilkinson of the DAPTF, Dr. Jack in 1 ml of cell culture medium and from the endangered tiger salamander Meyer of DAPTF (MAYAMON), and inoculated onto EPC cell monolayers Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi. Dr. Peter Stafford of the Natural to test for viable virus. The bleach- soaked samples were first washed Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 31:

2 161-167. simple male calls, and in some cases, into the environment might act on Langdon, J.S. (1989) Experimental male parental care. some females to induce them to call. transmission and pathogenicity of The behaviour of most frogs, Certainly there are many chemicals epizootic haematopoietic necrosis particularly tropical frogs, is poorly used in agriculture as pest control and virus (EHNV) in redfin perch, Perca known and in some of these cases it is fertilizer around the world. These may fluviatilis L., and 11 other teleosts. quite possible that female calling had be distributed far beyond the Journal of Fish Diseases 12: 295-310. been overlooked. In most cases immediate area of application by water female calls are reported as being and as dust or aerosols in the air Springthorpe, V.S. and Sattar, S.A. softer than those of the males and (Cohen and Pinkerton 1966). These (1990) Chemical disinfection of virus- often infrequent. Reciprocal calling pollutants have been detected in what contaminated surfaces. Critical wouldbeeasytooverlookby appear to be undisturbed Reviews in Environmental Control 20: someone who was biased to assume environments. If Saharan dust can be 169-229. automatically that any frog heard blown to Florida (Stallard pers. com.) calling is a male. there is probably no frog on the planet Some of the other reports are that is not potentially in contact with Is the canary not so easy to explain. For example, pollution. singing? Polypedates leucomystax females The case is certainly not were reported to call by Roy in NW proven but it seems possible that at India; this species was studied by least some of the recent reports of Narins et al. (1998) in Malaysia who female frog calling are the results of By A. Stanley Rand described the repertoire but reported chemical pollutants introduced by Are the calls being reported from no female calling. Stewart watched a humans into the environment. To mix female frogs produced by that female Hyperolius marmoratus call in a metaphor, if frogs are "a canary in have been masculinized by pollutants Malawi but intensive studies of the coal mine" whose disappearance in the environment? The evidence breeding and communication in South is warning us of environmental suggests that this is at least possible. Africa (Passmore et al. 1992) report degradation, it may be important to In most frogs only the males no female calling. Perhaps these are notice when the canary sings. call during courtship, though both examples of geographical variation in Contact: A. Stanley Rand, sexes may give a release call (Bogart calling behavior but another Smithsonian Tropical Research 1960), scream when threatened by a explanation is also possible. Institute, Box 2072, Balboa, Panama. predator (Yerkes 1903), or call in Perhaps the hormone systems [email protected] defending a retreat (Stewart and Rand of these calling females had been 1991). There are not many examples distorted by pollutant chemicals? Literature cited of what Littlejohn (1977) calls When Hannigan & Kelley (1986) Boistel, R. & Sueur, J. (1997). reciprocation calls. In these species treated female Xenopus with Comportement sonore de la femelle the sexes alternate calls that seem to androgens their calls became more de Platymantis vitiensis (Amphibia, facilitate amplexus. The best known male-like. Penna & Somers (1992) Anura) en l'absence du male.C.R. include Alytes (Heinzmann 1970, showed that if they manipulated the Acad. Sci. Paris (Sciences de la Vie) 320: 933-941. Marquez 1992, Bush 1993), Xenopus hormone system of Hyla cinerea with (Picker 1980) and Tomodactylus injections of AVT and/or implants of Bogert, C.M. (1960). The influence of (Dixon 1957). the steroid hormone testosterone they sound on amphibians and reptiles. In: A number of other reports of could induce females to call. It is Laynon, W.E. & Tavolga, W.N. (eds) reciprocal calling have been known that DDT and related Sounds and Communications. published, most of them quite recently. chemicals can act as a steroid mimic American Institute of Biological In some of these cases other studies in several classes of vertebrates Sciences 1960, No 7. of the same species in other places, or (Colborn & Clement 1992, fide Hayes Bush, S.L. (1993). Courtship and male of closely related species have not 1997) and Hayes (1997) has shown parental care in the Mallorcan midwife reported female calling. Female calling that "…estrogen (E2) treatment [of toad Alytes muletensis. PhD. has been reported in Pelobates larvae] can result in ovarian Dissertation, University of East Anglia, cultripes in Spain (Salvador 1986), differentiation or testicular United Kingdom. Hyperolius marmoratus in Malawi differentiation, depending on the Cohen, J.M. & Pinkerton, C. (1966). (Stewart 1967), Rana blythi in Borneo species. Paradoxically, E2-treatment Widespread translocation of pesticides (Emerson 1992), Rana ridibunda in may also result in either testicular England (Frazer 1983) Rana by air transport and rain-out. differentiation or ovarian differentiation Advances in Chemistry 60: 163-176 virgatipes (Given 1993), and Rana in a single species depending on the (fide Hayes). palustris in eastern North America dose of the treatment…" (p146). (Roble 1986), Rana,andPolypedates Hayes argues that steroid-mimicking Colborn, T. & Clement, C. (1992). in northwest India (Roy 1995 and environmental contaminants may be Chemically-induced alternations in 1997), Leptodactylus fallax in involved in amphibian population sexual and functional development: Dominica (Davis et al. 2000), declines. The wildlife/human connection. Eleutherodactylus guanahacabiles in If environmental contaminants Princeton Sci. Publ. Co., Princeton, NJ Cuba (Dias & Estrada 2000), can be involved in an amphibian (fide Hayes). Eleutherodactylus podiciferus in Costa population decline by producing Davis, S.L., Davis, R.B. et al. (2000). Rica (Schlaepfer et al. 1998) and deformed tadpoles as Hayes Reproductive behavior and larval trinitatis in Trinidad suggests, then it seems possible that development of Leptodactylus fallax in (Kenny 1966). Schlaepfer et al. (1998) these steroid mimics might affect the Dominica, West Indies. Herp. Rev. suggest that reciprocal calling occurs hormone balance of amphibians less 31(4): 217-220. mostly in species with a long breeding severely impacted by the chemicals. Dias, L.M. & Estrada, A.R. (2000). The season, diffuse breeding choruses, Perhaps chemicals introduced by man male and female vocalizations of the

3 Cuban frog Eleutherodactylus Pennsylvania. Abstract SSAR/HL and 2000 (NEM). We have used the guanahacabiles (Anura: Meeting. chemical carbaryl (the active Leptodactylidae). Carib. Journ. Sci. Roy, D. (1995). Analysis and ingredient in Sevin), a short-lived 36(3-4): 328-331. significance of female reciprocal call in carbamate that acts through acetyl- Dixon, J.R. (1957). Geographic frogs. Current Science 69: 265-270. cholinesterase inhibition, which may serve as a model chemical for variation and distribution of the genus Roy, D. (1997). Communication Tomodactylus in Mexico. Tex. J. Sci. neurotoxins (i.e., carbamates and signals and sexual selection in organophosphates). We have 9: 379-409. amphibians. Current Science 72(12): completed experiments that clarify the Emerson, S.B. (1992). Courtship and 923-927. nest-building behavior of a Bornean effect of carbaryl and allow us to make frog, Rana blythi. Copeia 1992: 1123- Salvador, A., Alverez, J. & Garcia, C. predictions about the effects of other 1127. (1996). Reproductive biology of a neurotoxins. northern population of the western Laboratory Studies Given, M.F. (1993). Male response to spadefoot, Pelobates cultripes.In: female vocalizations in the carpenter Laboratory studies are a necessary Rocek, Z. (ed) Studies in Herpetology. starting point to understand how frog, Rana virgatipes. Animal Prague: 403-408 Behaviour 46(6): 1139-1149. contaminant effects, manifested at the Schlaepfer, M.A. & Figeroa-Sandí, R. community level, begin. Basic Frazer, D. (1983). Reptiles and (1998). Female reciprocal calling in toxicological data like LC50s (lethal amphibians in Britain. London, Collins. Eleutherodactylus podiciferus. Copeia concentration to 50% of the Hannigan, P. & Kelley. D.B. (1986). 1998: 1076-1080. population) indicate that Androgen-induced alterations in Stewart, M.M. (1967). Amphibians of concentrations that induce mortality in vocalizations of female Xenopus Malawi. State Univ. of New York larval amphibians are greater than laevis: modifiability and constraints. Press, Albany, NY. found in the environment (Bridges Journ. Comp. Physiol. A 158: 517- 1999a). Additionally, vulnerability to Stewart, M.M. & Rand, A.S. (1991). 527. lethal levels of carbaryl varies widely Vocalizations and the defense of among species and populations Heinzmann, U. (1970). retreat sites by male and female frogs, Untersuchungen zur Bio-Akustik und Eletherodactylus coqui. Copeia 1991: (Bridges & Semlitsch 2000), and tadpoles most sensitive to high levels Okologie der Geburtshelferkrote, 1013-1024. Alytes obstetricans (Laur.). Oecologia of carbaryl are less fit under natural 5: 19-55. Wells, K.D. (1977). The courtship of field conditions (Semlitsch et al. 2000). frogs. In: Taylor, D.H. and Guttman, Expected environmental Kenny, J.S. (1966). Nest building in S.I. (eds) The Reproductive Biology of concentrations (EECs), however, are Phyllomedusa trinitatis Mertens.Carib. Amphibians. Plenum Press, New J. Sci. 6: 15-22. typically much lower. The effects of York. sublethal concentrations, therefore, Lizana, M. Marquez. R. & Martin- Yerkes, R.M. (1903). The instincts, may be more relevant to amphibian Sanchez R. (1994). Reproductive habits and reactions of the frog. communities because they may biology of Pelobates cultripes (Anura: Psychol. Rev. Monog. 4: 579-638. directly affect time and size to Pelobatidae) in Central Spain. J. metamorphosis, or indirectly affect Herpetol. 28: 19-27. A Hierarchical Approach in survival. For example, tadpoles Marquez, R. (1992). Male reproductive Studying the Effects of an demonstrate a reduction in swimming success in two midwife toads, Alytes Insecticide on Amphibian performance and activity levels with a obstetricans and A. cisternasii Behav. Communities sublethal exposure to carbaryl Ecol. Sociobiol. 32: 283-291. (Bridges 1997), which may negatively Narins, P.M., Feng, A.S., Yong, H.-S., By Michelle D. Boone, Christine M. impact time and mass at & Christensen-Dalsgaard, J. (1998). Bridges & Nathan E. Mills metamorphosis. Exposed tadpoles Morphological, behavioral, and genetic also exhibit non-adaptive predator Widespread pesticide use makes it avoidance responses (Bridges 1999b), divergence of sympatric morphotypes increasingly likely that non-target of the treefrog Polypedates which can alter predator-prey species will be exposed to chemical dynamics (Bridges 1999c). When leucomystax in peninsular Malaysia. contamination. Amphibians that breed Herpetologica 54(2): 129-142. tadpoles are chronically exposed to opportunistically in temporary concentrations of carbaryl that are an Passmore, N.I., Bishop, P.J. & wetlands in roadside ditches or order of magnitude lower than EECs, Caithness, N. (1992). Calling agricultural floodplains may be there is still a dramatic increase in behaviour influences mating success especially vulnerable to pesticide mortality and a high incidence of in male painted reed frogs, Hyperolius exposure, chronically or occasionally, deformities (Bridges 2000). Carbaryl’s marmoratus. Ethology 92: 227-241. depending on the length of the potency can also be increased by Penna, M.R.R.C. & Somers, J. (1992). species’ larval period and time of temperature (Boone & Bridges 1999) Hormone-induced vocal behavior and breeding. Toxicological research, and ultraviolet levels (Zaga et al. midbrain auditory sensitivity in the however, emphasizes the lethal 1998), factors that are often not green treefrog, Hyla cinerea. J. Comp. effects of short-term exposure on a accounted for. The results from Physiol. A. 170: 73-82. few model organisms. This research, laboratory studies suggest that short- therefore, has limited application to term chemical exposure could lead to Picker, M.D. (1980). Xenopus laevis understanding the role of (Anura: Pipidae) mating systems: a effects that outlive the chemical and contaminants in communities. negatively impact responses beyond preliminary synthesis with some data At the University of Missouri, we have on the female phono response.S.Afr. the larval stage or metamorphosis. conducted research on the effects of J. Zool. 15(3): 150-158. an insecticide in the laboratory, field Field Studies: Cattle Tank Ponds and Roble, S.M. (1986). The reproductive and in semi-natural ponds, research Experimental Wetlands and population ecology of the pickerel funded in part by seed grants from Because amphibians in more frog, Rana palustris, in southwestern DAPTF in 1997 (CMB), 1998 (MDB), complex systems may be affected by

4 contaminants differently than vary (Mills & Semlitsch, unpublished amphibian communities. Ecological individuals reared in controlled data). Indirect effects (via effects on Applications (in press). laboratory conditions, it is necessary phytoplankton and zooplankton) were Boone, M.D., Bridges, C.M. & to determine if predicted effects in the far more important in influencing Rothermel, B.B. (2001) Effects of laboratory are applicable in the field. responses of anurans at multiple exposures to carbaryl on Outdoor cattle tank studies metamorphosis, and this outcome growth and development on larval demonstrate that short-lived emphasizes the significance of green frogs (Rana clamitans). contaminants at EECs can impact understanding the effects of a Oecologia (in press). mass, time and survival to contaminant in more realistic and metamorphosis, although sometimes complex conditions. Bridges, C.M. (1997) Tadpole in unexpected ways. For instance, the In conclusion, by studying the swimming performance and activity biotic environment can influence the effects of carbaryl on amphibians in affected by acute exposure to potency of carbaryl; carbaryl’s effect the laboratory, field and semi-natural sublethal levels of carbaryl. Environmental Toxicology and changes with the predator ponds, we are developing a good Chemistry 16: 1935-1939. environment and initial larval density understanding of how this broad- (Boone & Semlitsch 2001a, 2001b). In spectrum insecticide could affect Bridges, C.M. (1999a) The effects of a one case, more Woodhouse’s toads amphibian communities in nature. Our chemical stressor on amphibian (Bufo woodhousii) survived to results suggest that, despite its short larvae: individual, population and metamorphosis at high density when half-life (hours to days in our studies), species level responses. Dissertation, exposed to carbaryl than in low carbaryl can directly affect behavior at University of Missouri, Columbia, density or control environments EECs, and carbaryl can alter the food Missouri, USA. (Boone & Semlitsch 2001b). In a study web of the community resulting in Bridges, C.M. (1999b) Predator-prey considering the effects of multiple changes in species abundance and interactions between two amphibian doses of carbaryl, exposure to size and time to metamorphosis. Our species: effects of insecticide carbaryl three times enhanced survival studies demonstrate the importance of exposure. Aquatic Ecology 33: 205- and size at metamorphosis under high incorporating genetic variation, 211. density conditions (Boone et al. 2001); biological realism, and realistic Bridges, C.M. (1999c) Effects of a these results suggested that carbaryl exposures in discerning how pesticide on tadpole activity and may affect metamorphosis by contaminants affect community predator avoidance behavior. Journal stimulating stress hormones, as well processes. Additionally, our work of Herpetology 33: 303-306. as acting through the food chain. Even illustrates how even a short-lived in large experimental wetlands, which contaminant may alter the structure of Bridges, C.M. (2000) Long-term include a range of factors typically amphibian communities by direct or effects of pesticide exposure at excluded in cattle tank studies, a indirect effects on individual species. various life stages of the southern short-lived contaminant can alter These results suggest that leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala). amphibian abundance and mass at environmentally relevant levels of Archives of Environmental metamorphosis (Boone 2000); effects contaminants could alter abundance Contamination and Toxicology 39: 91- in the field were similar to those in of species, both positively and 96. cattle tank studies. While laboratory negatively, and that contaminants Bridges, C.M. & Semlitsch, R.D. studies predicted reduced mass or believed benign in the environment (2000) Variation in pesticide tolerance survival from EECs of carbaryl, field may alter communities and could, of tadpoles among and within species studies often indicate that carbaryl has potentially, contribute to reductions in of Ranidae and patterns of amphibian stimulatory effects on these biodiversity and population size over decline. Conservation Biology 14: responses. Therefore, laboratory work time. 1490-1499. was not necessarily predictive of the Contact: Michelle D. Boone, 4200 Semlitsch, R.D., Bridges, C.M. & response of amphibians in the field. New Haven Road, USGS Columbia Welch, A.M. (2000) Genetic variation In a community, carbaryl can Environmental Research Center, and a fitness tradeoff in the tolerance directly alter a species’ Columbia, MO 65201, USA. of gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) behavior/physiology or indirectly alter [email protected] tadpoles to the insecticide carbaryl. the biotic community (which could Literature Cited Oecologia 125: 179-185. account for “positive” chemical effects). Studies designed to Boone, M.D. & Bridges, C.M. (1999) Zaga, A., Little, E.E., Rabeni, C.F. & distinguish indirect and direct effects The effect of temperature on the Ellersieck, M.R. (1998) of carbaryl indicate that, in the field, potency of carbaryl for survival of Photoenhanced toxicity of a tadpoles of the green frog, Rana the direct effects of carbaryl on carbamate insecticide to early life metamorphosis were small to clamitans. Environmental Toxicology stage anuran amphibians. and Chemistry 18: 1482-1484. nonexistent. Effects on Environmental Toxicology and metamorphosis in response to Boone, M.D. (2000) Effects of an Chemistry 17: 2543-2553. carbaryl-induced changes in the insecticide on amphibian communities. aquatic community (i.e. indirect Dissertation, University of Missouri, Report on the Roundtable effects) were much greater. For Columbia, Missouri, USA. Organized by the DAPTF example, even when tadpoles were Boone, M.D. & Semlitsch, R.D. Monitoring Protocols Working not exposed to carbaryl, spring peeper (2001a) Interactions of an insecticide Group, 15 July 2001 (Pseudacris crucifer) and southern with larval density and predation in leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) experimental amphibian communities. The DAPTF Monitoring Protocols tadpoles grew faster and were larger Conservation Biology 15: 228-238. Working Group hosted a roundtable at at metamorphosis when raised in th Boone, M.D. & Semlitsch, R.D. the 11 OGM of Societas communities previously exposed to (2001b) Interactions of an insecticide Herpetologica Europaea, held in carbaryl, even though survival did not with competition and pond drying in Zalec, Slovenia, over 13-17 July 2001.

5 The aim of the roundtable was to organizations involved with amphibian Critically Endangered 14 species; provide a forum for all those involved monitoring, to ensure that effort was Endangered 8species;Vulnerable with monitoring programmes within coordinated and complementary. 15 species; Near Threatened 4 Europe, and to exchange ideas and This plan is by no means a definitive species; Data Deficient 22 species; information, with a view to formulating list of actions, and will no doubt evolve Least Concern 147 species. The a programme of priority activities for as new information comes to light. It is listing for each species is available at the DAPTF Working Group within hoped that work will shortly begin on the following www site: Europe. A panel, which included the development of the website, and http://www.gu.edu.au/school/asc/pp representatives from the SEH any organization that is running a ages/academic/jmhero/ash/framene Conservation and Mapping national or regional monitoring ws.html Committees, was convened to provide scheme and who was not represented Considering the first 2 categories, 17 a focus for the discussion and to at the meeting is invited to contact me. species (8%) of Australian frog answer specific questions regarding I am indebted to Kurt Grossenbacher, species are listed as extinct or monitoring issues within Europe. A Helmut Faber and Patrick Haffner for critically endangered. Combining the total of 21 participants, representing agreeing to sit on the panel, and to first 3 categories, 25 (11.7%) of 12 countries, ensured a wide-ranging Milan Vogrin and the organisers of the Australian frog species are currently and comprehensive exploration of SEH meeting in Zalec for providing threatened with extinction. A total of activities and priorites. At the end of facilities for the roundtable. 40 Australian frog species (18.8 %) the session a five-point action plan for are currently threatened or vulnerable Europe was agreed as follows: Contact: Richard A. Griffiths, Chair, to extinction. DAPTF Monitoring Protocols Working (1) The DAPTF Monitoring Group, DICE, University of Kent, For further information, contact: Dr. Protocols Working Group will develop Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NX, U.K. Jean-Marc Hero, Senior Lecturer in a website that will act as a co- [email protected] Vertebrate Ecology, School of ordination and information centre for Environmental & Applied Sciences, monitoring schemes across Europe. Assessing the Griffith University - Gold Coast Organizations charged with running Campus, PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail Conservation national monitoring programmes Centre, QLD 9726, Australia. would be encouraged to provide Status of Tel. 07 – 5552 8661 information about the protocols being Australian Frogs Fax07-55528067 used in their own country, with [email protected] appropriate links to more detailed IUCN - ASH Workshop information as necessary. 6-9 February 2001 Recent studies of European (2) As it would not be logistically Funded by IUCN & Environment frogs reveal complexities of the possible to address monitoring issues Australia, Hosted by Australian link with UV-B in all species in all countries, the Society of Herpetologists in the working group would seek to prioritize Department of Zoology, University of Tasmania From Tim Halliday, DAPTF its work at both the species and International Director regional levels. At the species level, As part of the new IUCN Global the initial focus would be on Amphibian Assessment process, Elevated levels of UV-B radiation, widespread rather than rare or locally Craig Hilton-Taylor (IUCN) and Dr. resulting from thinning of the ozone distributed species (e.g. Rana Jean-Marc Hero (ASH/Griffith layer, have been shown to have an temporaria, Triturus cristatus, University) organised and completed a adverse effect on the survival of eggs Bombina bombina, B. variegata, Bufo national workshop to assess the and larvae of some anuran species, calamita and Hyla arborea). Regional conservation status of Australian but not of others. The European priorities would be identified as the Frogs in February 2001. ASH common frog (Rana temporaria) information gained through the President, Professor Roy Swain, appears to be one of those species website described in (1) was hosted the workshop at the University that is unaffected by elevated UV-B. consolidated and analyzed. of Tasmania. Over twenty amphibian For example, Cummins et al. (1999) biologists attended with expertise found that artificially elevated UV-B (3) Rather than moving towards covering all regions of Australia. The did not increase mortality and single, standardized protocols for primary objective was to facilitate an Häkkinen et al. (2001) have found individual species or regions, the urgently required update of the current that, in Finland, R. temporaria is not DAPTF Working Group would seek to IUCN listings for the 213 currently affected by ambient UV-B, whereas embrace the diversity of methods that described frog species in Australia. both the moor frog (R. arvalis)andthe are currently in use across Europe, The findings from this workshop were common toad (Bufo bufo)are. but attempt to provide a single open to discussion for 3 months A study by Hofer and Mokri framework within which they can be following the workshop before the final (2000) revealed that the skin of R. executed. listing was posted on behalf of the temporaria tadpoles contains a UV-B (4) Recognizing that the degree of group (see below). This information absorbing substance, in effect a sun- professional involvement in monitoring will be used to update the IUCN listing screen. This may be an alternative, or protocols varies considerably across and will be submitted to Environment an additional adaptation to counter the Europe, the DAPTF Working Group Australia later in 2001 for effects of UV-B to the DNA-repair would seek to embrace protocols that consideration in updating the enzyme photolyase that has been can be used by both professional and Australian Commonwealth listing found in some North American UV-B voluntary workers. under the EPBC Act (2000). resistant frogs, such as Hyla regilla (5) The DAPTF Working Group Following 3 days of (Blaustein et al. 1994). would maintain links with the SEH discussions, the group reached Rana temporaria may not be Conservation and Mapping consensus on the final listings as well-protected against UV-B as it Committees, as well as other summarized as: Extinct 3 species; seems, however. Pahkala et al. (2000)

6 found that embryos protected from Kukeng bamboo farmers and the ambient UV-B in the field showed no Farmland Tree Frog Taipei Zoo. difference from exposed embryos, in Conservation Project Under the agreement, for the terms of hatching rate or frequency of next five years, the Taipei Zoological abnormalities; they were, however, Foundation will compensate each significantly larger as hatchlings. In a Reprinted by kind permission of the bamboo farmer NT$5,000 a year to subsequent lab study (Pahkala et al. Society for Wildlife and Nature encourage them to continue growing 2001), this group has identified a (SWAN), Taiwan, from their bamboo shoots in the 5.7 hectares of ‘carry-over’ effect from the embryo to International Conservation Newsletter, bamboo forest inhabited by the tree the larval stage. Individuals exposed Vol. 9, No. 2 (2001). frogs, instead of switching to orange to elevated UV-B as early embryos WithtwoFarmlandtreefrogs farming. The farmers will also be developed into larvae that (Rhacophorus arvalis) looking on, the encouraged not to use chemicals and metamorphosed later, at a smaller director of the Taipei Zoo, Mr. Yang pesticides, but to preserve the size, and with a higher frequency of Sheng-hsiung, signed a tree frog Farmland tree frog’s habitat. developmental abnormalities than conservation agreement on May 27, individuals shielded from UV-B or 2001 with the village chief of Kukeng Froglog Shorts exposed to normal levels. Township in Yunlin County, Mr. Hsieh These studies suggest that the Shu-ya. Hsieh signed the agreement effects of UV-B on amphibians can be on behalf of 21 bamboo farmers from DONATIONS We gratefully very subtle and, therefore, hard to Nantsai Village, Kukeng, and acknowledge receipt of these donations, received 1st September – detect, and that species that appear to promised on their behalf to fully st be unaffected by elevated UV-B may support a five-year project to conserve 31 October, 2001. Individuals: not in fact be so. Farmland tree frogs. The “Five-year Joseph K. Davidson, Fred Kraus, Farmland Tree Frog Conservation Nancy E. Karraker, Karen Lips. Literature Cited Organizations: Curtis B. Olsen & Blaustein, A.R., Hoffman, P.D., Hokit, Project” led by the Taipei Zoological Foundation marks the first time in Edwin Smith of the International D.G., Kiesecker, J.M., Walls, S.C. & Amphibian Day. Hays, J.B. (1994) UV repair and Taiwan that government, business, resistance to solar UVB in amphibian academia, and the public have come CANADIANS participating in the eggs: a link to population declines? together to cooperate with Canadian Nature Foundation’s Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91: 1781- conservationists on a particular wildlife FrogWatch scheme, don’t forget to 1795. project. submit your observations! For further Rhacophorus arvalis, details, check out the website at Cummins, C.P., Greenslade, P.D. & commonly known as the Farmland www.cnf.ca or call 1-800-267-4088. McLeod, A.R. (1999) A test of the tree frog, was discovered and Chytridiomycosis threatens native effect of supplemental UV-B radiation confirmed as a new species in 1996 on the common frog, Rana temporaria frogs in New Zealand The chytrid by National Taiwan Normal University fungus was first found in New Zealand L., during embryonic development. Zoology Department Professor, Dr. Global Change Biology 5: 471-479. in 1999, among exotic frogs Kuang-yang Lu. The frog’s distribution introduced from Australia. It has now Häkkinen, J., Pasanen, S. & is extremely narrow and the species is been found in one of New Zealand's Kukkonen, V.K. (2001) The effects of found only on agricultural land in a threatened native species, Archey's solar UV-B radiation on embryonic handful of townships and villages in frog (Leiopelma archeyi). mortality and development in three Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan counties. In Conservation News Items from boreal anurans (Rana temporaria, particular, Rhacophorus arvalis HerpDigest (www.herpdigest.org) and Rana arvalis and Bufo bufo). populations are mostly concentrated in GREENlines (www.stopextinction.org) Chemosphere 44: 441-446. the bamboo forests, orchards, and • A tunnel has been built under a mixed forest areas around Kukeng. Hofer, R. & Mokri, C. (2000) major highway to enable California A teacher at Chiao-chen Photoprotection in tadpoles of the tiger salamanders (Ambystoma Elementary School in Kukeng, Mr. common frog, Rana temporaria. J. californiense) to migrate to a breeding Ching-chun Chen, has been observing Photochem. Photobiol. B 59: 48-53. site at Lake Lagunita on the campus local Farmland tree frogs over the past Pahkala, M., Laurila, A. & Merilä, J. of Stanford University. year. He discovered that a large (2000) Ambient ultraviolet-B radiation • Efforts are being made to protect the number of the tree frogs inhabited the reduces hatchling size in the common endangered Toros frog (Rana holtzi), bamboo forests in the village, but that frog Rana temporaria. Ecography 23: found only in the Ulukisla area of their continued survival was being 531-538. Turkey. Known for its bright coloration, threatened by the fact that many it faces two threats; introduced carp Pahkala, M., Laurila, A. & Merilä, J. farmers were switching to orange eat its eggs and fishermen kill adults (2001) Carry-over effects of ultraviolet- farming and cutting down their by using dynamite to hunt fish. B radiation on larval fitness in Rana bamboo plantations, due to a recent • Progress has been made in temporaria. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B slump in the price of bamboo shoots. eradicating introduced bullfrogs (Rana 268: 1699-1706. The tree frogs face not only the loss of catesbeiana) from the Chase River their habitat, but orange farming tends watershed in British Columbia, where to require the use of more pesticides they threaten native frog species. and other chemicals, which poisons • Despite the release of 8000 captive- the frogs. After learning about the bred animals, numbers of Wyoming frogs’ plight, NTNU professor Lu set toads (Bufo hemiophrys baxteri)have about finding outside help. Finally, he fallen from 492 in 1999 to 196 in 2001. was able to initiate the conservation Chytridiomycosis has been found in cooperation project between the the population.

7 • A major effort, using volunteers, is Rana arvalis and Bufo bufo). structure-activity relationship (QSAR) being made to find gastric brooding Chemosphere 44: 441-446. study. Chemosphere 44: 447-455. frogs (Rheobatrachus vitellinus), Hazell, D., Cunningham, R., Wright, K.M. & Whitaker, B.R. (Eds) which disappeared 15 years ago, in Lindenmayer, D., Mackey, B. & (2001) Amphibian Medicine and the Eungela National Park, Osborne, W. (2001) Use of farm dams Captive Husbandry. Krieger Queensland, Australia. as frog habitat in an Australian Publishing. ISBN 0-89464-917-5, DAPTF Web Site As some Froglog agricultural landscape: factors $140.00. Ordering Information: Krieger readers will have discovered, we have affecting species richness and Publishing Company, P.O. Box 9542, re-designed the DAPTF web site. We distribution. Biol. Conservation 102: Melbourne, FL 32902-9542, USA. are now in the process of updating 155-169. Call US Toll Free: 1-800-724-0025 and expanding its contents, with the Iguchi, T., Watanabe, H. & Katsu, Y. Outside the US: 1-321-724-9542 aim of providing as comprehensive a (2001) Developmental effects of FAX: 1-321-951-3671 service as we can to anyone seeking estrogenic agents on mice, fish, and [email protected] more information about amphibian frogs: a mini-review. Hormones & Young, B.E., Lips, K.R., Reaser, J.K., population declines. We are, for Behavior 40: 248-251. Ibáñez, R., Salas, A.W., Cedeño, J.R., example, working on making the Jaeger, J.R., Riddle, B.R., Jennings, Coloma,L.A.,Ron,S.,LaMarca,E., Froglog archive searchable by key Meyer, J.R., Muñoz, A., Bolaños, F., words. In particular, we want to link R.D., & Bradford, D.F. (2001) Rediscovering Rana onca: Evidence Chaves, G. & Romo, D. (2001) our site to all other web sites that Population declines and priorities for contain information relevant to the for phylogenetically distinct leopard frogs from the border region of amphibian conservation in Latin DAPTF's work. Please contact Tim America. Conservation Biol 15: 1213- Halliday ([email protected])if Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Copeia 2001: 339-354. 1223. you have a site that you would like to be linked to ours, or if you have Johnson, P.T.J., Lunde, K.B., Ritchie, Instructions for E.G., Reaser, J.K., and Launer, A.E. comments and suggestions about our Contributors site. Our URL is: (2001) Morphological abnormality http://www.open.ac.uk/daptf/ patterns in a California amphibian community. Herpetologica 57: 336- Froglog welcomes short contributions Publications of 352. (500-1000 words) on any research, Interest Mann, R.M. & Bidwell, J.R. (2001) The discoveries or conservation news acute toxicity of agricultural relating to the amphibian decline Adams, M.J., Schindler, D.E. & Bury, surfactants to the tadpoles of four phenomenon. Success stories as well R.B. (2001) Association of amphibians Australian and two exotic frogs. as tales of impending disaster are with attenuation of ultraviolet-B Environmental Pollution 114: 195-205. sought! We encourage authors describing original research to first radiation in montane ponds. Oecologia Marco, A. (2001) Effects of prolonged 128: 519-525. make submissions to a fully-refereed terrestrial stranding of aquatic journal and then, if appropriate, to Azevedo-Ramos, C. & Galatti, U. Ambystoma gracile egg masses on publish a precis or synopsis in (2002) Patterns of amphibian diversity embryonic development. J. Herpetol Froglog. 35: 510-513. in Brazilian Amazonia: conservation Please submit potential implications. Biol. Conservation 103: Marsh, D.M. (2001) Fluctuations in contributions to John Wilkinson at the 103-111. amphibian populations: a meta- main office address below. E-mail Crump, D. (2001) The effects of UV-B analysis. Biol. Conservation 101: 327- submissions are encouraged radiation and endocrine-disrupting 335. ([email protected]). In order to chemicals (EDCs) on the biology of Pahkala, M., Laurila, A., Björn, L.O. & speed your article into print, please, if amphibians. Environmental Reviews Merilä, J. (2001) Effects of ultraviolet- possible, make your submissions 9: 61-80. B radiation and pH on early SINGLE spaced and use the font Dobson, A. & Foufopoulos, J. (2001) development of the moor frog Rana Helvetica 9-point. Refer to this or any Emerging infectious pathogens of arvalis. J. Applied Ecol 38: 628-636. recent issue of Froglog for format, and please note the preferred format of wildlife. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Pahkala, M., Laurila, A. & Merilä, J. any references cited! 356: 1001-1012. (2001) Carry-over effects of ultraviolet- Enge, K.M. (2001) The pitfalls of pitfall B radiation on larval fitness in Rana FROGLOG is the bi-monthly traps. J. Herpetol 35: 467-478. temporaria. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B newsletter of the Declining Amphibian 268: 1699-1706. Gillilland, C.D., Summer, C.L., Populations Task Force. John W. Gillilland, M.G., Kannan, K., Pope, K.L. & Matthews, K.R. (2001) Wilkinson, Editor, Department of Villeneuve, D.L., Coady, K.K., Muzzall, Movement ecology and seasonal Biological Sciences, The Open P., Mehne, C. & Giesy, J.P. (2001) distribution of mountain yellow-legged University, Walton Hall, Milton Organochlorine insecticides, frogs, Rana muscosa, in a high Keynes, MK7 6AA, U.K. polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals elevation Sierra Nevada basin. Copeia Tel: +44 (0) 1908 - 652274. in water, sediment, and green frogs 101: 787-793. Fax: +44 (0) 1908 - 654167 E-mail: [email protected] from southwestern Michigan. Vasudevan, K. (2001) A foot flagging Chemosphere 44: 327-339. frog from the Western Ghats. Cobra Funding for FROGLOG is Häkkinen, J., Pasanen, S. & 44: 25-29. underwritten by the Detroit Kukkonen, V. K. (2001) The effects of Wang,X.,Dong,Y.,Wang,L.&Han, Zoological Institute, P.O. Box 39, solar UV-B radiation on embryonic S. (2001) Acute toxicity of substituted Royal Oak, MI 48068-0039, USA mortality and development in three phenols to Rana japonica tadpoles boreal anurans (Rana temporaria, and mechanism-based quantitative

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