Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Order: Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae Scope This plan is in place to guide prevention and eradication activities and the management of non-indigenous populations of Salamanders and Newts (Order Caudata; Families Salamandridae, Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae) amphibians in the wild in Victoria. Version Document Status Date Author Reviewed By Approved for Release 1.0 First Draft 26/07/11 Dana Price M. Corry, S. Wisniewski and A. Woolnough 1.1 Second Draft 21/10/11 Dana Price S. Wisniewski 2.0 Final Draft 18/01/2012 Dana Price 3.0 Revision Draft 12/11/15 Dana Price J. Goldsworthy 3.1 New Final 10/03/2016 Nigel Roberts D.Price New DEDJTR templates and document review Published by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, May 2016 © The State of Victoria 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000. Front cover: Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) Photo: Image courtesy of High Risk Invasive Animals group, DEDJTR Photo: Image from Wikimedia Commons and reproduced with permission under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic License. ISBN 078-1-925532-40-1 (pdf/online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. For more information about Agriculture Victoria go to www.agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 iii Salamanders and newts Contents Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 1 Table 1: Introduction 1 Table 2: Declaration Status in Victoria 1 Table 3: Delimitation Survey Options 1-2 Table 4: Species specific delimitation options 3 Table 5: Detection, control, monitoring and breeding calendar 3 Table 6: Transport of live specimens 3 Table 7: Brief Description of Eradication and Containment Options 4-5 Table 8: Species specific eradication and containment options 5-6 Table 9: Brief Description of disease, parasite and infection risks 6 Table 10: Treatment specific WHS considerations 7 Table 11: Animal related WHS considerations 7-8 Table 12: Identification Requirements - take photo/video and e-mail to: 8 Table 13: Euthanasia Options 8 Table 14: Sampling/Autopsy Requirements 9 Table 15: Disposal Options 9 Table 16: Legislation, Regulations and Required Permits 9-10 Table 17: General Species and Technical Experts 10 Table 18: List of Acronyms 11 Table 19: Glossary 11 Appendices 1. Salamandridae Family: Species Specific Table 12-15 2. Ambystomatidae and Cryptobranchidea Families: Species Specific Table 16 3. Proteidae Family: Species Specific Table 17-18 References 19 Photographic references 20 Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 iv Salamanders and newts Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 True, Mole and Giant Salamanders, Newts and Mudpuppies (Order Caudata – Families Salamandridae, Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidae and Proteidae) Table 1: Introduction The species of newts and salamanders listed in this pre-plan are most commonly introduced into Victoria via accidental or deliberate escapes from the illegal pet trade industry. The potential consequences of establishment of invasive newt and salamander species in Victoria are wide ranging and may include the introduction of new pathogens, diseases and parasites, direct predation upon native species, and competition with native species for food, spawning resources and shelter resulting in the displacement of endemic species. Being amphibian the dispersal rates of caudate is heavily dependent on environmental factors. Newts have been known to move up to 500 – 1000m from a water source in search of suitable habitat and food however dispersal of newt s in water is largely determined by water flow and suitability of habitat. Table 2: Declaration Status in Victoria All members of the Order Caudata (newts, salamanders and mudpuppies/waterdogs/olms) are declared as prohibited pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection (CALP) Act 1994, with the exception of the Japanese Fire- bellied newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) which is classified as controlled and the Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) which is not classified under CALP. The Invasive Plants and Animals Committee (IPAC) lists the considered species as either having a Serious or Extreme/Not Assessed establishment threat. See species specific tables for details. Table 3: Delimitation Survey Options Method Description Time suggested to determine presence at site 1. Active searching – line Active searching is used in areas where no The time suggested to determine the presence transects water is present. Logs, rocks and debris in at each site of the species is relative to the proximity to potential habitats are lifted to find amount and type of ground cover. Active adult newts. This method, although not useful searching is only advantageous during non- in areas of dense understorey, is effective at breeding periods the interface between water and terrestrial environments. The technique is not overly efficient when locating caudate amphibians at low densities. 2. Capture with a dip net Use of a small hand-held net to capture Capture with a dip net is useful during tadpoles and adults. This is the most breeding season i.e. late winter until the end of successful sampling technique for caudate spring. One hour at each water body is optimal amphibians. for each sampling session. Refer to Reducing bycatch mortality in crustacean traps by Serena et al. (2016) 3. Hand capture Adults may be captured by hand at the edge of Hand capture is suitable during breeding the water body and amongst aquatic season i.e. late winter until the end of spring. vegetation. One hour is recommended at each water body per sampling session. 4. Spot Light searches Spot Light searching, looking for evidence of Spot Light searches are best undertaken in eye-shine, is the optimal technique to use conjunction with other methods when individual numbers are low. It is used to detect adults only. Eye-shine aids in the location of an animal, however individuals Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 1 Salamanders and newts Table 3: Delimitation Survey Options Method Description Time suggested to determine presence at site require capture for species identification. 5. Funnel traps* (can be used Funnel ended traps are double ended, made Set the traps in each water body for 24 hours. either in water or on land) with from aluminium window screen (0.9 m long Ensure part of the trap is above the water light sticks embedded as an and 0.33m in diameter) with 5cm openings surface to avoid drowning adult amphibians attractant. (Enge, 1997). Light sticks, placed inside the and other non-target aquatics. trap, aid to attract amphibians during nocturnal operations. See ‘Funnel Trap SOP’ for further details of use Refer to Reducing bycatch mortality in crustacean traps by Serena et al. (2016) 6. Commercial USA ‘minnow’ Made of wire mesh (3mm), ‘minnow’ traps are traps* for aquatic use only. This technique may not be efficient in some habitats. Refer to Reducing bycatch mortality in crustacean traps by Serena et al. (2016) 7. Crayfish traps* Crayfish traps are for aquatic use only and Set crayfish traps for 24 hour periods and effective for capture of adult caudate check them daily. amphibians Refer to Reducing bycatch mortality in crustacean traps by Serena et al. (2016) 8. Coverboards Square Hardboard ‘covers’ (variety of sizes) Leave the coverboard at a site for one month are placed on the ground. Adult, semi aquatic before first sampling. newts use these as shelter during the non- It should remain in place throughout the non- breeding season. Coverboards are useful breeding period –No more than once a week when sampling eggs, juveniles and adults, of should it be checked to avoid disturbing newts terrestrial newt species. This technique is and drying out the habitat beneath the cover. inefficient for locating caudate amphibians at low densities. 9. PVC refugia pipes PVC pipes (5cm diameter x 0.9m long) are Ineffective for semi aquatic caudate placed in the ground, leaving approximately amphibians as they do not seek shelter 0.6m above the surface. underground. PVC pipes are effective for capturing terrestrial caudate species. 10. Automated call recorders ACR’s are not an effective technique for Not applicable (ACR) caudate amphibians as most species are not vocal (except Taricha species, Davis and Brattstrom, 1975). 11. Pit fall and drift fence trapping Can be used in both wetland and terrestrial Traps are set for a minimum of one week, and habitat over long term – may be the most are opened at dusk and checked at first light effective technique to detect low densities and each day. Traps are covered during the day prove presence/absence. This method is time and then reopened again at dusk. consuming and labour intensive. 12. Egg, tadpole and metamorph Newt metamorphs easily distinguishable from Daylight search conducted in water bodies sampling* native frog larvae, tadpoles may require expert during breeding season – spring/ early