12/13- Amphiaweb list of papers on amphibian declines, causes, amphibian conservation, emphasis those describe methods for monitoring and conserving amphibian populations.

This reference list is compiled by Professor Tim Halliday (formerly DAPTF International Director) (tim.r.halliday@gmail.com). It lists papers on amphibian declines and their causes and papers on amphibian conservation, with an emphasis on those that describe methods for monitoring and conserving amphibian populations. Tim is always delighted to receive details of forthcoming papers from their authors.

December 2013

Araújo, C. V. et al.  (2013)  Copper-driven avoidance and mortality in temperate and tropical tadpoles.  Aquatic Toxicology:  146C;  70-75.
(cristiano.araujo@icman.csic.es)
Blaustein, J. et al.  (2014)  Influence of fire salamander larvae on among-pool distribution of mosquito egg rafts:  oviposition habitat selection or egg raft predation?  Hydrobiologia:  723;  157-165.
(leon@research.haifa.ac.il)
Carlsson, G. & Norrgren, L.  (2013)  Comparison of embryo toxicity using two classes of aquatic vertebrates.  Envtl. Toxicology & Pharmacology:  37;  24-27.
(gunnar.carlsson@slu.se)
Castroviejo-Fisher, S. et al.  (2014)  Neotropical diversification seen through glassfrogs.  J. Biogeography:  41;  66-80.
(castroviejo.fisher@gmail.com)
Catenazzi, A. et al.  (in press)  Thermal physiology, disease, and amphibian declines on the eastern slopes of the Andes.  Conservation Biology:
(acatenazzi@siu.edu)
Catenazzi, A. & Kupferberg, S. J.  (2013)  The importance of thermal conditions to recruitment success in stream-breeding frog populations distributed across a productivity gradient.  Biological Conservation:  168;  40-48.
(acatenazzi@gmail.com)
Cohen, J. S. & Blossey, B.  (2013)  No apparent effects of soil inoculum on green frog (Lithobates clamitans Latreille) tadpole performance.  Aquatic Ecology:  47;  425-431.
Cove, M. V. & Spínola, R. M.  (2013)  Pairing noninvasive surveys with capture-recapture analysis to estimate demographic parameters for Dendrobates auratus (Anura:  Dendrobatidae) from an altered habitat in Costa Rica.  Phyllomedusa:  12;  107-115.
(m.cove3@gmail.com)
Davenport, J. M. et al.  (2013)  The effects of two fish predators on wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles in a subarctic wetland:  Hudson Bay lowlands, Canada.  Canadian J. Zoology:  91;  866-871.
(jon.davenport@mso.umt.edu)
Davies, S. J. et al.  (in press)  Farm dams facilitate amphibian invasions:  extra-limital range expansion of the painted reed frog in South Africa.  Austral Ecology:  38;  851-863.
(sdavies@sen.ac.za)
Dugas, M. B. et al.  (2013)  Carotenoid supplementation enhances reproductive success in captive strawberry frogs (Oophaga pumilio).  Zoo Biology:  32;  655-658.
(cori@tulane.edu)
Egea-Serrano, A. & Tejedo, M.  (2013)  Contrasting effects of nitrogenous pollution on fitness and swimming performance of Iberian waterfrog, Pelophylax perezi (Seoane, 1885), larvae in mesocosms and field enclosures.  Aquatic Toxicology:  146C;  144-153.
(aegea@um.es)
Ettling, J. A. et al.  (2013)  Captive reproduction and husbandry of adult Ozark hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi.  Herpetol. Review:  44;  605-610.
(ettling@stlzoo.org)
Fenolio, D. B. et al.  (2013)  Status and conservation of a Gondwana legacy:  Bullock’s false toad, Telmatobufo bullocki (Amphibia:  Anura:  Calyptocephalellidae).  Herpetol. Review:  44;  583-590.
(acharrier@gmail.com)
Gomez-Mestre, I. et al.  (2013)  Mechanisms and consequences of developmental acceleration in tadpoles responding to pond drying.  PLoS One:  8 (12);  e84266.
(igmestre@ebd.csic.es)
Hanlon, S. M. & Parris, M. J.  (2014)  The interactive effects of chytrid fungus, pesticides, and exposure timing on gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) larvae.  Envtl. Toxicology & Chemistry:  33;  216-222.
(shanlon1@memphis.edu)
Hanlon, S. M. et al.  (2013)  Mouthparts of southern leopard frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus, tadpoles not affected by exposure to a formulation of glyphosate.  Bulletin of Envtl. Contamination & Toxicology:  91;  611-615.
(hanloc2107@gmail.com)
Higley, E. et al.  (2013)  Effects of triphenyltin on growth and development of the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus).  Aquatic Toxicology:  144-145;  155-161.
(steve.wiseman@usask.ca)
Homan, R. C. et al.  (2013)  Detection of ranavirus in Ohio, USA.  Herpetol. Review:  44;  615-618.
(homanr@denison.edu)
Hoverman, J. T. et al.  (2013)  Does timing matter?  How priority effects influence the outcome of parasite interactions within hosts.  Oecologia:  173;  1471-1480.
(jhoverm@purdue.edu)
Jeliazkov, A. et al.  (2014)  Level-dependence of the relationships between amphibian biodiversity and environment in pond systems within an intensive agricultural landscape.  Hydrobiologia:  723;  7-23.
(jeliazkov@mnhn.fr)
Liang, C. T.  (2013)  Movements and habitat use of Yosemite toads (Anaxyrus (formerly Bufo) canorus) in the Sierra National Forest, California.  J. Herpetol:  47;  555-564.
(christinaliang@fs.fed.us)
Lillo, F. et al.  (2013)  Identification and potential origin of invasive clawed frogs Xenopus (Anura:  Pipidae) in Sicily based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.  Italian. J. Zoology:  80;  566-573.
Loudon, A. H. et al.  (in press)  Microbial community dynamics and effect of environmental microbial reservoirs on red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus).  Intl. Society for Microbial Ecology J:
(loudonah@dukes.jmu.edu)
McFadden, M. et al.  (2013)  Captive management and breeding of the critically endangered southern Corroboree frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) (Moore 1953) at Taronga and Melbourne Zoos.  Amphibian & Reptile Conservation:  5;  70-87.
(mmcfadden@zoo.nsw.gov.au)
Muelleman, P. J. & Montgomery, C. E.  (2013)  Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians of northern Calhoun County, Illinois, USA.  Herpetol. Review:  44;  614-615.
(chadmont@truman.edu)
Orozco-terWengel, P. et al.  (2013)  Mitochondrial introgression hybridization following a demographic expansion in the tomato frogs of Madagascar, genus Dyscophus.  Molecular Ecology:  22;  6074-6090.
m.vences@tu-bs.de)
Ortega-Andrade, H. M. et al.  (2013)  Novel data on the ecology of Cochranella mache (Anura:  Centrolenidae) and the importance of protected areas for this critically endangered glassfrog in the neotropics.  PLoS One:  8 (12);  e81837.
(biomauro@hotmail.com)
Pinya, S. & Pérez-Mellado, V.  (2013)  Ageing and growth of the endangered midwife toad Alytes muletensis.  Endangered Species Research:  22;  263-268.
(sampinya22@gmail.com)
Popescu, V. D. et al.  (2013)  Moving into protected areas?  Setting conservation priorities for Romanian reptiles and amphibians at risk from climate change.  PLoS One:  8 (11);  e79330.
(vioreldpopescu@gmail.com)
Rodriguez-Perez, H. et al.  (2014)  Is the exotic red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) a current threat for the Mediterranean tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) in the Camargue (southern France)?  Hydrobiologia:  723;  145-156.
(hector.hrp@gmail.com)
Romero, D. et al.  (2014)  Uncertainty in distribution forecasts caused by taxonomic ambiguity under climate change scenarios:  a case study with two newt species in mainland Spain.  J. Biogeography:  41;  111-121.
(davidrp@uma.es)
Saenz, D. et al.  (2013)  Synergistic effects of the invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) and climate change on aquatic amphibian survival.  Ecology & Evolution:  3;  4828-4840.
(dsaenz@fs.fed.us)
Sapsford, S. J. et al.  (2013)  Elevation, temperature, and aquatic connectivity all influence the infection dynamics of the amphibian chytrid fungus in adult frogs.  PLoS One:  8 (12);  e82425.
(sarah.sapsford@gmail.com)
Sharifi, M. et al.  (2013)  Suitability of the photographic identification method as a tool to identify the endangered yellow spotted newt, Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata:  Salamandridae).  Russian J. Herpetol:  20;  264-270.
Shulse, C. D. & Semlitsch, R. D.  (2014)  Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) bolster the prevalence and severity of tadpole tail injuries in experimental wetlands.  Hydrobiologia:  723;  131-144.
(christopher.shulse@modot.mo.gov)
Slough, B. G.  (2013)  Occurrence of amphibians in British Columbia north of 57oN.  Northwestern Naturalist:  94;  180-186.
Srinivas, G. & Bhupathy, S.  (2013)  Anurans of the Meghanalai landscape, Western Ghats, India.  J. Threatened Taxa:  5;  4973-4978.
Thomas, R. L. et al.  (2014)  Restoring breeding habitat for giant bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus) in South Africa.  African J. Herpetol:  63;  13-24.
Toranza, C. & Maneyro, R.  (2013)  Potential effects of climate change on the distribution of an endangered species:  Melanophryniscus montevidensis (Anura:  Bufonidae).  Phyllomedusa:  12;  97-106.
(ctoranza@gmail.com)
Townsend, J. M. et al.  (2014)  Avian, salamander, and forest floor mercury concentrations increase with elevation in a terrestrial ecosystem.  Envtl. Toxicology & Chemistry:  33;  208-215.
(jmtownsend@ucdavis.edu)
Venesky, M. D. et al.  (in press)  Linking manipulative experiments to field data to test the dilution effect.  J. Animal Ecology:
(mvenesky@gmail.com)
Vignoli, L. et al.  (2013)  Landscape of amphibian diversity in Latium region:  peaks, valleys and gaps of conservation priority.  Italian J. Zoology:  80:  586-595.
Watari, Y. et al.  (2013)  Evaluating the “recovery level” of endangered species without prior information before alien invasion.  Ecology & Evolution:  3;  4711-4721.
(tmiya@es.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp)
Wickramasinghe, L. J. M. et al.  (2013)  Rediscovery of Pseudophilautus hypomelas (Günther, 1876) (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Peak Wilderness, Sri Lanka, a species thought to be extinct!  J. Threatened Taxa:  5; 
5181–5193.
Wilson, L. D. et al.  (2013)  A conservation reassessment of the amphibians of Mexico based on the EVS measure.  Amphibian & Reptile Conservation:  7;  97-127.
(bufodoc@aol.com)
Wir, S. M. et al.  (in press)  Phthalate ester leachates in aquatic mesocosms:  implications for ecotoxicity studies of endocrine disrupting compounds.  Chemosphere: 
(scott.wir@tiehh.ttu.edu)
Winandy, L. & Denoël, M.  (2013)  Introduced goldfish affect amphibians through inhibition of sexual behaviour in risky habitats:  an experimental approach.  PLoS One:  8 (11);  e82736.
(mathieu.denoel@ulg.ac.be)
Zancolli, G. et al.  (2013)  Detection of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in river frogs (genus Amietia) on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.  Herpetol. Review:  44;  611-614.
(giulia.zancolli@gmail.com)
Zhang, C. et al.  (2014)  Teratogenic effects of organic extracts from the Pearl River sediments on Xenopus laevis embryos.  Envtl. Toxicology & Pharmacology:  37;  202-209.
(xhliu@bnu.edu.cn)

A Runaway Train in the Making: The Exotic Amphibians, Reptiles, Turtles, and Crocodilians of Florida (Via Herp Digest)

Monograph-A Runaway Train in the Making: The Exotic Amphibians, Reptiles, Turtles, and Crocodilians of Florida
Monograph 1. Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. at State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120, USA,

E-mail: wmeshaka@state.pa.us

URL is -
http://herpconbio.org/Volume_6/Monograph_1/Meshaka_2011.pdf

TIM MATTHEWS: Toad in the whole

Tim Matthews is one of my best friends, and also - coincidentally - one of the most controversial figures in contemporary forteana. He has been involved with the CFZ for nearly a decade now, raising eyebrows wherever he goes.

“To dream of toads signifies unfortunate adventures. To kill a toad in a dream foretells that your judgment will be harshly criticised.”

A North Lancashire back garden many years ago and a scene of English domestic bliss as I mowed the back garden. It was a small plot but we’d managed to install a pond at the back of the space in to which we tried to encourage as much wildlife as possible. On automatic pilot, the no brain zone that accompanies mowing activity, I was suddenly jolted out of my stupor as a large Natterjack toad appeared, as if by magic, right in front of the blades. It was a male, if the markings were anything to go by (the females are normally much brighter).

I thought I’d cut the friendly toad but, as luck would have it, for me and him, I’d missed by millimetres. Sighing with relief I slowly made my way around to my new found friend and lifted him towards the pond. He didn’t seem to be moving – almost transfixed or, more likely, in shock – but after a few minutes he carried on. It occurred to me, and not for the first time, that people are the biggest threat to the many and varied creatures we find ourselves living with. In the countryside where I lived, it was sad to see the many animals killed on the roads but it was difficult to know what to do about it.

Today, despite man’s continued danger to wildlife everywhere, technology is being used to assist birds, elephants, endangered species and, now, our population of toads. From high technology to low, from supercomputers to the family down the street, it seems that all are welcome in the effort to protect them. Once upon a time toads were associated with everything from magic, folklore, the devil and fairies to female sexuality.

At the annual Toad Fair, formerly held in Dorset every May, charms and potions based on the amphibian’s “magic powers” were sold.Until the 1930s in Cambridgeshire, for example, local toad-a-mancers proclaimed their magic powers. Happily, much of this nonsense has been overtaken by the real power derived from a silicon chip and recent events include the ever popular Google Earth programme having Britain’s 700 Toad Crossings added to it. Log in; access Toad map!

Yes, indeed, toads cross roads and tracks at certain points for approximately six weeks a year. Teams of local volunteers – highly active and enthusiastic in the cause – work to ensure that, on average, between 400 and 1,000 toads in a defined area make it from A to B in safety. Dick and Suzanne Downer, from a Devon-based Toad Patrol unit tell that, in just one night, they have helped no less than 250 toads. In total they might expect to come across 1500 in a season. Their biggest challenge? Dealing with impatient and angry motorists. (Nothing new there then. Toad Rage!)

Nationally, in 2008, another 36 crossing sites were added to the database. Not only do the crossings assist the toads but scientists can more easily survey their overall numbers:

"Google Earth software is allowing wildlife experts to use new creative ways to communicate important conservation issues to an increasingly techno-savvy public," says Jules Howard, Froglife's Head of Communications. (See, Froglife website)

We know that 35,000 toads were carried across Britain’s roads in 2008, and now, using available technology, volunteers and scientists hope that the better picture they are producing of toad activity nationwide will assist Highways officials access better information on local populations.

Next time you’re driving along a road perhaps you might check out the database first and think a little bit harder whilst moving through the Amphibian Zone...