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Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

Rediscovering the Oxapampa poison frog, Ameerega planipaleae


Germán Chávez and Marco A. Enciso
Vol 91 Mar 2009

T he Oxapampa poison frog Ameerega planipaleae (Anura:


Dendrobatidae) was discovered in 1996 and described
in 1998 under the name Epipedobates planipaleae (Morales
What’s Inside
& Velazco, 1998) from only four specimens (one female and Cover story
Rediscovering the Oxampa poison
frog, Ameerega planipaleae Page 1
Around the World: Research
Red patch infection in the skipper
frog in Sri Lanka Page 4
Insect attacks on amphibians from
Sri Lanka Page 6
Remarkable amphibian diversity
in the South Nguru Mountains of
Tanzania Page 8
Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo
americanus in Pennsylvania Page 10
Conservation
Amphibian breeding station in Hanoi
Page 12
Help the Amphibian Ark save the Pirri
harelquin frog Page 16
Announcements
Oxapampa poison frog, Meerega planipaleae. © G. Chávez Save the Frogs day 2009 Page 18
Seed Grants
three males) found at the mountain forest of the Cordillera ASG Seed Grant Reports Page 19
Yanachaga-Chemillén, central Andes of Peru. The name was Instructions to Authors Page 19
subsequently changed by Grant et al. (2006) and included into

1
Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog
Continued from Cover page

the genus Ameerega. This spe-


cies has been reported just once
since its description, in 1999 in
the type locality (Javier Icochea,
pers. comm.), and never previ-
ously photographed. It is likely
that A. planipaleae is the poison-
ous frog with the highest known
elevational range. According to
reports, habitat loss and frag-
mentation in the type locality is
a major problem for the species.
For that reason, it was classified
as Critically Endangered (CR)
by the IUCN Red List (Icochea
et al., 2004) and by the Peruvi-
an category of threatened fauna
(INRENA, 2004). This frog is
known only for the type locality
and its ecology and natural his-
tory are practically unknown.

This species has been Oxapampa poison frog, Meerega planipaleae. © G. Chávez

reported just once six trips to the type locality; this frog.
the survey included search- The population was found in
since its description, ing streams and forests habi- only two streams close to the
and never previously tats between 1900 to 2300 type locality, and we can say
photographed m.a.s.l. in each season. The with some confidence that this
effort was conducted by four frog is not common in these for-
Considering this background, researchers, and the first re- ests. According to some observa-
our team of peruvian research- sults were obtaind in August tions, the coloration described
ers proposed a project in 2006 2007, when we found the by Morales and Velazco (1998)
to find populations of A. plani- first individual of A. pla- is apparently incorrect, because
paleae and to obtain data about nipaleae after almost nine we observed a color pattern
their natural history and ecol- years. Since then, we have variation in this species (Med-
ogy, with the aim of elaborat- found eighteen specimens ina-Müller & Chávez, 2008).
ing an action plan to help the (according to the last record We are not sure about the sexual
conservation of this species. in January 2009) and we re- dichromatism mentioned in the
From 2007 to 2009, we made corded valuable data about first description, which consists

2
Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog
Continued from previous page We have already sampled in carry out more research to reveal
of a dark gular region in males several localities in the north- the natural history and ecology
and bluish with dark reticula- ern Peruvian Andes and we are of A. planipaleae and to increase
tions in females. We found interested in conducting mon- our knowledge on the distribu-
both of them with the gular itoring in the central Andes, in tion of the species in order to
region dark or bluish color- localities including Oxapampa, suggest conservation actions for
ation without predominance where A. planipaleae occurs. It this enigmatic and endangered
of any color for males or fe- will declared our flagship spe- frog.
males. Apparently, this frog cies. We have initiated a health
prefers rock habitats close to evaluation in the A. planipaleae Acknowledgements
streams and it is sympatric population that we know. We
with direct development frogs must consider the great threat We thank Iniciativa de Especies
of the family Strabomantidae that chytridiomycosis presents, Amenazadas-IEA Perú, Pro-
and glass frogs of the family and the importance of research- grama de Becas Maria Koepcke
Centrolenidae. None of these ing this disease in amphibian (APECO-C.I.) for supporting
species were diurnal like A. species of Peru (von May et al., this research. To Javier Icochea
planipaleae, so we can con- 2008). This evaluation is not for their values comments on
clude that it is the only di- only for the fungal disease, but the project, to Margarita Me-
urnal frog in these forests. also for the diseases of bacterial dina-Müller, Rudolf von May,
To confirm the distribution, origin. Jennifer Jacobs, Mirella Villena,
we conducted several surveys From our data we concluded Ana Patricia Mendoza, Carlos
in other localities near to the that Ameerega planipaleae is an Martinez and Amanda Delgado
type locality, with no success. endemic frog with a very short for their help with fieldwork,
While we recorded the same distributional range. It does not and to Samanta Cairo for the
sympatric species as found in have diurnal competitive spe- translation help and the com-
the Planipaleae´s streams, it cies, and it appears to exhibit ments on the manuscript.
was impossible to find A. pla- a preference for streams and
nipaleae. The photo record in- habitats close to water bod- References
cluded on the previous page is ies. These habitats are threat-
the first of this species, but it ened by habitat degradation Enciso, M.A.; Villena, M.;
is the second to be published caused by agricultural activi- Mendoza, A.P. & Chávez, G.
(two photos were previously ties, with increasing amounts (2008). Rapid survey on am-
published by Medina-Müller of agro chemical substances in phibian skin diseases in a moun-
& Chávez [2008]). The call the soil and water. Addition- tain forest at the northern andes
was not recorded and the tad- ally, garbage is not recycyeld in of Peru. Froglog 87:4-7.
poles are unknown. this area, and there are exotic Grant, T.D.; Frost, D.R.;
Since 2007 we have been species present. There is also a Caldwell, J.P.; Gagliardo, R.;
working on a project to mon- possibility to find pathogenic Haddad, C.F.B.; Kok, P.J.R.;
tor disease in Peruvian am- agents, but we´re still working Means, B.D.; Noonan, B.P.;
phibians (Enciso et al., 2008). on this aspect. It is necessary to Schargel, W. & Wheeler, W.C.

3
Rediscovery of the Oxapampa poison frog
Continued from previous page
cursos Naturales [INRENA]. gulo, A.; Brown, J.L.; Carril-
(2006). Phylogenetic system- (2004). Categorización de espe- lo, J.; Chávez, G.; Córdova,
atics of dart-poison frogs and cies amenazadas de fauna silves- J.H.; Curo, A.; Delgado, A.;
their relatives (Anura: Athes- tre. D.S.N°034-2004-AG. Enciso, M.A. et al. (2008).
phatanura: Dendrobatidae). Medina-Müller, M. & Chávez, Current state of conserva-
Bulletin of the American G. (2008). Ameerega planipaleae: tion knowledge on threat-
Museum of Natural History Color pattern variation and its ened amphibian species in
299:1-262. relevance to Ameerega taxono- Peru. Tropical Conservation
Icochea, J.; Lehr, E.; Jung- my (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae). Science 1:376-396.
fer, K. & Lötters, S. (2004). Herpetotropicos 4:64.
Ameerega planipaleae. In:
IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red
Morales, V.R. & Velazco, P.M.
(1998). Una nueva especie de
Epipedobates (Amphibia, Anura,
F or further information
please contact: vamp-
flack@yahoo.com (GC) &
List for Threatened Species.
(Online) Available: www.iuc- Dendrobatidae) de Perú. Am- marco.enciso@gmail.com
nredlist.org [02/03/09] phibia-Reptilia 19:369-376. (MAE)
Instituto Nacional de Re- von May, R.; Catenazzi, A.; An-

Around the World: Research

Preliminary note on the ‘red patch’ infection in the skipper frog


(Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) in Sri Lanka
Anslem de Silva, N. P. K. Dawundasekera & Panduka Gunawardena

D uring an ongoing island-


wide survey to ‘Investigate
the incidence and geographical
pattern of Malformations, Ab-
normalities, Injuries and Para-
sitic infection of Frogs, Toads
and Caecilians of Sri Lanka’
we observed in some aquatic
frogs redness above the eye. We
have named this condition ‘red
patch’. This is the first report of
this condition from Sri Lanka.

The host species


Of several species of sympatric
aquatic anurans that were in- Figure 1. Skipper frog (Euphlytics cyanophlyctis) showing ‘red patch’
vestigated during the ongoing © Anslem de Silva

4
Red patch infection in the skipper frog of sri lanka
Continued from previous page

tissue processor and em-


bedded in paraffin wax. Mi-
crosections of 5 m cut from
paraffin embedded tissue
blocks and stained with
Haematoxylin and Eosin
(H&E) were subjected to
microscopic examination.
Presently detail investiga-
tions are been conducted
to see etiology of the condi-
tion.

Figure 2. Conspicuous ‘red patch’ in a dead specimen© Anslem de Silva


Acknowledgements
Dept of Wildlife Conser-
survey, we observed a conspicu- Laboratory investigations vation, Sri Lanka for the
ous ‘red patch’ externally above These frogs were investi- permission granted for the
the prominent eye balls of Eu- gated in the veterinary pa- study to the first author
phlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schneider, thology laboratory. Tissue and the Amphibian Spe-
1799) (Skipper frog = English; samples including the ‘red cialist Group Seed Grant to
Utpatana mädiya = Sinhala). It patch’ collected form the the first author. We thank
was present in both sexes (Figure affected frogs were fixed in Ms. W.R. Jayaweera for her
1). Two frogs that had this con- 10% formol saline for his- technical assistance in his-
dition died, however, the ‘red topathological examination. topathological studies.
patch’ infection was highly vis- The fixed tissues were grad-
ible even in the dead specimens ually dehydrated in ethanol Author Email: kalds@
(Figure 2). by means of an automatic sltnet.lk

Insect attacks on amphibians: some recent observations from Sri


Lanka
Anslem de Silva, N. P. K. Dawundasekara & Sameera Karunarathna
ans (beetle) larvae (species

T here are few reports from Sri


Lanka of predation by in-
vertebrates on amphibian larvae
Silva, 1997), hemipterans
(de Silva, 2001a) and Dip-
teran larvae (de Silva 2001b,
not yet identified) attack-
ing and feeding on the body
fluids of amphibians. These
and adults. These invertebrates de Silva and de Silva, 2001). were observed during an on
ranged from arachnids (Bamaba- The present paper is on going island wide study on
radeniya, 2001), crustaceans (de two incidents of coleopter- amphibian malformations.

5
Insect attacks on amphibians in Sri Lanka
Continued from previous page
The second episode was ob-
served at Talawakele (1400m
above sea level) in an anthro-
pogenic habitat around 10
am where an arboreal shrub
frog Philautus viridis Mana-
mendra-Arachchi & Pethi-
yagoda, 2005 was attacked
on the ventral surface of the
frog by two coleopterans
(beetle) larvae. One larva was
attached to the lower chin
area whilst the other on to
the abdomen. However, the
attack on the chin appeared
Figure 1. Beetle larvae clinging on to Duttaphrynus melanostictus
severe as the larvae has virtu-
© Anslem de Silva
ally burrowed into the flesh
(Figure 3). The frog appeared
weak and died subsequently
within an hour. Both larvae
fell during photography (Fig-
ure 4). This attractive frog is
highly polymorphic in colour
(Figure 5); it is an endemic
and an endangered species
Figure 2. Unidentified beetle larvae © Anslem de Silva (IUCN, 2007).
The above two cases sug-
On December 9th, 2008 we cae of an adult common house gests not only of an unusual
observed around 10 am a toad (Figure 1). This
beetle larvae clinging on to a larvae did not fall or
toad: Duttaphrynus melanostic- detached itself from
tus Schneider, 1799 (common the toad though the
house toad) in an anthropo- toad was handled
genic habitat at Puttalam (N quite freely during
08º 00’ 59.7” and E 7.9 50’ photography. The
17.7”, 28 m asl). The insect insect was removed
was clinging on to the toad by photography for
its claw-like appendage about identification (Fig-
one millimeter above the cloa- ure 2). Figure 3. Fatal attack on the chin of Philautus viridis
© Anslem de Silva

6
Insect attacks on amphibians in Sri Lanka
Continued from previous page

riocephalus 3(2): de Silva, Anslem and


28. Panduka de Silva. 2001.
de Silva, Some observations on
Anslem. 2001a. the spawn and larval suc-
Some aquatic in- cess of Polypedates cruciger
sects: predators Blyth, 1852 in Gampola,
of anuran larvae Sri Lanka. Lyriocephalus
at Horton Plains Special Edition. 4 (1 &
National Park. Ly- 2):28-35.
riocephalus Spe- IUCN Sri Lanka & the
cial Edition. 4 (1 Ministry of Environment
Figure 4. Unidentified beetle larvae© Anslem de Silva
& 2):145-146. and Natural Resources.
de Silva, Anslem. 2007. The 2007 Red List
predator of amphibians, but 2001b. Some in- of Threatened Fauna and
also that it could be fatal for sect predators of anuran larvae Flora of Sri Lanka. Co-
amphibians. observed in Gampola, Sri Lanka. lombo. 148 pp.
Lyriocephalus Special Edition. 4
Acknowledgements (1 & 2):147-149. Author Email: kalds@slt-
Dept of Wildlife Conservation, net.lk
Sri Lanka for the permission
granted for the study to the
first author and the Amphibian
Specialist Group Seed Grant to
the first author. K. G. Roshan
S. Nandana for assistance in the
field.

Literature cited
Bambaradeniya, C. N. B. 2001.
An incident of a Huntsman
Spider (Arthropoda; Araneae;
Heteropodidae) feeding on a
Rhacophorid frog. Lyriocepha-
lus Special Edition. 4 (1 & 2):
140
de Silva, Anslem. 1997.
Crab feeding on a tadpole. Ly-
Figure 5. Philautus viridis green color phase© Anslem de Silva

7
Remarkable amphibian diversity in the South Nguru Mountains, Tanzania
Simon Loader, Michele Menegon Hendrik Müller, David Gower, Mark Wilkinson, Kim Howell, and Frances Orton

M yers et al’s (2000) iden-


tification of the East-
ern Arc Mountains (EAM) as
derstanding of amphibians in the
EAM is almost entirely founded
on work conducted on only three
main blocks. Several locali-
ties were surveyed for the
first time during this work.
a hotspot of species richness of the thirteen mountain blocks The surveys were conducted
provided a much-needed fo- (Poynton et al. 2007). Outside of collaboratively by a group
cus on an area long regarded as these three areas only fragmentary of herpetologists working in
biologically rich. The Eastern surveys have been carried out, the region. A recent survey
Arc is a chain of disconnected and these have provided tantaliz- of the Nguru Mountains
mountain blocks that strikes us as being
run subparallel to the particularly inter-
coast in a Northeastern esting to report
direction from southern and highlights the
Tanzania up into south- remarkable am-
ern Kenya. The area is phibian diversity
renowned for its high in the EAM.
species richness, which Our group re-
is mostly concentrated ceived funds from
in the forests covering the Declining
each mountain block. Amphibian Popu-
Amphibian diversity on Diversity of the Nguru Mountains
lation Task Force
these mountain blocks to conduct ad-
is high, with many en- ditional surveys
demic species and even gen- ing glimpses of the species assem- in the Nguru Mountains,
era. Of the spatially restricted blages in less well-studied parts of complementing those re-
species, many are rarely en- the EAM (e.g. Emmrich, 1998). cently reported in Menegon
A clearer understanding of spe- et al. (2008). Our work was
Previous surveys pro- cies diversity and distribution focused on the collection of
vided tantalizing throughout the fragmented EAM data to continue ecological,
glimpses of the species is a priority if basic questions on morphological and molecu-
the evolution and conservation of lar studies on the Eastern
assemblages in less amphibians are to be addressed. Arc amphibian fauna. In
well-studied parts To meet this need, over the past 2008 we collected voucher
ten years herpetological surveys specimens of various life
countered or collected and have been conducted in areas history stages, swabbed 400
generally very little is known outside of the Usambara, Ulu- specimens that are now be-
of their distribution and biol- guru and Udzungwa Mountains, ing used in PCR-based tests
ogy. The basis for current un- the three relatively well surveyed for the presence of poten-

8
Remarkable amphibian diversity in the south Nguru Mountains, Tanzania
Continued from previous page
tially lethal chytridomyco- tane forest of the Nguru South ed to within the Eastern Arc
sis fungus, and collected tis- Forest Reserve between 1800- Mountains. The surveys and
sue samples for phylogenetic 2200m. This giant Arthrolep- taxonomic assessment of the
analyses. Our overall aim was tis was described by members species collected show that,
to gain a better understand- of our team (Poynton et al. in total, 16 amphibian taxa
ing of the species inhabiting 2008) and has a Critically En- are probably distinct enough
the Nguru Mountains. dangered conservation status (based on morphological and
because of its highly restricted molecular data) from other
the South Nguru distribution and the changing known taxa to be considered
Mountains stand out land use patterns in the Ngu- new species. Thus the South
rus. Many other potential new Nguru Mountains appear to
as being exceptionally species await description from be one of the most important
diverse our collection, which includes ranges for amphibian diver-
a new toad and caecilian spe- sity on the continent of Af-
In total, our combined cies figured. rica (Menegon et al. 2008).
work surveyed 15 sites in the The need for a rapid tax-
The number of unde- onomic and conservation
Nguru Mountain forests; nine
sites in Nguru South For- scribed and endemic assessment of these newly
est Reserve, and six in Kanga species is striking discovered, but as yet un-
Forest Reserve. Sampling sites described species is clearly a
were located in submontane From our study of amphib- high priority. Today, because
and montane forests between ians, species identifications of a combination of the rela-
750 and 2200 m asl. A total suggest that the South Nguru tively recent exploration of
of 41 species of amphibians Mountains stand out as being the area and a taxonomic hi-
from 12 families were re- exceptionally diverse. Indeed, atus, the Nguru Mountains
corded in South Nguru For- the South Ngurus are compa- has few described endemic
est Reserve, Kanga Forest Re- rable to, and potentially richer species, and consequently
serve and adjacent farmland. than the better-surveyed areas a perceived low diversity.
Of the species collected, the in the EAM. The number of Conservation concern is
majority was recorded from undescribed and endemic spe- therefore accordingly low,
forest, and their altitudinal cies is striking. Based on pre- as an area with relatively
and habitat distribution sug- liminary results of our work, few species. With increas-
gests strong dependence on 39.02% of the herpetofauna ing land use changes in the
the fragmented forest habitats species are strictly endemic to South Ngurus being a real
that remain. A good example the South Nguru Mountains concern, several of the unde-
of this forest-restricted assem- and all but one of these are cur- scribed species are likely to
blage is the recently described rently undescribed (Poynton et be threatened. We continue
species Arthroleptis nguruen- al. 2008). A further 24.3 % of with our aims to better un-
sis, known only from mon- the species have ranges restrict- derstand and promote this

9
Remarkable amphibian diversity in the south Nguru Mountains, Tanzania
Continued from previous page
richly diverse amphibian as- Reserves (Menegon et al. in
The South Nguru semblage (see www.tanzanian- print). This will ensure better
Mountains appear to herps.org), and suggest focused long-term protection to the
attention be accorded to this area and the species that in-
be one of the most area in the future. A positive habit the forests of the Nguru
important ranges for direction from government in- Mountains.
stitutions is already evidenced
amphibian diversity by the possible designation of Corresponding author: Si-
on the continent of the South Nguru Mountains mon Loader: simon.loader@
as a Nature reserve by the Tan- unibas.ch
Africa zanian Government’s Nature

Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo americanus tadpoles in the Nine


Mile Run Restoration Area, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania USA
Kalyn Wylie, Michal-Lynn Gramby and Mary Kostalos

A mphibian decline is a sig-


nificant problem world
wide. This group of verte-
area in Frick Park, a city park
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
These studies were conducted
restoration, new wetland areas
were constructed and existing
areas expanded.
brates has been on the earth for as senior research projects by In 2007 Gramby (unpub-
over 300 million years. Over Biology majors at Chatham lished thesis) conducted a
168 species may have already University. The Nine Mile Run population survey of Bufo
become extinct and about restoration was a $7.7 million americanus in two wetland ar-
1,856 species of amphibians eas within the restora-
are threatened (AmphibiaWeb, tion area. She estimated
2008). Since toads often breed that at least 13 pairs of
in temporary pools, any delay toads had laid eggs in
in metamorphosis can reduce the two wetland areas
the likelihood of completing (A and B) that she sur-
metamorphosis before the pool veyed, and thousands
dries up, leading to a reduction Nine Mile Run Restoration Area of tadpoles were present
in the population. in late April. However,
For two years, 2007 and dollar project to help control metamorphosis seemed to be
2008, studies were conducted flooding and sewer overflows in inhibited or delayed, and none
on the population of Ameri- this urban watershed, and re- of the tadpoles had developed
can toads, Bufo americanus, in store the stream area to a more legs by the middle of June when
the Nine Mile Run restoration natural state. As a part of the the wetlands dried up, killing

10
Inhibition of metamorphosis in Bufo americanus tadpoles
Continued from previous page

the tadpoles. No toadlets were A few had developed hind legs poles were kept in an envi-
observed in the study area. As by this point, but most had only ronmental chamber (Peri-
the wetlands were drying up, an leg nubs. cival model AR-36) at 17.5o
extensive bloom of an unidenti- C with a 12 hour light cycle.
fied filamentous green algae oc- The algae affected The tadpoles were observed
curred in one of the wetlands. survival, but did not for 126 days, and were mon-
In 2008, Wylie (unpublished itored for survival, develop-
thesis) conducted a field and appear to inhibit ment of hind and front legs,
laboratory study to examine the metamorphosis body length and transforma-
role of the green algae in tadpole tion into toadlets.
development. Egg masses were In order to study the possible The results, illustrated in
first observed in both wetland effect of the algae on tadpole Fig 1. indicated that the Ex-
areas on April 20, 2008. Tad- development, tadpoles were tract Treatment was acutely
poles were collected from Site maintained in an environmental toxic and all tadpoles died
A for the laboratory portion of chamber under controlled con- in less than two weeks. In
the study on April 23. On May ditions. The alga was identified both the Algal Treatment
27, 2008, the tadpoles at site B as a species of Spirogyra. Three and Control, 5 of 30 tad-
had developed hind legs while bowls containing 750 ml of wa- poles developed hind legs
those at Site A had only leg ter and 10 tadpoles were set up and one tadpole completed
nubs. By June first, hundreds of for each treatment. Three treat- metamorphosis to become a
toadlets were observed at Site ments were established, stream toadlet. An Anova test, com-
B, while the tadpoles at Site A water from near the wetland paring survival among treat-
still had only leg nubs. By the sites (Control), stream water ments, showed that survival
end of June, a few tadpoles at to which approximately 10 gm was significantly higher in
Site A had developed hind legs of live algae were added (Algal the Control group compared
and few toadlets were seen; Treatment), and water in which to the Algal Treatment and
however, most of the tadpoles the algae
had failed to develop. By early had been
July, the wetlands had dried up, maintained
killing the tadpoles. Additional for several
observations from a small back- weeks, but
yard pond about a mile from from which
the study site showed that some the algae
of the toad tadpoles completed were fil-
metamorphosis; however, in tered before
both 2007 and 2008, when the use (Extract
pond was cleaned in Novem- Treatment).
ber, tadpoles were still present. The tad- Fig 1. Impact of algae on Survival Rates of B.americanus tadpoles

11
Inhibition of metamorphosis in bufo americanus tadpoles
Continued from previous page

the Extract Treatment (p= Further studies are planned tershed. Unpublished Thesis.
0.5; f= <.001). The tadpoles Chatham University. Pitts-
to try to confirm these results
in the Control generally sur- and determine the reason for burgh, PA
vived until week 13 after this phenomenon. One im- Worldwide Amphibian De-
which there was a rapid de- clines: How big is the prob-
portant aspect is to try to de-
cline, while the tadpoles in termine the geographic extent lem, what are the causes and
the Algal Treatment began to of this problem. The authors what can be done? (2008)
die in week 6 and showed a would appreciate any infor- AmpbiaWeb http://am-
steady decline until the end mation on the delay or failurephibiaweb.org/declines.html.
of the experiment. The algae of metamorphosis observed in Downloaded on 27 August,
affected survival, but did not other areas or other species. 2008
seem to be a factor inhibit- Wylie, K. (2008) The effects
ing metamorphosis. Acknowledgements of the green algae, Spirgyra on
Although Bufo americanus The authors wish to thank metamorphosis of toad tad-
are common in the study Mr. Jim Sweet for identifying poles (Bufo americanus). Un-
area and are not threatened the algal species. published Thesis. Chatham
or endangered, continued University. Pittsburgh, PA
delay or failure of the tad- References
poles to complete metamor- Gramby, M. (2008) A pop- For further information
phosis will result in a decline ulation study of Bufo Ameri- please contact: kostalos@
in the population over time. canus at Nine Mile Run Wa- chatham.edu.
Conservation

Amphibian breeding station in Hanoi: a trial model for linking con-


servation and research with sustainable use
Nguyen Quang Truong, Dang Tat The, Pham The Cuong, Nguyen Thien Tao and Thomas Ziegler

A t present, Vietnam con-


tains a total of 176 spe-
cies of amphibians (Nguyen
lov et al. 2006a,b, Orlov & Ho
2007, Nguyen et al. 2008, Or-
lov 2008, Orlov et al. 2008).
medicine use. In response,
the Institute of Ecology and
Biological Resources (IEBR),
et al. in prep.). Within the In contrast to this increasing, together with the Cologne
past four years, 15 new spe- still underestimated and poorly Zoo, decided to upgrade an
cies have been described studied species richness, many already existing facility on
(Böhme et al. 2005, Orlov populations, if not whole spe- the outskirts of Hanoi that
2005, Orlov & Ho 2005, cies, are facing extinction as a was established in 2004 by
Stuart & Bain 2005, Stuart result of habitat loss and over- IEBR.
et al. 2005, Bain et al. 2006, collecting for food consump- The main focus of the am-
Ohler & Delorme 2006, Or- tion, trade and traditional phibian breeding station is

12
Amphibian Breeding Station in Hanoi
Continued from previous page In their preliminary report, amphibians and four rep-
to keep, breed and study Viet- Ziegler & Nguyen (2008) re- tiles) are kept at the Hanoi
namese amphibians and select- ported about 24 already exist- station. All of them are reg-
ed reptilian species in an “in ing enclosures for the keeping istered with the Forest Pro-
country (i.e., in situ)” facility, and breeding of amphibians tection Department of Ha-
with the following goals: 1) to and reptilians at the station, noi. In 2008 we developed a
breed endangered species for a) plus a workroom and two store breeding program for half of
maintaining a captive assurance rooms for different kinds of the amphibian species kept;
population especially in times of food. Within the Vietnamese Hylarana maosonensis, Rha-
world-wide emerging chytridi- / German cooperation project cophorus feae, R. maximus,
omycosis, and b) preparation for between IEBR and the Co- and R. rhodopus. Three of
subsequent release of offspring logne Zoo, both manager and these species, H. maosonen-
into the wild, if required; 2) to technical staff of the station sis, R. maximus, and R. feae,
were sucessfully bred at the
station meanwhile. Three
hundred froglets of Rhacoph-
orus dennysi, which was suc-
cessfully bred in 2007, were
released in June 2008 into
the wild at Tam Dao NP,
from where the parents were
collected. Captive animals,
and those being released,
are tested for the amphibian
chytrid fungus; to date it has
not been detected within the
station’s inhabitants. Releas-
ing a limited number of the
offspring of Rhacophorus feae
Fig 1. Rhacophorus maximus at the Amphibian Station in Hanoi
and R. maximus is planned
study the natural history, espe- participated in a training course for 2009. Also initial reptil-
cially the reproductive biology at Cologne Zoo in February ian breeding successes (e.g.,
of rare or poorly known spe- 2008, focused on amphibian the first breeding of the en-
cies in captivity; and 3) to pro- rearing methods and provid- dangered Shinisaurus croco-
vide a surplus of offspring of ing an introduction to respec- dilurus from Vietnam) con-
certain species for the trade to tive techniques. Subsequently, firm the current husbandry
a) decrease the number of wild in addition to more facilities, a concept of the Hanoi breed-
caught specimens, and b) guar- quarantine station was built in ing station.
antee a long-term maintenance 2008.
and self financing of the station. Currently, 12 species (eight

13
Amphibian Breeding Station in hanoi
Continued from previous page
amphibian working group. To all Salamandridae), from northern
Acknowledgments of them we express our sincerest Vietnam. Salamandra, 41(4):
We thank Prof. Dr. Le gratitude. 215-220.
Xuan Canh (IEBR) and Nguyen, Q. T., Hendrix,
Theo Pagel (Cologne Zoo) References R., Böhme, W., Vu, N. T.,
for their support and en- Bain, R. H., Stuart, B. L., and and Ziegler, T. (2008). A new
couragement. Dr. Frank Orlov, N. L. (2006). Three new species pf the genus Philautus
Mutschmann (EXOMED, Indochinese species of cascade (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacoph-
oridae) from the Truong Son
Range, Quang Binh Province,
central Vietnam. Zootaxa,
1925: 1-13.
Nguyen, T. T., Tran, T. T.,
Nguyen, Q. T., and Pham,
T. C. (2008). Rhacophorus
maximus (Nepal Flying Frog).
Herpetological Review, 39(3):
364.
Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C., and
Nguyen, Q. T. (in prep.). Her-
petofauna of Vietnam. Edition
Chimaira.
Fig 2. Tadpoles of Rhacophorus feae Ohler, A. and Delorme, M.
(2006). Well known does not
Berlin) supported us, e.g., frogs (Amphibia: Ranidae) allied mean well studied: Morpho-
in chytrid testing. The to Rana archotapnus. Copeia, logical and molecular support
breeding program at the 2006(1): 43-59. for existence of sibling species
Amphibian Station was par- Böhme, W., Schöttler, T., in the Javanese gliding frog
tially supported by the Insti- Nguyen, Q. T., and Köhler, J. Rhacophorus reinwardtii (Am-
tute of Ecology and Biologi- (2005). A new species of salaman- phibia, Anura). Comp. Rend.
cal Resources (IEBR), the der, genus Tylototriton (Urodela: Biol., 329: 86-97.
Cologne Zoo, the
Number of
World Association Species adults froglets Breeding success
of Zoos and Aquar- Tylototriton vietnamensis (parents) (offspring)
36 - not yet
iums (WAZA), the Hylarana maosonensis
Kurixalus verrucosus
11
12
42
84
first in April 2008
first in July 2007
European Union of Rhacophorus rhodopus 12 - not yet
Rhacophorus dennysi 50 about 12,000 first in February 2008
Aquarium Curators Rhacophorus maximus 20 about 1,500 first in April 2008
Rhacophorus feae 20 about 1,500 first in October 2008
(EUAC), and by Theloderma corticale 20 60 first in September 2008
the Cologne Zoo’s Table showing breeding success of amphibians at the Amphibian Station in Hanoi

14
Amphibian Breeding station in Hanoi
Continued from previous page

Orlov, N. L. (2005). A new


species of the genus Vibrissa-
phora Liu, 1945 (Anura: Me-
gophryidae) from Mount Ngoc
Linh (Kon Tum Province) and
analysis of the extent of species
overlap in the fauna of amphib-
ians and reptiles of the North-
west of Vietnam and Central
Highlands. Russ. Jour. Herpe-
tol., 12(1): 17-38.
Orlov, N. L. (2008). Descrip-
tion of a new species of Rha-
cophorus genus (Amphibia:
Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Fig 3. Release of froglets (Rhacophorus dennysi) within Tam Dao National Park, Vinh
Kon Cha Rang Area (Gia Lai Phuc Province, Vietnam
Province, Vietnam). Russ. Jour. Ghate, H. V., and Kent, Y. Rana megatympanum Bain,
Herpetol., 15(2): 133-140. (2006b). New species of Th- Lathrop, Murphy, Orlov
Orlov, N. L. and Ho, T. eloderma from Kon Tum and Ho, 2003 from Laos
C. (2005). A new species of Province (Vietnam) and Na- and Vietnam. Herpetolog-
Philautus from Vietnam (Anu- galand State (India) [Anura: ica 61(4): 478-492.
ra: Rhacophoridae). Russ. Jour. Rhacophoridae]. Russ. Jour. Stuart, B. L., Orlov, N. L.,
Herpetol., 12(2): 135-142. Herpetol., 13(2): 135-154. and Chan-ard, T. (2005).
Orlov, N. L. and Ho, T. C. Orlov, N. L, Nguyen, N. A new cascade frog (Am-
(2007). Two new species of S., and Ho, T. C. (2008). De- phibia: Ranidae) from Laos
cascade ranids of Amolops ge- scription of new species and and Vietnam. Raffles Bull.
nus (Anura: Ranidae) from new records of Rhacophorus Zool., 53(1): 125-131.
Lai Chau Province (Northwest genus (Amphibia: Anura: Rha- Ziegler, T. & Nguyen,
Vietnam). Russ. Jour. Herpe- cophoridae) with the review of Q. T. (2008). The amphib-
tol., 14(3): 211-228. amphibians and reptiles diver- ian and reptilian breeding
Orlov, N. L., Ananjeva, N. sity of Chu Yang Sin National station at Hanoi. WAZA
B., and Ho, T. C. (2006a). A Park (Dac Lac Province, Viet- Magazine, 9: 10-11.
new cascade frog (Amphibia: nam). Russ. Jour. Herpetol.,
Ranidae) from Central Viet- 15(1): 67-84. For more information
nam. Russ. Jour. Herpetol., Stuart, B. L. & R. H. Bain please contact Thomas
13(2): 155-163. (2005). Three new species of Ziegler: ziegler@koelner-
Orlov, N. L., Dutta, S. K., spinule-bearing frogs allied to zoo.de

15
YOU can help the Amphibian Ark save the Pirri harlequin frog from
extinction
Kevin Zippel

A s the Froglog com-


munity well knows,
there are nearly 2000 am-
phibian species currently
threatened with extinc-
tion. Most of them are
facing threats that can be
mitigated in time to pre-
vent their extinction, and
we should all continue to
support those organiza-
tions who are working to
protect these species in the
wild (e.g., the ASG). How-
ever, there are perhaps 500 part of the ACAP is the Amphib- they can be secured in the
species facing threats that we ian Ark www.AmphibianArk. wild. AArk partners around
cannot mitigate in time to save org, in which select species that the world are already work-
them in the wild (e.g., disease, would otherwise go extinct will ing with nearly 50 prior-
climate change). An integral be maintained in captivity until ity species in captivity and
continuously working to
increase our capacity to save
more.
Currently we are promot-
ing a fundraiser through the
online community Face-
Book to help our partners
in Panama save the Pirri
harlequin frog (Atelopus gly-
phus). This species occurs
in the highlands of extreme
eastern Panama in the Ser-
ranía de Pirre and just cross-
es over into the Chocó re-
gion of Colombia The Pirri
harlequin frog occurs in

16
Help Save the Pirri harlequin frog
Continued from previous page
ian Conservation Center (EVACC) has
shown that they are straightforward to
keep and breed. Our rescue facility will
be a modified, refrigerated shipping
container, a cost-effective, biosecurity-
friendly system pioneered at the Am-
phibian Research Centre in Australia.
Our “amphibian pod” will be estab-
lished at the Summit Zoo on the east-
ern side of the Panama Canal, one of
multiple species-specific rescue facilities
planned there. Long-term management
of the facility will be the responsibility
of a consortium involving multiple in-
stitutions, including the Houston Zoo,
which established and supports EVACC
to the west of the canal.
Saving the Pirri harlequin frog from
imminent extinction will cost $53,000
and we are hoping to raise this by June
1, 2009. This amount includes $41,000

two protected parks, yet it has been fungus within


classified as Critically Endangered five years.
by the IUCN and as a priority for We are fairly
rescue by the AArk because of the certain that we
imminent arrival of the amphibian will be success-
chytrid fungus. Of approximately ful with this spe-
113 species in the genus Atelopus, cies in captivity
thirty are presumed extinct and because prelimi-
only ten can be found in ‘stable’ nary husbandry
populations today. We predict that research con-
the Pirri harlequin frog will be hit ducted at the El
(and possibly driven extinct) by the Valle Amphib-

17
Help Save the Pirri harlequin frog
Continued from previous page
adult pairs plus a managed Pirri harlequin frog by do-
for purchase, outfitting, and in- group of offspring for a total of nating today and recruiting
stallation of the facility (shelves, about 500 animals required for your friends!
tanks, lights, generator), and proper genetic management.
$12,000 for the first year of op- Never before has it been so Author email: KevinZ@
eration (staff, live food, vet ser- easy to be a part of prevent- AmphibianArk.org
vices, etc.). The facility will hold ing an imminent extinction.
approximately 20 wild-caught Please, do your part to save the

Announcements

Save the frogs day - April 28th, 2009


Kerry Kriger
care for versus destroy the en- labs; and

I n an effort to raise aware-


ness of the plight of am-
phibians, the scientific com-
vironment, and thus by edu-
cating the public regarding
environmental issues we will
(3) Issues that are en-
grained in the public’s con-
sciousness receive more
munity has declared April help to ensure that our current monetary funding from
28th, 2009 the 1st Annual hard work will not be laid to governments, private foun-
‘Save The Frogs Day’. On this waste by the environmentally- dations, and average citi-
day we encourage the appre- destructive actions of future zens, and we all depend on
ciation and celebration this money.
of amphibians by people Can you de-
from all walks of life. vote half of a
It is our duty as her- day on April
petologists to protect 28th towards
amphibian populations, educating the
and this will not be pos- public about
sible unless we rapidly the amphib-
and successfully educate ian extinction
the public about the am- crisis? Please
phibian extinction crisis. help us make
A large sector of society is Save The Frogs
still unaware that amphibians generations; Day successful by giving a
are in trouble, and we all have (2) Increasing students’ inter- free public lecture on am-
a vested interest in changing est in herpetology will mean a phibian extinctions (or
this: larger pool of potential gradu- your area of expertise) at a
ate students for us to choose local school on April 28th,
(1) An environmentally from, and thus higher qual- 2009. It’s great publicity
conscious society attempts to ity researchers working in our and a great way to spread

18
Save the Frogs Day 2009
Continued from previous page com), help you develop the have your group announce
the word about amphibian lecture, find local journalists Save The Frogs Day via its
declines and get students in- who can attend the event, mailing list and website.
terested in herpetology and and provide you with infor- Our goal is to make the
environmental conservation. mational flyers to distribute. amphibian extinction cri-
Please email me if you are If you can help develop les- sis common knowledge by
able to give a free lecture so son plans for teachers, please 2010: help make it happen!
that we can list the event on also let us know.
the SAVE THE FROGS! If you are affiliated with a Author email: kerry@
website (www.savethefrogs. herpetological society, please savethefrogs.com

Seed Grants

ASG Seed Grants members. Below are reports Boby Darmawan, Mirza D.

R ecipients of ASG Seed


Grants are generally
expected to publish the re-
that we have received recently.
Anyone wanting a copy of ei-
ther should contact the author
Kusrini & Angus P. Kartono.
(2008) Amphibian Diver-
sity in Ex-Forest Concession
sults of their projects in ref- in the first instance; if you Area of PT Rimba Karya In-
ereed journals, or as articles cannot reach the author, con- dah, Bungo Regency, Jambi
in Froglog. They are also tact Robin Moore - rdmoore@ (Sumatra).
required to send us reports, conservation.org. Please keep (mirza_kusrini@yahoo.com)
so that their results can be an eye on www.amphibians.org
made available to ASG for announcements of an up-
coming round of seed grants.

Instructions to Authors

F ROGLOG publishes a
range of articles on any
research, discoveries or con-
words and follow the style
of FROGLOG Vol 83 (as
should references). You may
FROGLOG is the bi-monthly
newsletter of the Amphibian Spe-
cialist Group (ASG). Articles on
servation news relating to the also submit images, maps, any subject relevant to the under-
amphibian decline phenom- figures or tables. We encour- standing of amphibian conserva-
enon. We encourage authors age the submission of pho- tion, research and / or assessments
describing original research tographs to accompany text. should be sent to: Robin Moore,
to first make submissions to Short news items and press Editor, Conservation Interna-
a refereed journal and then, releases are also acceptable. tional, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite
if appropriate, to publish a Please submit potential con- 500, arlington, VA 22202, USA.
synopsis in Froglog. Submis- tributions to Robin Moore E-mail:
sions should be in English, at the address in the box to rdmoore@conservation.org
normally no more than 1000 the right.

19

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