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6 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Standard survey methods for amphibians and reptiles |
First aim is often to prove the presence of species, followed by assessments of abundance and population sizes. Surveys are standardised based on published protocols. Survey methods include: - Aquatic funnel traps (“bottle traps” or mesh traps) - Night torch surveys of ponds - Drift fences with pitfall traps - Artificial covers and shelters - The collection of environmental DNA (water or soil) samples
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Chytridiomycosis 1 |
• Caused by a fungus Batrachochytrium dendobatitis (Bd) • Seen as a main causative agent for the global declines • Bd has aquatic spores and lives under the skin in both adults and tadpoles, infection leads to respiratory problems and eventually cardiac arrest • Infected amphibians can be cured in captivity, but the procedure is time-consuming, and cannot be taken into account to solve the problem |
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Chytridiomycosis 2 |
• The chytrid disease is seen as unique in the history of conservation biology: it has infected >500 amphibians species, causing extinction for several of them; it is thus the most devastating disease ever recorded for vertebrates • The fungus is present in the uk but does not cause major die-offs |
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Bactrachochytrium (B.salamandrivorans) |
This is a second species discovered in mainland Europe in 2013, after it caused a severe local die-off of fire salamander populations. Likely to originate from Asia, imported through salamander pet trade. There is currently a main worry that will spread also to the UK |
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Ranavirus |
• Viral infection of the skin infection of the skin and internal organs- ulceration of the skin and haemorrhaging • Infects fish, amphibians and reptiles • Many different strains- some more virulent than others • Global distribution: identifies in >173 ectothermic vertebrates (91 amphibians) from around the world • Associated with widespread declines of the common frog, Rana temporaria, and frequent die-offs in other amphibians may be associated with local extirpation |
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Scottish Highland crested newts |
• The northernmost isolated distribution of T.cristatus in the UK (around Inverness) has traditionally been interpreted as an introduction, as the continuous distribution is about 70km away • However, considerations of past climate reveal a possible corridor ~7000 years ago • Genetic data demonstrate that the amount of genetic variation is similar than at the Northern edge of the continuous range, and that genetic differentiation across Highland population is high • The most parsimonious explanation of the documented genetic patterns is that great crested newt populations in the highlands are indeed native |
