Rediscovery of an endangered frog Platymantis vitianus, on mainland Fiji: implications for conservation and management

Species composition and distribution of endemic frog species of Keffa, southwest Ethiopia

One significant challenge to biodiversity assessment and conservation is persistent gaps in species diversity knowledge in Earth’s most biodiverse areas. Monitoring devices that utilize species-specific advertisement calls show promise in overcoming challenges associated with lagging frog species discovery rates. However, these devices generate data at paces faster than it can be analyzed. As such, automated platforms capable of efficient data processing and accurate species-level identification are at a premium. In addressing this gap, we used TensorFlow Inception v3 to design a robust, automated species identification system for 41 Philippine frog species (genus Platymantis), utilizing single-note audio spectrograms. With this model, we explored two concepts: (1) performance of our deep-learning model in discriminating closely-related frog species based on images representing advertisement call notes, and (2) the potential of this platform to accelerate new species discovery. TensorFlow identified species with a ~ 94% overall correct identification rate. Incorporating distributional data increased the overall identification rate to ~ 99%. In applying TensorFlow to a dataset that included undescribed species in addition to known species, our model was able to differentiate undescribed species through variation in “certainty” rate; the overall certainty rate for undescribed species was 65.5% versus 83.6% for described species. This indicates that, in addition to discriminating recognized frog species, our model has the potential to flag possible new species. As such, this work represents a proof-of-concept for automated, accelerated detection of novel species using acoustic mate-recognition signals, that can be applied to other groups characterized by vibrational cues, seismic signals, and vibrational mate-recognition.

This study describes an assessment of the medium-term effects of selection logging on the reptiles and frogs in the montane forests near Queanbeyan, New South Wales. A total of 15 reptile and two frog species was detected across 20 fixed-area plots that were selected according to broad forest type and logging history. Reptile species richness was not significantly different among the different habitat treatments. Total reptile abundance was significantly higher on logged plots, but was not influenced by forest moisture type. Individual analyses for five lizard species (accounting for 84% of all data) showed that several species (Eulamprus tympanum, E. heatwolei and Pseudemoia spenceri) had significantly greater abundances on the logged plots than on the unlogged plots, while two species (Nannoscincus maccoyi and Niveoscincus coventryi) did not differ significantly in their abundances across treatments. Thus, none of these species (which included arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial species) appeared to be adversely affected by past logging practices. Insufficient data on frogs were obtained for analysis. An additional 26 species (13 reptile and 13 frog species) were recorded during a regional survey involving 57 sites. Only two frog species were detected at more than 10 sites, illustrating the difficulty in obtaining data to determine whether logging has any impact on frog populations. Snakes are similarly difficult to assess: 13 snakes from six species were detected in this study. It is concluded that (i) the most abundant reptile species were not adversely affected by past logging, and (ii) many species of herpetofauna were patchy in their distribution across the study area, preventing resolution of the influence of habitat type or disturbance. The difficulty in collecting quantitative data on frogs and snakes confirms the importance of surveys that target endangered frog and snake species so that protective buffer zones can be delineated. Further research is required on these groups to assess the impact of forest management practices.

We describe a new species of forest frog in the genus Platymantis from New Britain Island, Bismark Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. The new species is a morphologically cryptic form that has masqueraded for almost four decades under the name P. schmidti (formerly P. papuensis schmidti, Brown & Tyler, 1968). The new species is microsympatric with the geographically widespread P. schmidti at two known localities. We diagnose the new species on the basis of its distinctive advertisement call and slight but consistent differences in body size and proportions. Calling males of the new species appear to prefer more elevated perches than do males of P. schmidti and the new species may exhibit a greater extent of sexual size dimorphism.

Biodiversity in the Solomon Islands Is extremely rich, and in the Pacific is second only to Papua New Guinea. Despite this high diversity there are only rough estimates for the biodiversity of most taxa in the Solomon Islands. As part of a terrestrial biodiversity survey, we conducted nocturnal surveys for frogs in a range of habitats from 10?1 060 m on Choiseul Island. This work was carried out between June 2005 and January 2006. In addition to the nocturnal surveys, we also conducted opportunistic diurnal searches for reptiles as well as community environmental education and awareness workshops. Fifteen frog species (65% of all Solomon Island frogs) including all five endemic species, were found during our surveys of Choiseul Island. Most of the species were fairly widespread and abundant, however, four species (Discodeles bufoniformis, Palmatorrapia solomonis, Brachylodes trossulus and B. wolfi) were fairly restricted in their distribution. In addition, we found 20 reptile species during opportunistic surveys (30% of all Solomon Island reptiles Including four endemics). Important habitats on Choiseul Island based on frog species richness and abundance are mid-altitude rainforest (500?600 m), primary lowland rainforest and lowland coastal forest. Unfortunately, it is these habitats that are most threatened by logging operations on the island. In order to aid biodiversity conservation on Choiseul Island we recommend a number of activities including additional biodiversity surveys, increased community awareness and education about biodiversity and the impacts of logging, and the drawing up of a management plan including all terrestrial taxa for Choiseul Island forests.

Fishing spiders, Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Pisauridae), are thought to be important predators in semi-aquatic ecosystems, but relatively few studies have investigated feeding ecology of Asian species. Here, we report on the diet of the Okinawan fishing spider, Dolomedes orion Tanikawa, 2003, the largest cursorial spider in Japan, based upon field observations on Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture and a literature review. A total of 13 predation events were observed in field surveys and 10 records were found in the literature. Together, these indicate the consumption of a broad range of food items from arthropods to vertebrates, e.g., insects, harvestman, conspecific spiders, crustaceans (freshwater crab and prawn), two species of endemic frogs (Rana ulma, Odorrana narina), and an Okinawa tree lizard (Japalura polygonata polygonata). Because this species has substantial energy demands for growth, large prey items such as crustaceans and vertebrates seem to be its primary food resources with 10 of 23 prey items [= 43%] belonging to these two large-sized prey groups.

The amphibian skin fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) occurs widely in Puerto Rico and is thought to be responsible for the apparent extinction of 3 species of endemic frogs in the genus Eleutherodactylus, known as coquis. To examine immune defenses which may protect surviving species, we induced secretion of skin peptides from adult common coqui frogs E. coqui collected from upland forests at El Yunque. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, we were unable to detect peptide signals suggestive of antimicrobial peptides, and enriched peptides showed no capacity to inhibit growth of Bd. Thus, it appears that E. coqui depend on other skin defenses to survive in the presence of this deadly fungus.

Human disturbed landscapes such as those in early stages of mine reclamation provide habitat for disturbance-oriented species. Disturbance- oriented birds that are uncommon or absent from the surrounding region may be concentrated at large-scale human disturbed sites such as surface mines. Implications for conservation and management of such species are important considerations, given the possibility one or more of those species may be federally protected. Recent expansion of the breeding range of Interior Least Terns (Sterna antillarum athalassos), a federally endangered species, in Texas has many implications for management on private lands. Interior Least Terns first nested on reclaimed mine spoil at Big Brown Mine in East-Central Texas in 1997. Management objectives for reclamation planning were subsequently established to provide suitable nesting and foraging habitat for terns while seeking to reduce the risk of interference with mining activities at Big Brown Mine. Since 1997, an average of 29 nests per year have occurred on artificial sites created for tern nesting, with average annual nest success 49%, hatching success 47%, and fledging success 46%. Average annual reproductive success (fledglings per female) is 0.40. We discuss colonization of reclaimed mine land by disturbance- oriented avian species and present research on the nesting and foraging ecology of Interior Least Terns in Texas as a case study. Implications for conservation and management of disturbance-oriented birds in reclamation are discussed.

Simple SummaryThe main objective of this study was to provide the first information on the age structure of the critically endangered and endemic frog species, Rana tavasensis, in Türkiye. Age data are important in evaluating the dynamics of populations and effective conservation strategies should be addressed according to age-related parameters (e.g., longevity, mean age, growth rate, and age at maturity). Skeletochronology is an effective method for estimating the ages of amphibians, and using this method, we determined the mean age, longevity, and relationship between age and body size in both males and females of a R. tavasensis population in Çakıroluk, the terra-typica, located in Denizli province, Türkiye. The results of our study provides insights for taking feature measures to protect these frogs, whose number has progressively declined each year due to habitat loss and degradation.This study used skeletochronology to assess the relationships between age and body length among individuals in a population of the Tavas Frog (Rana tavasensis), located in the Çakıroluk plateau, Tavas district, Denizli province. The age varied from 3 to 12 years in both adult males and females. The age was 2 years in two subadult males, while it was 1 year in one juvenile specimen. The mean SVL and age of the adult individuals of the Çakıroluk population were 62.75 mm and 6.70 years in male specimens and 58.04 mm and 6.12 years in female specimens. A positive correlation was found between body size (SVL) and age in adult female and male individuals of the species. Because the number of individuals of the species is rapidly decreasing, species protection measures, based on knowledge related to the age structure and breeding features of these frogs, must be put into action urgently.

The tadpoles of three poorly known endemic frog species from the forested mountains of the Republic of Tanzania are described: Arthroleptides martiensseni (Anura: Ranidae), Afrixalus uluguruensis (Hyperoliidae) and Leptopelis vermiculatus (Hyperoliidae). Natural history observations are included where possible.

The country of Fiji, with a population of approximately 870 000 people, faces a growing burden of several communicable diseases including the bacterial infection typhoid fever. Surveillance data suggest that typhoid has become increasingly common in rural areas of Fiji and is more frequent amongst young adults. Transmission of the organisms that cause typhoid is facilitated by faecal contamination of food or water and may be influenced by local behavioural practices in Fiji. The Fijian Ministry of Health, with support from Australian Aid, hosted a meeting in August 2012 to develop comprehensive control and prevention strategies for typhoid fever in Fiji. International and local specialists were invited to share relevant data and discuss typhoid control options. The resultant recommendations focused on generating a clearer sense of the epidemiology of typhoid in Fiji and exploring the contribution of potential transmission pathways. Additionally, the panel suggested steps such as ensuring that recommended ciprofloxacin doses are appropriate to reduce the potential for relapse and reinfection in clinical cases, encouraging proper hand hygiene of food and drink handlers, working with water and sanitation agencies to review current sanitation practices and considering a vaccination policy targeting epidemiologically relevant populations.

Wildlife is an important global commodity that generates significant revenue along the supply chain, including economic benefits in range states for sought‐after species. However, international trade in wild species is often associated with over‐exploitation and illegal extraction. To regulate, monitor, and ensure the sustainability of such trade, over 180 countries have ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Using national data collected through CITES processes, we undertook a network analysis to evaluate the structure and dynamics of international trade in six CITES‐listed species of Colombian endemic poison frogs (Dendrobatidae). We assessed the magnitude of the international trade and the countries that were reporting legal imports/exports, both before and after Colombia allowed legal exports of these species, to examine the changes associated with Colombia's export legalization and to draw conclusions about the country's role and benefits from trade in these species. Our analyses show that, for over two decades, international trade of CITES‐listed species likely in contravention of the Convention resulted in significant exports—and likely greater financial benefits—accruing in non‐range states through reported captive breeding programs. Although the market was reconfigured when Colombia legalized the export of certain endemic frog species, non‐range states with founder stocks obtained from unknown and possibly illegal sources continue to account for a significant portion of the trade volume of some species (mostly, Phyllobates spp.). We discuss the importance of enforcing regulations and collaborations that promote better traceability of international commerce of endemic species to ensure the legitimacy of transactions, economic benefits for origin countries, and the conservation of species in the wild.

Reproductive data for 24 of the 50 plus species of scleractinian corals in Hawai'i are available. A majority of species (75%) are broadcast spawners, just over half (58%) of which are hermaphrodites. Peak reproduction of Hawaiian corals occurs during summer months, although reproduction continues year-round for some brooders. Timing, duration, mode, and location of reproductive processes have implications for disturbance management, assessment, and conservation of reef corals.

A rapid survey on the diversity of herpetofauna species at Delta Tumpat Mangrove Forest (DTMF) was carried out from July to September 2017 (36 days). The objective of the study is to determine the diversity of herpetofauna species in five main location sites in DTMF. Amphibians (frogs and toads) and reptiles (lizards) were collected by pitfall trapping within a terrestrial transect utilising active searching and direct observation while reptiles (snakes) were collected by chance during observation. All herpetofauna species were observed and identified by referring to books and journals. The results show three species of amphibians from three families and eight species of reptiles from seven families were present on DTMF. Of all the amphibians, only two species of frogs and one species of toad were collected. Of all the reptiles, only six species of lizards and two species of snakes were collected. The most commonly encountered reptiles were the Bell’s butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana), water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) and garden lizard (Calotes versicolor). The number of amphibians and reptiles is considerably low due to the relatively close distance to the sea, which limits herpetofauna species at the sites to disperse despite these animals being hard to find due to their indescribable habits.

Age structure of populations of four species of endemic Malagasy frogs of the genus Mantella (M. aurantiaca, M. baroni, M. bernhardi, M. madagascariensis) was examined by skeletochronology based on 96 specimens from nine different localities. In more than half of these (57%), no lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were found, and the number of LAGs recognized in the remaining specimens was mostly one, and probably two in three specimens. It is generally considered that each LAG corresponds to one year of life; our results therefore confirm that in Mantella populations almost all specimens are in their first or second year of life.