Articles tagged with Amphibians
A study published in Nature has found that artificial heat shelters can significantly reduce chytrid infections in frogs, allowing them to co-exist with the deadly disease. The simple intervention uses readily available materials and can be easily scaled up for community involvement.
A study using crowd-sourced data from iNaturalist found that slugs and snails are more common in urban areas than other native species. In contrast, butterflies and moths were the least tolerant of urban environments. The analysis provides valuable insights for city planners to increase urban biodiversity.
Researchers have uncovered a 270-million-year-old ancient amphibian ancestor in the Smithsonian's collection, naming it Kermitops gratus in honor of Kermit the Frog. The fossilized skull possesses unique features that shed light on the origin of living frogs and other amphibians.
Scientists have scanned over 13,000 vertebrate specimens using CT technology, making them available for free online. The scans provide a detailed view of internal structures, allowing researchers to study specimens in ways previously impossible.
Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to quickly detect the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in shipments and captive settings. The new approach tests environmental DNA for Bsal DNA to assess the pathogen's prevalence, providing a way to make an essentially invisible pathogen visible.
A Hungarian study reveals that pond networks rely on spatial position for species diversity, with central connections hosting higher microorganism and plankton diversity. This research highlights the importance of connectivity in maintaining biodiversity in fragmented ecosystems like bomb crater ponds.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique healing mechanism in newts that could aid humans in recovering faster from tendon injuries. By understanding how newts regenerate damaged tendons without scar tissue, scientists hope to develop more effective treatments for human athletes.
Researchers found that female Taricha newts produce higher levels of tetrodotoxin, a deadly neurotoxin, than males. This discovery suggests the toxin may serve as a signal for mate selection and survival.
A large USGS study assesses methylmercury in adult amphibians, finding it to be a toxic compound that bioaccumulates in animals as they feed. The study's results provide new methods and baseline data for assessing mercury risk in endangered species, including those listed under the Endangered Species Act.
A study from North Carolina State University tracked 16 rehabilitated turtles to monitor their long-term survival and health. The researchers found that turtles moved an average of 100 yards between observations, with some individuals traveling much farther than expected.
Researchers have found that caecilians, an elusive type of amphibian, transfer microbes from their skin and gut to their young during skin-feeding. This unique method of parental care provides nutrients and helps establish a healthy microbiome in juvenile caecilians.
Scientists will use AI-powered monitoring stations to track species populations and assess the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes in improving biodiversity. The study aims to demonstrate how different farming systems and practices affect species populations, providing crucial evidence for sustainable land management policies.
The Ngoc Linh Crocodile Newt is a newly discovered species of crocodile newt found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The species is considered Endangered due to its small population size and limited geographic range.
UK schoolchildren aged 7-11 drew mammals and birds most commonly, with reptiles and amphibians appearing less frequently. The study suggests children's perceptions of local wildlife are skewed towards mammals and birds, hinting at a wider problem of nature disconnect.
A biologist at Binghamton University has developed a new method to uncover the parent species of hybrid plants and animals. By examining genomic patterns within these hybrids, researchers can identify distinct ancestries and determine the order in which chromosomes were inherited from their progenitor species.
A trained detection dog can find great crested newts even through soil and at a distance, potentially aiding critical conservation efforts. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found the dog achieved an 87% success rate in detecting the species across various environmental conditions.
A study by Shinji Sugiura and Masakazu Hayashi found that bombardier beetles are better defended against pond frogs than assassin bugs. The researchers also showed that both insects benefit from mimetic interactions with the shared predator.
A review of scientific literature on reptiles between 1960 and 2021 found that 15% of articles focused on only ten species, with fewer than ten studies published on 90.5% of all species. The authors attribute this bias to factors such as habitat, size, danger of extinction, and proximity to research institutions.
A new species of stream frog from the Andes of Ecuador was named Hyloscirtus tolkien, created by one of their favorite writer, JRR Tolkien. The researchers found it in the pristine streams of the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park.
Glassfrogs have a unique adaptation to stay transparent, storing nearly all of their red blood cells in their livers with reflective guanine crystals. This allows them to avoid blood clots and live without the risks associated with aggregation of red blood cells.
Researchers found that male wasp genitalia serve as an effective anti-predator defense, deterring some tree frogs from eating them. Male genital spines are used to pierce and sting predators, preventing them from swallowing the wasps. This study highlights the significance of male genitalia in animal defense.
Scientists have solved a decades-long puzzle about why ancient tetrapod fossils in Ireland's Jarrow Assemblage had their internal bone structure altered. The team used CT scans and laser ablation to analyze the chemistry of the bones, finding evidence of superheated fluids that cooked and melted the bones.
A team of scientists has estimated the weight of a prehistoric salamander using five living animal analogues and 19 body mass estimation techniques. The study found that the large-bodied Eryops was around 160 kilograms, while the Paracyclotosaurus was roughly 260 kilograms.
A six-year study confirms stream contamination with pesticides from trespass cannabis cultivation sites in Northern California, threatening local aquatic species and freshwater resources. The study's findings highlight the need for proactive approaches to mitigate the impacts of these sites on downstream waterways and habitats.
Climate change poses a significant threat to southwestern US reptile and amphibian populations, with limited-dispersal species facing the greatest vulnerability. The study suggests that prioritizing conservation efforts for these species may be crucial to mitigating habitat loss.
A study published by the University of Zurich has found that vocal communication in vertebrates has a common and ancient evolutionary origin, dating back to around 407 million years ago. The research used vocal recordings and contextual behavioral information from 53 species across four major clades of land vertebrates.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee are investigating the movement of amphibian pathogens in wildlife trade networks, with a focus on disease mitigation strategies. The project aims to understand how socio-economic factors impact pathogen dynamics and develop market-based mechanisms to promote healthy trade.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that changes in the extracellular environment during metamorphosis and body growth enable newt muscle fibers to dedifferentiate and contribute to limb regeneration. This process is crucial for newts' ability to regenerate limbs throughout their life cycle.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that amphibian and reptile invasions cost the global economy at least $17.0 billion between 1986 and 2020. The majority of costs were attributed to American bullfrog and brown tree snake invasions, highlighting the need for effective policies to limit future invasions.
A study reveals over 50 common toads in UK woodlands, defying expectations of their terrestrial lifestyle. The discovery highlights the importance of tree cavities as a habitat for amphibians and encourages conservation efforts.
Researchers studied miniature frogs from the genus Brachycephalus and found that their small vestibular system prevents them from maintaining balance. The tiny frogs can jump but struggle to control their trajectory mid-leap.
The first international study of its kind assesses the status of all reptile species, revealing that at least 2,000 species are threatened with extinction. The study found that 50% of turtle and crocodile species face extinction threats, while 30% of forest-dwelling reptiles and 14% of arid area reptiles are in danger.
Scientists have discovered six new species of frog in Mexico's forests, with one being the country's smallest, the 13mm-long Craugastor candelariensis. The newly discovered species are known as 'direct-developing' frogs, emerging from eggs as perfect miniature frogs.
Scientists from around the world gather to discuss various amphibian and reptile diseases, with a focus on conservation and management strategies. The conference aims to identify solutions to mitigate the impact of these diseases on herpetofauna populations, which are currently experiencing alarming extinction rates.
Researchers developed a simple and efficient method for surveying amphibians using environmental DNA analysis, which can be conducted by anyone without specialist knowledge. This technique resolves issues with conventional methods such as capture and observational surveys, allowing for more accurate monitoring of amphibian habitats.
A new species of rainfrog, Pristimantis gretathunbergae, has been discovered in Panama and named after global environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The frog's habitat is threatened by climate change and deforestation, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.
A Brazilian study expands amphibians' known reproductive modes to 74, creating a new classification. The research analyzed 2,171 species of amphibians, including anurans with 71 reproductive modes, some laying eggs in aquatic environments while others develop directly.
The study reports 21 species of Pakistan's amphibians, highlighting the need for conservation strategies to control populations and address human-caused threats. Researchers propose an inclusive wildlife conservation approach incorporating poorly documented taxa like amphibians to maintain ecosystem health.
Research reveals eastern spadefoot toads spend more time above ground than previously believed, contradicting a century-old misconception. The study used spotlighting to detect large numbers of the endangered species in various habitats.
A study found that ancient amphibians' spine stiffness varied with habitat, with more aquatic species having more rigid backbones. The researchers collected measurements on over 40 species of temnospondyls, providing valuable information on early vertebrate adaptations to water-to-land transitions.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully analyzed Micropholis stowi fossils excavated during a 2017-2018 collection trip to Antarctica. The findings reveal that this salamander-sized amphibian was more widespread than previously recognized, with evidence suggesting it could have adapted to various environments.
Researchers confirm presence of two distinct but interbreeding species of caecilians on São Tomé island. The study suggests that volcanic activity may have driven the divergence of the limbless amphibians around 300,000 years ago.
A study of spitting cobras shows that a combination of venom components have evolved to create an instantly painful venom, used for defense rather than hunting. The research provides a remarkable example of convergent evolution and suggests early humans may have influenced the evolution of spitting in cobras.
Researchers found that the island-based Guttural Toads had significantly reduced body size and hindlimb length compared to their South African counterparts. This rapid dwarfism raises questions about the evolutionary mechanisms driving this change in less than a hundred years.
A recent study found that mammals, birds, and amphibians have lost an average of 18% of their natural habitat range due to land use changes and climate change. The loss could increase to 23% by 2100 in a worst-case scenario.
A reanalysis of a global amphibian disease study found the main conclusions lack evidence and are unreproducible. The research review previously linked the chytrid fungus to hundreds of amphibian declines, but the new analysis identified data deficiencies and methodological issues.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country found that microplastics cause mortality in detritivores and reduce tadpole growth. Microplastics also attach to periphyton, altering ecosystem productivity, and are ingested by organisms, highlighting their potential impact on freshwater ecosystems.
A new study finds that biodiversity loss is causing a smaller, less diverse snake community in the tropics. The decline of tropical snakes is an 'invisible' outcome of biodiversity loss and has upward effects on higher-order predators.
Researchers found that birds and mammals have encapsulated Golgi tendon organs set directly at the muscle-tendon junction, detecting tension in precise areas. This allowed for controlled motion and a selective advantage that conserves energy.
Researchers have found interactions between multiple genetic lineages of the amphibian-killing chytrid fungus, including a previously unknown lineage widespread in Southeast Asia. This discovery suggests that genetic recombinations can create more virulent hybrids, posing additional threats to amphibians and conservation efforts.
A new study found that naproxen's degradation products are up to 15 times more toxic to southern toad larvae than the medication itself. Researchers emphasized the importance of considering the full life cycle of medications when evaluating their environmental impact.
Researchers used ecological and evolutionary attributes to model extinction risk for data-deficient amphibians, finding over 1,000 species threatened with extinction. Half of these species are likely Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily in the Neotropics and Southeast Asia.
A red-shouldered hawk was observed attacking and dismembering a ghost crab on a South Carolina beach. The incident is the first documented case of a raptor consuming any species of crab in North America.
The study reveals Bd as one of the most destructive invasive species, causing at least 501 amphibian species decline. Despite this, some species show recovery and host resistance.
Researchers from UTA describe a previously unknown species of snake, Cenaspis aenigma, found in the stomach of a Central American coral snake. The discovery reveals unique features that distinguish it from known genera, including undivided subcaudal scales and cup-like structures on its hemipenes.
A new study predicts that climate change will have a more significant impact on global biodiversity than land use changes by 2070. Vertebrate communities are expected to lose between a tenth and over a quarter of their species locally due to climate change.
A deadly fungus, chytridiomycosis, affecting amphibian populations was traced to the Korean peninsula through genetic sequencing of 177 fungal samples. Human trade of amphibian species accelerated its global spread, with strains showing varying levels of virulence.
Rare amphibian species on rocky plateaux in western India are threatened by erosion and disease. The research highlights the need for greater protection of these habitats to preserve the species.
Human habitat alteration leads to global phylogenetic homogenization, replacing diverse species with similar clades. Average loss of 13.5% in phylogenetic diversity reported across five continents.
A South American amphibian, Siphonops annulatus, has a liver that produces blood cells throughout its lifetime and breaks down collagen. Researchers found melanomacrophages in the species' liver cells can remove and break down collagen, potentially helping to prevent cirrhosis.