Articles tagged with Amphibians
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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.
Experts weigh in on whether keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets should be restricted due to public health and animal welfare concerns. A team from Ghent University argues that with proper information and care, these animals pose no greater burden than traditional pets.
A new strain of ranivirus is causing mass mortality in amphibian populations in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal. The virus also affects fish and reptiles, complicating the situation and requiring urgent optimization of conservation strategies.
A newly described species of extinct reptile from the Triassic period in Texas had a strikingly dome-shaped head, similar to that of dinosaurs. The study found internal partitions or zones in the skull, which were similar to those of pachycephalosaur dinosaurs.
A study of 100 species found that over 90% were affected by the forest edge effect, with the majority declining in abundance. The negative impact extended far into the forest interior, making conservation efforts crucial to protect biodiversity.
Amphibians are experiencing severe declines worldwide, with a study confirming that threats differ among regions. Local conservation efforts are key to reversing losses, as global efforts have been unsuccessful.
A recent study found that six commonly used insecticides kill amphibian parasites, potentially decreasing the number of parasites an amphibian must defend against. The study also showed population-specific differences in pesticide resistance, highlighting the importance of considering multiple populations when assessing toxicity.
Researchers successfully eliminated a lethal chytrid fungus in a wild amphibian population using antifungal treatment and environmental disinfection. The breakthrough study, published in Biology Letters, marks the first time a fatal fungal infection has been eradicated from a wild population.
Researchers found dramatic differences in pond ecosystems depending on the ratio of males to females in mosquitofish populations. Female-dominated ponds exhibited fewer zooplankton and a greater abundance of algae.
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute have discovered that chitin, previously thought to be absent in vertebrates, is endogenously produced in fishes and amphibians. This finding challenges longstanding biological assumptions and opens up new avenues for biomedical applications.
A study found that modern methods for predicting species distributions under climate change often leave out rare and threatened species. In Africa, over 90% of listed species are missed by popular tools, despite these species being critical to conservation efforts.
A meta-analysis of 50 studies reveals that selective logging halves mammal and amphibian species numbers at specific intensity levels. Logging companies are urged to respect biodiversity thresholds.
A new study reveals that micropredators naturally occurring in freshwater bodies can efficiently consume the infectious stages of the deadly chytrid skin fungus, reducing infection pressure on amphibian hosts. This natural behavior may provide a realistic method for preserving amphibians in Bd-infected areas.
A new study found that micropredators can efficiently consume zoospores of the deadly chytrid skin fungus, reducing infection pressure on potential hosts and potentially alleviating the impact of chytridiomycosis. This natural behavior may offer a realistic method for preservation of amphibians in Bd-infected areas.
A new study identifies 78 exceptional protected areas as 'irreplaceable' for conserving global biodiversity. These sites harbor majority of threatened species' populations, including Critically Endangered Laysan Duck and unique amphibian species.
This study uses ecological niche factor analysis to predict amphibian richness hotspots in Southern and Central China, providing insights into potential conservation strategies. The research estimates diversity over spatial quadrates incorporating climatic and geophysical information.
Researchers discovered that the giant Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus had a two-seasonal climate and needed water for its lifestyle. The species used broad, flat head and forearms to burrow under the ground during dry season, while its growth pattern revealed unique adaptations.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that up to 83% of birds, 66% of amphibians, and 70% of corals are highly vulnerable to climate change but not currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This means they may not be receiving focused conservation attention, putting their survival at risk.
A 250-million-year-old burrow in South Africa's Karoo Basin has yielded a remarkable discovery: an injured amphibian, Broomistega, and its aestivating therapsid companion, Thrinaxodon. The fossilized remains suggest that short periods of dormancy and burrowing behavior helped mammal ancestors survive the Permo-Triassic extinction event.
A study found that protected areas in Catalonia have a high number of animal deaths on the roads, with amphibians being most susceptible. Researchers suggest building tunnels for amphibians to reduce mortality rates.
A study by Penn's Daniel Janzen and colleagues reveals that four-fifths of protected forest areas have experienced declines in health, with half suffering more serious losses. The research highlights the challenges faced by conservation efforts, including human encroachment, logging, and climate change.
The study reveals that roads cause significant harm to midwife toad and palmate newt populations in Asturia, Spain. The results suggest that traffic alleviation measures can help protect the newts but are insufficient for the midwife toads.
A new study has found that sublethal concentrations of Roundup can alter the morphology of amphibian tadpoles, causing them to change shape in ways that mimic predator-induced changes. This is the first study to show a pesticide inducing morphological changes in a vertebrate animal.
Research finds areas with highest amphibian species richness are most vulnerable to threats. The study suggests multiple drivers of extinction may accelerate population declines over the next decades.
Researchers found that ground beetle larvae use a unique method to attract and feed on amphibians, tricking them into thinking they are tasty prey. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding the environmental impact of invasive species.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that increased species richness decreases the prevalence and severity of infection caused by the deadly chytrid fungus in amphibians. This study provides evidence for the importance of biodiversity in protecting ecosystem function and reducing disease transmission.
Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered a freshwater species of zooplankton, Daphnia magna, that can eat the B. dendrobatidis fungus devastating amphibian populations worldwide. The finding offers a promising biological control method to combat this deadly disease.
At least 351 species thought to have disappeared over the past 122 years have been rediscovered, but most remain highly threatened and on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss. Researchers stress the need for rapid conservation efforts to prevent further decline.
Dr. Ray Semlitsch has been awarded the 2011 Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology for his groundbreaking research on amphibian ecology and wetland conservation. His studies have shown that tolerance to contaminants varies among species, and he established the importance of aquatic environments for semi-aquatic amphibians.
A team of researchers used museum specimens to document a wave of <i> Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis </i> infection spreading from southern Mexico to western Guatemala and Costa Rica. The study highlights the devastating impact of this epidemic on amphibian populations, with over 40% in decline globally.
The study confirms an extinction crisis with one-fifth of species threatened, but highlights the positive impact of global conservation efforts. Conservation actions have prevented a decline in biodiversity by nearly 20%, with 64 species improving in status and three species being re-introduced back to nature.
A new genus and species of carnivorous amphibian, Fedexia striegeli, has been discovered in western Pennsylvania with a remarkably well-preserved fossil skull. The discovery provides evidence that terrestrial vertebrates first appeared on land 300 million years ago during a period of global warming and drought.
Researchers found that environmental changes affect amphibian and bird communities rapidly, especially in mountainous regions like the Andes and Himalayas. Amphibians are more sensitive to environmental conditions due to their narrow distributions.
Fossilized body imprints of three previously unknown, foot-long salamander-like critters have been found in 330 million-year-old rocks. The imprints provide rare information about the animals' webbed feet, skin proportions and outer skin characteristics.