scholarly journals Influence of substrate types and morphological traits on movement behavior in a toad and newt species

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e6053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Trochet ◽  
Hugo Le Chevalier ◽  
Olivier Calvez ◽  
Alexandre Ribéron ◽  
Romain Bertrand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Population Extinction ◽  
Heterogeneous Landscapes ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Heterogeneous Habitats ◽  
Influence Of Substrate ◽  
Triturus Marmoratus

Background Inter-patch movements may lead to genetic mixing, decreasing both inbreeding and population extinction risks, and is hence a crucial aspect of amphibian meta-population dynamics. Traveling through heterogeneous landscapes might be particularly risky for amphibians. Understanding how these species perceive their environment and how they move in heterogeneous habitats is an essential step in explaining metapopulation dynamics and can be important for predicting species’ responses to climate change and for conservation policy and management. Methods Using an experimental approach, the present study focused on the movement behavior (crossing speed and number of stops) on different substrates mimicking landscape components (human-made and natural substrates) in two amphibian species contrasting in locomotion mode: the common toad (Bufo bufo), a hopping and burrowing anuran and the marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus), a walking salamander. We tested the hypothesis that species reaction to substrate is dependent on specific ecological requirements or locomotion modes because of morphological and behavioral differences. Results In both species, substrate type influenced individual crossing speed, with individuals moving faster on soil than on concrete substrate. We also demonstrated that long-legged individuals moved faster than individuals with short legs. In both species, the number of stops was higher in females than in males. In common toads, the number of stops did not vary between substrates tested, whereas in marbled newts the number of stops was higher on concrete than on soil substrate. Discussion We highlighted that concrete substrate (mimicking roads) negatively affect the crossing speed of both studied species, with an effect potentially higher in marbled newts. Our findings corroborate negative effects of such heterogeneous landscapes on movement behavior of two amphibian species, which may have implications for the dynamics of metapopulations.

scholarly journals Movement syndromes of a Neotropical frugivorous bat inhabiting heterogeneous landscapes in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Kerches-Rogeri ◽  
Danielle Leal Ramos ◽  
Jukka Siren ◽  
Beatriz de Oliveira Teles ◽  
Rafael Souza Cruz Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Movement Activity ◽  
Landscape Features ◽  
Heterogeneous Landscapes ◽  
Movement Data ◽  
High Site

Abstract Background There is growing evidence that individuals within populations can vary in both habitat use and movement behavior, but it is still not clear how these two relate to each other. The aim of this study was to test if and how individual bats in a Stunira lilium population differ in their movement activity and preferences for landscape features in a correlated manner. Methods We collected data on movements of 27 individuals using radio telemetry. We fitted a heterogeneous-space diffusion model to the movement data in order to evaluate signals of movement variation among individuals. Results S. lilium individuals generally preferred open habitat with Solanum fruits, regularly switched between forest and open areas, and showed high site fidelity. Movement variation among individuals could be summarized in four movement syndromes: (1) average individuals, (2) forest specialists, (3) explorers which prefer Piper, and (4) open area specialists which prefer Solanum and Cecropia. Conclusions Individual preferences for landscape features plus food resource and movement activity were correlated, resulting in different movement syndromes. Individual variation in preferences for landscape elements and food resources highlight the importance of incorporating explicitly the interaction between landscape structure and individual heterogeneity in descriptions of animal movement.

scholarly journals Distribution of herpetofauna in caves of Portuguese karst massifs

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Marques ◽  
Joana Soares ◽  
Fernando Gonçalves ◽  
Sérgio Marques ◽  
Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira
Keyword(s):  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Karst Region ◽  
Preliminary Survey ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra ◽  
Triturus Marmoratus ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

Amphibians are frequently found exploring subterranean environments. Even though in Europe there are already some reports of amphibians present in subterranean habitats, in Portugal there is a major lack of knowledge of these ecosystems, namely in the karst region. Considering the relevance of amphibians and their current conservational status, it is important to assess their presence in every potential habitat. In order to provide further knowledge over this subject a preliminary survey was carried out in two Portuguese karst massifs, Estremenho and Sicó. A total of 24 caves were surveyed and as result three species (Tarentola mauritanica; Salamandra salamandra and Pleorodeles waltl) were found in Estremenho karst massif, and two species (Triturus marmoratus and Bufo bufo) were observed in Sicó karst massif. Furthermore, evidences were found that P. waltl uses caves for reproduction, which had only been reported once in Spain. This allowed perceiving that herpetofauna species occupy caves of Portuguese karst massifs and are also using them as reproduction sites.

scholarly journals Amphibians in an urban environment: a case study from a central European city (Wrocław, Poland)

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-243
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Konowalik ◽  
Anna Najbar ◽  
Kamil Konowalik ◽  
Łukasz Dylewski ◽  
Marzena Frydlewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
High Ratio ◽  
Rana Arvalis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽  
Hyla Arborea ◽  
The City

AbstractIn 2016, we studied the occurrence of amphibians in 231 selected ponds in the city of Wrocław (Lower Silesia, Poland) and confirmed the occurrence of 10 species: Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax esculentus complex, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus cristatus. Among all studied sites, the most common were P. esculentus complex (146 occupied sites, 63.2%) and B. bufo (119, 51.5%), while the rarest was P. fuscus (8, 3.5%). The number of species at a single site varied from 0 (28 sites, 12.1%) to 9 (1 site, 0.4%). Frequency and mean amphibian species richness reached 87.9% and 2.7 ± 1.9, respectively. The composition of amphibian species did not change in comparison to previous studies conducted in the years 1997–2009, but declining trends in five species (B. bombina, B. viridis, H. arborea, P. esculentus complex, P. fuscus) were observed (28 compared sites). The results revealed that the permanency of ponds, their occurrence in the vicinity of river valleys, and a high ratio of watercourse length and green area around ponds are positively correlated and have a significant influence on amphibian species richness within the city. Thus, these identified factors should be considered in the course of sustainable urban planning in order to avoid potential conflicts between nature conservation and urban development.

Vulnerability of Southwest Iberian amphibians to an introduced crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Rebelo ◽  
Maria João Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Procambarus Clarkii ◽  
Larval Survival ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Breeding Habitats ◽  
Mesocosm Experiments ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
Crayfish Species

AbstractThe introduction of predators in amphibian breeding habitats may contribute to the decline or extinction of amphibian populations. Procambarus clarkii, a North American crayfish, was recently introduced in the Iberian Peninsula, being now quite abundant in the southwest, a region with no native crayfish species and where 13 amphibian species may be found. We performed mesocosm experiments to evaluate the vulnerability of amphibian embryos and larvae from those species to P. clarkii. Despite the presence of alternative food (vegetation and leaf litter), embryo survival in the presence of P. clarkii was low for all species except Bufo bufo. However, newly hatched B. bufo tadpoles were readily consumed. P. clarkii reduced larval survival in all species, with those species that in nature have few contacts with predators at the larval stage suffering the highest mortalities. Most larvae reduced their activity and/or altered microhabitat use in the presence of P. clarkii, but these behavioural modifications did not lead necessarily to a low vulnerability to predation.

scholarly journals Herpetofauna of the Kozubów Landscape Park

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Dariusz Wojdan ◽  
Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska ◽  
Barbara Gworek ◽  
Ewa Lisowska-Mieszkowska ◽  
Jarosław Chmielewski
Keyword(s):  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
Common Frog ◽  
Common Toad ◽  
Rana Arvalis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
Hyla Arborea

Abstract The research was conducted in 2016–2017 in the 6,613-ha Kozubów Landscape Park (KLP). It focused on the occurrence and distribution of amphibians and reptiles, the biology and phenology of selected species and the existing threats. The KLP, established in 1986, is located in the Nida Basin, covering the eastern part of the Wodzisławski Ridge. This area is characterised by diverse landscape features formed on a chalk substrate. A significant part of the KLP (48.8%) is covered by forests growing on the tops and slopes of loess hills intersected by valleys and gorges. Hornbeam forests and fragments of riparian forests have retained a semi-natural character. The steep, non-forested slopes with a southern and south-western exposure are overgrown by thermophilic xerothermic grasslands. Xerothermic plant communities show a relatively low species diversity, because the main type of substrate in this area is loess. Two nature reserves, Polana Polichno and Wroni Dół, are located within the KLP borders. The following amphibian species were found in the KLP: smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris L.), great crested newt (Triturus cristatus Laur.), European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina L.), common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus Laur.), common toad (Bufo bufo L.), European green toad (Bufotes viridis Laur.), European tree frog (Hyla arborea L.), edible frog (Pelophylax esculentus L.), pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae Cam.), moor frog (Rana arvalis Nilss.) and common frog (Rana temporaria L.). Reptiles are represented by the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis L.), viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara Jacquin), slow worm (Anguis fragilis L.), grass snake (Natrix natrix L.), smooth snake (Coronella austriaca Laur.) and common European adder (Vipera berus L.). The study also included the phenology and reproductive biology of common toad and common frog. Major threats to the herpetofauna are posed by grass burning. Unfavourable changes include decreasing water levels and drying out of water bodies.

scholarly journals Body size mediates latitudinal population differences in response to Bd infection in two amphibian species.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Meurling ◽  
Maria Cortazar-Chinarro ◽  
Mattias Siljestam ◽  
David Ahlen ◽  
Erik Agren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Geographical Origin ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Rana Arvalis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Survival Difference ◽  
Species Survival

Populations of the same species may differ in their sensitivity to pathogens but the factors behind this variation are poorly understood. Moreover, infections may cause sub-lethal fitness effects even in species resistant or tolerant to disease. The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a generalist pathogen which has caused amphibian population declines worldwide. In many species, Bd infection causes the disease chytridiomycosis, often leading to high mortality. We investigated how geographical origin affects tolerance to Bd by exposing newly metamorphosed individuals of two North European amphibians (moor frog Rana arvalis, common toad Bufo bufo) from two latitudinal regions to two different BdGPL strains. Bd exposure strongly lowered survival in B. bufo, and in both species survival was lower in the northern region, this difference being much stronger in B. bufo. Northern individuals were smaller in both species, and the survival difference between the regions was size-mediated with smaller individuals being more sensitive to Bd. In both species, Bd exposure led to sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced growth suggesting that even individuals surviving the infection may have reduced fitness mediated by smaller body size. Bd strain affected size-dependent mortality differently in the two regions. We discuss the possible mechanisms how body size and geographical origin can contribute to the present results.

scholarly journals Demographic and genetic consequences of disturbed sex determination

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1729) ◽  
pp. 20160326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Wedekind
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Gonad Development ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Population Extinction

During sex determination, genetic and/or environmental factors determine the cascade of processes of gonad development. Many organisms, therefore, have a developmental window in which their sex determination can be sensitive to, for example, unusual temperatures or chemical pollutants. Disturbed environments can distort population sex ratios and may even cause sex reversal in species with genetic sex determination. The resulting genotype–phenotype mismatches can have long-lasting effects on population demography and genetics. I review the theoretical and empirical work in this context and explore in a simple population model the role of the fitness v yy of chromosomally aberrant YY genotypes that are a consequence of environmentally induced feminization. Low v yy is mostly beneficial for population growth. During feminization, low v yy reduces the proportion of genetic males and hence accelerates population growth, especially at low rates of feminization and at high fitness costs of the feminization itself (i.e. when feminization would otherwise not affect population dynamics much). When sex reversal ceases, low v yy mitigates the negative effects of feminization and can even prevent population extinction. Little is known about v yy in natural populations. The available models now need to be parametrized in order to better predict the long-term consequences of disturbed sex determination. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Adult sex ratios and reproductive decisions: a critical re-examination of sex differences in human and animal societies’.

Spring migration distances of some Central European amphibian species

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Kovar ◽  
Marek Brabec ◽  
Radomir Bocek ◽  
Radovan Vita
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Spring Migration ◽  
Rana Arvalis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽  
Drift Fence ◽  
Bombina Bombina

AbstractMigration distances of eight species of amphibians were studied at 14 sites in the Czech Republic in the course of the 2007 spring migration season. Drift fences with pit-fall traps were installed at varying distances from the reproduction pond. No substitute breeding ponds were available nearby. 4423 m of drift fence was installed and data from a total of 4823 specimens were collected. The estimate 95th percentile migration distances for the newts Lissotriton vulgaris, Mesotriton alpestris and Triturus cristatus were between 105-866 m, and for the frogs Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Rana arvalis and R. temporaria estimates were between 170-2214 m. No adult individuals of R. ridibunda were caught out of water. With two exceptions in B. bufo there were no significant among-site differences in migration distances between L. vulgaris, T. cristatus and B. bufo. There were no significant between-sex differences in migration distances of L. vulgaris, M. alpestris, T. cristatus, B. bufo and R. arvalis. Thanks to a great number of various sites processed simultaneously and by the same methodology, presented data provide information on the overall distribution of migration distances in different habitats. The results could be used for the estimation of the extent of the influence on amphibian populations in cases of transection or other habitat degradation in the vicinity of their reproduction ponds.

scholarly journals Mortality of Amphibians on the Roads of Lviv Region (Ukraine): Trend for the Last Decade

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Reshetylo ◽  
V. Stakh ◽  
A.-A. Osiyeva ◽  
I. Dykyy ◽  
B. Andriyishyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Quantitative Composition ◽  
Rana Arvalis ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
The Road ◽  
Bombina Bombina ◽  
On The Road

Abstract 69 road sections with amphibian mortality known from 2006 in Lviv Region (Western Ukraine) were repeatedly surveyed in 2017. 2078 dead individuals of nine amphibian species were detected and identified on the road surface (Triturus cristatus, Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Hyla orientalis, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax esculentus). The most numerous victims appeared to be B. bufo (72.8 %) and R. temporaria (22.6 %) which is almost the same as in 2006 (90.5 % together). However, the qualitative and quantitative composition has decreased in a decade (compare 3555 individuals of 13 amphibian species in 2006). As we suppose, the main reasons for amphibian population decline in the region are contamination, degradation and disappearance of the breeding ponds as well as the increased traffic intensity. According to the estimation of our research four B. bufo populations are under the excessive influence of roads and transportation, and need to be protected. One of these road sections was fenced up by temporary amphibian fences during the breeding migration (April 2018). Amphibian mortality on the fenced road section dropped down instantly: over thousand individuals of B. bufo and R. temporaria were caught alive into the bucket-traps and safely moved across the road.

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