@article{owen1841description5, author = "Owen, R", title = "Description of the Lepidosiren annectens", year = "1841", journal = "Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, v. 18, p. 327-361", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Owen, R., 1841, Description of the Lepidosiren annectens: Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, v. 18, p. 327-361.}" } @misc{noble1931biology4, author = "Noble, G. K", title = "Biology of the Amphibia", year = "1931", howpublished = "New York, McGraw-Hill", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Noble, G. K., 1931, Biology of the Amphibia: New York, McGraw-Hill.}" } @misc{stebbins1954amphibians7, author = "Stebbins, R. C", title = "Amphibians and Reptiles of Western North America", year = "1954", howpublished = "New York, McGraw-Hill", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Stebbins, R. C., 1954, Amphibians and Reptiles of Western North America: New York, McGraw-Hill.}" } @book{moore1964physiology3, author = "Moore, J. A", title = "Physiology of the Amphibia", year = "1964", publisher = "London, Academic Press, v. 1; [Volumes 2 \& 3 edited by B. Lofts]", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Moore, J. A., 1964, Physiology of the Amphibia: London, Academic Press, v. 1; [Volumes 2 \& 3 edited by B. Lofts].}" } @misc{bentley1966adaptations1, author = "Bentley, P. J", title = "Adaptations of amphibia to arid environments", year = "1966", howpublished = "Science, v. 152, p. 619-623", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Bentley, P. J., 1966, Adaptations of amphibia to arid environments: Science, v. 152, p. 619-623.}" } @misc{porter1972herpetology6, author = "Porter, K. R", title = "Herpetology", year = "1972", howpublished = "London, W.B. Saunders", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Porter, K. R., 1972, Herpetology: London, W.B. Saunders.}" } @misc{langston1974nonmammalian2, author = "Langston, W. and Jr", title = "Nonmammalian Comanchian tetrapods", year = "1974", howpublished = "Geoscience and Man, v. 8, p. 39-55", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Langston, W., Jr., 1974, Nonmammalian Comanchian tetrapods: Geoscience and Man, v. 8, p. 39-55.}" } @misc{tyler1976frogs8, author = "Tyler, J. M", title = "Frogs", year = "1976", howpublished = "Sydney, Collins", note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Tyler, J. M., 1976, Frogs: Sydney, Collins.}" } @article{doi101016000334727790118x, author = "Wells, Kentwood D.", title = "The social behaviour of anuran amphibians", year = "1977", journal = "Animal Behaviour", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(77)90118-x", doi = "10.1016/0003-3472(77)90118-x", openalex = "W1995269674", references = "openalexw2000871817" } @article{doi101139e82009, author = "Fox, Richard C. and Naylor, Bruce G.", title = "A reconsideration of the relationships of the fossil amphibian Albanerpeton", year = "1982", journal = "Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences", abstract = "Previously thought to be a salamander (Prosirenidae), Albanerpeton Estes and Hoffstetter (Jurassic to Miocene) possesses no known features otherwise restricted to salamanders. Its salamander-like features are only those held in common with small, limbed, non-saltatorial amphibians in general. In still other aspects (including feeding apparatus, dermal bones of the skull, and anterior cervical vertebrae), Albanerpeton appears unique. Already well isolated from salamanders, Albanerpeton seems no nearer phyletically to any other known amphibians, from Devonian to Recent. The relationships of Albanerpeton are most consistently indicated by classification in its own family (Albanerpetontidae, new) and order (Allocaudata, new), perhaps referrable to the Lissamphibia.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1139/e82-009", doi = "10.1139/e82-009", openalex = "W2053733547", references = "doi105281zenodo3382461" } @article{crossref1987amphibians, title = "amphibians", year = "1987", journal = "International Zoo Yearbook", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1987.tb01553.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1748-1090.1987.tb01553.x", number = "1", pages = "345-346", volume = "27" } @article{doi1010160041010187902650, author = "Daly, John W. and Myers, Charles W. and Whittaker, Noel F.", title = "Further classification of skin alkaloids from neotropical poison frogs (dendrobatidae), with a general survey of toxic/noxious substances in the amphibia", year = "1987", journal = "Toxicon", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(87)90265-0", doi = "10.1016/0041-0101(87)90265-0", openalex = "W1969355693" } @article{crossref1989amphibians, title = "Amphibians", year = "1989", journal = "International Zoo Yearbook", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1989.tb03305.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1748-1090.1989.tb03305.x", number = "1", pages = "391-391", volume = "28" } @article{doi101016000334728990081x, author = "Arak, Anthony", title = "The evolution of the amphibian auditory system", year = "1989", journal = "Animal Behaviour", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(89)90081-x", doi = "10.1016/0003-3472(89)90081-x", openalex = "W2914409230" } @article{doi1010800892701419909525494, author = "Sinsch, Ulrich", title = "Migration and orientation in anuran amphibians", year = "1990", journal = "Ethology Ecology \& Evolution", abstract = "In anuran amphibians migratory behaviour is constrained by the demands of water balance and thermoregulation. Therefore, the migratory range of anurans amounts to 15 km at most. Adult anurans perform migrations, if important habitat resources (e.g. sites for reproduction, nutrition and hibernation) are spatially separated. Site fidelity to these spatial units is a common feature of most anurans. These general considerations are exemplified in the common European toad Bufo bufo. Directed movements such as migrations towards a breeding or home site require mechanisms of orientation. The spatial range of the homing ability coincides widely with the natural migratory range of each species. Many sensory systems are involved in the perception of orientation stimuli: the auditory, the olfactory and the visual system as well as the still unidentified system of magneto-perception. Vocalization of conspecifics, odours of ponds, landmarks, the positions of sun, moon and stars, polarization patterns of the sky and the earth's magnetic field may serve as orientation cues. Initial orientation following displacement is based on the processing of different sensory information in a hierarchial order which depends on the relative availability of the potential cues in the habitat of each species. The fact that initial orientation requires at least two independent cues suggests that the map-compass concept of orientation is applicable to anurans. Nevertheless, there is evidence for redundancy in this multisensory system: olfactory and some visual cues are probably related to the map, magnetic and celestial cues to the compass orientation, and acoustic cues and fixed visual landmarks can be used for piloting.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.1990.9525494", doi = "10.1080/08927014.1990.9525494", openalex = "W1975801372" } @article{doi101126science2535022892, author = "Pechmann, Joseph H. K. and Scott, David E. and Semlitsch, Raymond D. and Caldwell, Janalee P. and Vitt, Laurie J. and Gibbons, J. Whitfield", title = "Declining Amphibian Populations: The Problem of Separating Human Impacts from Natural Fluctuations", year = "1991", journal = "Science", abstract = "Reports of declining amphibian populations in many parts of the world are numerous, but supporting long-term census data are generally unavailable. Census data from 1979 to 1990 for three salamander species and one frog species at a breeding pond in South Carolina showed fluctuations of substantial magnitude in both the size of breeding populations and in recruitment of juveniles. Breeding population sizes exhibited no overall trend in three species and increased in the fourth. Recent droughts account satisfactorily for an increase in recruitment failures. These data illustrate that to distinguish between natural population fluctuations and declines with anthropogenic causes may require long-term studies.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.253.5022.892", doi = "10.1126/science.253.5022.892", openalex = "W1964157041", references = "doi101007bf00177885, doi1010160169534790901292, doi101111j109583121991tb00548x, doi101126science18241191305, doi101126science1864164645, doi101146annureves11110180000435, doi1023071935707, doi1023071938295, doi1023071939227, doi1023071942491, doi1023071943173" } @article{doi101046j15231739199408010060x, author = "Blaustein, Andrew R. and Wake, David B. and Sousa, Wayne P.", title = "Amphibian Declines: Judging Stability, Persistence, and Susceptibility of Populations to Local and Global Extinctions", year = "1994", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Extinctions are normal biological phenomena. Both mass extinctions in geological time and local extinctions in ecological time are well documented, but rates of extinction have increased in recent years—especially in vertebrates, including amphibians—as illustrated by recent reports of their population declines and range reductions. We suggest that long‐term population data are necessary for rigorously evaluating the significance of the amphibian declines. Due to the physiological constraints, relatively low mobility, and site fidelity of amphibians, we suggest that many amphibian populations may be unable to recolonize areas after local extinction.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08010060.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08010060.x", openalex = "W2111287983", references = "doi101016000334727790118x, doi101086283547, doi101086284105, doi101093besa153237, doi101111j109583121991tb00548x, doi101111j109583121991tb00554x, doi101146annureves04110173000245, doi101146annureves11110180000435, doi1023071936969, doi1023073564801, doi10560219780801847806, openalexw1489366593, openalexw1500291103" } @article{doi101046j15231739199408010072x, author = "Pounds, J. Alan and Crump, Martha L.", title = "Amphibian Declines and Climate Disturbance: The Case of the Golden Toad and the Harlequin Frog", year = "1994", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "The endemic golden toad (Bufo periglenes) was abundant in Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in April–May 1987 but afterwards disappeared, along with local populations of the harlequin frog (Atelopus varius). We examine the possible relationship between these sudden declines and unusually warm, dry conditions in 1987. For our analyses of local weather patterns, we define a 12‐month (July–June) amphibian moisture‐temperature cycle consisting of four periods: (1) late wet season; (2) transition into dry season; (3) dry season; and (4) post‐dry‐season (early‐wet‐season) recovery. The 1986–1987 cycle was the only one on record (of 20 analyzed) with abnormally low rainfall in all four periods, and temperature anomalies in 1987 reached record highs. Flow in local aquifer‐fed streams during the dry season and post‐dry‐season recovery period reached a record low. This climate disturbance, associated with the 1986–1987 El Niño /Southern Oscillation, was more severe than a similar event associated with the 1982–1983 El Niño, though this earlier oscillation was the strongest of the past century. Demographic data for one harlequin frog population, gathered during these two climatic events, support the hypothesis that in 1987, shortly before the population collapsed, the frogs underwent an unprecedented shift in distribution within the habitat in response to desiccating conditions. The juxtaposition of these rare demographic events suggests they were causally linked yet sheds little light on mechanisms underlying the sudden decline. While desiccation or direct temperature effects may have been factors leading to high adult mortality, moisture‐temperature conditions may have interacted with some other, unidentifted agent. We discuss two hypotheses concerning possible synergistic effects: In the climate‐linked epidemic hypothesis, microparasites are the additional agent. In the climate‐linked contaminant pulse hypothesis, atmospheric contaminants scavenged by mist and cloud water in montane areas reach critical concentrations when conditions are abnormally warm and dry.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08010072.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1523-1739.1994.08010072.x", openalex = "W2020680740" } @book{doi10560219780801847806, author = "Duellman, William E.", title = "Biology of Amphibians", year = "1994", booktitle = "Johns Hopkins University Press eBooks", abstract = "Introduction to amphibia - the world of amphibians, historical resume, prospects for the future. Part 1 Life History: reproductive strategies - reproductive cycles, reproductive mode, quantitative aspects, parental care, evolution of reproductive strategies courtship and mating - location of breeding site, secondary sexual characters, courtship behaviour, fertilization and oviposition, sexual selection, evolution of mating systems vocalization - anuran communication system, mechanisms of sound production and reception, kinds of vocalizations and their functions, abiotic factors affecting vocalization, interspecific significance of vocalization, phylogenetic implications of vocalization eggs and development - spermatozoa and fertilization, egg structure, egg development, hatching and birth, development and amphibian diversity larvae - morphology of larvae, adaptive types of larvae, physiology and ecology, social behaviour, evolutionary significance of larvae metamorphosis - endocrine control, other biochemical changes, morphological changes, neoteny, ecological and evolutionary significance of metamorphosis. Part 2 Ecology: relationships with the environment - water economy, temperature, gas exchange, energy metabolism and energy budgets, ecological synthesis food and feeding - prey selection, location of prey, capture of prey, evolution of prey-capturing mechanisms and strategies enemies and defence - diseases, parasites, predators, anti-predator mechanisms, evolution of defence mechanisms population biology - characteristics of individuals, movements and territoriality, demography, factors regulating populations community ecology and species diversity - community structure, species diversity, evolution of amphibian communities. Part 3 Morphology: musculoskeletal system - skull and hyobranchium, axial system, appendicular system, integration of functional units integumentary, sensory and visceral systems - integument, sensory receptor systems, nervous system, circulatory and respiratory systems, urogenital system, digestive system, endocrine glands, evolutionary considerations. Part 4 Evolution: origin and early evolution - nature of a tetrapod, primitive tetrapods, tetrapod affinities (lungfishes or lobe-fins?), diversity and evolution of early tetrapods, status of the lissamphibia cytogenetic, molecular and genomic evolution - cytogenetics, molecular evolution, genomic evolution phylogeny - caudata, gymnophiona, anura biogeography - biogeographic principles, historical setting, lissamphibia, caudata, gymnophiona, anura classification.", url = "https://doi.org/10.56021/9780801847806", doi = "10.56021/9780801847806", openalex = "W1486210610" } @article{crossref1995amphibians, title = "amphibians", year = "1995", journal = "International Zoo Yearbook", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1995.tb00691.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1748-1090.1995.tb00691.x", number = "1", pages = "355-356", volume = "34" } @article{doi101016000632079400102v, author = "Fahrig, Lenore and Pedlar, John and Pope, Shealagh E. and Taylor, Philip and Wegner, John", title = "Effect of road traffic on amphibian density", year = "1995", journal = "Biological Conservation", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(94)00102-v", doi = "10.1016/0006-3207(94)00102-v", openalex = "W2157813798", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x" } @article{crossref1997amphibians, title = "Amphibians", year = "1997", journal = "International Zoo Yearbook", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.1997.tb01238.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1748-1090.1997.tb01238.x", number = "1", pages = "467-467", volume = "35" } @article{doi101073pnas95159031, author = "Berger, Lee and Speare, Rick and Daszak, Peter and Green, D. Earl and Cunningham, Andrew A. and Goggin, C. Louise and Slocombe, R. F. and Ragan, Mark A. and Hyatt, Alex D. and McDonald, Keith and Hines, Harry B. and Lips, Karen R. and Marantelli, Gerry and Parkes, Helen", title = "Chytridiomycosis causes amphibian mortality associated with population declines in the rain forests of Australia and Central America", year = "1998", journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", abstract = "Epidermal changes caused by a chytridiomycete fungus (Chytridiomycota; Chytridiales) were found in sick and dead adult anurans collected from montane rain forests in Queensland (Australia) and Panama during mass mortality events associated with significant population declines. We also have found this new disease associated with morbidity and mortality in wild and captive anurans from additional locations in Australia and Central America. This is the first report of parasitism of a vertebrate by a member of the phylum Chytridiomycota. Experimental data support the conclusion that cutaneous chytridiomycosis is a fatal disease of anurans, and we hypothesize that it is the proximate cause of these recent amphibian declines.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.95.15.9031", doi = "10.1073/pnas.95.15.9031", openalex = "W2162530050" } @article{doi1023071565490, author = "McGowan, Gerard", title = "The Development and Function of the Atlanto-Axial Joint in Albanerpetontid Amphibians", year = "1998", journal = "Journal of Herpetology", url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/1565490", doi = "10.2307/1565490", openalex = "W2313115824" } @article{doi101016s0145305x99000282, author = "Carey, Cynthia and Cohen, Nicholas and Rollins‐Smith, Louise A.", title = "Amphibian declines: an immunological perspective", year = "1999", journal = "Developmental \& Comparative Immunology", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/s0145-305x(99)00028-2", doi = "10.1016/s0145-305x(99)00028-2", openalex = "W2127543579" } @article{doi1011111475498300083, author = "Gardner, James D.", title = "the amphibian albanerpeton arthridion and the Aptian–Albian biogeography of albanerpetontids", year = "1999", journal = "Palaeontology", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4983.00083", doi = "10.1111/1475-4983.00083", openalex = "W2023015018" } @article{doi101146annurevecolsys301133, author = "Alford, Ross A. and Richards, Stephen J.", title = "Global Amphibian Declines: A Problem in Applied Ecology", year = "1999", journal = "Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics", abstract = "▪ Abstract Declines and losses of amphibian populations are a global problem with complex local causes. These may include ultraviolet radiation, predation, habitat modification, environmental acidity and toxicants, diseases, changes in climate or weather patterns, and interactions among these factors. Understanding the extent of the problem and its nature requires an understanding of how local factors affect the dynamics of local populations. Hypotheses about population behavior must be tested against appropriate null hypotheses. We generated null hypotheses for the behavior of amphibian populations using a model, and we used them to test hypotheses about the behavior of 85 time series taken from the literature. Our results suggest that most amphibian populations should decrease more often than they increase, due to highly variable recruitment and less variable adult mortality. During the period covered by our data (1951–1997), more amphibian populations decreased than our model predicted. However, there was no indication that the proportion of populations decreasing changed over time. In addition, our review of the literature suggests that many if not most amphibians exist in metapopulations. Understanding the dynamics of amphibian populations will require an integration of studies on and within local populations and at the metapopulation level.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.30.1.133", doi = "10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.30.1.133", openalex = "W2110933697", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101126science2535022892, doi101146annurevecolsys271477, doi10560219780801847806" } @article{doi1023073761366, author = "Longcore, Joyce E. and Pessier, Allan P. and Nichols, Donald K.", title = "Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis gen. et sp. nov., a Chytrid Pathogenic to Amphibians", year = "1999", journal = "Mycologia", abstract = "Captive and wild frogs from North and Central America and Australia recently have died with epidermal infections by chytridiomycete fungi. We isolated a chytridiomycete into pure culture from a captive, blue poison dart frog that died at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Using this isolate, we photographed developmental stages on nutrient agar, examined zoospores with transmission electron microscopy, and inoculated test frogs. This inoperculate chytrid develops either monocentrically or colonially and has thread-like rhizoids that arise from single or multiple areas on the developing zoo-sporangium. The taxonomically important features of the kinetosomal region of the zoospore indicate that this chytrid is a member of the Chytridiales but differs from other chytrids studied with transmission electron microscopy. Its microtubule root, which begins at kinetosome triplets 9–1 and extends parallel to the kinetosome into the aggregation of ribosomes, is distinctive. Histologic examination of test frogs revealed that the pure culture infected the skin of test frogs, whereas the skin of control frogs remained free of infection. The fungus is described as Batrachochytrium, dendrobatidis gen. et sp. nov.", url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/3761366", doi = "10.2307/3761366", openalex = "W2301971903" } @article{doi103201eid0506990601, author = "Daszak, Peter and Berger, Lee and Cunningham, Andrew A. and Hyatt, Alex D. and Green, D. Earl and Speare, Rick", title = "Emerging Infectious Diseases and Amphibian Population Declines", year = "1999", journal = "Emerging infectious diseases", abstract = "We review recent research on the pathology, ecology, and biogeography of two emerging infectious wildlife diseases, chytridiomycosis and ranaviral disease, in the context of host-parasite population biology. We examine the role of these diseases in the global decline of amphibian populations and propose hypotheses for the origins and impact of these panzootics. Finally, we discuss emerging infectious diseases as a global threat to wildlife populations.", url = "https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0506.990601", doi = "10.3201/eid0506.990601", openalex = "W2008397302" } @article{doi10103835008052, author = "Houlahan, Jeff E. and Findlay, C. Scott and Schmidt, Benedikt R. and Meyer, Andrea H. and Kuzmin, Sergius L.", title = "Quantitative evidence for global amphibian population declines", year = "2000", journal = "Nature", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/35008052", doi = "10.1038/35008052", openalex = "W1595231589", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101126science2535022892" } @article{doi1016410006356820000500653tgdord20co2, author = "GIBBON, J. WHITFIELD and Scott, David E. and Ryan, Travis J. and Buhlmann, Kurt A. and Tuberville, Tracey D. and Metts, Brian S. and Greene, Judith L. and Mills, Tony M. and Leiden, Yale A and Poppy, Sean M. and Winne, Christopher T.", title = "The Global Decline of Reptiles, Déjà Vu Amphibians", year = "2000", journal = "BioScience", abstract = "Reptile species are declining on a global scale. Six significant threats to reptile populations are habitat loss and degradation, introduced invasive species, environmental pollution, disease, unsustainable use, and global climate change.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0653:tgdord]2.0.co;2", doi = "10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0653:tgdord]2.0.co;2", openalex = "W2102670626", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101126science2535022892" } @article{doi10103835070552, author = "Kiesecker, Joseph M. and Blaustein, Andrew R. and Belden, Lisa K.", title = "Complex causes of amphibian population declines", year = "2001", journal = "Nature", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/35070552", doi = "10.1038/35070552", openalex = "W1655609833" } @article{doi101111j109636422001tb02240x, author = "Gardner, James D.", title = "Monophyly and affinities of albanerpetontid amphibians (Temnospondyli; Lissamphibia)", year = "2001", journal = "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society", abstract = "The Albanerpetontidae are Middle Jurassic-Miocene amphibians that have variously been regarded as caudates (salamanders), a clade distinct from caudates, or incertae sedis lissamphibians. Here I test for monophyly of the Albanerpetontidae and examine the affinities of the group, within the framework of a more inclusive Temnospondyli, by performing a cladistic analysis using 59 informative characters scored for four non-lissamphibian temnospondyl genera, stem- and crown-clade caudates, salientians (frogs), gymnophionans (caecilians), and the two recognized albanerpetontid genera Albanerpeton and Celtedens. Monophyly of the Albanerpetontidae is corroborated. I interpret synapomorphies of the marginal teeth (non-pedicellate; crowns chisel like, labiolingually compressed, with three mesiodistally aligned cuspules) in albanerpetontids as being associated with a shearing bite. Other synapomorphies evidently strengthened and increased the mobility of the skull, mandible, and cervical region for burrowing, feeding, or both. Nested sets of synapomorphies place the Albanerpetontidae within the Lissamphibia, as the sistertaxon of Caudata plus Salientia. None of the 17 characters previously advanced as albanerpetontid-caudate synapomorphies convincingly places the Albanerpetontidae within the Caudata or allies the two groups as sistertaxa. Albanerpetontids are better interpreted not as aberrant caudates, but as a distinct clade of lissamphibians in which numerous apomorphies are superimposed upon an otherwise primitive lissamphibian body plan.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2001.tb02240.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1096-3642.2001.tb02240.x", openalex = "W2025048561" } @article{doi101111j15231739200100129x, author = "Marsh, David M. and Trenham, Peter C.", title = "Metapopulation Dynamics and Amphibian Conservation", year = "2001", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Abstract: In many respects, amphibian spatial dynamics resemble classical metapopulation models, in which subpopulations in breeding ponds blink in and out of existence and extinction and colonization rates are functions of pond spatial arrangement. This “ponds‐as‐patches” view of amphibian spatial dynamics is useful in several respects. First, it highlights the importance of regional and landscape processes in determining local patterns of abundance. Second, it offers a straightforward, pond‐based approach to monitoring and managing amphibian populations. For many species, however, the ponds‐as‐patches view may be an oversimplification and metapopulation structure may be more apparent than real. Changes in distribution may be caused by processes other than extinction and recolonization, and most extinctions probably result from deterministic factors, not stochastic processes. In addition, the effects of pond isolation appear to be important primarily in disturbed environments, and in many cases these isolation effects may be better explained by the distribution of terrestrial habitats than by the distribution of breeding ponds. These complications have important implications for both researchers and managers. For researchers, future efforts need to determine the mechanisms underlying patterns of abundance and distributional change and patterns in amphibian populations. For managers, effective conservation strategies must successfully balance metapopulation considerations with careful attention to local habitat quality. Furthermore, translocations and active management may be indispensable tools for conserving amphibians in landscapes containing multiple breeding ponds.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2001.00129.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1523-1739.2001.00129.x", openalex = "W2148534663", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x" } @article{doi101046j14610248200200352x, author = "Blaustein, Andrew R. and Kiesecker, Joseph M.", title = "Complexity in conservation: lessons from the global decline of amphibian populations", year = "2002", journal = "Ecology Letters", abstract = "As part of an overall “biodiversity crisis” many amphibian populations are in decline throughout the world. Numerous causes have been invoked to explain these declines. These include habitat destruction, climate change, increasing levels of ultraviolet radiation, environmental contamination, disease, and the introduction of non‐native species. In this paper, we argue that amphibian population declines are caused by different abiotic and biotic factors acting together in a context‐dependent fashion. Moreover, different species and different populations of the same species may react in different ways to the same environmental insult. Thus, the causes of amphibian population declines will vary spatially and temporally. Although some generalizations (e.g. those concerning environmental stress and disease outbreaks) can be made about amphibian population declines, we suggest that these generalizations take into account the context‐dependent dynamics of ecological systems.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1461-0248.2002.00352.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1461-0248.2002.00352.x", openalex = "W2115499819", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x" } @article{doi101046j1365294x200301732x, author = "Morehouse, Erica A. and James, Timothy Y. and Ganley, Austen R. D. and Vilgalys, Rytas and Berger, Lee and Murphy, Peter and Longcore, Joyce E.", title = "Multilocus sequence typing suggests the chytrid pathogen of amphibians is a recently emerged clone", year = "2003", journal = "Molecular Ecology", abstract = "Chytridiomycosis is a recently identified fungal disease associated with global population declines of frogs. Although the fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is considered an emerging pathogen, little is known about its population genetics, including the origin of the current epidemic and how this relates to the dispersal ability of the fungus. In this study, we use multilocus sequence typing to examine genetic diversity and relationships among 35 fungal strains from North America, Africa and Australia. Only five variable nucleotide positions were detected among 10 loci (5918 bp). This low level of genetic variation is consistent with the description of B. dendrobatidis as a recently emerged disease agent. Fixed (i.e. 100\%) or nearly fixed frequencies of heterozygous genotypes at two loci suggested that B. dendrobatidis is diploid and primarily reproduces clonally. In contrast to the lack of nucleotide polymorphism, electrophoretic karyotyping of multiple strains demonstrated a number of chromosome length polymorphisms.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01732.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.01732.x", openalex = "W2127223602" } @article{doi101046j14724642200300012x, author = "Collins, James P. and Storfer, Andrew", title = "Global amphibian declines: sorting the hypotheses", year = "2003", journal = "Diversity and Distributions", abstract = "Abstract. Reports of malformed amphibians and global amphibian declines have led to public concern, particularly because amphibians are thought to be indicator species of overall environmental health. The topic also draws scientific attention because there is no obvious, simple answer to the question of what is causing amphibian declines? Complex interactions of several anthropogenic factors are probably at work, and understanding amphibian declines may thus serve as a model for understanding species declines in general. While we have fewer answers than we would like, there are six leading hypotheses that we sort into two classes. For class I hypotheses, alien species, over‐exploitation and land use change, we have a good understanding of the ecological mechanisms underlying declines; these causes have affected amphibian populations negatively for more than a century. However, the question remains as to whether the magnitude of these negative effects increased in the 1980s, as scientists began to notice a global decline of amphibians. Further, remedies for these problems are not simple. For class II hypotheses, global change (including UV radiation and global climate change), contaminants and emerging infectious diseases we have a poor, but improving understanding of how each might cause declines. Class II factors involve complex and subtle mechanistic underpinnings, with probable interactions among multiple ecological and evolutionary variables. They may also interact with class I hypotheses. Suspected mechanisms associated with class II hypotheses are relatively recent, dating from at least the middle of the 20th century. Did these causes act independently or in concert with pre‐existing negative forces of class I hypotheses to increase the rate of amphibian declines to a level that drew global attention? We need more studies that connect the suspected mechanisms underlying both classes of hypotheses with quantitative changes in amphibian population sizes and species numbers. An important step forward in this task is clarifying the hypotheses and conditions under which the various causes operate alone or together.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2003.00012.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1472-4642.2003.00012.x", openalex = "W2127218107", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101126science2535022892" } @article{doi101046j14724642200300016x, author = "Daszak, Peter and Cunningham, Andrew A. and Hyatt, Alex D.", title = "Infectious disease and amphibian population declines", year = "2003", journal = "Diversity and Distributions", abstract = "Abstract. A series of recent papers have implicated pathogens and parasites in amphibian population declines. Here, we review evidence on the link between infectious disease and amphibian population declines. We conclude that available data provide the clearest link for the fungal disease amphibian chytridiomycosis, although other pathogens are also implicated. We suggest additional experimental and observational data that need to be collected to provide further support that these other pathogens are associated with declines. We suggest that, in common with many emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) of humans, domestic animals and other wildlife species, emergence of chytridiomycosis may be driven by anthropogenic introduction (pathogen pollution). Finally, we review a number of recent advances in the host–parasite ecology of chytridiomycosis that help explain its emergence and impact.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2003.00016.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1472-4642.2003.00016.x", openalex = "W2153850059", references = "doi101016s0001706x00001790, doi10103819297, doi10103835070552, doi101073pnas95159031, doi101126science2535022892, doi101126science2875452443, doi101146annurevecolsys301133, doi1023073761366, doi103201eid0506990601, openalexw1486246338" } @article{doi101046j15231739200301623x, author = "Lips, Karen R. and Reeve, John D. and Witters, Lani R.", title = "Ecological Traits Predicting Amphibian Population Declines in Central America", year = "2003", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Abstract: Amphibian populations are declining on all continents on which they occur, but not all species have been affected equally. Populations of some species are extirpated, others have declined but survive, some have not obviously declined, and some are increasing. If amphibian populations at multiple sites were affected by the same factors, then surviving species should share traits that promote persistence, whereas declining species should share traits that promote susceptibility. Identifying these traits can help diagnose potential causes and thus help to direct conservation actions. Using logistic regression, we quantified the vulnerability of amphibian populations in four areas in Central America. We analyzed a species‐specific database of taxonomic identity, geographic and elevational range, elevational distribution, adult and larval habitat, activity period, and maximum adult body size. We found that (1) all four sites exhibited the same pattern of decline (there were no interactions between site and other variables); (2) declining populations shared aquatic habitats, restricted elevational ranges, and large body sizes; and (3) there was an interaction between body size and elevational range. The most significant variable in the model was lifetime aquatic index, a factor unrelated to demographic vulnerability and one that therefore might indicate the potential causative agent(s). Our results provide a predictive model with which to assess potential causes of population declines in other areas, and we generated a list of 52 species predicted to decline at a currently unaffected site in central Panama.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.01623.x", doi = "10.1046/j.1523-1739.2003.01623.x", openalex = "W2086206658", references = "doi101016s0012825297834848, doi101098rstb19940045" } @article{doi101111j15231739200300217x, author = "Johnson, Pieter T. J. and Lunde, Kevin B. and Zelmer, Derek A. and Werner, J. Kent", title = "Limb Deformities as an Emerging Parasitic Disease in Amphibians: Evidence from Museum Specimens and Resurvey Data", year = "2003", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Abstract: Widespread reports of malformed amphibians are of growing conservation concern. Although accounts of mass malformations (>5\%) in North American amphibian populations date back to the 1940s, they are often poorly documented and are rarely explained. We reviewed available information for nine historical accounts from California, Colorado, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, and Texas reported between 1946 and 1988. We then asked the following questions: (1) Which of these cases were associated with Ribeiroia (Trematoda: Digenea) infection? (2) Are malformations still occurring at these sites? And (3) if so, have the frequency or types of abnormalities changed? Each site was resurveyed between 1999 and 2002, and original voucher specimens were redescribed and examined for trematode infection. Direct identification and classification by discriminant function analysis indicated that historical malformations at six of eight sites were associated with infection by Ribeiroia, dating back as far as 1946. Malformations recorded historically at these sites were consistent with the documented effects of Ribeiroia infection, including extra limbs, cutaneous fusion, and bony triangles. Of the six sites that still supported amphibians upon resurvey, three continued to support severe limb malformations at frequencies of 7–50\% in one or more species. Although no pesticides were detected, amphibians from each of these sites were infected with Ribeiroia metacercariae. Taken together, these results suggest that Ribeiroia infection has historically been an important cause of mass malformations in amphibians. We conclude that although parasite‐induced malformations are not a new phenomenon, there is qualitative evidence suggesting that their prevalence has increased recently, and we highlight the need for long‐term research to evaluate the impacts of malformations on amphibian population viability.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2003.00217.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1523-1739.2003.00217.x", openalex = "W2034273505" } @article{doi1018901540929520030010087tcoda20co2, author = "Blaustein, Andrew R. and Johnson, Pieter T. J.", title = "The complexity of deformed amphibians", year = "2003", journal = "Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment", abstract = "Many amphibian populations have disappeared or are in decline throughout the world. In addition, more than 60 different species of amphibians with severe abnormalities have been found in the US and several other countries. These complex, perhaps interrelated phenomena are associated with important current challenges in conservation biology. Although intense research, beginning in the early 1990s, has led to a better understanding of why amphibian populations are declining, there is still a basic lack of knowledge about the causes and implications of amphibian deformities.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2003)001[0087:tcoda]2.0.co;2", doi = "10.1890/1540-9295(2003)001[0087:tcoda]2.0.co;2", openalex = "W2141914837" } @article{doi103201eid0908030030, author = "Mazzoni, Rolando and Cunningham, Andrew A. and Daszak, Peter and Apolo, Ada and Perdomo, Eugenio and Speranza, Gustavo", title = "Emerging Pathogen of Wild Amphibians in Frogs (Rana catesbeiana) Farmed for International Trade", year = "2003", journal = "Emerging infectious diseases", abstract = "Chytridiomycosis is an emerging disease responsible for a series of global declines and extinctions of amphibians. We report the causative agent, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, in North American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) farmed for the international restaurant trade. Our findings suggest that international trade may play a key role in the global dissemination of this and other emerging infectious diseases in wildlife.", url = "https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0908.030030", doi = "10.3201/eid0908.030030", openalex = "W2134354771" } @article{doi101126science1103538, author = "Stuart, Simon N. and Chanson, Janice and Cox, Neil A. and Young, Bruce E. and Rodrigues, Ana S. L. and Fischman, Debra L. and Waller, Robert W.", title = "Status and Trends of Amphibian Declines and Extinctions Worldwide", year = "2004", journal = "Science", abstract = "The first global assessment of amphibians provides new context for the well-publicized phenomenon of amphibian declines. Amphibians are more threatened and are declining more rapidly than either birds or mammals. Although many declines are due to habitat loss and overutilization, other, unidentified processes threaten 48\% of rapidly declining species and are driving species most quickly to extinction. Declines are nonrandom in terms of species' ecological preferences, geographic ranges, and taxonomic associations and are most prevalent among Neotropical montane, stream-associated species. The lack of conservation remedies for these poorly understood declines means that hundreds of amphibian species now face extinction.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1103538", doi = "10.1126/science.1103538", openalex = "W2160571481", references = "doi101016s0006320700001324, doi10103835002708, doi10103835008052, doi101038nature02121, doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101046j15231739199408010072x, doi101046j15231739200301623x, doi101073pnas95159031, doi101126science2695222347, doi105860choice496872" } @article{doi103201eid1012030804, author = "Weldon, Ché and du Preez, Louis H. and Hyatt, Alex D. and Müller, Reinhold and Speare, Rick", title = "Origin of the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus", year = "2004", journal = "Emerging infectious diseases", abstract = "The sudden appearance of chytridiomycosis, the cause of amphibian deaths and population declines in several continents, suggests that its etiologic agent, the amphibian chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, was introduced into the affected regions. However, the origin of this virulent pathogen is unknown. A survey was conducted of 697 archived specimens of 3 species of Xenopus collected from 1879 to 1999 in southern Africa in which the histologic features of the interdigital webbing were analyzed. The earliest case of chytridiomycosis found was in a Xenopus laevis frog in 1938, and overall prevalence was 2.7\%. The prevalence showed no significant differences between species, regions, season, or time period. Chytridiomycosis was a stable endemic infection in southern Africa for 23 years before any positive specimen was found outside Africa. We propose that Africa is the origin of the amphibian chytrid and that the international trade in X. laevis that began in the mid-1930s was the means of dissemination.", url = "https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1012.030804", doi = "10.3201/eid1012.030804", openalex = "W2148875031", references = "doi101016s0006320700001324, doi101016s0145305x99000282, doi101046j1365294x200301732x, doi101046j15231739199997185x, doi101073pnas95159031, doi101111j15231739200500108x, doi103201eid0101950102, doi103201eid0506990601, doi103201eid0908030030, doi103201eid0908030145" } @article{doi103354dao060141, author = "Boyle, DG and Boyle, DB and Olsen, V and Morgan, JAT and Hyatt, AD", title = "Rapid quantitative detection of chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibian samples using real-time Taqman PCR assay", year = "2004", journal = "Diseases of Aquatic Organisms", abstract = "Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a major pathogen of frogs worldwide, associated with declines in amphibian populations. Diagnosis of chytridiomycosis to date has largely relied upon histological and immunohistochemical examination of toe clips. This technique is invasive and insensitive particularly at early stages of infection when treatment may be possible. We have developed a real-time PCR Taqman assay that can accurately detect and quantify one zoospore in a diagnostic sample. This assay will assist the early detection of B. dendrobatidis in both captive and wild populations, with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity, thus facilitating treatment and protection of endangered populations, monitoring of pristine environments and preventing further global spread via amphibian trade.", url = "https://doi.org/10.3354/dao060141", doi = "10.3354/dao060141", openalex = "W2102956415", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x" } @article{doi101016jbiocon200504009, author = "Beebee, Trevor J. C. and Griffiths, Richard A.", title = "The amphibian decline crisis: A watershed for conservation biology?", year = "2005", journal = "Biological Conservation", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2005.04.009", doi = "10.1016/j.biocon.2005.04.009", openalex = "W2139117306", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101093genetics14442001, doi101126science2535022892" } @article{doi101086429523, author = "Mauro, Diego San and Vences, Miguel and Alcobendas, M. and Zardoya, Rafael and Meyer, Axel", title = "Initial Diversification of Living Amphibians Predated the Breakup of Pangaea", year = "2005", journal = "The American Naturalist", abstract = "The origin and divergence of the three living orders of amphibians (Anura, Caudata, Gymnophiona) and their main lineages are one of the most hotly debated topics in vertebrate evolution. Here, we present a robust molecular phylogeny based on the nuclear RAG1 gene as well as results from a variety of alternative independent molecular clock calibrations. Our analyses suggest that the origin and early divergence of the three living amphibian orders dates back to the Palaeozoic or early Mesozoic, before the breakup of Pangaea, and soon after the divergence from lobe-finned fishes. The resulting new biogeographic scenario, age estimate, and the inferred rapid divergence of the three lissamphibian orders may account for the lack of fossils that represent plausible ancestors or immediate sister taxa of all three orders and the heretofore paradoxical distribution of some amphibian fossil taxa. Furthermore, the ancient and rapid radiation of the three lissamphibian orders likely explains why branch lengths connecting their early nodes are particularly short, thus rendering phylogenetic inference of implicated relationships especially difficult.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1086/429523", doi = "10.1086/429523", openalex = "W2218076246" } @article{doi101098rstb20051717, author = "Vences, Miguel and Thomas, Meike and Bonett, Ronald M. and Vieites, David R.", title = "Deciphering amphibian diversity through DNA barcoding: chances and challenges", year = "2005", journal = "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences", abstract = "Amphibians globally are in decline, yet there is still a tremendous amount of unrecognized diversity, calling for an acceleration of taxonomic exploration. This process will be greatly facilitated by a DNA barcoding system; however, the mitochondrial population structure of many amphibian species presents numerous challenges to such a standardized, single locus, approach. Here we analyse intra- and interspecific patterns of mitochondrial variation in two distantly related groups of amphibians, mantellid frogs and salamanders, to determine the promise of DNA barcoding with cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) sequences in this taxon. High intraspecific cox1 divergences of 7-14\% were observed (18\% in one case) within the whole set of amphibian sequences analysed. These high values are not caused by particularly high substitution rates of this gene but by generally deep mitochondrial divergences within and among amphibian species. Despite these high divergences, cox1 sequences were able to correctly identify species including disparate geographic variants. The main problems with cox1 barcoding of amphibians are (i) the high variability of priming sites that hinder the application of universal primers to all species and (ii) the observed distinct overlap of intraspecific and interspecific divergence values, which implies difficulties in the definition of threshold values to identify candidate species. Common discordances between geographical signatures of mitochondrial and nuclear markers in amphibians indicate that a single-locus approach can be problematic when high accuracy of DNA barcoding is required. We suggest that a number of mitochondrial and nuclear genes may be used as DNA barcoding markers to complement cox1.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2005.1717", doi = "10.1098/rstb.2005.1717", openalex = "W2097709171", references = "doi101007bf01731581, doi101016s0022283605803602, doi101073pnas0406166101, doi101098rspb20022218, doi101126science1103538, doi101146annurevecolsys34011802132421, doi1011861742999425, doi101371journalpbio0020312, doi1016441545154220010820960atotgs20co2, doi102307jctv1nzfgj7, doi105860choice375647, openalexw3217097258" } @article{doi101111j09067590200504042x, author = "Smith, M. Alex and Green, David M.", title = "Dispersal and the metapopulation paradigm in amphibian ecology and conservation: are all amphibian populations metapopulations?", year = "2005", journal = "Ecography", abstract = "Amphibians are frequently characterized as having limited dispersal abilities, strong site fidelity and spatially disjunct breeding habitat. As such, pond‐breeding species are often alleged to form metapopulations. Amphibian species worldwide appear to be suffering population level declines caused, at least in part, by the degradation and fragmentation of habitat and the intervening areas between habitat patches. If the simplification of amphibians occupying metapopulations is accurate, then a regionally based conservation strategy, informed by metapopulation theory, is a powerful tool to estimate the isolation and extinction risk of ponds or populations. However, to date no attempt to assess the class‐wide generalization of amphibian populations as metapopulations has been made. We reviewed the literature on amphibians as metapopulations (53 journal articles or theses) and amphibian dispersal (166 journal articles or theses for 53 anuran species and 37 salamander species) to evaluate whether the conditions for metapopulation structure had been tested, whether pond isolation was based only on the assumption of limited dispersal, and whether amphibian dispersal was uniformly limited. We found that in the majority of cases (74\%) the assumptions of the metapopulation paradigm were not tested. Breeding patch isolation via limited dispersal and/or strong site fidelity was the most frequently implicated or tested metapopulation condition, however we found strong evidence that amphibian dispersal is not as uniformly limited as is often thought. The frequency distribution of maximum movements for anurans and salamanders was well described by an inverse power law. This relationship predicts that distances beneath 11–13 and 8–9 km, respectively, are in a range that they may receive one emigrating individual. Populations isolated by distances approaching this range are perhaps more likely to exhibit metapopulation structure than less isolated populations. Those studies that covered larger areas also tended to report longer maximum movement distances – a pattern with implications for the design of mark‐recapture studies. Caution should be exercised in the application of the metapopulation approach to amphibian population conservation. Some amphibian populations are structured as metapopulations – but not all.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0906-7590.2005.04042.x", doi = "10.1111/j.0906-7590.2005.04042.x", openalex = "W2077386988", references = "doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101111j109583121991tb00552x, doi10560219780801847806" } @article{doi101111j15231739200500108x, author = "Ouellet, Martin and Mikaelian, Igor and Pauli, Bruce D. and Rodrigue, Jean‐Paul and Green, David M.", title = "Historical Evidence of Widespread Chytrid Infection in North American Amphibian Populations", year = "2005", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases may be contributing to the global decline of amphibian populations. In particular, chytridiomycosis, a cutaneous fungal infection of amphibians caused by the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, gained attention in the 1990s as an apparently new pathogen. This fungus has been implicated as the causative agent of widespread mortalities among wild amphibians in geographically disparate parts of the world. To investigate the global distribution, historical occurrence, and infectiousness of this pathogen, we examined 3371 postmetamorphic and adult amphibians collected between 1895 and 2001 from 25 countries for the presence of chytrid fungi in the epidermis. Cutaneous chytrid infection was diagnosed in 383 of 2931 (13.1\%) specimens of 12 common amphibian species from five Canadian provinces and seven American states, including 30 of 69 locations examined in the St. Lawrence River Valley of Québec. Chytrids were observed in 7.0\% (46/655) of the adults collected in the 1960s, the earliest cases being two green frogs (Rana clamitans) collected in 1961 from Saint‐Pierre‐de‐Wakefield, Québec. In recent studies, morbidity and mortality attributable to chytridiomycosis were not observed in infected amphibians from Québec despite a 17.8\% (302/1698) prevalence of chytrid infection during the period 1990–2001. The prevalence of infection during this latter period was not statistically different when compared with the period 1960–1969. Epidermal chytrid infections were not observed in 440 amphibians examined from 23 other countries. In light of the fact that infection by B. dendrobatidis is widely distributed and apparently enzootic in seemingly healthy amphibians from eastern North America, lethal outbreaks of chytridiomycosis among amphibian populations appear to have complex causes and may be the result of underlying predisposing factors.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00108.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00108.x", openalex = "W2097847544" } @article{doi1011861742999425, author = "Vences, Miguel and Thomas, Meike and van der Meijden, Arie and Chiari, Ylenia and Vieites, David R.", title = "Comparative performance of the 16S rRNA gene in DNA barcoding of amphibians", year = "2005", journal = "Frontiers in Zoology", abstract = "BACKGROUND: Identifying species of organisms by short sequences of DNA has been in the center of ongoing discussions under the terms DNA barcoding or DNA taxonomy. A C-terminal fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) has been proposed as universal marker for this purpose among animals. RESULTS: Herein we present experimental evidence that the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fulfills the requirements for a universal DNA barcoding marker in amphibians. In terms of universality of priming sites and identification of major vertebrate clades the studied 16S fragment is superior to COI. Amplification success was 100\% for 16S in a subset of fresh and well-preserved samples of Madagascan frogs, while various combination of COI primers had lower success rates.COI priming sites showed high variability among amphibians both at the level of groups and closely related species, whereas 16S priming sites were highly conserved among vertebrates. Interspecific pairwise 16S divergences in a test group of Madagascan frogs were at a level suitable for assignment of larval stages to species (1-17\%), with low degrees of pairwise haplotype divergence within populations (0-1\%). CONCLUSION: We strongly advocate the use of 16S rRNA as standard DNA barcoding marker for vertebrates to complement COI, especially if samples a priori could belong to various phylogenetically distant taxa and false negatives would constitute a major problem.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-2-5", doi = "10.1186/1742-9994-2-5", openalex = "W2109560743", references = "doi101016s0022283605803602, doi101016s0022534701635407, doi101073pnas0406166101, doi101093bioinformaticsbtg359, doi101098rsbl20030025, doi101098rspb20022218, doi101126science1093857, doi101128aem666254125472000, doi101146annurevecolsys34011802132421, doi101371journalpbio0020312" } @incollection{clayton2006amphibians, author = "Clayton, Mark M. and Wombey, John C. and Mason, Ian J. and Chesser, R. Terry and Wells, Alice", title = "Amphibians", year = "2006", booktitle = "CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates", url = "https://doi.org/10.1071/978064309303402.9.16.2006.2", doi = "10.1071/978064309303402.9.16.2006.2" } @article{doi101038nature04246, author = "Pounds, J. Alan and Bustamante, Martín R. and Coloma, Luis A. and Consuegra, Jamie A. and Fogden, Michael P. L. and Foster, Pru N. and Marca, Enrique La and Masters, Karen L. and Merino‐Viteri, Andrés and Puschendorf, Robert and Ron, Santiago R. and Sánchez‐Azofeifa, Arturo and Still, Christopher J. and Young, Bruce E.", title = "Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic disease driven by global warming", year = "2006", journal = "Nature", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04246", doi = "10.1038/nature04246", openalex = "W2014225118", references = "doi10100797836620308372, doi101007bf01025401, doi10103819297, doi101038nature01286, doi101038nature01333, doi101038nature02121, doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101073pnas95159031, doi101126science1063699, doi101126science1103538, doi10230720033020" } @article{doi101073pnas0506889103, author = "Lips, Karen R. and Brem, Forrest and Brenes, Roberto and Reeve, John D. and Alford, Ross A. and Voyles, Jamie and Carey, Cynthia and Livo, Lauren J. and Pessier, Allan P. and Collins, James P.", title = "Emerging infectious disease and the loss of biodiversity in a Neotropical amphibian community", year = "2006", journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", abstract = "Pathogens rarely cause extinctions of host species, and there are few examples of a pathogen changing species richness and diversity of an ecological community by causing local extinctions across a wide range of species. We report the link between the rapid appearance of a pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in an amphibian community at El Copé, Panama, and subsequent mass mortality and loss of amphibian biodiversity across eight families of frogs and salamanders. We describe an outbreak of chytridiomycosis in Panama and argue that this infectious disease has played an important role in amphibian population declines. The high virulence and large number of potential hosts of this emerging infectious disease threaten global amphibian diversity.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0506889103", doi = "10.1073/pnas.0506889103", openalex = "W2109538719", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101126science2535022892, doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi101111j13652699200601482x, author = "Araújo, Miguel B. and Thuiller, Wilfried and Pearson, Richard G.", title = "Climate warming and the decline of amphibians and reptiles in Europe", year = "2006", journal = "Journal of Biogeography", abstract = "Abstract Aim We explore the relationship between current European distributions of amphibian and reptile species and observed climate, and project species potential distributions into the future. Potential impacts of climate warming are assessed by quantifying the magnitude and direction of modelled distributional shifts for every species. In particular we ask, first, what proportion of amphibian and reptile species are projected to lose and gain suitable climate space in the future? Secondly, do species projections vary according to taxonomic, spatial or environmental properties? And thirdly, what climate factors might be driving projections of loss or gain in suitable environments for species? Location Europe. Methods Distributions of species are modelled with four species–climate envelope techniques (artificial neural networks, generalized linear models, generalized additive models, and classification tree analyses) and distributions are projected into the future using five climate‐change scenarios for 2050. Future projections are made considering two extreme assumptions: species have unlimited dispersal ability and species have no dispersal ability. A novel hybrid approach for combining ensembles of forecasts is then used to group linearly covarying projections into clusters with reduced inter‐model variability. Results We show that a great proportion of amphibian and reptile species are projected to expand distributions if dispersal is unlimited. This is because warming in the cooler northern ranges of species creates new opportunities for colonization. If species are unable to disperse, then most species are projected to lose range. Loss of suitable climate space for species is projected to occur mainly in the south‐west of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, whilst species in the south‐east are projected to gain suitable climate. This is because dry conditions in the south‐west are projected to increase, approaching the levels found in North Africa, where few amphibian species are able to persist. Main conclusions The impact of increasing temperatures on amphibian and reptile species may be less deleterious than previously postulated; indeed, climate cooling would be more deleterious for the persistence of amphibian and reptile species than warming. The ability of species to cope with climate warming may, however, be offset by projected decreases in the availability of water. This should be particularly true for amphibians. Limited dispersal ability may further increase the vulnerability of amphibians and reptiles to changes in climate.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01482.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01482.x", openalex = "W2105635509", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101111j13669516200500143x" } @article{doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, author = "Frost, Darrel R. and Grant, Taran and Faivovich, Julián and Bain, Raoul H. and Haas, Alexander and Haddad, Célio F. B. and de Sá, Rafael O. and Channing, Alan and Wilkinson, Mark and Donnellan, Stephen C. and Raxworthy, Christopher J. and Campbell, Jonathan A. and Blotto, Boris L. and Moler, Paul E. and Drewes, Robert C. and Nussbaum, Ronald A. and Lynch, John D. and Green, David M. and Wheeler, Ward C.", title = "THE AMPHIBIAN TREE OF LIFE", year = "2006", journal = "Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History", abstract = "Abstract The evidentiary basis of the currently accepted classification of living amphibians is discussed and shown not to warrant the degree of authority conferred on it by use and tradition. A new taxonomy of living amphibians is proposed to correct the deficiencies of the old one. This new taxonomy is based on the largest phylogenetic analysis of living Amphibia so far accomplished. We combined the comparative anatomical character evidence of Haas (2003) with DNA sequences from the mitochondrial transcription unit H1 (12S and 16S ribosomal RNA and tRNAValine genes, ≈ 2,400 bp of mitochondrial sequences) and the nuclear genes histone H3, rhodopsin, tyrosinase, and seven in absentia, and the large ribosomal subunit 28S (≈ 2,300 bp of nuclear sequences; ca. 1.8 million base pairs; x̄ = 3.7 kb/terminal). The dataset includes 532 terminals sampled from 522 species representative of the global diversity of amphibians as well as seven of the closest living relatives of amphibians for outgroup comparisons. The primary purpose of our taxon sampling strategy was to provide strong tests of the monophyly of all “family-group” taxa. All currently recognized nominal families and subfamilies were sampled, with the exception of Protohynobiinae (Hynobiidae). Many of the currently recognized genera were also sampled. Although we discuss the monophyly of genera, and provide remedies for nonmonophyly where possible, we also make recommendations for future research. A parsimony analysis was performed under Direct Optimization, which simultaneously optimizes nucleotide homology (alignment) and tree costs, using the same set of assumptions throughout the analysis. Multiple search algorithms were run in the program POY over a period of seven months of computing time on the AMNH Parallel Computing Cluster. Results demonstrate that the following major taxonomic groups, as currently recognized, are nonmonophyletic: Ichthyophiidae (paraphyletic with respect to Uraeotyphlidae), Caeciliidae (paraphyletic with respect to Typhlonectidae and Scolecomorphidae), Salamandroidea (paraphyletic with respect to Sirenidae), Leiopelmatanura (paraphyletic with respect to Ascaphidae), Discoglossanura (paraphyletic with respect to Bombinatoridae), Mesobatrachia (paraphyletic with respect to Neobatrachia), Pipanura (paraphyletic with respect to Bombinatoridae and Discoglossidae/Alytidae), Hyloidea (in the sense of containing Heleophrynidae; paraphyletic with respect to Ranoidea), Leptodactylidae (polyphyletic, with Batrachophrynidae forming the sister taxon of Myobatrachidae + Limnodynastidae, and broadly paraphyletic with respect to Hemiphractinae, Rhinodermatidae, Hylidae, Allophrynidae, Centrolenidae, Brachycephalidae, Dendrobatidae, and Bufonidae), Microhylidae (polyphyletic, with Brevicipitinae being the sister taxon of Hemisotidae), Microhylinae (poly/paraphyletic with respect to the remaining non-brevicipitine microhylids), Hyperoliidae (para/polyphyletic, with Leptopelinae forming the sister taxon of Arthroleptidae + Astylosternidae), Astylosternidae (paraphyletic with respect to Arthroleptinae), Ranidae (paraphyletic with respect to Rhacophoridae and Mantellidae). In addition, many subsidiary taxa are demonstrated to be nonmonophyletic, such as (1) Eleutherodactylus with respect to Brachycephalus; (2) Rana (sensu Dubois, 1992), which is polyphyletic, with various elements falling far from each other on the tree; and (3) Bufo, with respect to several nominal bufonid genera. A new taxonomy of living amphibians is proposed, and the evidence for this is presented to promote further investigation and data acquisition bearing on the evolutionary history of amphibians. The taxonomy provided is consistent with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999). Salient features of the new taxonomy are (1) the three major groups of living amphibians, caecilians/Gymnophiona, salamanders/Caudata, and frogs/Anura, form a monophyletic group, to which we restrict the name Amphibia; (2) Gymnophiona forms the sister taxon of Batrachia (salamanders + frogs) and is composed of two groups, Rhinatrematidae and Stegokrotaphia; (3) Stegokrotaphia is composed of two families, Ichthyophiidae (including Uraeotyphlidae) and Caeciliidae (including Scolecomorphidae and Typhlonectidae, which are regarded as subfamilies); (4) Batrachia is a highly corroborated monophyletic group, composed of two taxa, Caudata (salamanders) and Anura (frogs); (5) Caudata is composed of two taxa, Cryptobranchoidei (Cryptobranchidae and Hynobiidae) and Diadectosalamandroidei new taxon (all other salamanders); (6) Diadectosalamandroidei is composed of two taxa, Hydatinosalamandroidei new taxon (composed of Perennibranchia and Treptobranchia new taxon) and Plethosalamandroidei new taxon; (7) Perennibranchia is composed of Proteidae and Sirenidae; (8) Treptobranchia new taxon is composed of two taxa, Ambystomatidae (including Dicamptodontidae) and Salamandridae; (9) Plethosalamandroidei new taxon is composed of Rhyacotritonidae and Xenosalamandroidei new taxon; (10) Xenosalamandroidei is composed of Plethodontidae and Amphiumidae; (11) Anura is monophyletic and composed of two clades, Leiopelmatidae (including Ascaphidae) and Lalagobatrachia new taxon (all other frogs); (12) Lalagobatrachia is composed of two clades, Xenoanura (Pipidae and Rhinophrynidae) and Sokolanura new taxon (all other lalagobatrachians); (13) Bombinatoridae and Alytidae (former Discoglossidae) are each others' closest relatives and in a clade called Costata, which, excluding Leiopelmatidae and Xenoanura, forms the sister taxon of all other frogs, Acosmanura; (14) Acosmanura is composed of two clades, Anomocoela (= Pelobatoidea of other authors) and Neobatrachia; (15) Anomocoela contains Pelobatoidea (Pelobatidae and Megophryidae) and Pelodytoidea (Pelodytidae and Scaphiopodidae), and forms the sister taxon of Neobatrachia, together forming Acosmanura; (16) Neobatrachia is composed of two clades, Heleophrynidae, and all other neobatrachians, Phthanobatrachia new taxon; (17) Phthanobatrachia is composed of two major units, Hyloides and Ranoides; (18) Hyloides comprises Sooglossidae (including Nasikabatrachidae) and Notogaeanura new taxon (the remaining hyloids); (19) Notogaeanura contains two taxa, Australobatrachia new taxon and Nobleobatrachia new taxon; (20) Australobatrachia is a clade composed of Batrachophrynidae and its sister taxon, Myobatrachoidea (Myobatrachidae and Limnodynastidae), which forms the sister taxon of all other hyloids, excluding sooglossids; (21) Nobleobatrachia new taxon, is dominated at its base by frogs of a treefrog morphotype, several with intercalary phalangeal cartilages—Hemiphractus (Hemiphractidae) forms the sister taxon of the remaining members of this group, here termed Meridianura new taxon; (22) Meridianura comprises Brachycephalidae (former Eleutherodactylinae + Brachycephalus) and Cladophrynia new taxon; (23) Cladophrynia is composed of two groups, Cryptobatrachidae (composed of Cryptobatrachus and Stefania, previously a fragment of the polyphyletic Hemiphractinae) and Tinctanura new taxon; (24) Tinctanura is composed of Amphignathodontidae (Gastrotheca and Flectonotus, another fragment of the polyphyletic Hemiphractinae) and Athesphatanura new taxon; (25) Athesphatanura is composed of Hylidae (Hylinae, Pelodryadinae, and Phyllomedusinae, and excluding former Hemiphractinae, whose inclusion would have rendered this taxon polyphyletic) and Leptodactyliformes new taxon; (26) Leptodactyliformes is composed of Diphyabatrachia new taxon (composed of Centrolenidae [including Allophryne] and Leptodactylidae, sensu stricto, including Leptodactylus and relatives) and Chthonobatrachia new taxon; (27) Chthonobatrachia is composed of a reformulated Ceratophryidae (which excludes such genera as Odontophrynus and Proceratophrys and includes other taxa, such as Telmatobius) and Hesticobatrachia new taxon; (28) Hesticobatrachia is composed of a reformulated Cycloramphidae (which includes Rhinoderma) and Agastorophrynia new taxon; (29) Agastorophrynia is composed of Bufonidae (which is partially revised) and Dendrobatoidea (Dendrobatidae and Thoropidae); (30) Ranoides new taxon forms the sister taxon of Hyloides and is composed of two major monophyletic components, Allodapanura new taxon (microhylids, hyperoliids, and allies) and Natatanura new taxon (ranids and allies); (31) Allodapanura is composed of Microhylidae (which is partially revised) and Afrobatrachia new taxon; (32) Afrobatrachia is composed of Xenosyneunitanura new taxon (the “strange-bedfellows” Brevicipitidae [formerly in Microhylidae] and Hemisotidae) and a more normal-looking group of frogs, Laurentobatrachia new taxon (Hyperoliidae and Arthroleptidae, which includes Leptopelinae and former Astylosternidae); (33) Natatanura new taxon is composed of two taxa, the African Ptychadenidae and the worldwide Victoranura new taxon; (34) Victoranura is composed of Ceratobatrachidae and Telmatobatrachia new taxon; (35) Telmatobatrachia is composed of Micrixalidae and a worldwide group of ranoids, Ametrobatrachia new taxon; (36) Ametrobatrachia is composed of Africanura new taxon and Saukrobatrachia new taxon; (37) Africanura is composed of two taxa: Phrynobatrachidae (Phrynobatrachus, including Dimorphognathus and Phrynodon as synonyms) and Pyxicephaloidea; (38) Pyxicephaloidea is composed of Petropedetidae (Conraua, Indirana, Arthroleptides, and Petropedetes), and Pyxicephalidae (including a number of African genera, e.g. Amietia [including Afrana], Arthroleptella, Pyxicephalus, Strongylopus, and Tomopterna); and (39) Saukrobatrachia new taxon is the sister taxon of Africanura and is composed of Dicroglossidae and Aglaioanura new taxon, which is, in turn, composed of Rhacophoroidea (Mantellidae and Rhacophoridae) and Ranoidea (Nyctibatrachidae and Ranidae, sensu stricto). Many generic revisions are made either to render a monophyle", url = "https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0090(2006)297[0001:tatol]2.0.co;2", doi = "10.1206/0003-0090(2006)297[0001:tatol]2.0.co;2", openalex = "W2162229689", references = "doi101002jmor1050970203, doi101017s1464793102006103, doi101086417338, doi101093bioinformatics149817, doi101093nar22224673, doi101093nar25244876, doi101093sysbio1811, doi101093sysbio492369, doi101111j109600311988tb00514x, doi101111j109600311994tb00179x, doi101111j109600311999tb00277x, doi101111j109600312002tb00157x, doi101126science1103538, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1023071466954, doi1023071466987, doi1023072412407, doi1023073243026, doi105281zenodo16435343" } @article{doi1012060003009020062991psodfa20co2, author = "Grant, Taran and Frost, Darrel R. and Caldwell, Janalee P. and Gagliardo, Ron and Haddad, Célio F. B. and Kok, Philippe J. R. and Means, D. Bruce and Noonan, Brice P. and Schargel, Walter E. and Wheeler, Ward C.", title = "PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS OF DART-POISON FROGS AND THEIR RELATIVES (AMPHIBIA: ATHESPHATANURA: DENDROBATIDAE)", year = "2006", journal = "Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History", abstract = "Abstract The known diversity of dart-poison frog species has grown from 70 in the 1960s to 247 at present, with no sign that the discovery of new species will wane in the foreseeable future. Although this growth in knowledge of the diversity of this group has been accompanied by detailed investigations of many aspects of the biology of dendrobatids, their phylogenetic relationships remain poorly understood. This study was designed to test hypotheses of dendrobatid diversification by combining new and prior genotypic and phenotypic evidence in a total evidence analysis. DNA sequences were sampled for five mitochondrial and six nuclear loci (approximately 6,100 base pairs [bp]; x¯ = 3,740 bp per terminal; total dataset composed of approximately 1.55 million bp), and 174 phenotypic characters were scored from adult and larval morphology, alkaloid profiles, and behavior. These data were combined with relevant published DNA sequences. Ingroup sampling targeted several previously unsampled species, including Aromobates nocturnus, which was hypothesized previously to be the sister of all other dendrobatids. Undescribed and problematic species were sampled from multiple localities when possible. The final dataset consisted of 414 terminals: 367 ingroup terminals of 156 species and 47 outgroup terminals of 46 species. Direct optimization parsimony analysis of the equally weighted evidence resulted in 25,872 optimal trees. Forty nodes collapse in the strict consensus, with all conflict restricted to conspecific terminals. Dendrobatids were recovered as monophyletic, and their sister group consisted of Crossodactylus, Hylodes, and Megaelosia, recognized herein as Hylodidae. Among outgroup taxa, Centrolenidae was found to be the sister group of all athesphatanurans except Hylidae, Leptodactyidae was polyphyletic, Thoropa was nested within Cycloramphidae, and Ceratophryinae was paraphyletic with respect to Telmatobiinae. Among dendrobatids, the monophyly and content of Mannophryne and Phyllobates were corroborated. Aromobates nocturnus and Colostethus saltuensis were found to be nested within Nephelobates, and Minyobates was paraphyletic and nested within Dendrobates. Colostethus was shown to be rampantly nonmonophyletic, with most species falling into two unrelated cis- and trans-Andean clades. A morphologically and behaviorally diverse clade of median lingual process-possessing species was discovered. In light of these findings and the growth in knowledge of the diversity of this large clade over the past 40 years, we propose a new, monophyletic taxonomy for dendrobatids, recognizing the inclusive clade as a superfamily (Dendrobatoidea) composed of two families (one of which is new), six subfamilies (three new), and 16 genera (four new). Although poisonous frogs did not form a monophyletic group, the three poisonous lineages are all confined to the revised family Dendrobatidae, in keeping with the traditional application of this name. We also propose changes to achieve a monophyletic higher-level taxonomy for the athesphatanuran outgroup taxa. Analysis of character evolution revealed multiple origins of phytotelm-breeding, parental provisioning of nutritive oocytes for larval consumption (larval oophagy), and endotrophy. Available evidence indicates that transport of tadpoles on the dorsum of parent nurse frogs—a dendrobatid synapomorphy—is carried out primitively by male nurse frogs, with three independent origins of female transport and five independent origins of biparental transport. Reproductive amplexus is optimally explained as having been lost in the most recent common ancestor of Dendrobatoidea, with cephalic amplexus arising independently three times.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0090(2006)299[1:psodfa]2.0.co;2", doi = "10.1206/0003-0090(2006)299[1:psodfa]2.0.co;2", openalex = "W2175103997", references = "doi101016jwatres2020115687, doi101073pnas86166196, doi101086273307, doi101086417338, doi101093nar22224673, doi101093nar25244876, doi101111j109600311989tb00573x, doi101111j109600311994tb00179x, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi1014601phytopatholmediterr14998u129, doi1023071466954, doi1023071466987, doi1023072412407, dunlap1960the" } @article{doi101289ehp8051, author = "Hayes, Tyrone B. and Case, Paola and Chui, Sarah and Chung, Duc and Haeffele, Cathryn and Haston, Kelly and Lee, Melissa and Phoung, Vien and Marjuoa, Youssra and Parker, John M. and Tsui, Mable", title = "Pesticide Mixtures, Endocrine Disruption, and Amphibian Declines: Are We Underestimating the Impact?", year = "2006", journal = "Environmental Health Perspectives", abstract = "Amphibian populations are declining globally at an alarming rate. Pesticides are among a number of proposed causes for these declines. Although a sizable database examining effects of pesticides on amphibians exists, the vast majority of these studies focus on toxicological effects (lethality, external malformations, etc.) at relatively high doses (parts per million). Very few studies focus on effects such as endocrine disruption at low concentrations. Further, most studies examine exposures to single chemicals only. The present study examined nine pesticides (four herbicides, two fungicides, and three insecticides) used on cornfields in the midwestern United States. Effects of each pesticide alone (0.1 ppb) or in combination were examined. In addition, we also examined atrazine and S-metolachlor combined (0.1 or 10 ppb each) and the commercial formulation Bicep II Magnum, which contains both of these herbicides. These two pesticides were examined in combination because they are persistent throughout the year in the wild. We examined larval growth and development, sex differentiation, and immune function in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). In a follow-up study, we also examined the effects of the nine-compound mixture on plasma corticosterone levels in male African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). Although some of the pesticides individually inhibited larval growth and development, the pesticide mixtures had much greater effects. Larval growth and development were retarded, but most significantly, pesticide mixtures negated or reversed the typically positive correlation between time to metamorphosis and size at metamorphosis observed in controls: exposed larvae that took longer to metamorphose were smaller than their counterparts that metamorphosed earlier. The nine-pesticide mixture also induced damage to the thymus, resulting in immunosuppression and contraction of flavobacterial meningitis. The study in X. laevis revealed that these adverse effects may be due to an increase in plasma levels of the stress hormone corticosterone. Although it cannot be determined whether all the pesticides in the mixture contribute to these adverse effects or whether some pesticides are effectors, some are enhancers, and some are neutral, the present study revealed that estimating ecological risk and the impact of pesticides on amphibians using studies that examine only single pesticides at high concentrations may lead to gross underestimations of the role of pesticides in amphibian declines.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8051", doi = "10.1289/ehp.8051", openalex = "W2063737179", references = "doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi1016430045851120066810maiaia20co2, author = "Piha, Henna and Pekkonen, Minna and Merilä, Juha", title = "Morphological Abnormalities in Amphibians in Agricultural Habitats: A Case Study of the Common Frog Rana Temporaria", year = "2006", journal = "Copeia", abstract = "Recent studies suggest that the incidence of morphological abnormalities has increased in many amphibian populations, often exceeding the estimated background deformity frequency of 0–5\%. Many chemical contaminants, including agrochemicals, can cause abnormalities in amphibians, but data on the occurrence of morphological abnormalities in wild amphibian populations in Europe is anecdotal at best. In a large-scale study covering 264 ha and 26 farmland breeding populations of the Common frog (Rana temporaria) in southern Finland, we investigated whether the incidence of morphological abnormalities in metamorphs differed from the background level of 0–5\% and among populations along an agrochemical gradient. Abnormalities occurred in a low frequency (1\% of the studied individuals; 40/4115), the highest population-specific frequency being 4\%. We found no evidence for increased abnormality frequencies in the habitats most likely exposed to agrochemicals. Hence, the data suggest that current Finnish agrochemical practices are not causing increased incidences of morphological abnormalities in Common frog populations breeding in farmland areas.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1643/0045-8511(2006)6[810:maiaia]2.0.co;2", doi = "10.1643/0045-8511(2006)6[810:maiaia]2.0.co;2", openalex = "W2041886386" } @article{doi101007s1075000790322, author = "Vences, Miguel and Köhler, Jörn", title = "Global diversity of amphibians (Amphibia) in freshwater", year = "2007", journal = "Hydrobiologia", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9032-2", doi = "10.1007/s10750-007-9032-2", openalex = "W2148137316", references = "doi101038nature04246, doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101126science1103538, doi1011861742999425, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi102307jctv1nzfgj7, doi10560219780801847806, doi105860choice375647" } @article{doi101073pnas0608378104, author = "Roelants, Kim and Gower, David J. and Wilkinson, Mark and Loader, Simon P. and Biju, S. D. and Guillaume, Karen and Moriau, Linde and Bossuyt, Franky", title = "Global patterns of diversification in the history of modern amphibians", year = "2007", journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", abstract = "The fossil record of modern amphibians (frogs, salamanders, and caecilians) provides no evidence for major extinction or radiation episodes throughout most of the Mesozoic and early Tertiary. However, long-term gradual diversification is difficult to reconcile with the sensitivity of present-day amphibian faunas to rapid ecological changes and the incidence of similar environmental perturbations in the past that have been associated with high turnover rates in other land vertebrates. To provide a comprehensive overview of the history of amphibian diversification, we constructed a phylogenetic timetree based on a multigene data set of 3.75 kb for 171 species. Our analyses reveal several episodes of accelerated amphibian diversification, which do not fit models of gradual lineage accumulation. Global turning points in the phylogenetic and ecological diversification occurred after the end-Permian mass extinction and in the late Cretaceous. Fluctuations in amphibian diversification show strong temporal correlation with turnover rates in amniotes and the rise of angiosperm-dominated forests. Approximately 86\% of modern frog species and >81\% of salamander species descended from only five ancestral lineages that produced major radiations in the late Cretaceous and early Tertiary. This proportionally late accumulation of extant lineage diversity contrasts with the long evolutionary history of amphibians but is in line with the Tertiary increase in fossil abundance toward the present.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0608378104", doi = "10.1073/pnas.0608378104", openalex = "W2114910448", references = "doi101023a1011317930838, doi101073pnas0401892101, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi104095215638, doi10560219780801847806, doi105860choice331556" } @misc{crossref2008amphibianstoads, title = "Amphibians—Toads, Frogs, Salamanders, and Newts (Class: Amphibia)", year = "2008", booktitle = "Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances", url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470330319.ch174", doi = "10.1002/9780470330319.ch174", openalex = "W1508227859", pages = "996-1007", references = "doi101002jps2600561202, doi1010160040816679900296, doi1010160041010187902650, doi1010160041010194900817, doi1010160378874194900515, doi101016s0031699725071583, doi101016s0041010102001150, doi101073pnas200346897, doi101081txr100103081, doi101136heart894e14" } @incollection{doi101007978140208259754, author = "Vences, Miguel and Köhler, Jörn", title = "Global diversity of amphibians (Amphibia) in freshwater", year = "2008", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8259-7\_54", doi = "10.1007/978-1-4020-8259-7\_54", openalex = "W4206543438", references = "doi101038nature04246, doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi101046j15231739199408010060x, doi101098rstb20051717, doi101126science1103538, doi1011861742999425, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi102307jctv1nzfgj7, doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi101016jcvex200803006, author = "Allender, Matthew C. and Fry, Michael M.", title = "Amphibian Hematology", year = "2008", journal = "Veterinary Clinics of North America Exotic Animal Practice", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2008.03.006", doi = "10.1016/j.cvex.2008.03.006", openalex = "W4254693788" } @article{doi101073pnas0801921105, author = "Wake, David B. and Vredenburg, Vance T.", title = "Are we in the midst of the sixth mass extinction? A view from the world of amphibians", year = "2008", journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", abstract = "Many scientists argue that we are either entering or in the midst of the sixth great mass extinction. Intense human pressure, both direct and indirect, is having profound effects on natural environments. The amphibians--frogs, salamanders, and caecilians--may be the only major group currently at risk globally. A detailed worldwide assessment and subsequent updates show that one-third or more of the 6,300 species are threatened with extinction. This trend is likely to accelerate because most amphibians occur in the tropics and have small geographic ranges that make them susceptible to extinction. The increasing pressure from habitat destruction and climate change is likely to have major impacts on narrowly adapted and distributed species. We show that salamanders on tropical mountains are particularly at risk. A new and significant threat to amphibians is a virulent, emerging infectious disease, chytridiomycosis, which appears to be globally distributed, and its effects may be exacerbated by global warming. This disease, which is caused by a fungal pathogen and implicated in serious declines and extinctions of >200 species of amphibians, poses the greatest threat to biodiversity of any known disease. Our data for frogs in the Sierra Nevada of California show that the fungus is having a devastating impact on native species, already weakened by the effects of pollution and introduced predators. A general message from amphibians is that we may have little time to stave off a potential mass extinction.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0801921105", doi = "10.1073/pnas.0801921105", openalex = "W2049085830", references = "doi101038nature04246, doi101046j14724642200300016x, doi10108010635150701397635, doi101126science1103538" } @article{doi1011606issn23169079v7i2p149150, author = "MacCulloch, Ross D.", title = "Threatened Amphibians of the World", year = "2008", journal = "Phyllomedusa Journal of Herpetology", url = "https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v7i2p149-150", doi = "10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v7i2p149-150", openalex = "W1977745099", references = "doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062991psodfa20co2" } @article{doi101371journalpbio0060072, author = "Lips, Karen R. and Diffendorfer, Jay E. and Mendelson, Joseph R. and Sears, Michael W.", title = "Riding the Wave: Reconciling the Roles of Disease and Climate Change in Amphibian Declines", year = "2008", journal = "PLoS Biology", abstract = "We review the evidence for the role of climate change in triggering disease outbreaks of chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease of amphibians. Both climatic anomalies and disease-related extirpations are recent phenomena, and effects of both are especially noticeable at high elevations in tropical areas, making it difficult to determine whether they are operating separately or synergistically. We compiled reports of amphibian declines from Lower Central America and Andean South America to create maps and statistical models to test our hypothesis of spatiotemporal spread of the pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and to update the elevational patterns of decline in frogs belonging to the genus Atelopus. We evaluated claims of climate change influencing the spread of Bd by including error into estimates of the relationship between air temperature and last year observed. Available data support the hypothesis of multiple introductions of this invasive pathogen into South America and subsequent spread along the primary Andean cordilleras. Additional analyses found no evidence to support the hypothesis that climate change has been driving outbreaks of amphibian chytridiomycosis, as has been posited in the climate-linked epidemic hypothesis. Future studies should increase retrospective surveys of museum specimens from throughout the Andes and should study the landscape genetics of Bd to map fine-scale patterns of geographic spread to identify transmission routes and processes.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0060072", doi = "10.1371/journal.pbio.0060072", openalex = "W1995540767", references = "doi1023071942256, doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi101073pnas0810821106, author = "Vieites, David R. and Valero, Katharina C. Wollenberg and Andreone, Franco and Köhler, Jörn and Glaw, Frank and Vences, Miguel", title = "Vast underestimation of Madagascar's biodiversity evidenced by an integrative amphibian inventory", year = "2009", journal = "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences", abstract = "Amphibians are in decline worldwide. However, their patterns of diversity, especially in the tropics, are not well understood, mainly because of incomplete information on taxonomy and distribution. We assess morphological, bioacoustic, and genetic variation of Madagascar's amphibians, one of the first near-complete taxon samplings from a biodiversity hotspot. Based on DNA sequences of 2,850 specimens sampled from over 170 localities, our analyses reveal an extreme proportion of amphibian diversity, projecting an almost 2-fold increase in species numbers from the currently described 244 species to a minimum of 373 and up to 465. This diversity is widespread geographically and across most major phylogenetic lineages except in a few previously well-studied genera, and is not restricted to morphologically cryptic clades. We classify the genealogical lineages in confirmed and unconfirmed candidate species or deeply divergent conspecific lineages based on concordance of genetic divergences with other characters. This integrative approach may be widely applicable to improve estimates of organismal diversity. Our results suggest that in Madagascar the spatial pattern of amphibian richness and endemism must be revisited, and current habitat destruction may be affecting more species than previously thought, in amphibians as well as in other animal groups. This case study suggests that worldwide tropical amphibian diversity is probably underestimated at an unprecedented level and stresses the need for integrated taxonomic surveys as a basis for prioritizing conservation efforts within biodiversity hotspots.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0810821106", doi = "10.1073/pnas.0810821106", openalex = "W2046002090", references = "doi101098rstb20051717, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2" } @article{doi101126science1176765, author = "Voyles, Jamie and Young, Sam and Berger, Lee and Campbell, Craig and Voyles, Wyatt F. and Dinudom, Anuwat and Cook, David and Webb, Rebecca J. and Alford, Ross A. and Skerratt, Lee F. and Speare, Rick", title = "Pathogenesis of Chytridiomycosis, a Cause of Catastrophic Amphibian Declines", year = "2009", journal = "Science", abstract = "The pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which causes the skin disease chytridiomycosis, is one of the few highly virulent fungi in vertebrates and has been implicated in worldwide amphibian declines. However, the mechanism by which Bd causes death has not been determined. We show that Bd infection is associated with pathophysiological changes that lead to mortality in green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea). In diseased individuals, electrolyte transport across the epidermis was inhibited by >50\%, plasma sodium and potassium concentrations were respectively reduced by approximately 20\% and approximately 50\%, and asystolic cardiac arrest resulted in death. Because the skin is critical in maintaining amphibian homeostasis, disruption to cutaneous function may be the mechanism by which Bd produces morbidity and mortality across a wide range of phylogenetically distant amphibian taxa.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1176765", doi = "10.1126/science.1176765", openalex = "W1979009666" } @article{doi101146annurevearth031208100113, author = "Schoch, Rainer R.", title = "Evolution of Life Cycles in Early Amphibians", year = "2009", journal = "Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences", abstract = "Many modern amphibians have biphasic life cycles with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. The central questions are how and when this complicated ontogeny was established, and what is known about the lives of amphibians in the Paleozoic. Fossil evidence has accumulated that sheds light on the life histories of early amphibians, the origin of metamorphosis, and the transition to a fully terrestrial existence. The majority of early amphibians were aquatic or amphibious and underwent only gradual ontogenetic changes. Developmental plasticity played a major role in some taxa but was restricted to minor modification of ontogeny. In the Permo-Carboniferous dissorophoids, a condensation of crucial ontogenetic steps into a short phase (metamorphosis) is observed. It is likely that the origin of both metamorphosis and neoteny falls within these taxa. Fossil evidence also reveals the sequence of evolutionary changes: apparently, the ontogenetic change in feeding, not the transition to a terrestrial existence per se, made a drastic metamorphosis necessary.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.earth.031208.100113", doi = "10.1146/annurev.earth.031208.100113", openalex = "W2125472918", references = "doi101017s0263593300002340, doi101017s1477201906002008, doi1023072421869, doi105860choice402180, doi105860choice503274" } @article{doi101146annurevmicro091208073435, author = "Fisher, Matthew C. and Garner, Trenton W. J. and Walker, Susan F.", title = "Global Emergence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Amphibian Chytridiomycosis in Space, Time, and Host", year = "2009", journal = "Annual Review of Microbiology", abstract = "Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a chytrid fungus that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Only named in 1999, Bd is a proximate driver of declines in global amphibian biodiversity. The pathogen infects over 350 species of amphibians and is found on all continents except Antarctica. However, the processes that have led to the global distribution of Bd and the occurrence of chytridiomycosis remain unclear. This review explores the molecular, epidemiological, and ecological evidence that Bd evolved from an endemic ancestral lineage to achieve global prominence via anthropogenically mediated spread. We then consider the major host and pathogen factors that have led to the occurrence of chytridiomycosis in amphibian species, populations, and communities.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.micro.091208.073435", doi = "10.1146/annurev.micro.091208.073435", openalex = "W2105291817", references = "doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi101016jympev201106012, author = "Pyron, R. Alexander and Wiens, John J.", title = "A large-scale phylogeny of Amphibia including over 2800 species, and a revised classification of extant frogs, salamanders, and caecilians", year = "2011", journal = "Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.012", doi = "10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.012", openalex = "W2129491952", references = "doi10108010635150701397635, doi101093sysbiosyr047, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi1012060003009020062991psodfa20co2, doi10560219780801847806" } @article{doi101038nature10650, author = "Hof, Christian and Araújo, Miguel B. and Jetz, Walter and Rahbek, Carsten", title = "Additive threats from pathogens, climate and land-use change for global amphibian diversity", year = "2011", journal = "Nature", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10650", doi = "10.1038/nature10650", openalex = "W1969425659", references = "doi101046j14724642200300016x" } @article{doi101111j14697998201100829x, author = "Mable, Barbara K. and Alexandrou, Markos A. and Taylor, Martin I.", title = "Genome duplication in amphibians and fish: an extended synthesis", year = "2011", journal = "Journal of Zoology", abstract = "Whole genome duplication (leading to polyploidy) is widely accepted as an important evolutionary force in plants, but it is less recognized as a driver of animal diversification. Nevertheless, it occurs across a wide range of animals; this review investigates why it is particularly common in fish and amphibians, while rare among other vertebrates. We review the current geographic, ecological and phylogenetic distributions of sexually reproducing polyploid taxa before focusing more specifically on what factors drive polyploid formation and establishment. In summary, (1) polyploidy is phylogenetically restricted in both amphibians and fishes, although entire fish, but not amphibian, lineages are derived from polyploid ancestors. (2) Although mechanisms such as polyspermy are feasible, polyploid formation appears to occur principally through unreduced gamete formation, which can be experimentally induced by temperature or pressure shock in both groups. (3) External reproduction and fertilization in primarily temperate freshwater environments potentially exposes zygotes to temperature stress, which can promote increased production of unreduced gametes. (4) Large numbers of gametes and group breeding in relatively confined areas could increase the probability of compatible gamete combinations in both groups. (5) Both fish and amphibians have a propensity to form reproductively successful hybrids; although the relative frequency of autopolyploidy versus allopolyploidy is difficult to ascertain, multiple origins involving hybridization have been confirmed for a number of species in both groups. (6) Problems with establishment of polyploid lineages associated with minority cytotype exclusion could be overcome in amphibians via assortative mating by acoustic recognition of the same ploidy level, but less attention has been given to chemical or acoustic mechanisms that might operate in fish. (7) There is no strong evidence that polyploid fish or amphibians currently exist in more extreme environments than their diploid progenitors or have broader ecological ranges. (8) Although pathogens could play a role in the relative fitness of polyploid species, particularly given duplication of genes involved in immunity, this remains an understudied field in both fish and amphibians. (9) As in plants, many duplicate copies of genes are retained for long periods of time, indicative of selective maintenance of the duplicate copies, but we find no physiological or other reasons that could explain an advantage for allelic or genetic complexity. (10) Extant polyploid species do not appear to be more or less prone to extinction than related diploids in either group. We conclude that, while polyploid fish and amphibians share a number of attributes facilitating polyploidy, clear drivers of genome duplication do not emerge from the comparison. The lack of a clear association of sexually reproducing polyploids with range expansion, harsh environments, or risk of extinction could suggest that stronger correlations in plants may be driven by shifts in mating system more than ploidy. However, insufficient data currently exist to provide rigorous tests of these hypotheses and we make a plea for zoologists to also consider polyploidy as a possibility in continuing taxonomic surveys.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00829.x", doi = "10.1111/j.1469-7998.2011.00829.x", openalex = "W2120868323", references = "doi1010079783642866593, doi101007s1075000790322, doi1010160047248480900779, doi101016jppees201002002, doi10103842711, doi101038nature03025, doi101111j1365294x200703529x, doi101146annurevecolsys291467, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi1023071442619, doi10560219780801847806, doi107312steb94536, openalexw1599639077" } @article{doi1011646zootaxa287413, author = "Wilkinson, Mark and Mauro, Diego San and Sherratt, Emma and Gower, David J.", title = "A nine-family classification of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)", year = "2011", journal = "Zootaxa", abstract = "We propose a new family-level classification of caecilians that is based on current understanding of phylogenetic relationships and diversity. The 34 currently recognised genera of caecilians are diagnosed and partitioned into nine family-level taxa. Each family is an hypothesised monophylum, that, subject to limitations of taxon sampling, is well-supported by phylogenetic analyses and is of ancient (Mesozoic) origin. Each family is diagnosed and also defined phylogenetically. The proposed classification provides an alternative to an exclusive reliance upon synonymy in solving the longstanding problem of paraphyly of the Caeciliidae.", url = "https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2874.1.3", doi = "10.11646/zootaxa.2874.1.3", openalex = "W2182430900" } @article{doi101007s1002101296027, author = "Whiles, Matt R. and Hall, Robert O. and Dodds, Walter K. and Verburg, Piet and Huryn, Alexander D. and Pringle, C. M. and Lips, Karen R. and Kilham, S. S. and Colón-Gaud, J. Checo and Rugenski, Amanda T. and Peterson, Sharon and Connelly, Scott", title = "Disease-Driven Amphibian Declines Alter Ecosystem Processes in a Tropical Stream", year = "2012", journal = "Ecosystems", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-012-9602-7", doi = "10.1007/s10021-012-9602-7", openalex = "W1983354498", references = "doi101899081181" } @article{doi1031610trudyzin20123164324, author = "Borkin, Leo J. and Bezman-Moseyko, Olga S. and Litvinchuk, Spartak N.", title = "Evaluation of animal deformity occurrence in natural populations (an example of amphibians)", year = "2012", journal = "Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS", abstract = "A new approach is proposed to evaluate the occurrence of amphibian deformities in natural populations. The background and mass occurrence is suggested to separate by convenient level of 5 percent of malformed animals (sample size?100 specimens is recommended). The system containing three groups of quantitative parameters are considered: a) frequency of malformed animals, Pas; b) frequency of abnormalities (A), including partial (Ap) and relative frequency (Ar); and c) spectrum of abnormalities (Sa), including individual (Sai) and population (Sap) deformity diversity in natural populations and some other parameters (μ and h of Zhivotovsky 1980). Some measures of combined occurrence of abnormalities and abnormality overlap are also analysed (indices of Morisita, and of Czekanovsky–Sorensen). Some aspects of field work are discussed (sampling, age groups, abnormality classification as well as syndrome expression of malformations).", url = "https://doi.org/10.31610/trudyzin/2012.316.4.324", doi = "10.31610/trudyzin/2012.316.4.324", openalex = "W4295108600", references = "doi101086282436, doi101111j15231739200300217x, doi101163157075403323012205, doi1015259780520942530, doi1016430045851120066810maiaia20co2, doi1018901540929520030010087tcoda20co2, doi1018960seitai1162524, doi1023071936817, doi1023074045, doi1075890090355833195, openalexw115311278" } @article{doi105252g2013n1a8, author = "Marjanović, David and Laurin, Michel", title = "The origin(s) of extant amphibians: a review with emphasis on the “lepospondyl hypothesis”", year = "2013", journal = "Geodiversitas", abstract = "The origins of the extant amphibians (frogs, salamanders, caecilians) remain controversial after over a century of debate. Three groups of hypotheses persist in the current literature: the “temnospondyl hypothesis” (TH) which roots Lissamphibia Haeckel, 1866 (the smallest clade composed of the extant amphibians) within the Paleozoic temnospondyls, the “lepospondyl hypothesis” (LH) which postulates a monophyletic Lissamphibia nested within the Paleozoic lepospondyls, and the “polyphyly hypothesis” (PH), according to which the frogs and the salamanders are temnospondyls while the caecilians are lepospondyls. The discovery of the Middle Jurassic to Pliocene albanerpetontids, which are very similar to the extant amphibians, has complicated rather than resolved this situation. We present a review of recent publications and theses in this field, several of which show more support for the LH than for the TH and considerably more than for the PH. In addition, we show that there is no particular attraction between long-bodied lissamphibians (caecilians) and long-bodied lepospondyls (such as the lysorophians): when they are removed from two published matrices, reanalyses nonetheless find the LH. In one case the LH is found even when all salamanders are removed as well. We furthermore propose that the complex of characters called the salamander mode of autopodium development is (in its less extreme forms) plesiomorphic for limbed vertebrates, so the apparent presence of this mode of development in temnospondyls cannot support the TH or the PH. Still, a consensus will not be reached soon, despite the increasing range of data and types of analysis that are used (morphological, molecular and combined phylogenetics, development biology, molecular divergence dating, paleontological supertree dating, combined dating, and calculation of confidence intervals on first appearances in the fossil record). We present examples of pertinent character state distributions and explore a large gap in the fossil record of small stegocephalians.", url = "https://doi.org/10.5252/g2013n1a8", doi = "10.5252/g2013n1a8", openalex = "W2170107220", references = "doi10100797814615698316, doi101016jcrvi200510001, doi101016jtig200312003, doi101016s076444690101318x, doi101073pnas0608378104, doi10108010635150490522340, doi101111j251761611995tb02031x, doi101126science2562999, doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi1012063101, doi1012063521, doi10167102724634200626284toksst20co2" } @article{doi101038ncomms6046, author = "Brown, Jason L. and Cameron, A. and Yoder, Anne D. and Vences, Miguel", title = "A necessarily complex model to explain the biogeography of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar", year = "2014", journal = "Nature Communications", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6046", doi = "10.1038/ncomms6046", openalex = "W2106053404", references = "doi1011861471214811217" } @article{doi101093sysbiosyu042, author = "Pyron, R. Alexander", title = "Biogeographic Analysis Reveals Ancient Continental Vicariance and Recent Oceanic Dispersal in Amphibians", year = "2014", journal = "Systematic Biology", abstract = "Amphibia comprises over 7000 extant species distributed in almost every ecosystem on every continent except Antarctica. Most species also show high specificity for particular habitats, biomes, or climatic niches, seemingly rendering long-distance dispersal unlikely. Indeed, many lineages still seem to show the signature of their Pangaean origin, approximately 300 Ma later. To date, no study has attempted a large-scale historical-biogeographic analysis of the group to understand the distribution of extant lineages. Here, I use an updated chronogram containing 3309 species (∼ 45\% of extant diversity) to reconstruct their movement between 12 global ecoregions. I find that Pangaean origin and subsequent Laurasian and Gondwanan fragmentation explain a large proportion of patterns in the distribution of extant species. However, dispersal during the Cenozoic, likely across land bridges or short distances across oceans, has also exerted a strong influence. Finally, there are at least three strongly supported instances of long-distance oceanic dispersal between former Gondwanan landmasses during the Cenozoic. Extinction from intervening areas seems to be a strong factor in shaping present-day distributions. Dispersal and extinction from and between ecoregions are apparently tied to the evolution of extraordinarily adaptive expansion-oriented phenotypes that allow lineages to easily colonize new areas and diversify, or conversely, to extremely specialized phenotypes or heavily relictual climatic niches that result in strong geographic localization and limited diversification.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syu042", doi = "10.1093/sysbio/syu042", openalex = "W2133277373", references = "doi101038nature06865, doi101073pnas0611051104, doi10108010635150701397635, doi101093sysbiosyt040, doi101126science1181707, doi1012060003009020052940001srotff20co2, doi1012060003009020062991psodfa20co2, doi1021425f55419694" } @article{doi101098rspb20141550, author = "Fröbisch, Nadia B. and Bickelmann, Constanze and Witzmann, Florian", title = "Early evolution of limb regeneration in tetrapods: evidence from a 300-million-year-old amphibian", year = "2014", journal = "Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences", abstract = "Salamanders are the only tetrapods capable of fully regenerating their limbs throughout their entire lives. Much data on the underlying molecular mechanisms of limb regeneration have been gathered in recent years allowing for new comparative studies between salamanders and other tetrapods that lack this unique regenerative potential. By contrast, the evolution of animal regeneration just recently shifted back into focus, despite being highly relevant for research designs aiming to unravel the factors allowing for limb regeneration. We show that the 300-million-year-old temnospondyl amphibian Micromelerpeton, a distant relative of modern amphibians, was already capable of regenerating its limbs. A number of exceptionally well-preserved specimens from fossil deposits show a unique pattern and combination of abnormalities in their limbs that is distinctive of irregular regenerative activity in modern salamanders and does not occur as variants of normal limb development. This demonstrates that the capacity to regenerate limbs is not a derived feature of modern salamanders, but may be an ancient feature of non-amniote tetrapods and possibly even shared by all bony fish. The finding provides a new framework for understanding the evolution of regenerative capacity of paired appendages in vertebrates in the search for conserved versus derived molecular mechanisms of limb regeneration.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.1550", doi = "10.1098/rspb.2014.1550", openalex = "W2125381676", references = "doi105252g2013n1a8" } @article{doi1011631568538100002942, author = "Perl, R. G. Bina and Nagy, Zoltán T. and Sonet, Gontran and Glaw, Frank and Valero, Katharina C. Wollenberg and Vences, Miguel", title = "DNA barcoding Madagascar’s amphibian fauna", year = "2014", journal = "Amphibia-Reptilia", abstract = "We provide a DNA barcoding survey of Malagasy amphibians, including 251 of the 292 nominal species known to date, by complementing previous data with 280 newly determined barcoding sequence fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Amplification success for the newly determined sequences was highest (94\%) with one set of universal COI primers (dgLCO1490-dgHCO2198) while other primer sets had distinctly lower success rates. By and large, we observed relatively high average interspecific genetic distances of 25-27\% within the Mantellidae and Microhylidae, and genetic distances of 13-21\% within the Hyperoliidae. Lower values of 6-7\% were observed between some sister species in all families, with extreme lows of 0.2-0.3\% between a few sister species pairs in microhylids and mantellids for which we postulate mitochondrial introgression or yet unsettled taxonomy. Within-species divergences were relatively high especially in mantellids where they averaged 5.3\%, due to the inclusion of numerous deep conspecific lineages (by definition with high divergences to other specimens) in our study. Above this, the degree of polymorphism was difficult to establish owing to limited sampling per population in our assessment. Compared to a previous assessment from 2009 based on 16S rDNA sequences, we identify 14 additional undescribed candidate species and raise the maximum estimate of species in the island’s batrachofauna to well over 500.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00002942", doi = "10.1163/15685381-00002942", openalex = "W2066933182", references = "doi1011861471214811217" } @article{doi101146annurevenviron102014021358, author = "Catenazzi, Alessandro", title = "State of the World's Amphibians", year = "2015", journal = "Annual Review of Environment and Resources", abstract = "The Anthropocene is characterized by a widespread biodiversity crisis that is rivaling prehistoric mass extinctions. Amphibians are the most threatened class of vertebrates. In addition to traditional threats such as land-use conversion and pollution, climate change and introduced diseases are expected to further reduce amphibian biodiversity. The fungal disease chytridiomycosis has caused the rapid extirpation of tens to possibly hundreds of amphibian species. Recent advances have revealed a deep evolutionary history and considerable variation in the virulence of strains of the fungal pathogen, patterns that need to be reconciled with the rapid spread of disease and demise of host populations. A conservation priority is surveillance of a newly discovered species of chytrid fungus that is killing European salamanders. The accelerated discovery of new amphibian species challenges existing conservation resources, but it is an opportunity to fill geographical gaps and to enhance programs aimed at preserving amphibian biodiversity.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-102014-021358", doi = "10.1146/annurev-environ-102014-021358", openalex = "W2137345966", references = "doi101111j14724642201100862x, doi101111j15585646201201715x, doi101371journalpone0103958" } @article{doi101590s198446702015000500005, author = "Wei, Jie and Li, Yanyan and Li, Wei and Ding, Guohua and Fan, Xiao-Li and Lin, Zhi‐Hua", title = "Evolution of erythrocyte morphology in amphibians (Amphibia: Anura)", year = "2015", journal = "Zoologia (Curitiba)", abstract = "We compared the morphology of the erythrocytes of five anurans, two toad species - Bufo gargarizans (Cantor, 1842) and Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) and three frog species - Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829), Microhyla ornata (Duméril \& Bibron, 1841), and Rana zhenhaiensis (Ye, Fei \& Matsui, 1995). We then reconstructed the ancestral state of erythrocyte size (ES) and nuclear size (NS) in amphibians based on a molecular tree. Nine morphological traits of erythrocytes were all significantly different among the five species. The results of principal component analysis showed that the first component (49.1\% of variance explained) had a high positive loading for erythrocyte length, nuclear length, NS and ratio of erythrocyte length/erythrocyte width; the second axis (28.5\% of variance explained) mainly represented erythrocyte width and ES. Phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis showed that the relationship between NS and ES was not affected by phylogenetic relationships although there was a significant linear relationship between these two variables. These results suggested that (1) the nine morphological traits of erythrocytes in the five anuran species were species-specific; (2) in amphibians, larger erythrocytes generally had larger nuclei.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-46702015000500005", doi = "10.1590/s1984-46702015000500005", openalex = "W2341883296", references = "doi101006bcmd20010457, doi101016jaquatox200610012, doi101016jcvex200803006, doi101016jmrgentox201404009, doi101016jympev201106012, doi101111j14209101201102372x, doi101111j1469185x2000tb00059x, doi1023072409910, doi10758900903558381143, doi10758900903558394830" } @article{doi103409azc581101, author = "Ratnikov, Viatcheslav Yu.", title = "Comparative humeral morphology of some Eurasian tailed amphibians (Amphibia, Urodela) for palaeontological studies", year = "2015", journal = "Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia", url = "https://doi.org/10.3409/azc.58\_1.101", doi = "10.3409/azc.58\_1.101", openalex = "W2588209834", references = "doi101038136087a0, doi105281zenodo16213886, doi105962bhltitle156765" } @article{doi101111jbi12756, author = "de Lima Moraes, Leandro João Carneiro and Pavan, Dante and Barros, Maria Claudene and Ribas, Camila C.", title = "The combined influence of riverine barriers and flooding gradients on biogeographical patterns for amphibians and squamates in south‐eastern Amazonia", year = "2016", journal = "Journal of Biogeography", abstract = "Abstract Aim Our aim was to investigate how the distance to water (flooding gradients) and riverine barriers (Tapajós and Jamanxim rivers) influence the distributional patterns of amphibian and squamate assemblages in the middle Tapajós River region, south‐eastern Amazonia. We also considered the planned hydroelectric dams on both rivers in reviewing the possible impacts of these factors on the amphibian and squamate assemblages. Location Middle Tapajós River system, south‐eastern Amazonia. Methods We conducted diurnal and nocturnal surveys combining pitfall traps and active searches along both banks of the Tapajós and Jamanxim rivers. We identified specimens using an integrative morphological, acoustic, ecological and molecular approach and evaluated the influence of riverine barriers and distance to water using uni‐ and multivariate ordinations, regressions and ANOVA. Results We found changes in species composition for both groups along the flooding gradient and differential riverine barrier effects. The rivers restricted the distribution of 33\% of the amphibian species and 8\% of the squamates. For amphibians, the main distributional barrier was the Tapajós River, while for squamates both rivers were of similar importance. The assemblages most affected by riverine barriers were non‐riparian amphibians and squamates, as well as riparian amphibians associated with small streams. The functional groups most affected were small, diurnal terrestrial amphibians and small–medium, diurnal partly tree‐dwelling squamates. Main conclusions The Tapajós River is a distributional boundary for lineages centred in western and eastern Amazonia. The fact that many taxa occur on both banks suggests that the Tapajós is a recent or semi‐permeable barrier, while the Jamanxim is an even more recent or weaker barrier. Anthropogenic activities that affect water level, flooding cycles and river flow may influence these natural patterns and cause changes to the equilibrium of the riverine barrier effect. Studies seeking to identify these influences should focus on the most affected functional groups.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.12756", doi = "10.1111/jbi.12756", openalex = "W2475144146", references = "doi1011861471214811217" } @article{doi101007s113560179364z, author = "Zhelev, Zhivko and Popgeorgiev, Georgi and Иванов, Иван Юрьевич and Boyadzhiev‍, Peter", title = "Changes of erythrocyte-metric parameters in Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) inhabiting water bodies with different types of anthropogenic pollution in Southern Bulgaria", year = "2017", journal = "Environmental Science and Pollution Research", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9364-z", doi = "10.1007/s11356-017-9364-z", openalex = "W2625920719", references = "doi101590s198446702015000500005" } @article{doi103389fmicb201701530, author = "Bletz, Molly C. and Archer, Holly and Harris, Reid N. and McKenzie, Valerie J. and Rabemananjara, Falitiana C. E. and Rakotoarison, Andolalao and Vences, Miguel", title = "Host Ecology Rather Than Host Phylogeny Drives Amphibian Skin Microbial Community Structure in the Biodiversity Hotspot of Madagascar", year = "2017", journal = "Frontiers in Microbiology", abstract = "Host-associated microbiotas of vertebrates are diverse and complex communities that contribute to host health. In particular, for amphibians, cutaneous microbial communities likely play a significant role in pathogen defense; however, our ecological understanding of these communities is still in its infancy. Here, we take advantage of the fully endemic and locally species-rich amphibian fauna of Madagascar to investigate the factors structuring amphibian skin microbiota on a large scale. Using amplicon-based sequencing, we evaluate how multiple host species traits and site factors affect host bacterial diversity and community structure. Madagascar is home to over 400 native frog species, all of which are endemic to the island; more than 100 different species are known to occur in sympatry within multiple rainforest sites. We intensively sampled frog skin bacterial communities, from over 800 amphibians from 89 species across 30 sites in Madagascar during three field visits, and found that skin bacterial communities differed strongly from those of the surrounding environment. Richness of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and phylogenetic diversity differed among host ecomorphs, with arboreal frogs exhibiting lower richness and diversity than terrestrial and aquatic frogs. Host ecomorphology was the strongest factor influencing microbial community structure, with host phylogeny and site parameters (latitude and elevation) explaining less but significant portions of the observed variation. Correlation analysis and topological congruency analyses revealed little to no phylosymbiosis for amphibian skin microbiota. Despite the observed geographic variation and low phylosymbiosis, we found particular OTUs that were differentially abundant between particular ecomorphs. For example, the genus Pigmentiphaga (Alcaligenaceae) was significantly enriched on arboreal frogs, Methylotenera (Methylophilaceae) was enriched on aquatic frogs, and Agrobacterium (Rhizobiaceae) was enriched on terrestrial frogs. The presence of shared bacterial OTUs across geographic regions for selected host genera suggests the presence of core microbial communities which in Madagascar, might be driven more strongly by a species' preference for specific microhabitats than by the physical, physiological or biochemical properties of their skin. These results corroborate that both host and environmental factors are driving community assembly of amphibian cutaneous microbial communities, and provide an improved foundation for elucidating their role in disease resistance.", url = "https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01530", doi = "10.3389/fmicb.2017.01530", openalex = "W2740203422", references = "doi1011861471214811217" } @article{andmarushchak2018morphological, author = "Marushchak, O. and Muravynets, O.", title = "Morphological abnormalities in tailless amphibians (Amphibia, Anura) in Ukraine", year = "2018", journal = "Geo\&Bio", url = "https://doi.org/10.15407/gb.2018.16.076", doi = "10.15407/gb.2018.16.076", number = "16", openalex = "W2904825090", pages = "76-82", volume = "2018", references = "doi101163157075403323012205, doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi101038s4155901805155, author = "Jetz, Walter and Pyron, R. Alexander", title = "The interplay of past diversification and evolutionary isolation with present imperilment across the amphibian tree of life", year = "2018", journal = "Nature Ecology \& Evolution", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0515-5", doi = "10.1038/s41559-018-0515-5", openalex = "W2796242207", references = "doi1012060003009020062970001tatol20co2, doi1012060003009020073031cfttbi20co2" } @article{doi1010800891296320181506777, author = "Ratnikov, Viatcheslav Yu. and Blain, Hugues‐Alexandre", title = "Holocene amphibians and reptiles from Voroncha (Belarus): Comparative osteology, paleopathology and paleobiogeography", year = "2018", journal = "Historical Biology", abstract = "The Voroncha site is an accumulation of Holocene small vertebrates, from which numerous amphibian and reptile remains have been recovered continuously over the course of many years. The accumulation has been said to represent a badger or fox den on a gully slope. The latest available collection contains some 11,538 herpetofauna bones suitable for systematic identification. This assemblage includes two caudates (Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus cristatus), five anurans (Bufo bufo, Pelophylax lessonae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana arvalis, and Rana temporaria), one anguid lizard (Anguis fragilis sl), one lacertid lizard (Zootoca vivipara), and two snakes (Natrix natrix and Vipera berus). This paper describes the comparative characteristics of these bones. The considerable quantity of fossils helps to better visualize the identification criteria for the higher taxonomic categories. In addition, the great number of the bones identified at the species level reveals considerable intraspecific variability for some elements. This study complements previous studies by adding L. vulgaris, T. cristatus, B. bufo, P. ridibundus, R. arvalis, Z. vivipara, N. natrix and V. berus to the site’s faunal record. Voroncha represents the first fossil record for caudates in the region of Belarus and the first record for Z. vivipara in the western East European Plain.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2018.1506777", doi = "10.1080/08912963.2018.1506777", openalex = "W2886365323", references = "doi103409azc581101" } @article{doi101126scienceaar1965, author = "O’Hanlon, Simon J. and Rieux, Adrien and Farrer, Rhys A. and Rosa, Gonçalo M. and Waldman, Bruce and Bataille, Arnaud and Kosch, Tiffany A. and Murray, Kris A. and Brankovics, Balázs and Fumagalli, Matteo and Martin, Michael D. and Wales, Nathan and Alvarado‐Rybak, Mario and Bates, Kieran A. and Berger, Lee and Böll, Susanne and Brookes, Lola and Clare, Frances C. and Courtois, Élodie A. and Cunningham, Andrew A. and Doherty‐Bone, Thomas M. and Ghosh, Pria N. and Gower, David J. and Hintz, William E. and Höglund, ‎Jacob and Jenkinson, Thomas S. and Lin, Chun-Fu and Laurila, Anssi and Loyau, Adeline and Martel, An and Meurling, Sara and Miaud, Claude and Minting, Pete and Pasmans, Frank and Schmeller, Dirk S. and Schmidt, Benedikt R. and Shelton, Jennifer and Skerratt, Lee F. and Smith, Freya and Azat, Claudio and Spagnoletti, Matteo and Tessa, Giulia and Toledo, Luı́s Felipe and Valenzuela‐Sánchez, Andrés and Verster, Ruhan and Vörös, Judit and Webb, Rebecca J. and Wierzbicki, Claudia and Wombwell, Emma and Zamudio, Kelly R. and Aanensen, David M. and James, Timothy Y. and Gilbert, M. Thomas P. and Weldon, Ché and Bosch, Jaime and Balloux, François and Garner, Trenton W. J. and Fisher, Matthew C.", title = "Recent Asian origin of chytrid fungi causing global amphibian declines", year = "2018", journal = "Science", abstract = "Globalized infectious diseases are causing species declines worldwide, but their source often remains elusive. We used whole-genome sequencing to solve the spatiotemporal origins of the most devastating panzootic to date, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a proximate driver of global amphibian declines. We traced the source of B. dendrobatidis to the Korean peninsula, where one lineage, Bd ASIA-1, exhibits the genetic hallmarks of an ancestral population that seeded the panzootic. We date the emergence of this pathogen to the early 20th century, coinciding with the global expansion of commercial trade in amphibians, and we show that intercontinental transmission is ongoing. Our findings point to East Asia as a geographic hotspot for B. dendrobatidis biodiversity and the original source of these lineages that now parasitize amphibians worldwide.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar1965", doi = "10.1126/science.aar1965", openalex = "W2799512068", references = "doi103201eid1012030804" } @article{doi101371journalpone0189767, author = "Matsumoto, Ryoko and Evans, Susan E.", title = "The first record of albanerpetontid amphibians (Amphibia: Albanerpetontidae) from East Asia", year = "2018", journal = "PLoS ONE", abstract = "Albanerpetontids are an enigmatic fossil amphibian group known from deposits of Middle Jurassic to Pliocene age. The oldest and youngest records are from Europe, but the group appeared in North America in the late Early Cretaceous and radiated there during the Late Cretaceous. Until now, the Asian record has been limited to fragmentary specimens from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. This led to speculation that albanerpetontids migrated into eastern Asia from North America in the Albian to Cenomanian interval via the Beringian land bridge. However, here we describe albanerpetontid specimens from the Lower Cretaceous Kuwajima Formation of Japan, a record that predates their first known occurrence in North America. One specimen, an association of skull and postcranial bones from a single small individual, permits the diagnosis of a new taxon. High Resolution X-ray Computed Microtomography has revealed previously unrecorded features of albanerpetontid skull morphology in three dimensions, including the presence of a supraoccipital and epipterygoids, neither of which occurs in any known lissamphibian. The placement of this new taxon within the current phylogenetic framework for Albanerpetontidae is complicated by a limited overlap of comparable elements, most notably the non-preservation of the premaxillae in the Japanese taxon. Nonetheless, phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon closer to Albanerpeton than to Anoualerpeton, Celtedens, or Wesserpeton, although Bootstrap support values are weak. The results also question the monophyly of Albanerpeton as currently defined.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189767", doi = "10.1371/journal.pone.0189767", openalex = "W2782036536", references = "doi1010160031018279901639, doi101017s1477201906002008, doi101038nature06865, doi101073pnas1011369108, doi101111cla12160, doi101111j109583122001tb01368x, doi101126sciadv1501080, doi105252g2013n1a8, doi105860choice300927, doi105860choice325663" } @article{doi1015407gb201816076, author = "Marushchak, Oleksii and Muravynets, O.", title = "Morphological abnormalities in tailless amphibians (Amphibia, Anura) in Ukraine", year = "2018", journal = "Geo\&Bio", abstract = "The present work deals with external morphological anomalies in anuran populations from Ukraine. The work is based on materials collected in 2013–2015, and on specimens from the stock collection of the National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine (85 specimens from 21 regions). The corresponding maps of Ukraine showing locations with different levels of abnormality were created. Among anurans from Ukraine, a large number of external morphological abnormali-ties, described in the latest classifications, was discovered. The total percentage of amphibians with anomalies tends to be higher in areas with significant industrial pressure (e.g., Luhansk and Donetsk regions) that could be associated with the combined impact of chemical pollutants, range contrac-tion and fragmentation, and other factors. In addition, several cases of widespread anomalies were found in areas without notable industrial impact (e.g., Zakarpattia). The highest range of malfor-mations was discovered in common toads from the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv city. A tendency of prevailing of anomalies of traumatic origin was observed as well.", url = "https://doi.org/10.15407/gb.2018.16.076", doi = "10.15407/gb.2018.16.076", openalex = "W2904825090", references = "doi101163157075403323012205, doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi1018502klsv4i32099, author = "Fayzulin, Alexander I. and Chikhlyaev, Igor V. and Mineev, A K and Кузовенко, А. Е. and Mihaylov, R A and Zaripova, F.F. and Popov, A.I. and Ermakov, Oleg A.", title = "New Data on the Anomalies of Tailless Amphibians of the Volga Basin", year = "2018", journal = "KnE Life Sciences", abstract = ".", url = "https://doi.org/10.18502/kls.v4i3.2099", doi = "10.18502/kls.v4i3.2099", openalex = "W2802309343", references = "doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi1018502klsv4i32101, author = "Tytar, Volodymyr and Nekrasova, Oksana and Marushchak, Oleksii", title = "Ecological and Geographical Gis-Analysis of Anomalies in Amphibians of Ukraine", year = "2018", journal = "KnE Life Sciences", abstract = ".", url = "https://doi.org/10.18502/kls.v4i3.2101", doi = "10.18502/kls.v4i3.2101", openalex = "W2826467853", references = "doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi1018502klsv4i32117, author = "Svinin, Anton O. and Bashinskiy, I. V. and Neymark, Leonid A. and Кацман, Е. А. and Осипов, В. В.", title = "Morphological Deformities in Anuran Amphibians from the Khoper River Valley in the “Privolzhskaya Lesostep’” Nature Reserve and Adjacent Territories", year = "2018", journal = "KnE Life Sciences", abstract = ".", url = "https://doi.org/10.18502/kls.v4i3.2117", doi = "10.18502/kls.v4i3.2117", openalex = "W2878693505", references = "doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi1052571ptqv15n302018155periodico30pgs152159pdf, author = "Ruchin, Alexander B.", title = "THE EFFECTS OF ILLUMINATION ON THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF AMPHIBIANS (AMPHIBIA: ANURA AND CAUDATA)", year = "2018", journal = "PERIÓDICO TCHÊ QUÍMICA", abstract = "The effects of illumination on the early development of four amphibian species — Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), Triturus cristatus (Laurenti, 1768), Rana arvalis (Nilsson, 1842), and R. temporaria (Linnaeus, 1758) — have been studied. In general, the rate of their early development is rather independent of illumination. The eggs of tailless amphibians develop almost similarly under any illumination conditions, whereas the eggs of tailed amphibians better develop at an illumination of 700 lx. Illumination mainly influences the survival rate of embryos and prolarvae, which increases at low light intensities and decreases in the dark. Possible mechanisms and causes underlying the observed facts are discussed.", url = "https://doi.org/10.52571/ptq.v15.n30.2018.155\_periodico30\_pgs\_152\_159.pdf", doi = "10.52571/ptq.v15.n30.2018.155\_periodico30\_pgs\_152\_159.pdf", openalex = "W3197043124" } @article{doi1010800929101620191594126, author = "Ruchin, Alexander B.", title = "The effect of illumination and light spectrum on growth and larvae development of Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia: Anura)", year = "2019", journal = "Biological Rhythm Research", abstract = "Illumination and light spectrum have the most diverse effects on animals. However, their role in the development of amphibian larvae has been little studied. This study is aimed to study the effects of illumination and light spectrum on the growth and development of Pelophylax ridibundus larvae. The study has been conducted in experimental conditions. Roe has been obtained from a natural reservoir from one clutch. The larvae have been placed in aquariums and had been grown before the appearance of juveniles under illumination from 0 to 2400 lx in different spectrum colours (from red to blue). It has turned out that a wide range of illumination (from 3 to 2400 lx) has a positive effect. On the contrary, the larvae mortality and the duration of the larval development and metamorphosis climax increased in conditions of round-the-clock darkness. The tadpoles growth increases while the duration of the larval development reduces compared to the control (normal lighting) under blue light. The length and mass of the larvae decrease under red illumination compared with the control. Mechanisms of the possible light influence on Pelophylax ridibundus are discussed.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1594126", doi = "10.1080/09291016.2019.1594126", openalex = "W2924128094", references = "doi1052571ptqv15n302018155periodico30pgs152159pdf" } @article{doi1010800929101620191631025, author = "Ruchin, Alexander B.", title = "The effect of the photoperiod on the larval development and growth of two amphibian species (Amphibia: anura)", year = "2019", journal = "Biological Rhythm Research", abstract = "The photoperiod regulates the growth and development of many animals. We conducted experiments and studied the effect of the photoperiod on the growth and development of the larvae and young of two amphibian species Rana temporaria and Xenopus laevis. We studied photoperiods: constant absence of light – 0 h light/24 h darkness (0L/24D), 8 h light/16 h darkness (8L/16D), 12 h light/12 h darkness (12L/12D), 16 h light/8 h dark (16L/8D), and round-the-clock lighting (24L/0D). We found out that the size of the Rana temporaria tadpoles was the highest with photoperiods 24L/0D, 16L/8D, 12L/12D. A decrease in the parameters was observed in the absence of light and the photoperiod 8L/16D. The pace of development began to differ after the 10th day of the experiment. The development was slower with the photoperiod 0L/24D. The highest percentage of tadpoles’ mortality was observed in total darkness (0L/24D), the lowest percentage was observed in the photoperiod 16L/8D. The photoperiod had no effect on the Xenopus laevis young. The mechanisms of the photoperiod’s effect on the larval development and growth of amphibians are discussed.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1631025", doi = "10.1080/09291016.2019.1631025", openalex = "W2991411521", references = "doi1052571ptqv15n302018155periodico30pgs152159pdf" } @article{doi101126scienceaav0379, author = "Scheele, Ben C. and Pasmans, Frank and Skerratt, Lee F. and Berger, Lee and Martel, An and Beukema, Wouter and Acevedo, Aldemar A. and Burrowes, Patricia A. and Carvalho, Tamilie and Catenazzi, Alessandro and la Riva, Ignacio De and Fisher, Matthew C. and Flechas, Sandra V. and Foster, Claire N. and Frías-Álvarez, Patricia and Garner, Trenton W. J. and Gratwicke, Brian and Guayasamin, Juan M. and Hirschfeld, Mareike and Kolby, Jonathan E. and Kosch, Tiffany A. and Marca, Enrique La and Lindenmayer, David B. and Lips, Karen R. and Longo, Ana V. and Maneyro, Raúl and McDonald, Cait A. and Mendelson, Joseph R. and Palacios‐Rodríguez, Pablo and Parra‐Olea, Gabriela and Richards‐Zawacki, Corinne L. and Rödel, Mark‐Oliver and Rovito, Sean M. and Azat, Claudio and Toledo, Luı́s Felipe and Voyles, Jamie and Weldon, Ché and Whitfield, Steven M. and Wilkinson, Mark and Zamudio, Kelly R. and Canessa, Stefano", title = "Amphibian fungal panzootic causes catastrophic and ongoing loss of biodiversity", year = "2019", journal = "Science", abstract = "Anthropogenic trade and development have broken down dispersal barriers, facilitating the spread of diseases that threaten Earth's biodiversity. We present a global, quantitative assessment of the amphibian chytridiomycosis panzootic, one of the most impactful examples of disease spread, and demonstrate its role in the decline of at least 501 amphibian species over the past half-century, including 90 presumed extinctions. The effects of chytridiomycosis have been greatest in large-bodied, range-restricted anurans in wet climates in the Americas and Australia. Declines peaked in the 1980s, and only 12\% of declined species show signs of recovery, whereas 39\% are experiencing ongoing decline. There is risk of further chytridiomycosis outbreaks in new areas. The chytridiomycosis panzootic represents the greatest recorded loss of biodiversity attributable to a disease.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav0379", doi = "10.1126/science.aav0379", openalex = "W2924886534", references = "doi101002joc5086, doi101111j14724642201100862x" } @article{doi10185001814609020191934125131, author = "Nemyko, Elena A. and Vyatkin, Yaroslav Aleksandrovich and Кидов, А. А.", title = "Growing of Larvae of the Caucasian Smooth Newt, Lissotriton lantzi (Wolterstorff, 1914) (Amphibia, Caudata) at Various Temperatures", year = "2019", journal = "Current Studies in Herpetology", abstract = "Lantz's newt, or the Caucasian smooth newt, Lissotriton lantzi, is an endemic species of Caucasian forests. It was included in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation and Republic of Azerbaijan. The design of a technology for keeping and reproducing this species in captivity will help its conservation. The paper discusses the results of larval growing of Lantz's newt at several temperatures. Newts were obtained from reproduction in artificial conditions. Larvae were grown in double repetition in four temperature regimes, namely: 20.0-24.0C (21.6C on average), 23.0-25.5C (24.7C), 25.5-29.0C (27.7C), and 29.0-32.0C (31.3C). The larvae had the highest survival rate at the lowest temperature (100\%) and the lowest rate (78\% on average) at the highest temperature. The larval development duration before the first young newts came to land was similar at all the temperatures. The average duration of development before metamorphosis was longest at the highest temperature (29.0 -32.0C). Besides, the newts from this group had the smallest average sizes (total length and weight). The feed costs per metamorph growing were lowest at the water temperatures of 23.5-25.5C and highest when 29.0-32.0C. The greatest quantity of feed per weight unit was spent by the newts at the temperatures of 29.0-32.0C, and the lowest was at the temperature of 23.5-25.5C. Increasing temperature did not accelerate the larval development. The larvae grown at the highest temperatures had a lowered survival rate, small average sizes and consumed the largest number of feed. The authors recommend growing Lantz's newt larvae in the temperature range of 20-26C.", url = "https://doi.org/10.18500/1814-6090-2019-19-3-4-125-131", doi = "10.18500/1814-6090-2019-19-3-4-125-131", openalex = "W3038048666", references = "doi1052571ptqv15n302018155periodico30pgs152159pdf" } @article{doi101093sysbiosyaa034, author = "Hime, Paul M. and Lemmon, Alan R. and Lemmon, Emily Claire Moriarty and Prendini, Elizabeth and Brown, Jeremy M. and Thomson, Robert C. and Kratovil, Justin D. and Noonan, Brice P. and Pyron, R. Alexander and Peloso, Pedro L. V. and Kortyna, Michelle and Keogh, J. Scott and Donnellan, Stephen C. and Mueller, Rachel Lockridge and Raxworthy, Christopher J. and Kunte, Krushnamegh and Ron, Santiago R. and Das, Sandeep and Gaitonde, Nikhil and Green, David M. and Labisko, Jim and Che, Jing and Weisrock, David W.", title = "Phylogenomics Reveals Ancient Gene Tree Discordance in the Amphibian Tree of Life", year = "2020", journal = "Systematic Biology", abstract = "Molecular phylogenies have yielded strong support for many parts of the amphibian Tree of Life, but poor support for the resolution of deeper nodes, including relationships among families and orders. To clarify these relationships, we provide a phylogenomic perspective on amphibian relationships by developing a taxon-specific Anchored Hybrid Enrichment protocol targeting hundreds of conserved exons which are effective across the class. After obtaining data from 220 loci for 286 species (representing 94\% of the families and 44\% of the genera), we estimate a phylogeny for extant amphibians and identify gene tree-species tree conflict across the deepest branches of the amphibian phylogeny. We perform locus-by-locus genealogical interrogation of alternative topological hypotheses for amphibian monophyly, focusing on interordinal relationships. We find that phylogenetic signal deep in the amphibian phylogeny varies greatly across loci in a manner that is consistent with incomplete lineage sorting in the ancestral lineage of extant amphibians. Our results overwhelmingly support amphibian monophyly and a sister relationship between frogs and salamanders, consistent with the Batrachia hypothesis. Species tree analyses converge on a small set of topological hypotheses for the relationships among extant amphibian families. These results clarify several contentious portions of the amphibian Tree of Life, which in conjunction with a set of vetted fossil calibrations, support a surprisingly younger timescale for crown and ordinal amphibian diversification than previously reported. More broadly, our study provides insight into the sources, magnitudes, and heterogeneity of support across loci in phylogenomic data sets.[AIC; Amphibia; Batrachia; Phylogeny; gene tree-species tree discordance; genomics; information theory.].", url = "https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaa034", doi = "10.1093/sysbio/syaa034", openalex = "W3021325701", references = "doi101038nature06865, doi101038nbt1883, doi101038s4155901702405, doi101093bioinformaticsbts199, doi101093bioinformaticsbtu033, doi101093molbevmsm088, doi101093molbevmss020, doi101093molbevmst010, doi101093sysbiosyy032, doi101109tac19741100705, doi101371journalpone0189767, doi1023073802723, openalexw3217097258" } @article{doi101111raq12487, author = "Ruchin, Alexander B.", title = "Effect of illumination on fish and amphibian: development, growth, physiological and biochemical processes", year = "2020", journal = "Reviews in Aquaculture", abstract = "Abstract Being one of the main environmental factors, the light factor influences many aspects of animal life. Photoperiod, light intensity (illumination) and wavelength are the primary periodic factors. There is a review that discusses the role of illumination on various life processes of aquatic anamnia vertebrates (fish and amphibians). The effect of light on the development, growth, respiration, consumption and efficiency of food conversion, hormone release, reproduction and behaviour of fish and amphibians has been studied. Illumination influences differently a significant number of physiological and biochemical processes and reactions of anamnia vertebrates at various development stages. The obtained results show that the nature of exposure to light is species‐specific and corresponds to the ecological niche of species. Illumination influences both positively and negatively the development, growth and other physiological processes of fish and amphibians. Illumination plays a special role during the first feeding of fish in the environment and aquaculture. There are positive and negative behavioural responses of fish to light. However, it is not always possible to distinguish fish species with only a negative or only a positive reaction to light. The quality of the reaction can be influenced by the stage of development of eggs or larvae, age characteristics, feeding status, season, time, the physiological state of fish, morbidity, etc. A promising area of research is the study of the influence of light on the hormonal status of the body and reproduction of fish. Also, the light pollution and its influence on the physiology of anamnia vertebrates are important.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12487", doi = "10.1111/raq.12487", openalex = "W3049577078", references = "doi1052571ptqv15n302018155periodico30pgs152159pdf" } @article{doi101126scienceabb6005, author = "Daza, Juan D. and Stanley, Edward L. and Bolet, Arnau and Bauer, Aaron M. and Arias, J. Salvador and Čerňanský, Andrej and Bevitt, Joseph J. and Wagner, Philipp and Evans, Susan E.", title = "Enigmatic amphibians in mid-Cretaceous amber were chameleon-like ballistic feeders", year = "2020", journal = "Science", abstract = "Albanerpetontids are tiny, enigmatic fossil amphibians with a distinctive suite of characteristics, including scales and specialized jaw and neck joints. Here we describe a new genus and species of albanerpetontid, represented by fully articulated and three-dimensional specimens preserved in amber. These specimens preserve skeletal and soft tissues, including an elongated median hyoid element, the tip of which remains embedded in a distal tongue pad. This arrangement is very similar to the long, rapidly projecting tongue of chameleons. Our results thus suggest that albanerpetontids were sit-and-wait ballistic tongue feeders, extending the record of this specialized feeding mode by around 100 million years.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb6005", doi = "10.1126/science.abb6005", openalex = "W3096711143", references = "doi101016jcretres201203014, doi101017s1477201906002008, doi101093sysbiosyz062, doi101111cla12160, doi101111cla12205, doi101111j109600311993tb00209x, doi101111j109600311999tb00277x, doi101111j109600311999tb00278x, doi101111j10960031200800209x, doi101111j2041210x201100169x, doi101371journalpone0189767, doi107717peerj5565" } @article{doi1026565207554572020349, author = "Katrushenko, S. A.", title = "External morphological anomalies of the amphibians of the Kharkiv region", year = "2020", journal = "The Journal of V N Karazin Kharkiv National University Series Biology", abstract = "In Ukraine, amphibian anomalies have not been sufficiently studied. The most studied regions are Kyiv region and the steppe zone of Ukraine. In the Kharkiv region, studies of external anomalies of amphibians have not been conducted before. In 2016 we have begun to study this problem. The purpose of this study is to examine the variety of external anomalies of amphibians in the Kharkiv region. The material is sampling amphibians from the stock collections of the Museum of Nature of V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University and sampling live amphibians from different localities of the Kharkiv region, explored in the period from 2016 to 2018. Anomalies were determined visually, according to the classification of V.L.Vershinin and O.D.Nekrasova. For each the amphibian species frequency of malformed animals Pas (the proportion of abnormal individuals from all individuals in the sample) and partial frequency of abnormalities Ap (the proportion of individuals in the sample having this anomaly) were determined. As a result 17 variants of morphological abnormalities were identified: brachydactyly, oligodactyly, ectromelia, polyphalangy, finger thickening, rotation, syndactyly, shizodactyly, ectrodactyly, skin web and growth on the foot, thaumelia, hemimelia, lack of a swimming membrane, anophthalmia, brachycephaly and pattern abnormal. The most widespread anomaly encountered in the surveyed amphibians is brachydactyly (accounting for almost half of the reported cases of morphological abnormalities). This limb anomaly is the least harmful, so individuals with such abnormalities are usually quite viable. Amphibian anomalies are evenly distributed among samples: the highest occurrence of individuals with anomalies was recorded in Lissotriton vulgaris, in other samplings of frog (except Bufotes viridis and Bombina bombina), the occurrence of individuals with anomalies did not exceed five percent. A new type of body color anomaly in this year's Bufotes viridis was also identified and described.", url = "https://doi.org/10.26565/2075-5457-2020-34-9", doi = "10.26565/2075-5457-2020-34-9", openalex = "W3143250313", references = "doi1031610trudyzin20123164324" } @article{doi101007s11270021050729, author = "Zhelev, Zhivko and Arnaudova, Desislava and Popgeorgiev, Georgi and Tsonev, Stefan", title = "Determinations of Erythrocyte Sizes in Adult Pelophylax ridibundus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) Inhabiting Industrial Area in Southern Bulgaria", year = "2021", journal = "Water Air \& Soil Pollution", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05072-9", doi = "10.1007/s11270-021-05072-9", openalex = "W3136422542", references = "doi101590s198446702015000500005" } @misc{doi10110120210517444585, author = "Chan, Kin Onn and Ahmad, Norhayati", title = "Patterns and Progress of Peninsular Malaysia’s Amphibian Research in the 21st Century (2000–2020)", year = "2021", booktitle = "bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)", abstract = "Abstract In this study, we review the status, patterns, and progress of Peninsular Malaysia’s amphibian research in the 21st century with the main goal of identifying areas for improvement that can help focus and prioritize future research initiatives. Between 2000–2020 we found 130 publications that can be broadly categorized into four groups: 1) checklists and biodiversity; 2) new species and taxonomy; 3) ecology and natural history; and 4) evolution and phylogenetics. An average of 6.5 papers was published per year and although the number of papers fluctuated, there was a significant upward trend in the number of papers published. Almost half (49\%) of all papers published comprised checklists and biodiversity-related papers. This was followed by new species and taxonomy (25\%, 33 papers), evolution and phylogenetics (14\%, 18 papers), and ecology and natural history (12\%, 16 papers). Amphibian research was conducted most frequently in the states of Kedah, Pahang, and Perak, and most infrequently in the states of Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor/Kuala Lumpur, Perlis, and Kelantan. Despite being a megadiverse country and a biodiversity hotspot, not a single conservation-centric paper has ever been published on Peninsular Malaysian amphibians, highlighting the urgent need for future research to focus on conservation.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.17.444585", doi = "10.1101/2021.05.17.444585", openalex = "W3162333967", references = "doi1017576jsm2020491004" } @article{doi101038s41467022344744, author = "Liedtke, H. Christoph and Wiens, John J. and Gómez-Mestre, Iván", title = "The evolution of reproductive modes and life cycles in amphibians", year = "2022", journal = "Nature Communications", abstract = "Amphibians have undergone important evolutionary transitions in reproductive modes and life-cycles. We compare large-scale macroevolutionary patterns in these transitions across the three major amphibian clades: frogs, salamanders, and caecilians. We analyse matching reproductive and phylogenetic data for 4025 species. We find that having aquatic larvae is ancestral for all three groups and is retained by many extant species (33-44\%). The most frequent transitions in each group are to relatively uncommon states: live-bearing in caecilians, paedomorphosis in salamanders, and semi-terrestriality in frogs. All three groups show transitions to more terrestrial reproductive modes, but only in caecilians have these evolved sequentially from most-to-least aquatic. Diversification rates are largely independent of reproductive modes. However, in salamanders direct development accelerates diversification whereas paedomorphosis decreases it. Overall, we find a widespread retention of ancestral modes, decoupling of trait transition rates from patterns of species richness, and the general independence of reproductive modes and diversification.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-34474-4", doi = "10.1038/s41467-022-34474-4", openalex = "W4309232329", references = "doi101007s1068201497200, doi101007s1075000790322, doi101038s4155901805155, doi10108010635150701607033, doi101086503444, doi101093sysbiosyaa034, doi101093sysbiosyq085, doi101093sysbiosyw022, doi101109tac19741100705, doi10118614712105788, doi1011861471214811217, doi1016410006356820050550207rmifat20co2, doi103758bf03206482, doi107312simp93764" } @article{doi101093zoolinneanzlac063, author = "Macaluso, Loredana and Wencker, Lukardis C. M. and Castrovilli, Maria and Carnevale, Giorgio and Delfino, Massimo", title = "A comparative atlas of selected skeletal elements of European urodeles (Amphibia: Urodela) for palaeontological investigations", year = "2022", journal = "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society", abstract = "Abstract The osteology of European urodeles was studied extensively in the past, but comparative analyses of isolated bones are rare, despite being the most useful tool for the identification of fossil remains. The present work is focused on the most robust skeletal elements (therefore, common in the fossil record: otic–occipitum complexes and vertebrae) and provides taxonomically significant diagnostic characters at the genus level for European genera of urodeles, including some taxa whose osteology was poorly known (e.g. Euproctus and Calotriton). Characters subject to wide variability are identified, and their use is discouraged for diagnoses of extinct species. A selection of diagnostic characters is used herein to build an identification key for each studied skeletal element and for a phylogenetic analysis to understand whether these osteological elements can convey a genuine signal. The analysis under Bayesian inference resulted in a well-supported Salamandridae clade and Pleurodelinae tribe. Salamandrina was recovered as part of the Pleurodelinae, in agreement with previous morphological phylogenetic analyses, but in contrast to the conclusion of molecular studies.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac063", doi = "10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac063", openalex = "W4296087143", references = "doi103409azc581101" } @article{doi101643h2022005, author = "Womack, Molly C. and Steigerwald, Emma and Blackburn, David C. and Cannatella, David C. and Catenazzi, Alessandro and Che, Jing and Koo, Michelle S. and McGuire, Jimmy A. and Ron, Santiago R. and Spencer, Carol and Vredenburg, Vance T. and Tarvin, Rebecca D.", title = "State of the Amphibia 2020: A Review of Five Years of Amphibian Research and Existing Resources", year = "2022", journal = "Ichthyology \& Herpetology", abstract = "Amphibians are a clade of over 8,400 species that provide unique research opportunities and challenges. With amphibians undergoing severe global declines, we posit that assessing our current understanding of amphibians is imperative. Focusing on the past five years (2016–2020), we examine trends in amphibian research, data, and systematics. New species of amphibians continue to be described at a pace of ∼150 per year. Phylogenomic studies are increasing, fueling a growing consensus in the amphibian tree of life. Over 3,000 species of amphibians are now represented by expert-curated accounts or data in AmphibiaWeb, AmphibiaChina, BIOWEB, or the Amphibian Disease Portal. Nevertheless, many species lack basic natural history data (e.g., diet records, morphological measurements, call recordings) and major gaps exist for entire amphibian clades. Genomic resources appear on the cusp of a rapid expansion, but large, repetitive amphibian genomes still pose significant challenges. Conservation continues to be a major focus for amphibian research, and threats cataloged on AmphibiaWeb for 1,261 species highlight the need to address land use change and disease using adaptive management strategies. To further promote amphibian research and conservation, we underscore the importance of database integration and suggest that other understudied or imperiled clades would benefit from similar assessments of existing data.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1643/h2022005", doi = "10.1643/h2022005", openalex = "W4308426641", references = "doi101093sysbiosyaa034" } @article{doi101038s41586022056465, author = "Kligman, Ben T. and Gee, Bryan M. and Marsh, Adam D. and Nesbitt, Sterling J. and Smith, Matthew E. and Parker, William G. and Stocker, Michelle R.", title = "Triassic stem caecilian supports dissorophoid origin of living amphibians", year = "2023", journal = "Nature", abstract = "Living amphibians (Lissamphibia) include frogs and salamanders (Batrachia) and the limbless worm-like caecilians (Gymnophiona). The estimated Palaeozoic era gymnophionan-batrachian molecular divergence 1 suggests a major gap in the record of crown lissamphibians prior to their earliest fossil occurrences in the Triassic period 2-6. Recent studies find a monophyletic Batrachia within dissorophoid temnospondyls 7-10, but the absence of pre-Jurassic period caecilian fossils 11,12 has made their relationships to batrachians and affinities to Palaeozoic tetrapods controversial 1,8,13,14. Here we report the geologically oldest stem caecilian-a crown lissamphibian from the Late Triassic epoch of Arizona, USA-extending the caecilian record by around 35 million years. These fossils illuminate the tempo and mode of early caecilian morphological and functional evolution, demonstrating a delayed acquisition of musculoskeletal features associated with fossoriality in living caecilians, including the dual jaw closure mechanism 15,16, reduced orbits 17 and the tentacular organ 18. The provenance of these fossils suggests a Pangaean equatorial origin for caecilians, implying that living caecilian biogeography reflects conserved aspects of caecilian function and physiology 19, in combination with vicariance patterns driven by plate tectonics 20. These fossils reveal a combination of features that is unique to caecilians alongside features that are shared with batrachian and dissorophoid temnospondyls, providing new and compelling evidence supporting a single origin of living amphibians within dissorophoid temnospondyls.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05646-5", doi = "10.1038/s41586-022-05646-5", openalex = "W4317952798", references = "doi101126scienceabb6005, doi101130b311861, doi107717peerj5565" } @article{doi101038s41586023065784, author = "Luedtke, Jennifer and Chanson, Janice and Neam, Kelsey and Hobin, Louise and Maciel, Adriano Oliveira and Catenazzi, Alessandro and Borzée, Amaël and Hamidy, Amir and Aowphol, Anchalee and Jean, Anderson and Sosa-Bartuano, Ángel and G, A and de Silva, Anslem and Fouquet, Antoine and Angulo, Ariadne and Кидов, А. А. and Saravia, Arturo Muñoz and Diesmos, Arvin C. and Tominaga, A and Shrestha, Biraj and Gratwicke, Brian and Tjaturadi, Burhan and Rivera, Carlos C. Martínez and Almazán, Carlos R. Vásquez and Señaris, J. Celsa and Chandramouli, S.R. and Strüssmann, Christine and Fernández, Claudia Fabiola Cortez and Azat, Claudio and Hoskin, Conrad J. and Hilton‐Taylor, Craig and Whyte, Damion L. and Gower, David J. and Olson, Deanna H. and Cisneros‐Heredia, Diego F. and Santana, Diego José and Nagombi, Elizah and Najafi-Majd, Elnaz and Quah, Evan S. H. and Bolaños, Federico and Xie, Feng and Brusquetti, Francisco and Álvarez, Francisco S. and Andreone, Franco and Glaw, Frank and Castañeda, Franklin and Kraus, Fred and Parra‐Olea, Gabriela and Cháves, Gerardo and Medina-Rangel, Guido Fabián and GONZÁLEZ-DURÁN, GUSTAVO A. and Ortega‐Andrade, H. Mauricio and Machado, Iberê Farina and Das, Indraneil and Dias, Iuri Ribeiro and Urbina‐Cardona, J. Nicolás and Crnobrnja‐Isailović, Jelka and Yang, Jian-Huan and Jianping, Jiang and Wangyal, Jigme Tshelthrim and Rowley, Jodi J. L. and Measey, John and Vasudevan, Karthikeyan and Chan, Kin Onn and Gururaja, KV and Ovaska, Kristiina and Warr, Lauren C. and Canseco-Márquez, Luis and Toledo, Luı́s Felipe and Díaz, Luis M. and Khan, M. Monirul H. and Meegaskumbura, Madhava and Acevedo, Manuel E. and Napoli, Marcelo Felgueiras and Ponce, Marcos and Vaira, Marcos and Lampo, Margarita and Yánez-Muñóz, Mario H. and Scherz, Mark D. and Rödel, Mark‐Oliver and Matsui, Masafumi and Fildor, Maxon and Kusrini, Mirza Dikari and Ahmed, M. Firoz and Rais, Muhammad and Kouamé, N’Goran G. and García, Nieves and Gonwouo, Nono L. and Burrowes, Patricia A. and Imbun, Paul Y. and Wagner, Philipp and Kok, Philippe J. R. and Joglar, Rafael L. and Auguste, Renoir J. and Brandão, Reuber Albuquerque and Ibáñez, Roberto and von May, Rudolf and Hedges, S. Blair and Biju, S. D. and Ganesh, S.R.", title = "Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats", year = "2023", journal = "Nature", abstract = "Systematic assessments of species extinction risk at regular intervals are necessary for informing conservation action 1,2. Ongoing developments in taxonomy, threatening processes and research further underscore the need for reassessment 3,4. Here we report the findings of the second Global Amphibian Assessment, evaluating 8,011 species for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. We find that amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class (40.7\% of species are globally threatened). The updated Red List Index shows that the status of amphibians is deteriorating globally, particularly for salamanders and in the Neotropics. Disease and habitat loss drove 91\% of status deteriorations between 1980 and 2004. Ongoing and projected climate change effects are now of increasing concern, driving 39\% of status deteriorations since 2004, followed by habitat loss (37\%). Although signs of species recoveries incentivize immediate conservation action, scaled-up investment is urgently needed to reverse the current trends.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06578-4", doi = "10.1038/s41586-023-06578-4", openalex = "W4387344519" } @article{doi101016jgecco2024e02855, author = "Jones, Joshua D. and Urquhart, Ori and Garrah, Evelyn and Eberhardt, Ewen and Danby, Ryan K.", title = "Patterns and drivers of amphibian and reptile road mortality vary among species and across scales: Evidence from eastern Ontario, Canada", year = "2024", journal = "Global Ecology and Conservation", abstract = "The mortality of wildlife on roadways is a major conservation concern worldwide. Amphibians and reptiles are especially vulnerable to vehicular collisions, and this is of particular concern in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (Ontario, Canada) where several species are near their geographic limits of distribution and designated as species-at-risk. We completed regular surveys (n=270) of two major highways in the Reserve, each slightly less than 40 km in length. All observations of wildlife-vehicle collisions were documented for two years on each road, including 18,278 frogs, turtles, and snakes. We used kernel density analysis to map relative magnitude of this mortality and built a suite of regression tree models to assess the influence of landcover and other habitat factors on roadkill at two scales (1 ha and 20 ha). Sample size was large enough to conduct species-level analyses for Chrysemys picta marginata (midland painted turtle) and Nerodia sipedon (northern watersnake). Spatial clustering of roadkill was evident on both roads and for all taxa. However, the extent of clustering varied between the two roadways due to differences in landcover pattern and clustering was more discrete for frogs and turtles than snakes. For frogs, turtles, and northern watersnakes we found that elevated levels of mortality were positively associated with the amount of wetland and open water in adjacent areas as well as the proximity of water features. However, mortality locations for other species of snakes were more closely associated with upland habitat types. While some generalities emerge from our study, the variation also suggests that caution be exercised when attempting to extend results to different taxa and roadways, especially since these results may vary with scale. Nonetheless, scale-related differences can be informative for identifying the location of roadkill mitigation efforts and we illustrate how such an approach could be implemented for snakes that exhibit less discrete clustering of mortality.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02855", doi = "10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02855", openalex = "W4391887581", references = "doi1017576jsm2020491004" } @article{doi101186s12864024108997, author = "Kosch, Tiffany A. and Torres‐Sánchez, María and Liedtke, H. Christoph and Summers, Kyle and Yun, Maximina H. and Crawford, Andrew J. and Maddock, Simon T. and Ahammed, Md. Sabbir and Araújo, Victor and Bertola, Lorenzo V. and Bucciarelli, Gary M. and Carné, Albert and Carneiro, Céline M. and Chan, Kin Onn and Chen, Ying and Crottini, Angelica and da Silva, Jessica M. and Denton, Robert D. and Dittrich, C. and Themudo, Gonçalo Espregueira and Farquharson, Katherine A. and Forsdick, Natalie J. and Gilbert, Edward M. and Che, Jing and Katzenback, Barbara A. and Kotharambath, Ramachandran and Levis, Nicholas A. and Márquez, Roberto and Mazepa, Glib and Mulder, Kevin P. and Müller, Hendrik and O’Connell, Mary J. and Orozco‐terWengel, Pablo and Palomar, Gemma and Petzold, Alice and Pfennig, David W. and Pfennig, Karin S. and Reichert, Michael S. and Robert, Jacques and Scherz, Mark D. and Siu-Ting, Karen and Snead, Anthony A. and Stöck, Matthias and Stuckert, Adam M. M. and Stynoski, Jennifer L. and Tarvin, Rebecca D. and Valero, Katharina C. Wollenberg and Acevedo, Aldemar A. and Allain, Steven J. R. and Barrow, Lisa N. and Basanta, M. Delia and Biello, Roberto and Bittencourt-Silva, Gabriela B. and Borzée, Amaël and Brennan, Ian G. and Brown, Rafe M. and Calatayud, Natalie E. and Cayuela, Hugo and Chai, Jing and la Riva, Ignacio De and Deaton, Lana J. and Eisawi, Khalid A. E. and Elmer, Kathryn R. and Funk, W. Chris and Gagliardi‐Urrutia, Giussepe and Gao, Wei and Goodman, Mark J. and Goutte, Sandra and Poveda, Melissa Hernandez and Hrbek, Tomas and Iyiola, Oluyinka A. and Jongsma, Gregory F. M. and Keogh, J. Scott and Lan, Tianming and Lechuga-Paredes, Pablo and Lemmon, Emily Moriarty and Lougheed, Stephen C. and Lyons, T. and Lyra, Mariana L. and McGuire, Jimmy A. and Méndez, Marco A. and Mobarak, Hosne and Nemesházi, Edina and Nguyen, Tao Thien and Nicolaï, Michaël P. J. and Nneji, Lotanna M. and Owens, John Benjamin and Pérez‐Mendoza, Hibraim Adán and Pollet, Nicolas and Power, Megan L. and Rahman, Mizanur and Recknagel, Hans and Rodríguez-Frandsen, Ariel and Ron, Santiago R. and Sabino‐Pinto, Joana and Sang, Yongming and Sapkota, Suman and Schneider, Rosio Gabriela and Schulte, Laura and Silva, Ana Serra", title = "The Amphibian Genomics Consortium: advancing genomic and genetic resources for amphibian research and conservation", year = "2024", journal = "BMC Genomics", abstract = {Amphibians represent a diverse group of tetrapods, marked by deep divergence times between their three systematic orders and families. Studying amphibian biology through the genomics lens increases our understanding of the features of this animal class and that of other terrestrial vertebrates. The need for amphibian genomic resources is more urgent than ever due to the increasing threats to this group. Amphibians are one of the most imperiled taxonomic groups, with approximately 41\% of species threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, changes in land use patterns, disease, climate change, and their synergistic effects. Amphibian genomic resources have provided a better understanding of ontogenetic diversity, tissue regeneration, diverse life history and reproductive modes, anti-predator strategies, and resilience and adaptive responses. They also serve as essential models for studying broad genomic traits, such as evolutionary genome expansions and contractions, as they exhibit the widest range of genome sizes among all animal taxa and possess multiple mechanisms of genetic sex determination. Despite these features, genome sequencing of amphibians has significantly lagged behind that of other vertebrates, primarily due to the challenges of assembling their large, repeat-rich genomes and the relative lack of societal support. The emergence of long-read sequencing technologies, combined with advanced molecular and computational techniques that improve scaffolding and reduce computational workloads, is now making it possible to address some of these challenges. To promote and accelerate the production and use of amphibian genomics research through international coordination and collaboration, we launched the Amphibian Genomics Consortium (AGC, https://mvs.unimelb.edu.au/amphibian-genomics-consortium) in early 2023. This burgeoning community already has more than 282 members from 41 countries. The AGC aims to leverage the diverse capabilities of its members to advance genomic resources for amphibians and bridge the implementation gap between biologists, bioinformaticians, and conservation practitioners. Here we evaluate the state of the field of amphibian genomics, highlight previous studies, present challenges to overcome, and call on the research and conservation communities to unite as part of the AGC to enable amphibian genomics research to "leap" to the next level.}, url = "https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10899-7", doi = "10.1186/s12864-024-10899-7", openalex = "W4403983166", references = "doi101038s41467022344744" } @article{doi101007s00248025025558, author = "Salazar, J and González, José M. and Riofrío, Romel and Siavichay, Fausto R. and Carrera, Mónica and Mogrovejo, Adriana and Barrera-Galicia, Guadalupe C. and Valdez-Tenezaca, Adrián", title = "MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Culturable Microbiota Associated with the Skin of Amphibians from the Southern Andes Mountains of Ecuador", year = "2025", journal = "Microbial Ecology", abstract = "Ecuador is recognized for having a high diversity of anuran species, which are distributed mainly south of the Andes mountains. However, due to their geographic location and accessibility, there are few studies related to the culturable microbiota of these amphibians in this region. The objective of this study was to explore the bacterial and fungal biodiversity present on the skin of wild anuran species in the southern Andes of Ecuador and to observe whether geographical barriers in the region could increase the variability of the culturable microbiota through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. This analysis revealed the presence of 29 bacterial taxa and 9 fungal taxa, consisting mainly of: Pseudomonas chlororaphis (28\%), Acinetobacter iwoffii (14\%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (14\%), and Hortaea werneckii (26.4\%), Fusarium solani (20.5\%), Syncephalastrum spp. (20.5\%), respectively. Diversity varied across the five sampling locations, with geographic location proving to be a significant driver of diversity. Some of the most abundant bacterial and fungal genera have important associations with skin diseases in wildlife and humans. This work represents a glimpse into the complex biodiversity of bacteria and fungi that inhabit the skin substrate, and further studies will be needed to better understand bacterial and fungal biodiversity with potential implications for establishing conservation strategies, along with the development of necessary animal protection measures.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-025-02555-8", doi = "10.1007/s00248-025-02555-8", openalex = "W4410605956", references = "doi1010029780470278376, doi101007978140208259754, doi101038nrg3182, doi101038nrmicro1129, doi101038s41586023065784, doi101086600885, doi101126science1176765, doi101126scienceaav0379, doi101128cmr0001407, doi101128cmr122310, doi101128mmbr6744915022003" } @article{doi101111cobi70074, author = "Twomey, Evan and Sylvester, Francisco and Jourdan, Jonas and Hollert, Henner and Schulte, Lisa M.", title = "Quantifying exposure of amphibian species to heat waves, cold spells, and droughts", year = "2025", journal = "Conservation Biology", abstract = "Globally, amphibians face severe threats, such as climate change and associated extreme events. Our goal was to quantify global amphibian exposure to 3 classes of extreme events: heat waves, cold spells, and droughts. We used the MERRA-2 extreme climate events data and the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index database to investigate where these events have increased over the last 40 years. We used the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) database of global amphibian distributions (7202 species) to calculate the level of exposure to extreme events for each species, classifying species as exposed if their distribution had ≥50\% overlap with areas experiencing substantial increases of extreme events. To assess whether exposure is associated with amphibian declines, we used logistic regression to analyze the relationship between extreme event exposure and status changes on the IUCN Red List. Heat waves and droughts increased notably in Amazonia, Madagascar, and Europe. Among the 3 classes of events, exposure was highest to heat waves (40\% of species exposed), followed by droughts (16\% exposed). Exposure to different event classes was uneven with respect to geography and taxonomy. Some areas (e.g., Amazonia, Madagascar) and families (e.g., Mantellidae, Rhinodermatidae) had nearly 100\% of constituent species classified as exposed to at least one event class. Exposure to heat waves (odds ratio 1.8) and droughts (odds ratio 1.7) was associated with status deteriorations since 2004. Our findings provide insight into amphibian biodiversity hotspots and taxonomic groups that may be particularly susceptible to extreme climate events, suggesting that these events play a causative role in ongoing declines. Understanding the aspects of species biology that influence susceptibility to extreme events, as well as interactions with other factors (e.g., disease), will be important for understanding the role of climate change in driving amphibian declines.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70074", doi = "10.1111/cobi.70074", openalex = "W4410938023", references = "doi101038s41467022344744" } @article{doi101111ddi70062, author = "Ho, Samuel Chak Lam and Hart, Simon P. and Hammer, Michael P. and Baxter, P. W. J. and Unmack, Peter J. and Kark, Salit", title = "Diversity and Distribution of Amphibians and Freshwater Fishes on Australian Islands", year = "2025", journal = "Diversity and Distributions", abstract = "ABSTRACT Aim Freshwater ecosystems cover less than 3\% of the Earth's surface, yet support nearly 10\% of all known animal species, majorly represented by freshwater fishes and amphibians, both of which are highly threatened groups. Geographically isolated freshwater species, such as those inhabiting islands, are at high risk. Australia, with nearly 9300 islands, is home to diverse island freshwater fauna. However, the lack of published literature on their island occurrence, threats and management impedes effective conservation across islands. We aim to describe the distributional patterns of amphibians and freshwater fishes on islands and analyse the island characteristics that influence these patterns. Location Australia's Islands. Methods We compiled the first database of occurrences of amphibians and freshwater fishes across Australia's islands. Utilising the database, we used regression analysis to examine the main drivers of distributional patterns, species richness and species composition on Australia's islands. Results We found that 102 amphibians and 95 freshwater fishes occur on Australia's islands. Fifty‐five fishes were obligate freshwater species, 21 were euryhaline and 19 were diadromous. Although freshwater fishes showed lower richness on islands than amphibians, potentially due to lower survey efforts, fishes had a higher proportion of threatened and alien species. Islands with more precipitation that are closer to the mainland hosted higher amphibian richness, which likely retained mainland amphibian assemblages or were more easily colonised. In contrast, larger islands hosted higher freshwater fish richness, where diverse habitats were likely to sustain more species. Main Conclusions Using the new database compiled, we found that occurrences of amphibians and freshwater fishes on islands were influenced by climate, island size and distance from the mainland. This provides a baseline for follow‐up studies on phylogeny and biogeography. This research contributes to future conservation of amphibians and freshwater fishes on islands by revealing islands of potential conservation concern and lays the groundwork for future spatial prioritisation work.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.70062", doi = "10.1111/ddi.70062", openalex = "W4412684498", references = "doi101002joc1276, doi101007978140208259754, doi101016jjhydrol200403028, doi101017s1464793105006950, doi101073pnas1602480113, doi101111brv12480, doi101111j155856461963tb03295x, doi101146annurevecolsys34012103144032, doi1015159781400881376, doi1018637jssv034i02, doi101899081711" } @misc{doi1021203rs3rs5921108v1, author = "Salazar, Jazmín M. and Rojas, Juan Sebastián and Riofrío, Romel and Siavichay, Fausto R. and Carrera, Mónica and Mogrovejo, Adriana and Barrera-Galicia, Guadalupe C. and Valdez-Tenezaca, Adrián", title = "Characterization of culturable microbiota associated with the skin of amphibians (Anura) in the southern Andes Mountains of Ecuador", year = "2025", booktitle = "Research Square", url = "https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5921108/v1", doi = "10.21203/rs.3.rs-5921108/v1", openalex = "W4409095918", references = "doi1010029780470278376, doi101007978140208259754, doi101038nrg3182, doi101038nrmicro1129, doi101038s41586023065784, doi101086600885, doi101126science421074161, doi101126scienceaav0379, doi101128cmr0001407, doi101128cmr122310, doi101128mmbr6744915022003" } @article{doi101002spp270055, author = "Jansen, Olivier and Garcia, Géraldine and Otero, Olga and Augé, Marc and Gomez, Bernard and Valentin, Xavier", title = "Freshwater amphibians and squamates from Villeveyrac (lower Campanian; Hérault, France): palaeodiversity, palaeoenvironment and implications for the Late Cretaceous palaeobiogeography of the European herpetofauna", year = "2026", journal = "Papers in Palaeontology", abstract = "Abstract The Late Cretaceous witnessed numerous transgression–regression sequences and the onset of a global cooling phase at the start of the Campanian. In the European archipelago, these environmental changes, combined with active plate tectonics, facilitated the formation of ephemeral land bridges that served as dispersal routes for a variety of clades. However, the timing and mechanisms of these dispersals remain poorly understood, notably because of the scarcity of lower Campanian fossil‐bearing continental outcrops. Over the last two decades, the locality of Villeveyrac (Hérault, France) has yielded lower Campanian freshwater deposits, particularly rich in vertebrates and plants. Despite abundant findings, the diversity of amphibians and squamates has been sparsely documented. In this study we identify six amphibian taxa (Albanerpetontidae,?Palaeobatrachidae indet.,?Neobatrachia indet., Batrachosauroididae indet., and two indeterminate anurans) alongside six squamate taxa, which include a pan‐shinisaur lizard, a madtsoiid snake of the genus Herensugea and indeterminate monstersaur,?anguid, iguanomorph and squamate. Six of these 12 taxa, specifically the palaeobatrachid, batrachosauroidid, pan‐shinisaur, madtsoiid, monstersaur and iguanomorph, correspond to the earliest occurrence of their clades in Europe. Additionally, we tentatively document one of the oldest anguids in the world. For each of these groups, we discuss palaeobiogeographical and palaeoenvironmental implications. The amphibian and squamate composition highlights a combination of aquatic, semi‐aquatic and terrestrial features, consistent with other animal and plant remains. The lower Campanian deposits of Villeveyrac are thus interpreted as a floodplain with braided streams, river channels, and surrounding riparian and paludal habitats, under a warm and humid subtropical climate.", url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70055", doi = "10.1002/spp2.70055", openalex = "W7125796552", references = "doi1010800272463420212003372, doi1010800891296320211881084, doi1010800891296320222054712" } @article{doi103390biology15080639, author = "Kopij, Grzegorz", title = "Herping the African Continent: Alien Amphibians and Reptiles in Sub-Saharan Africa.", year = "2026", journal = "Biology", abstract = "Introduction of species represents today one of the most important problems of nature conservation. Special attention is paid to alien vascular plants and vertebrates. In the Afrotropical Region (sub-Saharan Africa), however, there is a lack of comprehensive review of alien amphibians and reptiles. The presented paper constitutes an attempt to overview the status, distribution and threats posed by introduced herp species to sub-Saharan Africa since the second half of the 18th century. This review includes 21 amphibian (including 10 established) and 57 reptile (including 33 established) species introduced to sub-Saharan Africa. Most species introduced to sub-Saharan Africa which subsequently developed viable populations originated from the Malagasy (32\%), Afrotropical (30\%), and Oriental (27\%) Regions. Most introductions were made in the last two decades, mostly as results of an increase in international trade and herp pet industry, especially in South Africa. Stowaway and pet trade are the most common pathways of introductions. Several factors determine the successful establishment of introduced alien herp species in sub-Saharan Africa, viz. behavioral and morphological traits, propagule pressure, climate and habitat overlap, and presence of potentially competing species. The impact of alien herps in sub-Saharan Africa on the local biodiversity is not well investigated. In comparison with other continents the number of introduced and established herp species in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively low. The Malagasy Region has the highest number of introduced herp species in sub-Saharan Africa.", url = "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42041919/", doi = "10.3390/biology15080639", pmid = "42041919" }