Zoology Commons^™

An Ecological Survey Of East Texas Salamanders Across The Camp Tyler Outdoor Field School In Smith County, Texas, Justin C. Hunt

Biology Theses

Amphibians are a unique class of organisms with a very long and storied evolutionary history of survival. Many modern amphibian clades occupy several vital ecological roles within their native freshwater environments. One of these roles, typically includes functioning as an ecological indicator species, whereby the presence of stable and diverse populations of many amphibian species, including salamanders, within a freshwater ecosystem have long been considered ecological indicators of good habitat quality and stable ecosystem health. Similarly, salamanders also function as important members of their local food webs and act as valuable mediators of complex trophic hierarchies to facilitate nutrient cycling …

Evaluation Of Treatment Options And Investigation Of Pathogenesis Of Chytridiomycosis In North American Salamanders, Anastasia Elaine Towe

Doctoral Dissertations

Chytridiomycosis, a cutaneous fungal disease caused by two related fungi, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), is a major cause of amphibian population declines worldwide. Bd has a broad distribution, covering every continent except for Antarctica. Meanwhile, Bsal is currently restricted to Europe and Asia. Treatment options for both Bd and Bsal remain a major area of concern for wild populations. Recently, implants for long-term, parenteral antifungal drug administration have shown some promise in fungal diseases in wildlife. We investigated the safety and efficacy of an intracoelomic implant of the antifungal drug terbinafine in greater …

Olfactory Organ Morphology And Ultrastructure Of The Larval Koh Tao Island Caecilian (Ichthyophis Kohtaoensis), Jaclyn M. Patmore

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The olfactory system of living amphibians (Lissamphibia) undergoes major changes as it transitions from an aquatic to a terrestrial system during metamorphosis. Patterns of change in the cellular morphology of the nose have been examined for frogs (Anura) and salamanders (Caudata). However, it remains unknown if caecilians (Gymnophiona) have similar patterns of change in their nasal ultrastructure. In particular, no data on larval caecilian olfactory cell types are available. Here, using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, I examined the olfactory organ of larvae of the caecilian Ichthyophis kohtaoensis, to establish the ultrastructure of the epithelium and compare it …

Characterizing The Cutaneous Microbiome Of Eurycea Lucifuga As A Potential Defense Against Chytridiomycosis, Madeline Key

Senior Honors Theses

Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease that is significantly reducing global amphibian populations. The disease is caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungus that lethally modifies amphibian skin. Recent research has suggested that the cutaneous microbiome of individual amphibians may play a role in susceptibility to the pathogen. In this study, twelve cave salamanders (Eurycea lucifuga) were collected. Cutaneous bacteria from each salamander were isolated and identified using Sanger Sequencing. Additionally, a Bd-challenge assay was performed to determine each isolate’s antifungal activity. Results indicated many microbial isolates possessed inhibitory capabilities against Bd, which may …

The Art Of Amphibian Conservation: Linking In-Situ And Ex-Situ Populations Of Endangered Species Through Genome Banking, Isabella Joann Burger

Theses and Dissertations

Limited breeding success in captive breeding programs has necessitated the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to preserve and increase genetic variation and population numbers of both captive and wild amphibian groups. ART has been shown to be successful in numerous anuran species, and current studies focus on the application of ART in ex-situ populations. The focus of this project is to show that linking in-situ and ex-situ amphibian populations through sperm cryopreservation, genome banking, and in-vitro fertilization is possible, with the goal of increasing gene diversity throughout groups in order to produce self-sustaining, wild populations in the future. Specific …

Effect Of Calcium Supplement On Eyesight Of Western Tiger Salamanders, Abigail Horner, Dennis Ferraro

UCARE Research Products

There has been some discussion in herpetoculture about adding calcium supplements to the diets of salamanders. Adding calcium supplements to a salamander’s diet has been indicated to contribute to blindness. Calcium supplements are usually given to reptiles and amphibians to prevent dietary deficiencies, particularly metabolic bone disease. The link between lack of calcium and metabolic bone disease is well established in reptiles, but is lacking significant research with regards to amphibians. Within the eye of a salamander, there are calcium channels that mediate photosynthetic rods in the absence of light. With a calcium rich diet, it is believed that these …

Xenopus Interferon Complex: Inscribing The Amphibiotic Adaption And Species-Specific Pathogenic Pressure In Vertebrate Evolution?, Yun Tian, Jordan Jennings, Yuanying Gong, Yongming Sang

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Several recent studies have revealed previously unknown complexity of the amphibian interferon (IFN) system. Being unique in vertebrate animals, amphibians not only conserve and multiply the fish-like intron-containing IFN genes, but also rapidly evolve amniote-like intronless IFN genes in each tested species. We postulate that the amphibian IFN system confers an essential model to study vertebrate immune evolution in molecular and functional diversity to cope with unprecedented pathophysiological requirement during terrestrial adaption. Studies so far have ascribed a potential role of these IFNs in immune regulation against intracellular pathogens, particularly viruses; however, many knowledge gaps remain elusive. Based on recent …

Move It Or Lose It: Interspecific Variation In Risk Response Of Pond-Breeding Anurans, Philip Matich, Christopher M. Schalk

Faculty Publications

Changes in behavior are often the proximate response of animals to human disturbance, with variability in tolerance levels leading some species to exhibit striking shifts in life history, fitness, and/or survival. Thus, elucidating the effects of disturbance on animal behavior, and how this varies among taxonomically similar species with inherently different behaviors and life histories is of value for management and conservation. We evaluated the risk response of three anuran species—southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus), Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris blanchardi), and green tree frog (Hyla cinerea)—to determine how differences in microhabitat use (arboreal vs …

Cause‐Specific Mortality Of The World’S Terrestrial Vertebrates, Jacob E. Hill, Travis L. Devault, Jerrold L. Belant

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Aim: Vertebrates are declining worldwide, yet a comprehensive examination of the sources of mortality is lacking. We conducted a global synthesis of terrestrial vertebrate cause‐specific mortality to compare the sources of mortality across taxa and determine predictors of susceptibility to these sources of mortality.

Location: Worldwide.

Time period: 1970–2018.

Major taxa studied: Mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Methods: We searched for studies that used telemetry to determine the cause of death of terrestrial vertebrates. We determined whether each mortality was caused by anthropogenic or natural sources and further classified mortalities within these two categories (e.g. harvest, vehicle collision and predation). …

Histological And Histochemical Study On The Mesonephric Kidney Of Pelophylax Bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae), Esra Akat

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The purpose of this study was to determine the histological structure of the kidney of Pelophylax bedriagae and the distribution of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the kidney tissue. The kidneys of P. bedriagae are long, brown, ribbon-like structures covered with connective tissue. Nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, consist of the renal corpuscle, proximal and distal tubules, collecting tubule, and collecting duct. The renal corpuscle is composed of the glomerulus and Bowman?s capsule. There is no structure similar to Henle?s loop, which is found in higher vertebrates. The visceral layer of Bowman?s capsule is composed of podocytes surrounding the …

Linking Husbandry And Behavior To Enhance Amphibian Reintroduction Success, Luke Jack Linhoff

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife in captivity has a long history of benefiting global conservation goals. Captive animals can raise awareness and appreciation for the conservation of endangered species. Additionally, captive animals can be used as source populations to reintroduce animals back to the wild or to supplement existing wild populations. The rapid increase in amphibian species threatened with imminent extinction has necessitated the creation of dozens of captive-breeding programs. The focus of this dissertation has integrated topics across the spectrum of animals in captivity and the wild, and the results provide useful recommendations for conservation action. First, I describe how market pressures over …

Status And Distribution Of Amphibians In Tolipir National Park, Pakistan, Abu Ul Hassan Faiz Dr., Mehboob Ul Hassan, Mikhail F, Bagaturov Dr, Ghazal Tariq Ms, Fida Muhammad Khan, Lariab Zahra Faiz

Journal of Bioresource Management

The herpetofauna was surveyed from January to December 2018 along the elevation gradient 1367 m to 2617 m, asl in Tolipir National Park. The whole area was sampled by taking 52 quadrates. Three amphibian species were recorded using the visual encounter method in an area of 52 km². This study provides baseline data for spatial distribution of amphibians in Tolipir National Park and provides previously unavailable baseline information for use in the development of a preliminary conservation schedule.

Identification Of Thyroid Hormone Receptors α And β Genes And Their Expression Profiles During Metamorphosis In Rana Chensinensis, Chuan-Chuan Du, Xin-Yi Li, Hua-Xin Wang, Kai Liang, Hong-Yuan Wang, Yuhui Zhang

Turkish Journal of Zoology

To explore the role of thyroid hormones in organ remodeling during the metamorphosis of amphibians, the cDNAs of two thyroid hormone receptors (TRα and TRβ) in Rana chensinensis were identified. The 1257 bp of rcTRα cDNA encoding 418 amino acids and the 1122 bp of rcTRβ cDNA encoding 373 amino acids were cloned. Their polypeptide sequences contain two highly conserved cysteine-rich zinc fingers in the DNA-binding domain, while rcTRβ is 42 amino acids shorter in its A/B domain when compared with rcTRα. Fifty-five amino acids differed between the TRα and TRβ domains. The rcTRα and rcTRβ mRNA levels in the …

Temperature Variability And Multiple Environmental Stressors: How Will Tadpole Performance Change With Our Climate?, Diana C. Macklem, Tracy A. G. Rittenhouse, Ashley M. Helton, Jason H. O'Connor, Jaron T. Kolek

University Scholar Projects

This project seeks to analyze how predicted changes in climate and its interactions with other environmental factors will influence tadpole growth and development. Our first study examined how the frequency and magnitude of temperature variability affect wood frog and gray tree frog tadpole performance. We found that performance responses to repeatedly fluctuating treatments did not differ significantly from constant temperatures held at the same mean for wood frog tadpoles. However, elevated mean temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius caused tadpoles to metamorphose early, suggesting a potential developmental threshold. We found that gray tree frog performance was affected by fluctuating temperature treatments, …

Effects Of Petroleum Distillates On Amphibian Development, Kate Walker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Petroleum distillates are widely used as an energy source and the extraction and disposal of these chemicals are done with little consideration of their effects on aquatic environments. Amphibians are considered excellent ecological indicators but little research has examined effects of petroleum distillates on aquatic species. I evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects on larval amphibians with exposure to petroleum distillates associated with various venues of pollution including hydraulic fracturing. I selected three petroleum distillates (kerosene, oil, and unleaded gasoline) that are known to have negative effects on aquatic organisms and are similar to the common constituents of mixtures used …

Herpetofauna Of The Vicinity Of Akşehir And Eber (Konya, Afyon), Turkey, Durmuş Ci̇han, Cemal Varol Tok

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this research, 29 species of 11 amphibian and reptile families were detected in the endorheic basin of Akşehir and Eber. Of these species, 5 are anurans, 1 is a tortoise, 1 is a turtle, 9 are lizards, and 13 are snakes. In addition, the chorotype classification of the species recorded in the study area and their distributions depending on plants are also provided. It was established that specimens of subspecies Ophisops elegans macrodactylus and O. e. centralanatolia were sympatrically found in the vicinity of Ortaköy and Tuzlukçu. Moreover, in addition to the species determined in previous studies, Platyceps najadum …

Morphological And Histological Effects Of Copper Sulfate On The Larval Development Of Green Toad, Bufo Viridis, Mert Gürkan, Si̇bel Hayretdağ

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Declines in populations of amphibians have been occurring more dramatically over the past 25 years. The declines have various causes. One of the possible causes of amphibian declines is pesticides. Copper sulfate is commonly used as a fungicide in vineyards and gardens in Turkey. In this study, our purpose was to explain the morphologically and histologically acute toxic effects of copper sulfate on Bufo viridis tadpoles. B. viridis tadpoles at Gosner stage 21 were exposed to different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/L) of copper sulfate for 120 h. The LC_5_0 value of copper sulfate was calculated as 0.058 mg/L. …

Mapping The Dorsal Skin Pigmentation Patterns Of Two Sympatric Populations Of Ambystomatid Salamanders, Ambystoma Opacum And A. Maculatum From Northeast Tennessee., Lok Raj Pokhrel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because of growing concern of habitat fragmentation and its adverse effects on salamander communities in Appalachian region, sympatric populations of ambystomatid salamanders A. opacum and A. maculatum were studied in Northeast Tennessee to address a number of questions: i) the extent of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in both species, ii) what traits influence the dorsal skin pigmentation and how, iii) whether gender differences in developmental stability occur, and iv) the extent of phenotypic variation within each species. The findings of this study revealed SSD in both species of salamanders. The most parsimonious statistical model was developed that explained the influence …

Anuran Captured In Pitfall Traps In Three Agrossystem In Northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil, Rodrigo Souza Santos Rss

Rodrigo Souza Santos RSS

Although it is generally assumed that agriculture negatively influences amphibian populations, few studies on the effects of agricultural cultivations on neotropical anuran have been conducted. As a contribution to the knowledge about anuran in agriculture, the present study sought to identify the anuran species present in three different agrossystems. We used data from anurans captured in pitfall traps initially proposed for a survey of harvestmen fauna in three agrossystems (corn, soybean, and rubber tree). Four anuran species found in the pitfall traps belong to two Families: Leptodactylidae: Leptodactulus fuscus and L. mystacinus; and Leiuperidae: Eupemphix nattereri and Physalaemus cuvieri. In …

The Effect Of The Ecology Of Toads On The Distribution Of Helminths, Emilia V. Vashetko, Bakhodir H. Siddikov

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This paper presents the results of studies on the helminth fauna of the green toad, Bufo viridis, in Uzbekistan. Twently helminth species were identified. The highest diversity of helminths was recorded in toads in the newly-built districts of Tashkent (1966-76). The helminth fauna of the toads inhabiting foothills was less common.