Survival, behaviour, and morphology of larval wood frogs, Lithobates sylvaticus, under threat from an exotic crayfish predator, Orconectes virilis

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
Adam L. Crane ◽  
Kevin R. Bairos-Novak ◽  
Dale M. Jefferson ◽  
Douglas P. Chivers ◽  
Maud C. O. Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Orconectes Virilis ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus

scholarly journals Anurans in a Subarctic Tundra Landscape Near Cape Churchill, Manitoba

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Reiter ◽  
Clint W. Boal ◽  
David E. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Probability Of Detection ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Landscape Types ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

Distribution, abundance, and habitat relationships of anurans inhabiting subarctic regions are poorly understood, and anuran monitoring protocols developed for temperate regions may not be applicable across large roadless areas of northern landscapes. In addition, arctic and subarctic regions of North America are predicted to experience changes in climate and, in some areas, are experiencing habitat alteration due to high rates of herbivory by breeding and migrating waterfowl. To better understand subarctic anuran abundance, distribution, and habitat associations, we conducted anuran calling surveys in the Cape Churchill region of Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada, in 2004 and 2005. We conducted surveys along ~1-km transects distributed across three landscape types (coastal tundra, interior sedge meadow–tundra, and boreal forest–tundra interface) to estimate densities and probabilities of detection of Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). We detected a Wood Frog or Boreal Chorus Frog on 22 (87%) of 26 transects surveyed, but probability of detection varied between years and species and among landscape types. Estimated densities of both species increased from the coastal zone inland toward the boreal forest edge. Our results suggest anurans occur across all three landscape types in our study area, but that species-specific spatial patterns exist in their abundances. Considerations for both spatial and temporal variation in abundance and detection probability need to be incorporated into surveys and monitoring programs for subarctic anurans.

Use of Olfactory Cues by Newly Metamorphosed Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) during Emigration

Copeia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viorel D. Popescu ◽  
Bekka S. Brodie ◽  
Malcolm L. Hunter ◽  
Joseph D. Zydlewski
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus

Expression profiles of metamorphosis-related genes during natural transformations in tadpoles of wild Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1059-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laia Navarro-Martín ◽  
Chantal Lanctôt ◽  
Christopher Edge ◽  
Jeff Houlahan ◽  
Vance L. Trudeau
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Rana Sylvatica ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Gene Expression Levels

Numerous studies using laboratory-reared tadpoles have shown the importance of thyroid hormones (TH), thyroid receptors (TR), and deiodinase (Dio) enzymes during anuran metamorphosis. Our study focuses on the analysis of thyroid-related genes in tadpoles of wild Wood Frogs ( Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825); also known as Rana sylvatica (Cope, 1889)) during metamorphosis. Results showed that, in concordance with laboratory-reared studies, thyroid receptor beta (trb) gene expression profiles presented the most marked changes. At climax and compared with premetamorphic stages, brains, tails, and gonad–mesonephros complex (GMC) tissues increased trb expression levels 5-, 21-, and 41-fold, respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, gene expression levels of brain deiodinase type II and III showed opposite trends, where 3-fold decrease and 10-fold increase were, respectively, found. This finding supports the idea that thyroid hormone, as it has been demonstrated in laboratory-reared tadpoles, is also involved in natural metamorphosis in wild tadpoles. Interestingly, and contrary to our predictions, we observed that whole brain corticotropin-releasing factor (crf) and crf receptor 1 (crfr1) gene expression levels significantly decrease through metamorphosis in wild L. sylvaticus tadpoles. Further analyses are required to determine if a role of TH in the timing of anuran gonadal development exists, as well as the importance of cell-specific and tissue-specific expression of crf and crfr1 to metamorphosis.

scholarly journals Postbreeding movement patterns and habitat use of adult Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) at urban wetlands

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (6) ◽  
pp. 521-532
Author(s):  
Murdoch E.D. Taylor ◽  
Cynthia A. Paszkowski
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Wetlands ◽  
Movement Behaviour ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Aspen Parkland ◽  
Migratory Movements

Habitat loss and degradation linked to urbanization threaten amphibian populations globally, yet studies examining amphibian behaviour and habitat use in cities are rare. Through the use of radiotelemetry, we examined the postbreeding (May–October) movement behaviour and habitat use of adult Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) at natural and constructed urban wetlands in Edmonton, Alberta, located in the semiarid, aspen parkland of Canada. Movement from breeding wetlands was limited, with most tracked individuals remaining within 25 m of ponds in grassy riparian areas. Long-distance migratory movements were rare and only occurred at natural sites with relatively high proportions of forested land surrounding wetlands. In general, tracked frogs showed a preference for habitat close to water that provided shelter from desiccation and predation (e.g., unmowed grass and stands of shrubs). Our findings have implications for the management of wetlands and conservation of amphibian populations in urban environments.

scholarly journals TRANSMISSION OF BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS TO WOOD FROGS (LITHOBATES SYLVATICUS) VIA A BULLFROG (L. CATESBEIANUS) VECTOR

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha E. Greenspan ◽  
Aram J. K. Calhoun ◽  
Joyce E. Longcore ◽  
Michael G. Levy
Keyword(s):  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus

scholarly journals Environmental drivers of ranavirus in free-living amphibians in constructed ponds

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.E. Youker-Smith ◽  
P.H. Boersch-Supan ◽  
C.M. Whipps ◽  
S.J. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Host Density ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Frog Virus ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Constructed Ponds

AbstractAmphibian ranaviruses occur globally, but we are only beginning to understand mechanisms for emergence. Ranaviruses are aquatic pathogens which can cause > 90% mortality in larvae of many aquatic-breeding amphibians, making them important focal host taxa. Host susceptibilities and virulence of ranaviruses have been studied extensively in controlled laboratory settings, but research is needed to identify drivers of infection in natural environments. Constructed ponds, essential components of wetland restoration, have been associated with higher ranavirus prevalence than natural ponds, posing a conundrum for conservation efforts, and emphasizing the need to understand potential drivers. In this study, we analyzed four years of Frog virus 3 prevalence and associated environmental parameters in populations of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) in a constructed pond system. High prevalence was best predicted by low temperature, high host density, low zooplankton concentrations, and Gosner stages approaching metamorphosis. This study identified important variables to measure in assessments of ranaviral infection risk in newly constructed ponds, including effects of zooplankton, which have not been previously quantified in natural settings. Examining factors mediating diseases in natural environments, particularly in managed conservation settings, is important to both validate laboratory findings in situ, and to inform future conservation planning, particularly in the context of adaptive management.

scholarly journals Species loss in developed landscapes: an experimental evaluation

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Shepack ◽  
Kealoha Freidenburg ◽  
David Skelly
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Rana Sylvatica ◽  
Development Rate ◽  
Wood Frog ◽  
Species Loss ◽  
Landscape Development ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Human Use

Conversion of landscapes for human uses is widely associated with loss of biodiversity. Here we focus on limits to distribution defined by intensity of landscape development. Using a translocation experiment, we ask does degradation of wetland habitat contribute to species loss? Wood frog larvae (Rana sylvatica = Lithobates sylvaticus), were reared within enclosures in 7 ponds harboring populations of wood frogs and in 5 ponds where they are absent. Survival, growth rate, and development rate were equivalent between ‘present’ and ‘absent’ ponds. While it is clear that landscapes surrounding ‘absent’ ponds had been heavily influenced by human use, we find no evidence that such wetlands provide inferior habitat for wood frog recruitment. Their absence in human altered landscapes may stem from influences outside of pond basins. The results provide a caution to the typically unexamined presumption that relictual habitats in developed landscapes are degraded in their utility for wildlife.

scholarly journals Species loss in developed landscapes: an experimental evaluation

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Shepack ◽  
Kealoha Freidenburg ◽  
David Skelly
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Experimental Evaluation ◽  
Rana Sylvatica ◽  
Development Rate ◽  
Wood Frog ◽  
Species Loss ◽  
Landscape Development ◽  
Wood Frogs ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Human Use

Conversion of landscapes for human uses is widely associated with loss of biodiversity. Here we focus on limits to distribution defined by intensity of landscape development. Using a translocation experiment, we ask does degradation of wetland habitat contribute to species loss? Wood frog larvae (Rana sylvatica = Lithobates sylvaticus), were reared within enclosures in 7 ponds harboring populations of wood frogs and in 5 ponds where they are absent. Survival, growth rate, and development rate were equivalent between ‘present’ and ‘absent’ ponds. While it is clear that landscapes surrounding ‘absent’ ponds had been heavily influenced by human use, we find no evidence that such wetlands provide inferior habitat for wood frog recruitment. Their absence in human altered landscapes may stem from influences outside of pond basins. The results provide a caution to the typically unexamined presumption that relictual habitats in developed landscapes are degraded in their utility for wildlife.

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