Effects of host species and environmental factors on the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in northern Europe

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.1101/349787 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Simon Kärvemo ◽

Sara Meurling ◽

David Berger ◽

Jacob Höglund ◽

Anssi Laurila

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽

Rana Temporaria ◽

Arable Land ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Host Community ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Landscape Variables ◽

Mature Forest

AbstractThe fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a major threat to amphibian populations. Here we asked if the prevalence of Bd differs between amphibian species and whether it is related to local environmental factors in breeding habitats as well as landscape variables measured at three scales (500, 2000 and 5000 m radius) in southernmost Sweden. We sampled 947 anurans from six species in 31 ponds. Canopy cover, pond perimeter, pH and temperature were treated as local scale pond characteristics. Number of surrounding ponds, area of arable land, area of mature forest and number of resident people were treated as landscape variables. Bufo bufo and Rana temporaria had a prevalence of 0.5-1.0% which differed strongly from the other four species (Bombina bombina, Bufotes variabilis, Epidalea calamita, Rana arvalis) showing 13-64% prevalence. Bd prevalence in these four species was higher in ponds with higher pH, surrounded by a landscape with less mature forest and few wetlands. Our results show that the infection dynamics of Bd are complex and depend on local pond characteristics, host community composition and the spatial scale under investigation. Information on environmental factors associated with Bd and species differences in susceptibility may mitigate further spread of the disease through public information and guide conservational action plans, especially for the most threatened species.

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

Urban Ecosystems ◽

10.1007/s11252-019-00912-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 235-243

Author(s):

Agnieszka Konowalik ◽

Anna Najbar ◽

Kamil Konowalik ◽

Łukasz Dylewski ◽

Marzena Frydlewicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

High Ratio ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Hyla Arborea ◽

The City

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

Herpetofauna of the Kozubów Landscape Park

Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych ◽

10.2478/oszn-2019-0011 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 7-14

Author(s):

Dariusz Wojdan ◽

Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska ◽

Barbara Gworek ◽

Ewa Lisowska-Mieszkowska ◽

Jarosław Chmielewski

Keyword(s):

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Water Levels ◽

Tree Frog ◽

Common Frog ◽

Common Toad ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

Hyla Arborea

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

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

10.1101/2021.07.16.452656 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sara Meurling ◽

Maria Cortazar-Chinarro ◽

Mattias Siljestam ◽

David Ahlen ◽

Erik Agren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽

Geographical Origin ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Northern Region ◽

Population Declines ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Survival Difference ◽

Species Survival

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

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

Vestnik Zoologii ◽

10.2478/vzoo-2019-0013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 131-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

O. Reshetylo ◽

V. Stakh ◽

A.-A. Osiyeva ◽

I. Dykyy ◽

B. Andriyishyn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rana Temporaria ◽

Population Decline ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Quantitative Composition ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

The Road ◽

Bombina Bombina ◽

On The Road

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

Establishement of a national monitoring program based on environmental DNA for amphibians and the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

ARPHA Conference Abstracts ◽

10.3897/aca.4.e65362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Omneya Osman ◽

Johan Andersson ◽

Tomas Larsson ◽

Mats Töpel ◽

Alexander Eiler

Keyword(s):

Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽

National Level ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

12S Rrna ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Chytrid Fungus ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

National Monitoring ◽

Wide Range

National monitoring programs provide the basis for evaluating the integrity of ecosystems, their responses to disturbances, and the success of actions taken to conserve or recover biodiversity. In this study, we successfully established a national program for the invasive chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) based on dual TaqMan assays. Amphibian diversity based on metabarcoding of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was also performed. Assays were optimized for sensitive detection of target species from a wide range of amphibian ponds with variable potential of inhibitions for eDNA based detection. An amphibian mock community of 5 species was used to validate the metabarcoding approach while internal standards were used in the case of the dual TaqMan assays. First sampling of over 170 ponds in Norway resulted in Bd detection in 12 environmental samples and one swab sample taken over multiple years indicating the establishment of Bd in Norway. Five amphibian species Bufo bufo, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Rana arvalis and Rana temporaria as predicted from data in long-term citizen science reporting systems were widely detected in the collected eDNA samples. Our large scale-monitoring program indicates a low risk of a Bd outbreak and amphibian decline caused by chytridiomycosis but continued monitoring is recommended in the future. These findings indicate that eDNA is an effective method to detect invasive species, and to monitor endangered amphibian species. Still, several shortcomings (such as PCR inhibitors and sample volume) were identified that need to be addressed to improve eDNA-based monitoring at the national level.

Zur Bedeutung der ‚Grünbrücke Kiebitzholm‘ (Schleswig-Holstein) für Amphibien

Faunistisch-Ökologische Mitteilungen ◽

10.38072/2699-7762/p8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Christian Winkler

Keyword(s):

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Epidalea Calamita

In den Jahren 2006 bis 2010 wurde die Amphibienfauna auf der Grünbrücke bei Kiebitzholm (Schleswig-Holstein, Norddeutschland), an den angrenzenden Straßensäumen beidseitig der Bundesautobahn (BAB) A21 sowie an Stillgewässern im 1,5 km Radius um die Grünbrücke untersucht. Im Untersuchungsgebiet konn- ten sieben Amphibienarten festgestellt werden, darunter Knoblauchkröte (Pelo- bates fuscus), Kreuzkröte (Epidalea calamita) und Moorfrosch (Rana arvalis), die landes- oder bundesweit als bestandsgefährdet gelten. Bei Knoblauchkröte und Moorfrosch handelt es sich zudem um bundesweit bedeutsame Zielarten für den Biotopverbund. Teichmolch (Lissotriton vulgaris), Erdkröte (Bufo bufo), Grasfrosch (Rana temporaria) und Moorfrosch wurden im Untersuchungszeitraum auf der Grünbrücke nachgewiesen. Der Kammmolch (Triturus cristatus) konnte nur auf der östlichen Rampe festgestellt werden. Die Grünbrücke diente den er- fassten Individuen offenbar in erster Linie zur Querung der BAB A21 und nur zum Teil auch als Sommerhabitat. Eine auf der östlichen Rampe angelegte Wildtränke wurde im Jahr 2010 erstmals von Teichmolch, Kammmolch und Moorfrosch als Laichgewässer genutzt. Knoblauchkröte und Kreuzkröte waren im Untersuchungsgebiet besonders selten. Sie traten in einem bzw. zwei Untersuchungsgewässern auf. Während die Kreuz- kröte auf beiden Seiten der Autobahn gefunden wurde, wurde die Knoblauchkröte nur westlich der Straße erfasst. Die übrigen festgestellten Amphibienarten traten in teilweise größeren Populationen auf beiden Seiten der BAB A21 auf. Die Funde dieser Arten auf der Grünbrücke zeigen, dass bereits ein Verbund zwischen diesem Que- rungsbauwerk und den Populationen in der Umgebung realisiert war.

Herpetofauna of the Pieprzowe Mountains Nature Reserve and adjacent areas

Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych ◽

10.2478/oszn-2019-0007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 24-31

Author(s):

Dariusz Wojdan ◽

Ilona Żeber-Dzikowska ◽

Barbara Gworek ◽

Maciej Sadowski ◽

Jarosław Chmielewski

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Rare Plants ◽

Oxbow Lake ◽

Tree Frog ◽

Common Frog ◽

Common Toad ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Triturus Cristatus

Abstract The study was focused on determining the sites of amphibian and reptile occurrence in the Pieprzowe Mountains Nature Reserve (area 18.01 ha) and adjacent areas (total area 58.81 ha). The investigations also involved the biology of breeding in the selected species, as well as determining threats and protection measures. Situated in the eastern part of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, the steppe-like Pieprzowe (Pepper) Mountains Nature Reserve was established in 1979. Its aim is to protect xerothermic assemblages inhabited by many species of rare plants including the largest European aggregation of roses growing wild. The area is located on a steep, sometimes rugged escarpment, which is part of the Vistula River erosional margin. The escarpment exposes Cambrian black pepper-like shales. The slope base is overgrown by a narrow belt of willow thickets. Above occur assemblages of xerothermic thickets with a few trees. The highest parts of the nature reserve are overgrown with xerothermic grasslands with the prevalence of feathergrass steppe (Festuco-Stipion class). The reserve is surrounded by riparian forests, waterlogged meadows and reservoirs of the Vistula former riverbed, the largest of which is an oxbow lake (5.16 ha). The following species were documented in 2016-2017: smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris L., great crested newt Triturus cristatus Laur., European fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina L., common toad Bufo bufo L., European green toad Bufotes viridis Laur., European tree frog Hyla arborea L., edible frog Pelophylax esculentus L., pool frog Pelophylax lessonae Cam., marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus Laur., moor frog Rana arvalis Nilss., common frog Rana temporaria L., sand lizard Lacerta agilis L., grass snake Natrix natrix L. and common European adder Vipera berus L. The studies were focused on biology of breeding and phenology in common toad and common frog. The main threats posed on herpetofauna include: human presence, littering, fire raising and changes of water balance. © IOŚ-PIB

Faunistic review of amphibians in protected areas of Ukrainian Roztochia

Studia Biologica ◽

10.30970/sbi.1404.634 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 49-58

Author(s):

B. O. Andriishyn ◽

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

National Park ◽

Rana Temporaria ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Zoological Museum ◽

Tree Frog ◽

Common Toad ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Marsh Frog

Background. Study of amphibian fauna as a necessary component of ecosystems is always relevant and requires a regular renewal of information, especially in protected areas. We conducted a field investigation of amphibians, a literature review and an inventory of the collections of herpetological funds in relation to three protected areas: the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, and the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Materials and Methods. The field study was performed by classical methods: route method with manual catching and with herpetological nets, vocalization method, sampling of amphibians crushed on the road, and catching individuals with frog fences. We also analyzed the literature and amphibian collections in the Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Results. According to the available literature, the amphibian fauna of these three areas under protection is similar and typical of this region. The results of our field research slightly differ from the literature data, thus, there is a need for further studies. On the study areas, we found 12 species of amphibians, which is more than half of the number of amphibian species in Ukraine, in particular: Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris, Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus, Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina, Eastern Tree Frog Hyla orientalis, Common Spadefoot Toad Pelobates fuscus, Common Toad Bufo bufo, Green Toad Bufotes viridis, Common Frog Rana temporaria, Moor Frog Rana arvalis, Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus, Edible Frog Pelophylax esculentus and Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae. We detected 2 species of Caudata and 10 species of Anura. 10 species of amphibians were found in the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, 5 species – in the Yavorivskyi National Park, and 9 species – in the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Conclusions. According to the field results, 4 species inhabit all three protected areas – Common Toad, Eastern Tree Frog, Marsh Frog and Edible Frog. A relatively small variety of amphibians found in the Yavorivskyi National Park can be due to the homogeneity of habitats and a proximity of one of the largest military proving grounds in Europe, which limits amphibians in choice of the reproductive and trophic habitats. These habitats deserve special attention because of their fast degradation for the last 10 years. Keywords: amphibians, fauna, protected areas, Ukrainian Roztochia, the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve

Scandinavian amphibians: their aquatic habitat and tolerance

Fauna norvegica ◽

10.5324/fn.v26i0.570 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

Author(s):

Dag Dolmen ◽

Jon K. Skei ◽

Inggard Blakar

Keyword(s):

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Minor Importance ◽

Font Size ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

Highland Region ◽

Species Tolerance ◽

Southern Norway ◽

The Impact

To determine the impact that anthropogenic acidification has had on natural amphibian populations in Scandinavia and to trace the species’ tolerance limits, in 1988-89 four poorly buffered areas in Norway were investigated; three were anthropogenically acidified and the fourth was not. The increasing acidification from the coastal to inland/highland region of Southern and Southeastern Norway (pH 7.2-4.1) was accompanied by a decreasing frequency of amphibian (Rana temporaria, Bufo bufo and Triturus vulgaris) localities. In the (anthropogenically) non-acidified Central Norway region (pH 6.8-4.6), R. temporaria was very common at all pH levels. The data strongly suggest that acidification explains the absence of amphibians locally in the acidified areas, and has caused their extinction in the inland/highland region of Southern Norway. A pH of 4.5-4.6 is the critical minimum for R. temporaria populations in small, poorly buffered, boggy, water-bodies as were investigated here. For B. bufo, the lowest pH recorded was 4.7, and for T. vulgaris 4.8. We did not find any signs of successful reproduction in Rana arvalis and Triturus cristatus below a pH of 5.2 and 5.3, respectively. Increased contents of Ca2+, Na+ (NaCl) or humus (NOM) had an ameliorating effect on the amphibians in acidic water. The presence of Al was of only minor importance for the amphibians in humic waters. In a strategy for the conservation of amphibians in acidified or acidifying areas, liming (CaCO3) and/or NaCl treatment of the localities may work well in order to establish a satisfying aquatic environment for the species. The study may act as a baseline for further surveys in the future when acidic precipitation hopefully has decreased, looking for improvements of the habitats and possible recoveries of amphibian sites.

Spring migration distances of some Central European amphibian species

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/156853809788795236 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 367-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Roman Kovar ◽

Marek Brabec ◽

Radomir Bocek ◽

Radovan Vita

Keyword(s):

Habitat Degradation ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

Spring Migration ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Drift Fence ◽

Bombina Bombina

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