scholarly journals Safety Bubbles: A Review of the Proposed Functions of Froth Nesting among Anuran Amphibians

Ecologies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-137
Author(s):  
John Gould
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Egg Development ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Anuran Amphibian ◽  
Anuran Amphibians

The adults of several anuran amphibian species deposit their eggs externally in mucus secretions that are purposely aerated to produce a froth nest. This type of clutch structure has evolved independently several times in this group and has been proposed to serve a variety and often simultaneous adaptive functions associated with protecting offspring from sub-optimal conditions during embryogenesis and later stages after hatching has occurred. These functions range from buffering offspring from sub-optimal temperatures and desiccation, to defending against predation and improving oxygenation. This versatility has likely helped facilitate the reduced reliance of egg development on water and thus the penetration of anurans into environments where permanent aquatic systems are not always available. In this paper, I review the hypothesised functions of the anuran froth nest as a mucus-based solution to the environmental challenges offspring face during development, with consideration of the functions of froth nest breakdown and communal froth nesting, as well.

scholarly journals Anurans from the “Restinga” of Parque Natural Municipal de Grumari, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil

Check List ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Bottona da Silva Telles ◽  
Vanderlaine Amaral Menezes ◽  
Thiago Maia-Carneiro ◽  
Thiago Arnt Dorigo ◽  
Gisele Regina Winck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Active Sampling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Anuran Amphibians ◽  
Anuran Species

We present a list of the anuran amphibians from “restinga” of Grumari, part of the Parque Natural Municipal de Grumari (PNMG), Rio de Janeiro municipality, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. This study was carried out from May 2009 to December 2010 using two active sampling methods: quadrant plots and acoustic/visual transects. We recorded 22 anuran species distributed in six families: Bufonidae (1 species), Craugastoridae (1), Hylidae (14), Leptodactylidae (3), Microhylidae (2) and Strabomantidae (1). The presence of endangered and endemic species evidence Grumari’s importance as an area for conservation of the “restinga” habitat remnants in Rio de Janeiro. Grumari is also one of the richest known areas in terms of amphibian species among the “restinga” areas studied to date in Brazil, second only to Mata de São João, Bahia.

A summary of reptile and anuran amphibian species from Brazilian sandy coastal plains: 31 years of sampling efforts of the “Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro”

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. D. Rocha ◽  
C. M. Militão ◽  
D. Vrcibradic ◽  
M. Van Sluys ◽  
J. Pereira-Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Coastal Plains ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Anuran Amphibians ◽  
Ecological Aspects ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Species Activity

Abstract Although currently there is already a set of studies regarding ecological aspects of some particular reptile and amphibian species living in Brazilian sandy coastal plains (including the so-called “restinga” and “campo nativo” habitats), there is comparatively few information on the species composition usually associated to these environments. During 31 years (1988-2019) of herpetological studies carried out in sandy coastal plains environments by our research team of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology (Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) we have surveyed reptile and amphibian communities and performed different studies with similar methods in 70 sites from 10 different states along the Brazilian coast. Our surveys resulted in records of 87 species of reptile (five turtles, two crocodylians, six amphisbaenians, 36 lizards and 39 snakes) from 24 families, and 77 species of anuran amphibians from nine families. We have studied multiple natural history topics for anurans and reptiles which resulted in the publication of some specific ecological studies, especially regarding some species, encompassing population and community ecology, foraging and feeding habits, species activity, thermoregulation, reproduction, use of microhabitats, and parasitism by ecto and endoparasites. Our results along these three decades have also contributed for the description of four new lizard species (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis and G. itabaianensis). Our studies constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of the ecology of anuran amphibians and reptiles in these ecosystems, as well as to the conservation of sandy coastal plains environment. The checklist presented in this study, based on our records of sandy coastal plains herpetofauna, provides for many localities along the Brazilian coast, the needed knowledge on species occurrence, including the presence of endemic and/or endangered species, which can be of value for many conservation actions.

Factors Influencing Oviposition, and the Effect of Temperature on Development and Survival of Enoclerus lecontei (Wolcott) Eggs

1966 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 579-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan A. Berryman
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Egg Development ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Enoclerus Lecontei

AbstractThe factors influencing oviposition and feeding of Enoclerus lecontei, and the effect of temperature on egg development and survival, were studied in the laboratory.When food was not a limiting factor, the total number of eggs laid, and the total number of bark beetles consumed by clerid pairs during their lives was strongly influenced by longevity of the female and to a lesser extent by female “vigor”. Female “vigor” and longevity were not necessarily coincident. The rate of oviposition and the rate of food consumption are mainly influenced by the “vigor” of the female clerid.The effect of suboptimal food on oviposition was determined. Regression equations are given for estimating the number of eggs laid utilizing three measures of food supply, number of bark beetles supplied, their weight, and number eaten. The independent variables may be used separately or combined as a multiple regression.Time for egg development varied from 5 days at 35 °C. to 28 days at 15 °C. Optimal conditions for development and survival were between 20° and 25 °C. Eggs can withstand cold storage (7° to 9 °C.) for 10 days before survival is impaired. Thereafter, mortality increases logarithmically until the 100 percentile is reached at about 43 days.

An Investigation of the Prevalence of Giardia agilis in Anuran Amphibians Reveals Special Parasitic Adaptations of this Giardia Species

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhangxia Lyu ◽  
Jiaoni Cheng ◽  
Jingru Shao ◽  
Qingqing Ye ◽  
Huixian Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Exact Probability ◽  
Anuran Amphibians ◽  
Leg Development ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Distinct Morphology

Abstract Background: Giardia agilis is a Giardia species with a very narrow and elongated body distinct from others. It was first reported in 1882, and was detected in several species of anuran amphibians. Although there were some studies about its morphology, no investigations about its prevalence have ever been reported to date.Methods: We detected G. agilis in frogs and tadpoles from some areas of China based on its distinct morphology. Statistical analysis was performed using mid-P exact probability tests and differences were considered significant when p-values ≤0.05 were obtained.Results: We investigated the prevalence of G. agilis in 25 anuran amphibian species and found that 195 of the 463 (42.1%) samples were detected to be positive. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated all the detected G. agilis were from the same species. The 195 positive frog samples were from 9 frog species, which are distributed scatteredly in four families that are not closely related rather than just restricted to a narrow lineage. The statistical prevalence among adults of different frog species showed no significant difference, and so did among tadpoles, but the prevalence in the tadpoles is significantly higher than in their adults. More interestingly, although the prevalence in Kaloula verrucosa from the same area showed no significant differences between its tadpoles without legs and the ones with two legs, but is significantly higher in these two developmental stages than in the four-legged stage, which is still much higher than in the adults. Moreover, all the positive samples were found to be from the areas with relatively high altitude (more than 870 meters).Conclusions: G. agilis is probably able to infect all anuran amphibians without species-bias. The turning point of prevalence in the period of front leg development might be related with the development of immune system of the hosts. That G. agilis tends to infect easily the frogs living in high altitude areas means that it has adapted to the dramatic temperature change in the poikilothermal animal hosts. Therefore, G. agilis has evolved some special successful parasitism strategies for parastizing the poikilothermal hosts with metamorphosis development -- anuran amphibians.

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF pH AND VISION® HERBICIDE ON TWO LIFE STAGES OF FOUR ANURAN AMPHIBIAN SPECIES

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea N. Edginton ◽  
Patrick M. Sheridan ◽  
Gerald R. Stephenson ◽  
Dean G. Thompson ◽  
Herman J. Boermans
Keyword(s):  
Life Stages ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Anuran Amphibian ◽  
Effects Of Ph

Amorphous silica coating on α-alumina particles

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 210-211
Author(s):  
J. W. Mellowes ◽  
C. M. Chun ◽  
I. A. Aksay
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silica ◽  
Heterogeneous Nucleation ◽  
Homogeneous Nucleation ◽  
Silica Coating ◽  
Full Density ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Alumina Particles ◽  
Complete Mullitization ◽  
Powder Compacts

Mullite (3Al2O32SiO2) can be fabricated by transient viscous sintering using composite particles which consist of inner cores of a-alumina and outer coatings of amorphous silica. Powder compacts prepared with these particles are sintered to almost full density at relatively low temperatures (~1300°C) and converted to dense, fine-grained mullite at higher temperatures (>1500°C) by reaction between the alumina core and the silica coating. In order to achieve complete mullitization, optimal conditions for coating alumina particles with amorphous silica must be achieved. Formation of amorphous silica can occur in solution (homogeneous nucleation) or on the surface of alumina (heterogeneous nucleation) depending on the degree of supersaturation of the solvent in which the particles are immersed. Successful coating of silica on alumina occurs when heterogeneous nucleation is promoted and homogeneous nucleation is suppressed. Therefore, one key to successful coating is an understanding of the factors such as pH and concentration that control silica nucleation in aqueous solutions. In the current work, we use TEM to determine the optimal conditions of this processing.

Immunocytochemical methodology for the localization of neuronal antigens at the ultrastructural level

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 876-877
Author(s):  
Jorge Pecci Saavedra ◽  
Mark Connaughton ◽  
Juan José López ◽  
Alicia Brusco
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Substantia Nigra ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Nerve Tissue ◽  
Tissue Fixation ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Interpeduncular Nucleus ◽  
Technical Point

The use of antibodies as labels for the localization of specific molecules in the nervous systan has been extensively applied in recent years. Both monoand polyclonal antibodies or antisera have been employed. The knowledge of the organization of neuronal connectivities, gliovascular relationships, glioneuronal relationships and other features of nerve tissue has greatly increased.A number of areas of the nervous systan have been analyzed in our laboratory, including the nuclei of the raphe system, the reticular formation, interpeduncular nucleus, substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, putamen, pallidum, spinal cord, pineal gland and others.From a technical point of view, a number of variables needed to be taken into account in order to obtain reliable and reproducible results. The design of the optimal conditions of tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, dilution of antibodies, and adaptation of Sternberger PAP technique were sane of the parameters taken into account to optimize the results. It is critical that each step of the technique be defined for each particular case.

Stability of antioxidant vitamins in whole human blood during overnight storage at 4°C and frozen storage up to 6 months

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. Leonard ◽  
Gerd Bobe ◽  
Maret G. Traber
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Frozen Storage ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Plasma Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Sample Handling

Abstract. To determine optimal conditions for blood collection during clinical trials, where sample handling logistics might preclude prompt separation of erythrocytes from plasma, healthy subjects (n=8, 6 M/2F) were recruited and non-fasting blood samples were collected into tubes containing different anticoagulants (ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA), Li-heparin or Na-heparin). We hypothesized that heparin, but not EDTA, would effectively protect plasma tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E catabolites (α- and γ-CEHC) from oxidative damage. To test this hypothesis, one set of tubes was processed immediately and plasma samples were stored at −80°C, while the other set was stored at 4°C and processed the following morning (~30 hours) and analyzed, or the samples were analyzed after 6 months of storage. Plasma ascorbic acid, as measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection (LC-ECD) decreased by 75% with overnight storage using EDTA as an anticoagulant, but was unchanged when heparin was used. Neither time prior to processing, nor anticoagulant, had any significant effects upon plasma α- or γ-tocopherols or α- or γ-CEHC concentrations. α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations remained unchanged after 6 months of storage at −80°C, when measured using either LC-ECD or LC/mass spectrometry. Thus, refrigeration of whole blood at 4°C overnight does not change plasma α- or γ-tocopherol concentrations or their catabolites. Ascorbic acid is unstable in whole blood when EDTA is used as an anticoagulant, but when whole blood is collected with heparin, it can be stored overnight and subsequently processed.

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