Age, size and body condition do not equally reflect population response to habitat change in the common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus

Urbanization impacts biodiversity both directly through physical expansion over land, and indirectly due to land use conversion and human behaviors associated with urban areas. We assessed the response of a common spadefoot toad population (Pelobates fuscus) to habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from urban development by studying changes in size, body condition and age parameters. We compared samples collected in the early 2000s (sample A) and later on during 2012–2014 (sample B). The terrestrial habitats in the study area were severely reduced and fragmented due to the expansion of the human settlement. We found no significant differences in the age parameters between the two sampling periods; the median lifespan shortened from 3.5 (sample A) to 3.0 years (sample B), while the other age parameters were similar in both samples. In contrast, snout-vent length, body mass and body condition experienced a significant decrease over time. Our results suggest that changes in body size and body condition, rather than age parameters, better reflect the response of the common spadefoot toad population to declining habitat quality. Therefore, body measurements can provide reliable estimates of the impact of habitat degradation in amphibian populations.

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A decharming metamorphosis: The larval and adult morphology of the common spadefoot toad, Pelobates fuscus

Zoologischer Anzeiger ◽

10.1016/j.jcz.2021.11.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kenny Jandausch ◽

Daniel Schwarz ◽

Bernhard Leopold Bock ◽

Paul Lukas

Keyword(s):

Adult Morphology ◽

Spadefoot Toad ◽

Pelobates Fuscus ◽

The Common

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Habitat use of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) in Estonia

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-00002868 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 51-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Riinu Rannap ◽

Maris Markus ◽

Tanel Kaart

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Habitat Restoration ◽

Coniferous Forest ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Habitat Requirements ◽

Spadefoot Toad ◽

Pelobates Fuscus ◽

The Common

Habitat loss and degradation are the most obvious and acute factors which influence amphibian decline. Fortunately, however, habitat deterioration is potentially reversible. Recognizing the factors critical for the species is therefore essential for successful habitat restoration and maintenance. In this study we explored the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), a severely declining species in Europe. The toad is considered a typical representative of herpetofauna in open agricultural landscapes but at its northern and western range edge the species occurs also in forested areas. So far, studies on the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad have only focused on agricultural areas and the significance of forest habitats has remained indistinct. In order to determine the habitat characteristics vital for the species as well as the function of forests as possible sink or source habitats, we explored 34 water bodies and their surroundings comparatively in forested and open landscapes in Estonia. Our study demonstrated that land cover type did not influence the presence of the species – the limiting habitat factors were related to soil type and quality of the reproduction site only. Respectively, the species preferred large fish free sun exposed water bodies in areas with sandy soil. In our study sites such conditions were best met in old growth coniferous forest areas. Thus we suggest that these types of forests holding viable populations of the common spadefoot toad should be protected with large scale clear cuttings as well as altering of hydrology avoided.

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The impact of parasites during range expansion of an invasive gecko

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118201800015x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 145 (11) ◽

pp. 1400-1409 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Louise K. Barnett ◽

Ben L. Phillips ◽

Allen C. G. Heath ◽

Andrew Coates ◽

Conrad J. Hoskin

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Mite Species ◽

New Host ◽

Urban Edge ◽

Novel Host ◽

Parasite Spillback ◽

Invasive Mite ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

The Impact

AbstractHost–parasite dynamics can play a fundamental role in both the establishment success of invasive species and their impact on native wildlife. The net impact of parasites depends on their capacity to switch effectively between native and invasive hosts. Here we explore host-switching, spatial patterns and simple fitness measures in a slow-expanding invasion: the invasion of Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) from urban areas into bushland in Northeast Australia. In bushland close to urban edges, H. frenatus co-occurs with, and at many sites now greatly out-numbers, native geckos. We measured prevalence and intensity of Geckobia mites (introduced with H. frenatus), and Waddycephalus (a native pentastome). We recorded a new invasive mite species, and several new host associations for native mites and geckos, but we found no evidence of mite transmission between native and invasive geckos. In contrast, native Waddycephalus nymphs were commonly present in H. frenatus, demonstrating this parasite's capacity to utilize H. frenatus as a novel host. Prevalence of mites on H. frenatus decreased with distance from the urban edge, suggesting parasite release towards the invasion front; however, we found no evidence that mites affect H. frenatus body condition or lifespan. Waddycephalus was present at low prevalence in bushland sites and, although its presence did not affect host body condition, our data suggest that it may reduce host survival. The high relative density of H. frenatus at our sites, and their capacity to harbour Waddycephalus, suggests that there may be impacts on native geckos and snakes through parasite spillback.

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The impact of environmental temperature on larval development and metamorph body condition in the common toad, Bufo bufo

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/017353710x521537 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 483-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Christopher Reading

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Pond Water ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

The Body ◽

Data Loggers ◽

The Common ◽

Highly Correlated ◽

The Impact ◽

Toad Bufo ◽

Toad Bufo Bufo

AbstractThe dates when common toads first started to spawn (1980-2009) and when metamorphs first started to emerge from the natal pond (1984-2009) were recorded annually at a pond in southern England. Data loggers were used to record daily pond water temperatures between 1995-1999 and 2002-2009. The SVL and body mass of newly emerged metamorphs were recorded between 2003-2009. The dates of first spawn deposition varied between years by up to 60 days, from 28th January 2007 to 29th March 2006. The duration of the tadpole stage was negatively correlated with the date of first spawn deposition and with the mean pond water temperature during the tadpole stage. Although the duration of the tadpole stage was longer when spawning was early, compared to when it was late, metamorphs emerged from the pond up to 37 days earlier when spawning was early but with a lower body condition than when spawning was late. The body condition of newly emerged metamorphs was highly correlated with the temperature of the pond water they experienced as tadpoles. The potential benefit of early metamorphosis in providing a longer period of time for toadlet growth, before entering their first hibernation, may be counterbalanced by their poorer body condition when compared with later emerging metamorphs.

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An unusually coloured individual of the common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768)

Fragmenta Faunistica ◽

10.3161/00159301ff2020.63.2.137 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 137-140

Author(s):

Piotr Paweł KAZIMIRSKI ◽

Keyword(s):

Predator Avoidance ◽

Green Light ◽

Ecological Effects ◽

Yellowish Green ◽

Anuran Species ◽

Spadefoot Toad ◽

Pelobates Fuscus ◽

The Common ◽

Light Green ◽

Olive Green

The background colouration of the spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus, an anuran species found in Europe is typically light grey/yellow grey/light olive-green. However, an atypical specimen, whose background was brightly coloured yellowish green (light green/lime/yellow coloured), with darker small spots distributed through dorsal parts and four main spots slightly shaped was observed in Poland (Great Poland, Mościejewo village), near to two ponds. The ecological effects of green coloured individual can be adaptively important, through its similarity to the vegetation (predator avoidance).

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Analysis of the common spadefoot toad (PELOBATES FUSCUS) skin secretions on the presence of the potential hemostasis system effectors

Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Series Biology ◽

10.17721/1728_2748.2019.77.38-44 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

pp. 38-44

Author(s):

I. Udovychenko ◽

D. Oliynyk ◽

J. Dudkina ◽

T. Halenova ◽

O. Savchuk

Keyword(s):

Biologically Active ◽

Raw Material ◽

Amphibian Skin ◽

Active Compounds ◽

Skin Glands ◽

Hemostasis System ◽

Spadefoot Toad ◽

Pelobates Fuscus ◽

Skin Secretions ◽

The Common

Since nowadays the chemical synthesis of new bioactive compounds is a complicated and expensive procedure, alongside with the increased price for drugs based on synthetic biologically active compounds, scientists lay emphasize on natural sources as a promising raw material for various biologically active substances. Amphibian skin glands secretions are a powerful source of potential pharmacological agents. Currently their antimicrobial, antiviral, cardiotonic and antidiabetic activities have been studied in detail, although almost nothing is known about the effects of the tailless amphibians' skin secretions on the functioning of the hemostasis system. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential effects of the components of skin glands secretions of a representative of Ukrainian batrakhofauna – the Common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) on some parameters of hemostasis system. In the result of chromatographic separation of general skin secretions, 4 protein fractions were obtained, containing a variety of proteins with molecular masses ranging from 17 to 150 kDa. The components of fraction 1 activated prothrombin and factor X in plasma. Several components of fraction 4 had proteolytic activity and substrate specificity for collagen. The components of fractions 1 and 2 prolonged plasma coagulation time in the APTT. Thus, it was proved the presence of biologically active compounds in the P. fuscus skin secretions, that indicates the prospects for further research to identify the individual components responsible for the manifestation of the shown effects in order to provide clues in understanding the structural and functional characteristics and mechanism of action. Moreover, advances in this area will further increase the use of amphibian skin secretions as a raw material for the development of new original pharmaceutical agents and/or biotechnological products

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Salinity Tolerance in Pelobates Fuscus (Laurenti, 1768) Tadpoles (Amphibia: Pelobatidae)

Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa” ◽

10.2478/travmu-2013-0008 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 103-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Florina Stănescu ◽

Ruben Iosif ◽

Diana Székely ◽

Paul Székely ◽

Daniela Roşioru ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Deionized Water ◽

Salinity Treatment ◽

Spadefoot Toad ◽

Pelobates Fuscus ◽

Size At Metamorphosis ◽

Salinity Levels ◽

The Common ◽

The Mean ◽

Mean Time

Abstract We investigated the effect of salinity on larval development and survival rate to metamorphosis in the common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768). Our hypothesis was that higher salinity would decrease tadpole survival rate and body size at metamorphosis, and delay metamorphosis. The response of the tadpoles was evaluated through an experimental design with three salinity treatments of 2, 4, and 8‰ compared to a control (deionized water). Survival varied across the treatments: neither of the tadpoles in 8‰ salinity treatment survived the experiment, nor achieved metamorphosis. Salinity levels of 2 and 4‰ had no significant influence on the mean time to metamorphosis, body mass and SVL at metamorphosis. Our results suggest that P. fuscus tadpoles have a tolerance threshold for brackish water up to 4‰, above which survival is impaired.

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