Across the country, USGS scientists research amphibians to help other agencies manage this historically underappreciated and now declining group. Our scientists have learned that no single threat explains global amphibian declines; instead, a variety of local and global factors are contributing. Habitat loss, disease, contaminants, and other threats are all part of the pattern.
An ARMI of Many
An ARMI of Many
The USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) is an integrated program of research and monitoring studies across the US focused on hydrology, disease, decision support, recovery, and restoration.
A is for Amphibian
A is for Amphibian
The Ecosystems A-Z series highlights some of the work our scientists are leading starting with amphibians.
Amphibian Research
Amphibian Research
Filter Total Items: 23
Use of a Sustained-Release Chemical Delivery Device in Assessing Effects of Systemic Insecticides
Neonicotinoid insecticides the fastest growing insecticide worldwide - and may play a role in the declines of terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate species.
Adaptive Habitat Conservation for Flatwoods Salamanders
USGS scientists investigate adaptive habitat conservation for Flatwoods salamanders.
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS amphibian research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian data is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 29
Presence and prevalence of pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014 Presence and prevalence of pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014
Data described herein was collected by USGS personnel and the project funded by USGS and the National Park Service (Catoctin Mountain Park) through a FY14 NRPP project involving both agencies and developed to detect the presence and prevalence of ranavirus and chytrid pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO). Supplemental molecular analyses were performed on behalf of...
Shasta Salamanders Surveys for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (ver. 2.0, July 2020) Shasta Salamanders Surveys for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (ver. 2.0, July 2020)
The Shasta salamander (Hydromantes shastae) has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The greatest threat to the species is likely habitat loss that will be caused by the increase in elevation of Shasta Lake that will occur with proposed increases in the height of Shasta Dam to increase water storage capacity and maintain cold water for Chinook salmon...
The Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program from 1997 to 2017: Data The Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program from 1997 to 2017: Data
Call observation data from the Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program (LAMP). Each route has 10 stops. The routes are in one of 3 Louisiana regions (north, south and Florida parishes). Routes are identified by number and name. Call observations are categorical number 0 (not heard) through 3 (full chorus with overlapping calls). Each route has 10 stops. A full description of data...
Species Observations from Pitfall Trap Arrays, Species Pool Matrices, and Patch Locations in Southern California from 1995-2015 Species Observations from Pitfall Trap Arrays, Species Pool Matrices, and Patch Locations in Southern California from 1995-2015
Observations (reduced to detected/not detected) of 45 vertebrate species (seven mammals, seven amphibians, and 31 reptiles) across Southern California pitfall sampling projects conducted between 1995 through 2015. Habitat patch locations of every pitfall sampling project presented in a shapefile. Habitat patches were measured based on the size when pitfall sampling began within each...
Characteristics of Sites Sampled for eDNA of Amphibians in Mendocino County, California, 2016 Characteristics of Sites Sampled for eDNA of Amphibians in Mendocino County, California, 2016
Stream-obligate amphibians are important indicators of ecosystem health in the Pacific Northwest, but distributional information to improve forest management is lacking in many regions. We analyzed archived DNA extracted from water samples in 60 pools within streams in private timberlands in Mendocino County, California, for 3 California Species of Special Concern - Coastal Tailed Frogs...
Site and Survey Data for Dixie Valley Toads in Churchill County, Nevada, 2019 Site and Survey Data for Dixie Valley Toads in Churchill County, Nevada, 2019
These data include site- and survey-specific information for occupancy surveys of Dixie Valley Toads (Anaxyrus williamsi) collected in the Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada, in May 2019. The data include both multiple surveys of the same sites and time-to-detection information to quantify detection probabilities and account for imperfect detection in assessments of Dixie Valley Toad...
Site and Survey Data for Amphibian Surveys in Yosemite National Park, 2018 Site and Survey Data for Amphibian Surveys in Yosemite National Park, 2018
These data represent occupancy surveys conducted in long-term monitoring sites in Yosemite National Park in 2018 for three anurans, the Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus canorus), the Sierran Treefrog (Pseudacris sierra), and the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog (Rana sierrae). The data include independent double-observer surveys and time-to-detection data to calculate detection probabilities and...
Code and Data to Fit an Integrated Population Model for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog, Rana boylii, in Northern California Code and Data to Fit an Integrated Population Model for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog, Rana boylii, in Northern California
These data include egg mass counts and adult capture-mark-recapture histories for Foothill Yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) at two streams in northern California. Data were collected from the South Fork Eel River and its tributary, Fox Creek, from 1993-2019. Data from Hurdygurdy Creek were collected from 2002-2008. This code and data support the following publication: Rose, JP...
Dixie Valley Toad Radio Telemetry Data from Churchill County, Nevada, 2018-2019 Dixie Valley Toad Radio Telemetry Data from Churchill County, Nevada, 2018-2019
This U.S. Geological Survey data release includes tabular data collected to characterize the habitat and movement of Dixie Valley toads. Data were collected in Dixie Valley, Nevada, in autumn 2018 and spring 2019. These data support the following publication: Halstead, B.J., Kleeman, P.M., Rose, J.P. and Fouts, K.J., 2021. Water Temperature and Availability Shape the Spatial Ecology of a...
Boreal toad metamorph capture, recapture and covariates data, Colorado 2017-2018 Boreal toad metamorph capture, recapture and covariates data, Colorado 2017-2018
This dataset includes two files, 1) site -specific covariates including the presence of predators (fish), disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd] - amphibian chytrid fungus), and permanence (ephemeral or permanent) of sites in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. The dataset was analyzed for planned publication of a manuscript in Population Ecology, Crockett, J., E. Muths and L.L...
Capture-recapture, disease and covariate data for boreal toads from Blackrock Wyoming 2019 Capture-recapture, disease and covariate data for boreal toads from Blackrock Wyoming 2019
We investigated population dynamics in boreal toads relative to abiotic (fall temperatures and snowpack -the covariates provided here) and biotic (the abundance of another anuran host,data provide here) characteristics of the local environment at 6 sites in Wyoming, USA. We used capture-recapture data (i.e., 1 or 0, provided here) and a robust design multi-state model framework that...
Mark-recapture data for a boreal toad metapopulation at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, Montana (2003-2018) Mark-recapture data for a boreal toad metapopulation at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, Montana (2003-2018)
From 2003-2018, USGS researchers and collaborators conducted mark-recapture studies of the boreal toad at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Montana, USA. The datasets included here contain information on individual toad capture history, body size, and disease status. These data were collected annually over the 16-year period at up to 11 breeding sites per year on...
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS amphibian research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 73
Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation
Protected areas like national parks are essential elements of conservation because they limit human influence on the landscape, which protects biodiversity and ecosystem function. The role of national parks in conservation, however, often goes far beyond limiting human influence. The U.S. National Park Service and its system of land units contribute substantively to conservation by...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Andrew M. Ray, Erin L. Muths, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Rob Grasso, Michael J. Adams, Kathleen Semple Delaney, Jane Carlson, Blake R. Hossack
Multi-scale patterns in occurrence of an ephemeral pool-breeding amphibian Multi-scale patterns in occurrence of an ephemeral pool-breeding amphibian
Species distributions are governed by processes occurring at multiple spatial scales. For species with complex life cycles, the needs of all life stages must be met within the dispersal limitations of the species. Multi-scale processes can be particularly important for these species, where small-scale patterns in specific habitat components can affect the distribution of one life stage...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Jonathan P. Rose, Denise Clark, Patrick M. Kleeman, Robert N. Fisher
Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations
Conservation translocations are increasingly used to help recover imperiled species. However, success of establishing populations remains low, especially for amphibians. Identifying factors associated with translocation success can help increase efficiency and efficacy of recovery efforts. Since the 1990s, several captive and semi-captive facilities have produced Chiricahua Leopard Frogs...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Paige E. Howell, Audrey K Owens, C Cobos, Caren S. Goldberg, David L. Hall, Shaula Hedwall, Susi MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, A. Hunter McCall, C Mosley, Emily Bea Oja, James C. Rorabaugh, Brent H. Sigafus, Michael J Sredl
Comparative toxicity of aquatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure in three species of amphibians Comparative toxicity of aquatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure in three species of amphibians
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants of concern due to their widespread occurrence in the environment, persistence, and potential to elicit a range of negative health effects. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are regularly detected in surface waters, but their effects on many aquatic organisms are still poorly understood. Species with thyroid-dependent...
Authors
Robert Wesley Flynn, Gary M. Hoover, Michael G. Iacchetta, Samuel C. Guffey, Youn J. Choi, Chloe De Perre, Belinda Huerta, Weiming Li, Jason T. Hoverman, Linda S. Lee, Maria S. Speulveda
Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks are one of multiple stressors responsible for amphibian declines globally. In the northeastern United States, ranaviral diseases are prevalent in amphibians and other ectothermic species, but there is still uncertainty as to whether their presence is leading to population level effects. Further, there is also uncertainty surrounding the potential...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Brittany A. Mosher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, Adam Boehlke, Michelle L. Hladik, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Robin Femmer, Evan H. Campbell Grant
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center
Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
Widespread amphibian declines were well documented at the end of the 20th century, raising concerns about the need to identify individual and interactive contributors to this global trend. At the same time, there was growing interest in the use of amphibians as ecological indicators. In the United States, wetland and amphibian monitoring programs were launched in some national parks as a...
Authors
Andrew M. Ray, Blake R. Hossack, William R. Gould, Debra A. Patla, Stephen Frank Spear, Robert W. Klaver, Paul E Bartelt, David P. Thoma, Kristin L Legg, Rob Daley, Charles R Peterson, P S Corn
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae
Increased salinity is an emerging contaminant of concern for aquatic taxa. For amphibians exposed to salinity, there is scarce information about the physiological effects and changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO). Recent studies have quantified effects of salinity on CORT physiology of amphibians based on waterborne hormone collection...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi
Juvenile African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) express growth, metamorphosis, mortality, gene expression, and metabolic changes when exposed to thiamethoxam and clothianidin Juvenile African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) express growth, metamorphosis, mortality, gene expression, and metabolic changes when exposed to thiamethoxam and clothianidin
Neonicotinoids (NEO) represent the main class of insecticides currently in use, with thiamethoxam (THX) and clothianidin (CLO) primarily applied agriculturally. With few comprehensive studies having been performed with non-target amphibians, the aim was to investigate potential biomarker responses along an adverse outcome pathway of NEO exposure, whereby data were collected on multiple...
Authors
Jill Jenkins, Katherine R. Hartop, Ghadeer Bukhari, Debra E. Howton, Kelly L. Smalling, Scott Mize, Michelle L. Hladik, Darren Johnson, Rassa Dale, Bonnie L. Brown
Thermal conditions predict intraspecific variation in senescence rate in frogs and toads Thermal conditions predict intraspecific variation in senescence rate in frogs and toads
Variation in temperature is known to influence mortality patterns in ectotherms. Even though a few experimental studies on model organisms have reported a positive relationship between temperature and actuarial senescence (i.e., the increase in mortality risk with age), how variation in climate influences the senescence rate across the range of a species is still poorly understood in...
Authors
Hugo Cayuela, Jean-Francois Lemaitre, Erin L. Muths, Rebecca McCaffery, Thierry Fretey, Bernard Le Garff, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Kurt Grossenbacher, Omar Lenzi, Blake R. Hossack, Lisa A Eby, Brad A. Lambert, Johan Elmberg, Juha Merila, Jerome MW Gippet, Jean-Michel Gaillard, David S. Pilliod
Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda) Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda)
In early September 2019, a morbidity and mortality event affecting California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) in late stages of metamorphosis was reported at a National Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz County, California, U.S.A. During the postmortem disease investigation, severe integumentary metacercarial...
Authors
Saskia Keller, Constance Roderick, Christopher Caris, Daniel A. Grear, Rebecca A. Cole
Responses of migratory amphibians to barrier fencing inform the spacing of road underpasses: A case study with California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) in Stanford, CA, USA Responses of migratory amphibians to barrier fencing inform the spacing of road underpasses: A case study with California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) in Stanford, CA, USA
Migratory amphibians are at high risk of negative impacts when roads intersect their upland and breeding habitats. Road mortality can reduce population abundance, survivorship, breeding, recruitment, and probability of long-term persistence. Increasingly, environmental planners recommend installation of under-road tunnels with barrier fencing to reduce mortality and direct amphibians...
Authors
Cheryl S. Brehme, Jeff A. Tracey, Brittany Ewing, Michael J. Hobbs, Alan E. Launer, Tritia Matsuda, Esther M. Cole Adelsheim, Robert N. Fisher
Across the country, USGS scientists research amphibians to help other agencies manage this historically underappreciated and now declining group. Our scientists have learned that no single threat explains global amphibian declines; instead, a variety of local and global factors are contributing. Habitat loss, disease, contaminants, and other threats are all part of the pattern.
An ARMI of Many
An ARMI of Many
The USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) is an integrated program of research and monitoring studies across the US focused on hydrology, disease, decision support, recovery, and restoration.
A is for Amphibian
A is for Amphibian
The Ecosystems A-Z series highlights some of the work our scientists are leading starting with amphibians.
Amphibian Research
Amphibian Research
Filter Total Items: 23
Use of a Sustained-Release Chemical Delivery Device in Assessing Effects of Systemic Insecticides
Neonicotinoid insecticides the fastest growing insecticide worldwide - and may play a role in the declines of terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate species.
Adaptive Habitat Conservation for Flatwoods Salamanders
USGS scientists investigate adaptive habitat conservation for Flatwoods salamanders.
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS amphibian research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian data is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 29
Presence and prevalence of pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014 Presence and prevalence of pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park, 2014
Data described herein was collected by USGS personnel and the project funded by USGS and the National Park Service (Catoctin Mountain Park) through a FY14 NRPP project involving both agencies and developed to detect the presence and prevalence of ranavirus and chytrid pathogens among amphibians of Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO). Supplemental molecular analyses were performed on behalf of...
Shasta Salamanders Surveys for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (ver. 2.0, July 2020) Shasta Salamanders Surveys for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (ver. 2.0, July 2020)
The Shasta salamander (Hydromantes shastae) has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The greatest threat to the species is likely habitat loss that will be caused by the increase in elevation of Shasta Lake that will occur with proposed increases in the height of Shasta Dam to increase water storage capacity and maintain cold water for Chinook salmon...
The Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program from 1997 to 2017: Data The Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program from 1997 to 2017: Data
Call observation data from the Louisiana Amphibian Monitoring Program (LAMP). Each route has 10 stops. The routes are in one of 3 Louisiana regions (north, south and Florida parishes). Routes are identified by number and name. Call observations are categorical number 0 (not heard) through 3 (full chorus with overlapping calls). Each route has 10 stops. A full description of data...
Species Observations from Pitfall Trap Arrays, Species Pool Matrices, and Patch Locations in Southern California from 1995-2015 Species Observations from Pitfall Trap Arrays, Species Pool Matrices, and Patch Locations in Southern California from 1995-2015
Observations (reduced to detected/not detected) of 45 vertebrate species (seven mammals, seven amphibians, and 31 reptiles) across Southern California pitfall sampling projects conducted between 1995 through 2015. Habitat patch locations of every pitfall sampling project presented in a shapefile. Habitat patches were measured based on the size when pitfall sampling began within each...
Characteristics of Sites Sampled for eDNA of Amphibians in Mendocino County, California, 2016 Characteristics of Sites Sampled for eDNA of Amphibians in Mendocino County, California, 2016
Stream-obligate amphibians are important indicators of ecosystem health in the Pacific Northwest, but distributional information to improve forest management is lacking in many regions. We analyzed archived DNA extracted from water samples in 60 pools within streams in private timberlands in Mendocino County, California, for 3 California Species of Special Concern - Coastal Tailed Frogs...
Site and Survey Data for Dixie Valley Toads in Churchill County, Nevada, 2019 Site and Survey Data for Dixie Valley Toads in Churchill County, Nevada, 2019
These data include site- and survey-specific information for occupancy surveys of Dixie Valley Toads (Anaxyrus williamsi) collected in the Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada, in May 2019. The data include both multiple surveys of the same sites and time-to-detection information to quantify detection probabilities and account for imperfect detection in assessments of Dixie Valley Toad...
Site and Survey Data for Amphibian Surveys in Yosemite National Park, 2018 Site and Survey Data for Amphibian Surveys in Yosemite National Park, 2018
These data represent occupancy surveys conducted in long-term monitoring sites in Yosemite National Park in 2018 for three anurans, the Yosemite Toad (Anaxyrus canorus), the Sierran Treefrog (Pseudacris sierra), and the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog (Rana sierrae). The data include independent double-observer surveys and time-to-detection data to calculate detection probabilities and...
Code and Data to Fit an Integrated Population Model for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog, Rana boylii, in Northern California Code and Data to Fit an Integrated Population Model for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog, Rana boylii, in Northern California
These data include egg mass counts and adult capture-mark-recapture histories for Foothill Yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) at two streams in northern California. Data were collected from the South Fork Eel River and its tributary, Fox Creek, from 1993-2019. Data from Hurdygurdy Creek were collected from 2002-2008. This code and data support the following publication: Rose, JP...
Dixie Valley Toad Radio Telemetry Data from Churchill County, Nevada, 2018-2019 Dixie Valley Toad Radio Telemetry Data from Churchill County, Nevada, 2018-2019
This U.S. Geological Survey data release includes tabular data collected to characterize the habitat and movement of Dixie Valley toads. Data were collected in Dixie Valley, Nevada, in autumn 2018 and spring 2019. These data support the following publication: Halstead, B.J., Kleeman, P.M., Rose, J.P. and Fouts, K.J., 2021. Water Temperature and Availability Shape the Spatial Ecology of a...
Boreal toad metamorph capture, recapture and covariates data, Colorado 2017-2018 Boreal toad metamorph capture, recapture and covariates data, Colorado 2017-2018
This dataset includes two files, 1) site -specific covariates including the presence of predators (fish), disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd] - amphibian chytrid fungus), and permanence (ephemeral or permanent) of sites in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. The dataset was analyzed for planned publication of a manuscript in Population Ecology, Crockett, J., E. Muths and L.L...
Capture-recapture, disease and covariate data for boreal toads from Blackrock Wyoming 2019 Capture-recapture, disease and covariate data for boreal toads from Blackrock Wyoming 2019
We investigated population dynamics in boreal toads relative to abiotic (fall temperatures and snowpack -the covariates provided here) and biotic (the abundance of another anuran host,data provide here) characteristics of the local environment at 6 sites in Wyoming, USA. We used capture-recapture data (i.e., 1 or 0, provided here) and a robust design multi-state model framework that...
Mark-recapture data for a boreal toad metapopulation at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, Montana (2003-2018) Mark-recapture data for a boreal toad metapopulation at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, Montana (2003-2018)
From 2003-2018, USGS researchers and collaborators conducted mark-recapture studies of the boreal toad at the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Montana, USA. The datasets included here contain information on individual toad capture history, body size, and disease status. These data were collected annually over the 16-year period at up to 11 breeding sites per year on...
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS amphibian research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS amphibian publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 73
Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation Looking ahead, guided by the past: The role of U.S. national parks in amphibian research and conservation
Protected areas like national parks are essential elements of conservation because they limit human influence on the landscape, which protects biodiversity and ecosystem function. The role of national parks in conservation, however, often goes far beyond limiting human influence. The U.S. National Park Service and its system of land units contribute substantively to conservation by...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Andrew M. Ray, Erin L. Muths, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Rob Grasso, Michael J. Adams, Kathleen Semple Delaney, Jane Carlson, Blake R. Hossack
Multi-scale patterns in occurrence of an ephemeral pool-breeding amphibian Multi-scale patterns in occurrence of an ephemeral pool-breeding amphibian
Species distributions are governed by processes occurring at multiple spatial scales. For species with complex life cycles, the needs of all life stages must be met within the dispersal limitations of the species. Multi-scale processes can be particularly important for these species, where small-scale patterns in specific habitat components can affect the distribution of one life stage...
Authors
Brian J. Halstead, Jonathan P. Rose, Denise Clark, Patrick M. Kleeman, Robert N. Fisher
Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations Identifying factors linked with persistence of reintroduced populations: Lessons learned from 25 years of amphibian translocations
Conservation translocations are increasingly used to help recover imperiled species. However, success of establishing populations remains low, especially for amphibians. Identifying factors associated with translocation success can help increase efficiency and efficacy of recovery efforts. Since the 1990s, several captive and semi-captive facilities have produced Chiricahua Leopard Frogs...
Authors
Blake R. Hossack, Paige E. Howell, Audrey K Owens, C Cobos, Caren S. Goldberg, David L. Hall, Shaula Hedwall, Susi MacVean, Magnus McCaffery, A. Hunter McCall, C Mosley, Emily Bea Oja, James C. Rorabaugh, Brent H. Sigafus, Michael J Sredl
Comparative toxicity of aquatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure in three species of amphibians Comparative toxicity of aquatic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure in three species of amphibians
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are contaminants of concern due to their widespread occurrence in the environment, persistence, and potential to elicit a range of negative health effects. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are regularly detected in surface waters, but their effects on many aquatic organisms are still poorly understood. Species with thyroid-dependent...
Authors
Robert Wesley Flynn, Gary M. Hoover, Michael G. Iacchetta, Samuel C. Guffey, Youn J. Choi, Chloe De Perre, Belinda Huerta, Weiming Li, Jason T. Hoverman, Linda S. Lee, Maria S. Speulveda
Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians Site- and individual-level contaminations affect infection prevalence of an emerging infectious disease of amphibians
Emerging infectious disease outbreaks are one of multiple stressors responsible for amphibian declines globally. In the northeastern United States, ranaviral diseases are prevalent in amphibians and other ectothermic species, but there is still uncertainty as to whether their presence is leading to population level effects. Further, there is also uncertainty surrounding the potential...
Authors
Kelly L. Smalling, Brittany A. Mosher, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, Adam Boehlke, Michelle L. Hladik, Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Nandadevi Cortes-Rodriguez, Robin Femmer, Evan H. Campbell Grant
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Plains Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center
Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks Multi-species amphibian monitoring across a protected landscape: Critical reflections on 15 years of wetland monitoring in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
Widespread amphibian declines were well documented at the end of the 20th century, raising concerns about the need to identify individual and interactive contributors to this global trend. At the same time, there was growing interest in the use of amphibians as ecological indicators. In the United States, wetland and amphibian monitoring programs were launched in some national parks as a...
Authors
Andrew M. Ray, Blake R. Hossack, William R. Gould, Debra A. Patla, Stephen Frank Spear, Robert W. Klaver, Paul E Bartelt, David P. Thoma, Kristin L Legg, Rob Daley, Charles R Peterson, P S Corn
Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys Low occurrence of ranavirus in the Prairie Pothole Region of Montana and North Dakota (USA) contrasts with prior surveys
Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens that have caused mortality events in amphibians worldwide. Despite the negative effects of ranaviruses on amphibian populations, monitoring efforts are still lacking in many areas, including in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America. Some PPR wetlands in Montana and North Dakota (USA) have been contaminated by energy-related saline...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Erica J Crespi, Bernardo A. Traversari, Kenzi M Stemp, Creagh W Breuner, Caren S. Goldberg, Blake R. Hossack
Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae Effects of salinity and a glucocorticoid antagonist, RU486, on waterborne aldosterone and corticosterone of northern leopard frog larvae
Increased salinity is an emerging contaminant of concern for aquatic taxa. For amphibians exposed to salinity, there is scarce information about the physiological effects and changes in osmoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO). Recent studies have quantified effects of salinity on CORT physiology of amphibians based on waterborne hormone collection...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Creagh W Breuner, Blake R. Hossack, Erica J Crespi
Juvenile African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) express growth, metamorphosis, mortality, gene expression, and metabolic changes when exposed to thiamethoxam and clothianidin Juvenile African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) express growth, metamorphosis, mortality, gene expression, and metabolic changes when exposed to thiamethoxam and clothianidin
Neonicotinoids (NEO) represent the main class of insecticides currently in use, with thiamethoxam (THX) and clothianidin (CLO) primarily applied agriculturally. With few comprehensive studies having been performed with non-target amphibians, the aim was to investigate potential biomarker responses along an adverse outcome pathway of NEO exposure, whereby data were collected on multiple...
Authors
Jill Jenkins, Katherine R. Hartop, Ghadeer Bukhari, Debra E. Howton, Kelly L. Smalling, Scott Mize, Michelle L. Hladik, Darren Johnson, Rassa Dale, Bonnie L. Brown
Thermal conditions predict intraspecific variation in senescence rate in frogs and toads Thermal conditions predict intraspecific variation in senescence rate in frogs and toads
Variation in temperature is known to influence mortality patterns in ectotherms. Even though a few experimental studies on model organisms have reported a positive relationship between temperature and actuarial senescence (i.e., the increase in mortality risk with age), how variation in climate influences the senescence rate across the range of a species is still poorly understood in...
Authors
Hugo Cayuela, Jean-Francois Lemaitre, Erin L. Muths, Rebecca McCaffery, Thierry Fretey, Bernard Le Garff, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Kurt Grossenbacher, Omar Lenzi, Blake R. Hossack, Lisa A Eby, Brad A. Lambert, Johan Elmberg, Juha Merila, Jerome MW Gippet, Jean-Michel Gaillard, David S. Pilliod
Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda) Acute mortality in California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) caused by Ribeiroia ondatrae (Class: Trematoda)
In early September 2019, a morbidity and mortality event affecting California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) in late stages of metamorphosis was reported at a National Wildlife Refuge in Santa Cruz County, California, U.S.A. During the postmortem disease investigation, severe integumentary metacercarial...
Authors
Saskia Keller, Constance Roderick, Christopher Caris, Daniel A. Grear, Rebecca A. Cole
Responses of migratory amphibians to barrier fencing inform the spacing of road underpasses: A case study with California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) in Stanford, CA, USA Responses of migratory amphibians to barrier fencing inform the spacing of road underpasses: A case study with California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense) in Stanford, CA, USA
Migratory amphibians are at high risk of negative impacts when roads intersect their upland and breeding habitats. Road mortality can reduce population abundance, survivorship, breeding, recruitment, and probability of long-term persistence. Increasingly, environmental planners recommend installation of under-road tunnels with barrier fencing to reduce mortality and direct amphibians...
Authors
Cheryl S. Brehme, Jeff A. Tracey, Brittany Ewing, Michael J. Hobbs, Alan E. Launer, Tritia Matsuda, Esther M. Cole Adelsheim, Robert N. Fisher