Showing papers on "Mantella published in 2015"
10 Apr 2015
TL;DR: It is shown that several threats affect half of the breeding ponds, regardless of the conservation status of the site, and future conservation strategies for the species are discussed.
Abstract: The golden mantella frog Mantella aurantiaca is a brightly-coloured terrestrial species that is endemic to a relatively small area of humid forest in eastern Madagascar. We present the results of a three-year survey covering the whole known distribution area of the species. Breeding ponds, as well as visible threats to both the pond and the surrounding forest, were recorded. The number of breeding sites increased from 26 in 2010 to 139 in 2013. We show that several threats affect half of the breeding ponds, regardless of the conservation status of the site, and discuss future conservation strategies for the species.
10 citations
TL;DR: The present study and an earlier study of three other mantellid species suggest that oribatid mites, and not ants, are the major source of alkaloids in the species of mantellids examined thus far.
Abstract: Seventy skins of three mantellid frog species from Madagascan swamp-forest habitats, Mantella aurantiaca, M. crocea, and M. milotympanum, were individually examined for skin alkaloids using GC/MS. These poison frogs were found to differ significantly in their alkaloid composition from species of Mantella originating from non-flooded rainforest in eastern Madagascar, which were examined in earlier work. Only 16 of the previously detected 106 alkaloids were represented among the 60 alkaloids from the swamp-forest frogs of the present study. We hypothesize this difference is related mainly to habitat but cannot exclude a phylogenetic component as the three swamp-forest species are a closely related monophyletic group. The paucity of alkaloids with unbranched-carbon skeletons (ant-derived) and the commonness of alkaloids with branched-carbon skeletons (mite-derived) indicate that oribatid mites are a major source of alkaloids in these species of mantellids. Furthermore, most of the alkaloids have an oxygen atom in their formulae. Differences in alkaloids were observed among species, populations of the same species, and habitats. In M. aurantiaca, small geographic distances among populations were associated with differences in alkaloid profiles, with a remote third site illustrating even greater differences. The present study and an earlier study of three other mantellid species suggest that oribatid mites, and not ants, are the major source of alkaloids in the species of mantellids examined thus far.
10 citations
TL;DR: This investigation focuses on a developmental disorder known as spindly leg syndrome (SLS), characterized by developmental abnormalities such as underdeveloped or malformed limbs and is ultimately fatal in most cases.
Abstract: Amphibian populations are declining internationally, making captive propagation a critical part of conserving species (Stuart et al., 2008). Amphibian declines are attributed to several factors, including epidemics caused by the spread of pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Berger et al., 1998; Pessier et al., 1999; Skerratt et al., 2007). Habitat destruction and unregulated collection of aesthetically pleasing species for the pet trade also contribute to the decline of amphibian populations, such as that of the Madagascan golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) (Andreone et al., 2008). Although habitat preservation can be time-consuming and impeded by politics and a lack of enforcement agencies, captive breeding efforts provide an immediate option for species maintenance and survival. Captive propagation can help conservation biologists build assurance colonies in situ or ex situ, provide scientists with invaluable information to help mitigate threats to wild populations, and prevent further population declines through reducing the incentives of illegal collecting by providing animals for the pet trade. Although captive propagation efforts are valuable to conservation (Wiese and Hutchins, 1995; Stuart et al., 2008), it has proven difficult for many amphibian species due to constraints on husbandry parameters, such as water quality, lighting, diet, and genetic diversity (Brown and Zippel, 2007). The inability to provide parameters mimicking those experienced in situ, or the lack of information on in situ parameters, can lead to failed breeding attempts or onset of disease processes. Our investigation focuses on a developmental disorder known as spindly leg syndrome (SLS). Also known as skeletal and muscular underdevelopment, SLS presents as asymmetric limb deformities, poor joint development, atrophy of the muscles, absence of the bones distal to the humeri, and mal-development of the humeroulnar and carpometacarpal joints (Hakvoort et al., 1995). More simply, SLS is characterized by developmental abnormalities such as underdeveloped or malformed limbs and is ultimately fatal in most cases (Marlett et al., 1988; Wright and Whitaker, 2001). The cause of SLS is undetermined, although it is thought to be due to one or a combination of the following: nutrition, genetics, environment, and trauma I N M Y E X P E R I E N C E
5 citations