Amphibian and Reptile Biology

Larger hybrid clutch size could drive regional displacement of native Iguana populations across the Lesser Antilles

The paper investigates how larger clutch size in hybrid and non-native green iguanas may contribute to genetic swamping of native iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles.

Effects of parental care on skin microbial community composition in poison frogs

This study shows that parental care in poison frogs transfers skin microbes to offspring, influencing their microbial communities, but not necessarily their similarity to adult microbiotas.

Population Trends of the Adder (Vipera berus) in Sweden:A Rapid Review and Meta-Analysis

This paper reviews and analyzes population trends of the adder in Sweden, finding significant local declines despite its official 'Least Concern' status.

First report of overwintering tadpoles in the endemic Italian agile frog Rana latastei

The paper reports the first observation of overwintering tadpoles in the Italian agile frog Rana latastei, suggesting potential phenological shifts due to climate change.

Slowing down: A macroevolutionary approach to the hypometabolic strategies of amphibians

This study investigates hypometabolic strategies in amphibians, finding that ancestral species likely had these strategies, which may affect their resilience to climate change.

Chytrid fungal infections in alpine toads proliferate during winter dormancy

The paper shows that the amphibian fungal pathogen Bd proliferates during winter dormancy in toads, increasing prevalence and intensity of infection.

Global assessment of interventions for mitigation of amphibian fungal disease is dominated by geoeconomic trends and antifungal success

The paper assesses global amphibian disease interventions, finding antifungal treatments on tadpoles are most effective, but ex situ trials in the Global North may bias results.

Reptilian hunchbacks: a systematic review and meta-analysis of spinal deformities in wild reptiles.

This paper reviews spinal deformities in wild reptiles, finding they are common across clades, with Testudines overrepresented, but limited evidence on ecological impacts.

Host species composition, not priority effects, determines infection risk in multihost-multiparasite amphibian communities

The study shows host community composition, not prior parasite exposure, determines infection risk from two amphibian parasites, with varying effects on different host species.

Comparative microbiome analyses reveal differences between wild populations and captive groups of the Montseny Brook Newt (Calotriton arnoldi)

This study compares the microbiomes of wild and captive Montseny Brook Newts to identify differences and their implications for reintroduction success.

To what extent can life history strategies inform species conservation planning?

This study uses life history strategies to predict reptile population growth and resilience, showing their potential for informing conservation planning.

Nutrient requirements for cell differentiation progression in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

This study identifies nutrient requirements for different stages of the Bd life cycle, showing specific amino acids and nitrogen sources are critical for progression and completion of the differentiation cycle.

Skin microbiomes of frogs vary among individuals and body regions, revealing differences that reflect known patterns of chytrid infection

The study examines skin microbiome variation in frogs, finding that tank environments influence microbiomes more than individual identity, and identifying potential Bd-inhibitory bacteria.

Movement ecology of captive-bred axolotls in restored and artificial wetlands: conservation insights for amphibian reintroductions and translocations

This study evaluates the viability of restored and artificial wetlands for axolotl conservation by comparing movement patterns, home range sizes, and habitat use using VHF telemetry.

Amphibian and reptile dataset across different land-use types in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

The paper provides two datasets on amphibians and reptiles in Guinea-Bissau, documenting species occurrences across different land-use types and filling distribution gaps.

Exposure to low doses of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis reveals variation in resistance in the Critically Endangered southern corroboree frog

This study exposes southern corroboree frogs to low doses of Bd to assess resistance variation, finding significant survival rate differences and evidence of innate resistance.

Is there a right place? The effect of oviposition site selection on offspring survival in a glassfrog

This study tests if oviposition site selection affects offspring survival in glassfrogs, finding no effect on hydration or mortality under high humidity.

The herpetofauna of Despotiko Island (Cyclades, Greece)

The paper surveys reptile species on Despotiko Island, finding two new records and highlighting greater reptile diversity within an archaeological site.

Developmental stages of Arthroleptella villiersi (Pyxicephalidae)

The paper examines developmental stages of Arthroleptella villiersi, finding heterochronic shifts in developmental timing that may be linked to endotrophy and terrestrialization in frogs.

Contrasting amphibian population trend from a protected area in Madagascar reveal severe underestimation of extinction risks

The study assesses 13-year amphibian population trends in a protected area of Madagascar, finding 15 species declining and proposing their reclassification as threatened.

Generation length of the world's amphibians and reptiles

This study estimates generation lengths for amphibians, squamates, and testudines using ecological and phylogenetic models to address gaps in conservation data.

From ashes to adaptation: the impact of wildfires on the diet of Podarcis lusitanicus revealed by DNA metabarcoding

This study uses DNA metabarcoding to show that wildfire impacts diet composition of Podarcis lusitanicus, with shifts in prey species between recently burned and unburned areas.

Operative temperatures of Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) reveal a Goldilocks effect for habitat use

The paper measures thermal preferences of eastern garter snakes in different habitats and finds they prefer mixed canopy cover despite lower thermal quality to avoid overheating.

Museum insights for conservation: Unraveling the Extinction Factors in the Jambato Harlequin Frog, Atelopus ignescens

This study synthesizes historical data to determine that climate change had a stronger impact than Bd fungus on the extinction of the Jambato Harlequin frog.

Passive accumulation of alkaloids in inconspicuously colored frogs refines the evolutionary paradigm of acquired chemical defenses

This study shows that undefended poison frogs accumulate low levels of alkaloids from their diet, suggesting passive accumulation as an intermediate step in the evolution of chemical defenses.

Unveiling how herpetofauna cope with land-use changes--insights from forest-cashew-rice landscapes in West Africa

The paper examines how amphibian and reptile diversity responds to different land-use types in West Africa, finding that rice paddies support higher amphibian abundance and open-habitat reptiles, while cashew orchards have distinct species compositions.

The effect of urbanization and local environmental heterogeneity on phenotypic variability in a tropical frog

This study examines how urbanization and environmental factors affect phenotypic traits in a tropical frog, finding that body size decreases with urbanization while trait variability changes in response to environmental conditions.

Lineage-specific trait variation generates widespread, contemporaneous coexistence and competitive exclusion dynamics in an invasive, multihost wildlife parasite

The paper shows how lineage-specific trait variation in an amphibian parasite leads to different coexistence and competitive exclusion dynamics in Europe and Africa.

Undergraduate research project uncovers a novel strain of amphibian chytrid fungus in the Northeastern United States

A study identifies two novel strains of chytrid fungus in New Hampshire amphibians, revealing unique mutations that may influence their impact on local populations.

Morphometrics as a conservation tool for rapid in-situ distinction of native and introduced iguanas: comparing Iguana delicatissima and Iguana iguana

The paper identifies morphometric traits to distinguish native Iguana delicatissima from introduced green iguanas, enabling rapid in-situ conservation efforts.