Amphibian and Reptile Biology

Bringing the Lab to the Field: Exploring Water-Borne Corticosterone as a Physiological Indicator in Captive and Wild Common Frog Larvae (Rana temporaria)

This study evaluates water-borne corticosterone as a physiological indicator in common frog larvae, finding it reflects internal corticosterone but does not detect nitrate stress responses.

Microbiome Dynamics During Translocation of the Critically-Endangered Frog Craugastor ranoides

This study examines how translocation affects the skin microbiome of the critically endangered frog Craugastor ranoides and finds individual-specific microbiome responses and body mass changes.

How do body size and habitat fragmentation influence extinction in lizards? A long-term case study on artificial islands in the Brazilian Cerrado

This study examines how body size and habitat fragmentation affect lizard extinction in artificial islands created by reservoir flooding in the Brazilian Cerrado, finding that larger lizards are more vulnerable to extinction.

Breaking Boundaries: New locality records and a reassessment of the conservation status of the Khasi Hill Toad (Bufoides meghalayanus) endemic to Meghalaya, Northeast India

The paper reports three new populations of the Critically Endangered Khasi Hill Toad, expands its known geographic range, and provides molecular data on genetic and morphometric variation.

Stage-Specific Threats Reveal the Inadequacy of Adult-Centered Conservation

The paper assesses extinction risk in Chinese frogs by analyzing traits from both adult and tadpole stages, finding that stage-specific traits significantly influence vulnerability.

Sampling bias and uneven data coverage shape observed biodiversity patterns in a megadiverse island archipelago hotspot

The paper analyzes biodiversity patterns in the Philippines, showing that sampling bias and uneven data coverage influence observed species richness and conservation planning.

Body Size Variation And Sexual Dimorphism In Eleven Species Of Venezuelan Anurans

This study examines body size variation and sexual dimorphism in 11 Venezuelan anuran species, finding patterns linked to ecology, behavior, and geographic factors.

Chytridiomycosis infection and heat compromises sperm quality in a threatened frog

This study shows that chytridiomycosis infection and heat treatment affect sperm quality in frogs, with severe infection and thermal stress causing lasting reproductive impairments.

Phylogenomic assessment of microhylid frogs reveals widespread taxonomic confusion in the Asterophryinae and establishes the timing of diversification in Australia

This study uses phylogenomic data to clarify the evolutionary history of microhylid frogs, revealing taxonomic issues in the Asterophryinae subfamily and timing of diversification in Australia.

When and where to find the tiny creatures: environmental predictors of the abundance of a miniaturized frog species from Northeast Brazil

The paper investigates environmental predictors of abundance for a miniaturized frog species in Brazil, finding that precipitation, temperature, leaf litter depth, and canopy cover significantly influence calling male numbers.

Fish presence alters amphibian and zooplankton communities in kettle lakes, but not hydrological connectivity

This study examines how fish presence and hydrological connectivity affect amphibian and zooplankton communities in kettle lakes, finding fish presence alters communities more than connectivity.

Habitat transformation reshapes diversity and community structure of amphibians and reptiles in the Eastern Andes

The paper assesses how habitat transformation affects amphibian and reptile diversity and community structure in the Eastern Andes, finding reduced richness and simplified assemblages in disturbed habitats.

Decline of Common Toad populations in Flanders is not linked to surrounding landscape

The paper analyzes Common Toad population trends in Flanders over four decades and finds no significant link between population decline and surrounding landscape characteristics.

Photo-based individual identification is more reliable than visible implant elastomer tags or toe tipping in young agile frogs

This study compares photo-based identification with visible implant elastomer tags and toe clipping in young agile frogs, finding photo-based methods significantly more reliable.

Put the frog in water: simple methods for improving individual identification as demonstrated with the agile frog

This paper develops photography methods to improve individual identification of agile frogs using natural environments and body posture, achieving high accuracy with HotSpotter software.

Croaking for haste: How long does it take to describe a frog species since its discovery?

This study quantifies the time required to describe new frog species since their discovery, finding an average of 11.3 years per species, with increasing trends that threaten conservation efforts.

Behavioral responses buffer seasonal variation more strongly than endocrine and chemical responses in poison frogs

This study compares behavioral, endocrine, and chemical responses of poison frogs to seasonal changes, finding stronger behavioral adaptation than hormonal or chemical shifts.

Faunal and Floral Assemblages of the Zavitan (Zvitan) Stream near Katzrin (Central Golan Heights, Israel) and Their Influence on Amphibians

The paper examines amphibian species in the Zvitan Stream near Katzrin, linking their distribution to environmental factors like water availability and elevation.

Taxonomic, geographic, and phylogenetic patterns in the conservation status of the squamate reptiles (Reptilia: Squamata) of Colombia

This study examines taxonomic, geographic, and phylogenetic patterns of threatened and endemic squamate reptiles in Colombia, identifying conservation priorities based on species richness, endemism, and extinction risk.

Environmental Drivers of Calling Activity in a Southern Subtropical Anuran Assemblage: Insights from Passive Acoustic Monitoring

The paper examines environmental drivers of calling activity in Boana pulchella using passive acoustic monitoring, finding photoperiod significantly affects vocalization patterns.

Microevolutionary trends of tooth complexity in the Ibiza wall lizard, Podarcis pityusensis, mirror macroevolutionary trends in squamates

The paper quantifies tooth complexity in eight populations of Podarcis pityusensis to assess its relationship with diet, finding increasing complexity correlates with herbivory, mirroring macroevolutionary trends.

Effects of tree plantations on population and roosting ecology of an endemic agamid lizard in Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot

The paper compares the population and roosting ecology of an endemic lizard across different land-use types in the Western Ghats, finding higher densities in low-elevation forests than plantations.

A New Species of Pachytriton from Anhui, China (Amphibia: Caudata: Salamandridae)

The paper describes a new salamander species, Pachytriton, from Anhui, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses.

Experimental insights on the behaviour and development of Near Eastern Fire salamanders (Salamandra infraimmaculata) indicate general strategies to cope with aquatic predators

The study examines anti-predator strategies of Near Eastern Fire salamanders in the presence of fish, finding general adaptations rather than site-specific ones.

FROM FEAR TO FEAST: RATTLESNAKES NAVIGATE THE LANDSCAPE OF FEAR TO OPTIMIZE FORAGING

This study shows rattlesnakes select foraging times and locations where prey encounter probability exceeds predator detection risk, aligning with optimal foraging theory.

First occurrence of Ranavirus in Scandinavian peninsula

The paper detects Ranavirus in two of three locations in southeastern Sweden, marking the first confirmed occurrence in the Scandinavian peninsula.

Mitigation of chytrid infection on tadpoles with the antimicrobial metabolites of Xenorhabdus szentirmaii

This study tests the effectiveness of Xenorhabdus szentirmaii antimicrobial metabolites in reducing chytrid fungus infection in yellow-bellied toad tadpoles, finding reduced infection intensity but variable efficacy across populations.

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.

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.

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.