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Regnet RA, Rech I, Rödder D, Solé M. Captive breeding, embryonic and larval development of Ranitomeyavariabilis (Zimmermann & Zimmermann, 1988), (Anura, Dendrobatidae). Zookeys 2023; 1172:131-153. [PMID: 37547178 PMCID: PMC10398561 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1172.98603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A solid basis to address the conservation challenges of amphibians requires an increased knowledge on their natural history and biology. Recent data on reproductive modes in amphibians suggest that they are much more complex and variable than previously thought but understudied. However, detailed information on the reproductive history is especially important to fill the current knowledge gaps. Following recent taxonomic changes in Ranitomeyavariabilis, information about captive-breeding management, image-based measurements of total length and surface area of the silhouette for individuals from embryonic to metamorphic development, and detailed larval staging for captive-bred specimens are provided from French Guiana. The development of R.variabilis from the stage eight (Gosner 1960) through metamorphosis took 79 to 91 days (n = 6) with a survival rate of 46%. The developmental stages largely matched those of the generalized staging system of Gosner (1960), with differences in the stages when labia and teeth differentiation and atrophy of the oral apparatus occurred. Compared with other studies the total length of R.variabilis tadpoles was greater at given stages than those of R.variabilis from a Peruvian population and those of the sister species, R.amazonica. Other studies concerning growth curves based on surface area data revealed that R.variabilis tadpoles at peak size were larger than those of R.amazonica, R.imitator, R.reticulata, R.sirensis, and R.vanzolinii, but smaller than R.benedicta. Our results represent the first embryonic and larval staging for R.variabilis, and detailed information is provided on their initial life phases. These data may facilitate the identification of R.variabilis tadpoles in the wild, as well helping to clarify the biogeographical distribution and taxonomic arrangement of the species. In addition, knowledge is added to the captive-breeding methodology for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Anastasia Regnet
- LIB, Museum Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, D-53113 Bonn, GermanyMuseum KoenigBonnGermany
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900 Salobrinho, Ilhéus, Bahia, BrazilUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
| | - Inna Rech
- LIB, Museum Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, D-53113 Bonn, GermanyMuseum KoenigBonnGermany
| | - Dennis Rödder
- LIB, Museum Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, D-53113 Bonn, GermanyMuseum KoenigBonnGermany
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900 Salobrinho, Ilhéus, Bahia, BrazilUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
| | - Mirco Solé
- LIB, Museum Koenig, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Adenauerallee 127, D-53113 Bonn, GermanyMuseum KoenigBonnGermany
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662-900 Salobrinho, Ilhéus, Bahia, BrazilUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
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Higgins K, Guerrel J, Lassiter E, Mooers A, Palen WJ, Ibáñez R. Observations on spindly leg syndrome in a captive population of Andinobates geminisae. Zoo Biol 2021; 40:330-341. [PMID: 33734478 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian health problems of unknown cause limit the success of the growing number of captive breeding programs. Spindly leg syndrome (SLS) is one such disease, where affected individuals with underdeveloped limbs often require euthanization. We experimentally evaluated husbandry-related factors of SLS in a captive population of the critically endangered frog, Andinobates geminisae. SLS has been linked to tadpole nutrition, vitamin B deficiency, water filtration methods, and water quality, but few of these have been experimentally tested. We tested the effects of water filtration method and vitamin supplementation (2017) and the effects of tadpole husbandry protocol intensity (2018) on time to metamorphosis and the occurrence of SLS. We found that vitamin supplementation and reconstituted reverse osmosis filtration of tadpole rearing water significantly reduced SLS prevalence and that reduced tadpole husbandry delayed time to metamorphosis. A fortuitous accident in 2018 resulted in a decrease in the phosphate content of rearing water, which afforded us an additional opportunity to assess the influence of phosphate on calcium sequestration. We found that tadpoles that had more time to sequester calcium for ossification during development had decreased the prevalence of SLS. Taken together, our results suggest that the qualities of the water used to rear tadpoles plays an important role in the development of SLS. Specifically, filtration method, vitamin supplementation, and calcium availability of tadpole rearing water may play important roles. Focused experiments are still needed, but our findings provide important information for amphibian captive rearing programs affected by high SLS prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Higgins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jorge Guerrel
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, Republic of Panama
| | - Elliot Lassiter
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, Republic of Panama
| | - Arne Mooers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wendy J Palen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roberto Ibáñez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, Republic of Panama
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, SENACYT, Panamá, Republic of Panama
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