Is long-distance translocation an effective mitigation tool for white-lipped pit vipers ( Trimeresurus albolabris ) in South China?

Translocation of ‘nuisance’ snakes is frequently employed on a large scale in densely populated areas in order to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. However, the methods used are often applied haphazardly and are rarely evaluated, especially in tropical Asia. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of long-distance translocation on the white-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) in South China, where they are routinely removed from urban areas or homes and translocated into national parks. Using radio telemetry, we compared the ecology and biology of ‘resident’ and ‘translocated’ snakes to determine if long-distance translocation (\u3e 3 km) is a viable conservation option. Translocation extended the period over which predation occurred and significantly decreased survival. Translocated snakes made unidirectional movements away from points of release, yet these movements were not oriented towards points of origin and there was no evidence for homing behavior. Translocation significantly increased frequency of movements and distances moved by female snakes, but no such differences were observed for male snakes. In contrast with resident snakes, translocated snakes did not show synchrony in the onset of brumation, and translocation appeared to negatively affect reproduction in both males and females. Our results suggest that long-distance translocation is not the best management approach to handle nuisance individuals of this species. Findings of this study can be used to prescribe improvements for current strategies to deal with nuisance snakes in Hong Kong and in the region

Assortative mixing in eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) spatial networks is driven by landscape features

Abstract Biotic and abiotic factors drive assortative mixing (preference for or sorting with individuals with similar characteristics) in animal populations on a landscape, with implications for dispersal, population structuring, and other ecological and evolutionary processes. However, patterns and generative mechanisms of assortative mixing are overlooked in amphibians outside of specific life history events such as reproduction. The aims of this project were to determine whether there is assortative mixing by size and life history category in eastern spadefoots (Scaphiopus holbrookii), whether these patterns are preserved across time and spatial scale, and quantify the nature and relative role of various habitat and soil features in explaining observed patterns in spatial organization of individuals. We conducted field surveys in southeastern Virginia, USA, in 2016 and 2017 during nonbreeding periods to create spatial networks of S. holbrookii. We quantified spatial assortativity by size and life history stage and evaluated the roles of multiple landscape features in explaining spatial organization of S. holbrookii. We found that S. holbrookii sorted spatially by size and sex outside of breeding periods, with juveniles and adults less likely to sort with each other. Within each life history stage, S. holbrookii sorted by size. These patterns were similar across time and spatial scale. Soil and habitat types had no effect on assortativity. Instead, the distance to nearest breeding pool, wetland, and meadow were related to life history stage assortativity, as well as size assortativity in males and subadults. Adult males and females displayed affinity for breeding pools and meadows and avoidance of other types of wetlands, while subadults and nonbreeding adults showed opposite patterns compared with breeding adults. Our results indicate that (1) previously established guidelines for the minimum size of buffer zones to protect wetland‐breeding amphibians may be inadequate, (2) nonbreeding wetlands may be important core habitat for subadults, and (3) the upland spatial organization of amphibians may be used to predict locations of undetected breeding pools

Confirmation bias perpetuates century-old ecological misconception: Evidence against \u27Secretive\u27 behavior of Eastern Spadefoots

Despite a 1944 publication questioning the misconception that Eastern Spadefoots (Scaphiopus holbrookii) and other Scaphiopodidae are \u27secretive\u27 outside of rain-induced migration and breeding aggregations, confirmation bias has perpetuated this fallacy. As a result, S. holbrookii is one of the least studied frogs in the United States. Amassing a large postmetamorphic dataset, we examined the misconception that S. holbrookii are secretive outside of breeding aggregates or optimal environmental conditions. Using eyeshine spotlighting, we conducted transect, mark-recapture, and haphazard spotlighting surveys in Virginia and Rhode Island forests. Although no breeding events or migration occurred during this study, we detected thousands of postmetamorphic S. holbrookii in Virginia and dozens in Rhode Island, the majority of which were subadults-a demographic category severely overlooked in the literature. These results are in direct contradiction with historical surveys of our sites. Spotlighting was an efficient method of detecting S. holbrookii eyeshine in forests, which were easily differentiated from arthropod eyeshine. Minimal effort was needed to detect the presence of S. holbrookii in Virginia and Rhode Island, even though both states have different climates and S. holbrookii densities. We also discovered a previously undetected population in Rhode Island. Scaphiopus holbrookii of all postmetamorphic size classes emerged regularly from burrows, even with no precipitation. We discuss how confirmation bias and lack of appropriate field methods for nonbreeding life history stages has fueled the misconception that S. holbrookii are difficult to find outside of optimal weather conditions, which has hindered progress studying the ecology and conservation of this species

The inclusion of children and adolescents in tuberculosis diagnostic development and evaluation-a consensus statement

The diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis remains a challenge due to the non-specificity of symptoms and the paucibacillary nature of tuberculosis in children. However, in the development of new tuberculosis diagnostics, the unique needs of children and adolescents are rarely considered in the design process, with delays in evaluation and approval. No clear guidance is available on when and how to include children and adolescents in tuberculosis diagnostic development and evaluation. To address this gap, we conducted a Delphi consensus process with 42 stakeholders, including one qualitative and two quantitative rounds. Consensus was achieved on 20 statements, with agreement that the needs and perspectives of children, adolescents, and their caregivers should be incorporated throughout diagnostic design and evaluation. Opportunities exist for the early use of well characterised samples and prospective enrolment of children and adolescents in tuberculosis diagnostic evaluation, with consideration of the type of test, expected benefit, and potential risks. Pathogen-based tests might be initially optimised and assessed in adults and adolescents, but parallel evaluation in children is needed for host-based tests. Late-stage evaluation and implementation studies should examine combination testing and integration into clinical algorithms. The statements support collaboration between developers, researchers, regulators, and users to widen and accelerate the diagnostic pipeline for paediatric tuberculosis