Ten microsatellite loci for the strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio)

We describe primers and PCR conditions to amplify nine new tetranucleotide loci and one new dinucleotide locus isolated from the strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio). In 21 individuals from Costa Rica, the number of alleles ranged from 4 to 16, observed heterozygosities from 40 to 100%, and polymorphic information content ranged from 0.60 to 0.90 per locus. Evidence for linkage disequilibrium was found only between two loci, but this pattern was not found in other populations tested. All primer pairs cross-amplified in Oophaga vicentei from Panama

A genetically-informed population viability analysis reveals conservation priorities for an isolated population of Hyla arborea

Population Viability Analysis (PVA) is a commonly used tool to predict the fate of endangered populations. However, although amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrates, PVAs have so far been underrepresented in their conservation management. In the last decades, the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) has experienced drastic declines mainly caused by habitat fragmentation and loss of suitable breeding sites. In the present study, we used the PVA software VORTEX to predict the viability of a H. arborea population, comprising about 70 adults and inhabiting an isolated pond in the region of Hannover (Germany), by combining life history data with genotypic information derived from eight polymorphic microsatellite markers. The PVA revealed a high probability of extinction over the next 50 years, with juvenile survival being a crucial demographic parameter for population persistence. Simulated immigration through metapopulation processes or population supplementation prevented genetic erosion, and markedly increased the probability of population survival. Future management interventions should consider pond management to enhance survival at early stages, and the creation of migration corridors to allow connectivity with adjacent demes and/or the translocation of individuals. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies which applies a genetically-informed PVA to the management of endangered anuran amphibians

Geographic Variation in Advertisement Calls in a Tree Frog Species: Gene Flow and Selection Hypotheses

In a species with a large distribution relative to its dispersal capacity, geographic variation in traits may be explained by gene flow, selection, or the combined effects of both. Studies of genetic diversity using neutral molecular markers show that patterns of isolation by distance (IBD) or barrier effect may be evident for geographic variation at the molecular level in amphibian species. However, selective factors such as habitat, predator, or interspecific interactions may be critical for geographic variation in sexual traits. We studied geographic variation in advertisement calls in the tree frog Hyla japonica to understand patterns of variation in these traits across Korea and provide clues about the underlying forces for variation.We recorded calls of H. japonica in three breeding seasons from 17 localities including localities in remote Jeju Island. Call characters analyzed were note repetition rate (NRR), note duration (ND), and dominant frequency (DF), along with snout-to-vent length.The findings of a barrier effect on DF and a longitudinal variation in NRR seemed to suggest that an open sea between the mainland and Jeju Island and mountain ranges dominated by the north-south Taebaek Mountains were related to geographic variation in call characters. Furthermore, there was a pattern of IBD in mitochondrial DNA sequences. However, no comparable pattern of IBD was found between geographic distance and call characters. We also failed to detect any effects of habitat or interspecific interaction on call characters.Geographic variations in call characters as well as mitochondrial DNA sequences were largely stratified by geographic factors such as distance and barriers in Korean populations of H. japonica. Although we did not detect effects of habitat or interspecific interaction, some other selective factors such as sexual selection might still be operating on call characters in conjunction with restricted gene flow

Sole coloration as an unusual aposematic signal in a Neotropical toad

Many animals have evolved remarkable strategies to avoid predation. In diurnal, toxic harlequin toads (Atelopus) from the Amazon basin, we find a unique colour signal. Some Atelopus populations have striking red soles of the hands and feet, visible only when walking. When stationary, the toads are hard to detect despite their yellow-black dorsal coloration. Consequently, they switch between high and low conspicuousness. Interestingly, some populations lack the extra colour display of the soles. We found comprehensive support that the red coloration can act as an aposematic signal directed towards potential predators: red soles are significantly more conspicuous than soles lacking red coloration to avian predators and the presence of the red signal significantly increases detection. Further, toads with red soles show bolder behaviour by using higher sites in the vegetation than those lacking this signal. Field experiments hint at a lower attack risk for clay models with red soles than for those lacking the signal, in a population where the red soles naturally occur. We suggest that the absence of the signal may be explained by a higher overall attack risk or potential differences of predator community structure between populations. © 2019, The Author(s)

On the distinctive call of a threatened phenotype of Allobates femoralis (Anura: Aromobatidae) and its recognition by allopatric conspecific males

ABSTRACT The brilliant-thighed frog [Allobates femoralis (Boulenger, 1884)]; is distributed across the Amazon basin and aggregates several allopatric evolutionary lineages, some of which present variation in their advertisement calls. In 2009, an unregistered call phenotype was discovered in the region of Altamira and Vitória do Xingu, State of Pará, Brazil, where males emit advertisement calls formed by six notes, differing from the typical four-note calls described for other A. femoralis populations. In this study, we describe in detail these untypical calls. Additionally, we test whether the aggressive responses of males of a 4-note reference population (Reserva Ducke - RFAD, in Manaus, State of Amazonas) is differential towards the 6-note calls of males recorded in Altamira (Pará State), and towards 4-note calls recorded in one location at the Tapajós-Xingu interfluve (Belterra, Pará State), and in RFAD. Playback experiments were conducted between 2011-2012, and used standardized stimuli produced from natural call recordings. A total of 30 independent experiments were conducted, 10 for each stimuli class. We measured the phonotaxis of focal males in relation to the loudspeaker, considering the time to orientation and the time to approach the loudspeaker. We found that not all A. femoralis males at RFAD promptly recognize calls from males recorded in Altamira. However, when considering only males who approached the loudspeaker, differences in aggressive reactions were not seen between stimuli classes. Our findings show that the ability to recognize calls from Altamira as belonging to co-specific males is not universal among males at RFAD. The new A. femoralis phenotype occurs in areas potentially impacted by the Belo Monte hydroelectric complex and complementary studies indicate that no gene flow exists between this group and A. femoralis from adjacent regions. Hence, developments in Altamira may put this incipient speciation process at risk