A flagship for Austral temperate forest conservation: an action plan for Darwin's frogs brings key stakeholders together

Darwin’s frogs Rhinoderma darwinii and Rhinoderma rufum are the only known species of amphibians in which males brood their offspring in their vocal sacs. We propose these frogs as flagship species for the conservation of the Austral temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. This recommendation forms part of the vision of the Binational Conservation Strategy for Darwin’s Frogs, which was launched in 2018. The strategy is a conservation initiative led by the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, which in 2017 convened 30 governmental, non-profit and private organizations from Chile, Argentina and elsewhere. Darwin’s frogs are iconic examples of the global amphibian conservation crisis: R. rufum is categorized as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) on the IUCN Red List, and R. darwinii as Endangered. Here we articulate the conservation planning process that led to the development of the conservation strategy for these species and present its main findings and recommendations. Using an evidence-based approach, the Binational Conservation Strategy for Darwin’s Frogs contains a comprehensive status review of Rhinoderma spp., including critical threat analyses, and proposes 39 prioritized conservation actions. Its goal is that by 2028, key information gaps on Rhinoderma spp. will be filled, the main threats to these species will be reduced, and financial, legal and societal support will have been achieved. The strategy is a multi-disciplinary, transnational endeavour aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of these unique frogs and their particular habitat

Artenschutz einer gefährdeten Amphibienart: Krankheitsbefall und genetische Populationsstrukturierung bei Gelbbauchunken (Bombina variegata)

Pröhl H, Bourke J, Oswald P, Rodriguez A, Wagner N, Buschmann H. Artenschutz einer gefährdeten Amphibienart: Krankheitsbefall und genetische Populationsstrukturierung bei Gelbbauchunken (Bombina variegata).; 2018

Colour change in Darwin's frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii, Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Rhinodermatidae)

Bourke, Johara, Barrientos, Carlos, Ortiz, Juan C., Busse, Klaus, Böhme, Wolfgang, Bakker, Theo C. M. (2011): Colour change in Darwin's frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii, Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Rhinodermatidae). Journal of Natural History 45 (43-44): 2661-2668, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2011.597885, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2011.59788

Locality, time and heterozygosity affect chytrid infection in yellow-bellied toads

Oswald P, Rodríguez A, Bourke J, et al. Locality, time and heterozygosity affect chytrid infection in yellow-bellied toads. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 2020;142:225-237.The chytrid fungus (Bd) infects numerous amphibian species worldwide and is suggested to drive population declines and extinction events. We report a study of Bd infection at the northernmost distribution of the European yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata). A total of 577 individuals from ponds in 16 study sites were sampled for DNA and Bd throughout the breeding season. Microsatellite genotyping revealed three genetic clusters for the host B. variegata with an overall low genetic diversity. One of the clusters displayed a low microsatellite heterozygosity, a high inbreeding coefficient as well as high Bd infection prevalence and Bd infection intensities. Multi-model estimates identified site, time of sampling, and heterozygosity to be important predictors of an individual’s Bd infection status and identified a strong effect of site on individual Bd infection intensity. The study site effects are suggestive of localized infection peaks and the increase of individual Bd infection probabilities towards the end of the sampling period suggests cumulative infection during the breeding season. This study highlights the need for regular monitoring of Bd infection variables at multiple localities and times to gain insights into Bd dynamics. Due to the detected relationship between individual Bd infection status and heterozygosity, conservation measures should focus on the maintenance of high genetic diversity and connectivity within and among amphibian populations