The unexpectedly dull tadpole of Madagascar’s largest frog, Mantidactylus guttulatus

The Madagascar-endemic mantellid genus Mantidactylus contains one subclade with two described frog species characterized by very large body sizes. This subclade is classified as the subgenus Mantidactylus and is widespread in eastern and northern Madagascar, but their reproductive biology and larval stages are still unknown. We here provide a detailed description of the larvae of one species in this subgenus, M. guttulatus, on the basis of genetic assignment (16S DNA barcoding). The tadpoles were collected in the dry season from shallow waters near a stream in the Mahajanga Province in northwestern Madagascar. Their body and tail shape is remarkably generalized as typical for stream-adapted tadpoles, and the oral disc and labial keratodont row formula (4(2-4)/3(1)) are similar to those of other lotic mantellid frog larvae with generalized mouthparts like those in the subgenus Brygoomantis. The well-separated positions of these subgenera in the mantellid phylogeny suggest extensive homoplasy in the evolution of larval mouthpart morphology within Mantidactylus

Population genetic analysis of the recently rediscovered Hula painted frog (Latonia nigriventer) reveals high genetic diversity and low inbreeding

After its recent rediscovery, the Hula painted frog (Latonia nigriventer) has remained one of the world’s rarest and least understood amphibian species. Together with its apparently low dispersal capability and highly disturbed niche, the low abundance of this living fossil calls for urgent conservation measures. We used 18 newly developed microsatellite loci and four different models to calculate the effective population size (Ne) of a total of 125 Hula painted frog individuals sampled at a single location. We compare the Ne estimates to the estimates of potentially reproducing adults in this population (Nad) determined through a capture-recapture study on 118 adult Hula painted frogs captured at the same site. Surprisingly, our data suggests that, despite Nad estimates of only ~234–244 and Ne estimates of ~16.6–35.8, the species appears to maintain a very high genetic diversity (HO = 0.771) and low inbreeding coefficient (FIS = −0.018). This puzzling outcome could perhaps be explained by the hypotheses of either genetic rescue from one or more unknown Hula painted frog populations nearby or by recent admixture of genetically divergent subpopulations. Independent of which scenario is correct, the original locations of these populations still remain to be determined

The unexpectedly dull tadpole of Madagascar’s largest frog, <em>Mantidactylus guttulatus</em>

The Madagascar-endemic mantellid genus Mantidactylus contains one subclade with two described frog species characterized by very large body sizes. This subclade is classified as the subgenus Mantidactylus and is widespread in eastern and northern Madagascar, but their reproductive biology and larval stages are still unknown. We here provide a detailed description of the larvae of one species in this subgenus, M. guttulatus, on the basis of genetic assignment (16S DNA barcoding). The tadpoles were collected in the dry season from shallow waters near a stream in the Mahajanga Province in northwestern Madagascar. Their body and tail shape is remarkably generalized as typical for stream-adapted tadpoles, and the oral disc and labial keratodont row formula (4(2-4)/3(1)) are similar to those of other lotic mantellid frog larvae with generalized mouthparts like those in the subgenus Brygoomantis. The well-separated positions of these subgenera in the mantellid phylogeny suggest extensive homoplasy in the evolution of larval mouthpart morphology within Mantidactylus

The phylogeography of Middle Eastern tree frogs in Israel

Abstract Western Palearctic treefrogs of the genus Hyla provide an example of a morphologically and ecologically cryptic group. Up to three distinct Hyla species have been proposed as resident in Israel and this number has consistently been subject to taxonomical debates. Here, we analyzed 16S rRNA and COI gene fragments of 658 individuals sampled at 47 pools in nine regions across Israel and the West Bank in order to resolve the taxonomic status of Hyla frogs. We generated both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenies, and constructed time-calibrated trees to provide an evolutionary and historical context of sequence variations. We further applied SAMOVA as well as Monmonier’s maximum-difference algorithm to study the genetic structure among populations and to identify potential zones acting as barriers to gene flow across locations. Our results revealed two distinct haplogroups for each gene fragment, with 95% CI divergence times dated from 8.9–17.1 Mya (16S) and 7.1–23.6 Mya (COI), respectively. SAMOVA and barrier analyses partitioned the populations into three groups. Our results highlight that, while there are probably only two Hyla species in Israel, one population of one of the species might qualify as a separate evolutionarily significant unit. Our findings elucidate the taxonomic status of Hyla frogs in Israel and provide the basis for determining appropriate management and conservation priorities

Supplementary Figure 2: LEfSe-identified OTUs with greater abundance on frogs from Skin microbiota differs drastically between co-occurring frogs and newts

Relative abundance patterns of LEfSe identified OTUs with greater abundance on frogs. Relative abundance plots for the additional ten OTUs detected by LEfSe analysis to be differentially more abundant on frogs at each sampled location

Development of new microsatellite markers for the Green Toad, Bufotes viridis, to assess population structure at its northwestern range boundary in Germany

The Green Toad (Bufotes viridis) in Germany is mostly confined to secondary habitats and is experiencing severe population declines especially at its northwestern range boundary in the city of Cologne. As a basis for conservation management of this species, viz. to investigate the status of the population structure, we used a library of over 15,000 short tandem repeats to establish a new set of 12 microsatellite markers for this species. We applied these markers to B. viridis individuals from six sampling sites in Cologne, and included outgroup samples from sites in northern and central Germany. The results suggest the sampled Cologne toads form four distinct populations, without an obvious distinction between sites east and west of the river Rhine. Only the green toads of three neighbouring sampling sites clustered as one population, supporting the initial hypothesis that individuals from proximate sampling sites are genetically more similar than those from more isolated sampling sites. However, mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed a haplotype east of the Rhine that was absent west of the river. Toads from the northernmost sampled population in Cologne Ginsterpfad were not genetically depauperate, indicating that the severe declines at this site did not lead to a loss of genetic variation and were not related to inbreeding. Some Ginsterpfad individuals were genetically highly distinct from others, which may be explained by human introduction. Despite the encountered population structure, the low number of private alleles in the populations west of the Rhine, and the uniformity in mitochondrial haplotypes with the exception of one deviant allele east of the Rhine, lead us to recommend a pragmatic approach for conservation management. We suggest to consider all Cologne Green toads as belonging to a single management unit, but propose that, wherever possible, populations east and west of the Rhine should not be mixed in reintroduction measures

First detection of the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in Germany

The emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis is one of the major factors triggering global amphibian declines. A recently discovered species of chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), likely originated in East Asia, has led to massive declines in populations of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) after its apparent introduction to the Netherlands and Belgium. Here, we report the first detection of this pathogen in Germany where it caused mass mortality of fire salamanders in a captive collection. Salamanders from this collection showed an almost 100% prevalence of infection with Bsal. Supposed Bsal-induced mortality occurred in multiple Salamandra species (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. corsica, and S. infraimmaculata), while Bsal infection was confirmed in nine subspecies of S. salamandra and in S. algira. Our study indicates that this pathogen can potentially infect all fire salamander species and subspecies. If Bsal spreads from captive collections to wild populations, then a similar devastating effect associated with high mortality should be expected