Amphibian Biology and Husbandry

Abstract

Extant amphibians comprise three lineages-salamanders (Urodela or Caudata), frogs and toads (Anura), and caecilians (Gymnophiona, Apoda, or Caecilia)-which contain more than 6000 species. Fewer than a dozen species of amphibians are commonly maintained in laboratory colonies, and the husbandry requirements for the vast majority of amphibians are poorly known. For these species, a review of basic characteristics of amphibian biology supplemented by inferences drawn from the morphological and physiological characteristics of the species in question provides a basis for decisions about housing and feeding. Amphibians are ectotherms, and their skin is permeable to water, ions, and respiratory gases. Most species are secretive and, in many cases, nocturnal. The essential characteristics of their environment include appropriate levels of humidity, temperature, and lighting as well as retreat sites. Terrestrial and arboreal species require moist substrates, water dishes, and high relative humidity. Because temperature requirements for most species are poorly known, it is advisable to use a temperature mosaic that will allow an animal to find an appropriate temperature within its cage. Photoperiod may affect physiology and behavior (especially reproduction and hibernation), and although the importance of ultraviolet light for calcium metabolism by amphibians is not yet known, ecological observations suggest that it might be important for some species of frogs. Some amphibians are territorial, and some use olfactory cues to mark their territory and to recognize other individuals of their species. All amphibians are carnivorous as adults, and the feeding response of many species is elicited by the movement of prey. Diets should include a mixture of prey species, and it may be advisable to load prey with vitamins and minerals.

First line of defence: the role of sloughing in the regulation of cutaneous microbes in frogs

“…2 ). The cabinets were programmed to reflect normal fluctuating temperatures typical of a summer's (23–33°C) or winter's (13–23°C) day in south east Queensland, Australia (Australian Bureau of Meteorology, ) and which were within the thermal tolerances of L. caerulea ( Johnson, 1971 ; Browne et al , 2007 ; Pough, 2007 ; Sammon et al , 2010 ). Frogs were checked for loss of marks every 2 h between 09.00 and 17.00 h for 33 days.…”

An investigation of toe‐tapping behaviour in anurans by analysis of online video resources

“…The understanding of anuran, and other amphibian, feeding behaviours is far from complete and misconceptions about stereotyped feeding mechanics resulting from studies on a limited number of model taxa are being replaced by the concept that there is a far greater variety of behaviours than previously thought (Deban, James & Nishikawa, 2001). Anuran diets range from insects to crustaceans to small vertebrate species, with some species exhibiting cannibalistic behaviour (Harvey Pough, 2007). While specialist anurans have been reported (e.g.…”

“…Their diets and the stimuli used to locate food may vary since the particular species present in an anuran's habitat constitute its prey (Browne, 2009). Terrestrial anuran species require live prey as visual prey detection is dependent on movement (Harvey Pough, 2007). As a result of the relatively sedentary predation mode, anurans generally have less opportunities for catching prey than actively hunting species do.…”

Effect of carotenoid class and dose on the larval growth and development of the critically endangered southern corroboree frog

“…These programs are widely considered to be critical for insuring species survival, but many programs experience low success due to difficulties associated with efficiently producing large numbers of viable individuals (Dolman et al , 2015). In many cases, this impediment relates to a lack of knowledge regarding nutritional requirements (Pough, 2007; Thangaraj and Lipton, 2008; Ferrie et al , 2014). Accordingly, there has been an emerging focus on manipulating the diets of captive animals, with a view toward improving the growth and development of individuals, as well as the size and overall viability of captive populations (Thangaraj and Lipton, 2008; Li et al , 2009; Ogilvy et al , 2012; Byrne and Silla, 2017).…”