The Biology and Recent History of the Critically Endangered Kihansi Spray Toad Nectophrynoides Asperginis in Tanzania

Channing, Alan; Finlow-Bates, K. Siobain; Haarklau, Svein Erik; Hawkes, Peter G.

doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2006)95[117:tbarho]2.0.co;2

Cited by 56 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Mortality of all KST following a chytridiomycosis outbreak has previously been observed at the Bronx Zoo (McAloose et al 2008). This susceptibility, and the rapid deaths observed at the Kihansi facility, support the sharp population declines of wild toads observed in 2003 and their proposed chytridiomycosis-mediated extinction (Weldon & du Preez 2004, Channing et al 2006. Chloramphenicol and itraconazole have been successfully used in treating amphibian chytridiomycosis (For zán et al 2008, Tamukai et al 2011, Young et al 2012 man & Pessier 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…The spray wetlands in the Kihansi gorge are generated by falls of the Kihansi River along the steep edge of the eastern escarpment of the southern Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania (Channing et al 2006). At the time of species description and immediately afterwards, the KST was classified as Critically Endangered due to its restricted geographical range and the decreased water flow caused by the commissioning of the Lower Kihansi Hydropower Project (Poynton et al 1998, Channing et al 2006. The loss and modification of habitat and associated toad population fluctuations led to the translocation of 499 toads from the Kihansi spray wetlands to zoos in the USA in 2000 (Krajick 2006, Lee et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), and/or pesticides in flushed dam sediments have contributed to the KST population extinction in the wild (Weldon & du Preez 2004, Channing et al 2006, Krajick 2006. Some of the KST specimens recovered from the 2003 mass mortalities in the Kihansi spray wetlands were diagnosed with chytridiomycosis (Weldon & du Preez 2004), and chytridiomycosis in KST has been recorded in captivity at the Bronx Zoo (McAloose et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in Kihansi spray toads at a captive breeding facility (Kihansi, Tanzania)

Makange

Kulaya²,

Biseko³

et al. 2014

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the aetiological agent of amphibian chytridiomycosis, a disease associated with global amphibian population declines. In November 2012, mass mortalities of Kihansi spray toads Nectophrynoides asperginis were observed at the Kihansi captive breeding facility, located in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Mortalities increased rapidly, and dead toads showed typical clinical signs of chytridiomycosis, including reddening of the skin that was especially evident on the toe pads. Treatment of toads with itraconazole rapidly reduced mortalities. Dead toads (n = 49) were collected and used to perform Bd-specific polymerase chain reaction and subsequent nucleotide sequencing. All toads collected at the facility were positive for Bd. The obtained Bd 5.8S rRNA gene and flanking internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) were not 100% identical to any other Bd sequences in GenBank, but closely resembled isolates from Ecuador, Japan, USA, Brazil, Korea, and South Africa. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting molecular characteristics of Bd isolated from the Udzungwa Mountains. Strict biosecurity measures at the breeding facility and in Kihansi spray wetlands where toads have been reintroduced have been implemented. Further studies on Bd epidemiology in the Udzungwa Mountains are recommended in order to understand its origin, prevalence, and molecular characteristics in wild amphibian populations. This will be important for conservation of several endemic amphibian species in the Udzungwa Mountains, which are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in Kihansi spray toads at a captive breeding facility (Kihansi, Tanzania)

Makange

Kulaya²,

Biseko³

et al. 2014

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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“…Although B. dendrobatidis was recorded no dead or moribund frogs were found, and it remains to be seen to what extent this pathogen is implicated in the declines. Although B. dendrobatidis is known to kill frogs elsewhere it has been associated with the decline of only a single species of African frog, Nectophrynoides asperginus in Tanzania, and even then habitat deterioration was also implicated (Weldon & du Preez, 2004;Channing et al, 2006). The Bale Mountains National Park is facing major challenges (Frankfurt Zoological Society, 2007), caused chiefly by the rapidly growing human population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term data for endemic frog genera reveal potential conservation crisis in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

Gower

Aberra²,

Schwaller

et al. 2013

Oryx

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Populations of many frogs have declined alarmingly in recent years, placing nearly one third of the . 6,000 species under threat of extinction. Declines have been attributed largely to habitat loss, environmental degradation and/or infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis. Many frogs undergo dramatic natural population fluctuations such that long-term data are required to determine population trends without undue influence of stochastic factors. We present long-term quantitative data (individuals encountered per person hour of searching) for four monotypic frog genera endemic to an Afromontane region of exceptional importance but growing conservation concern: one endemic to the Ethiopian highlands (Spinophrynoides osgoodi) and three endemic to the Bale Mountains (Altiphrynoides malcolmi, Balebreviceps hillmani, Ericabatrachus baleensis), collected during 15 field trips to the Bale Mountains between 1971 and 2009. Only a single confirmed sighting of S. osgoodi has been made since 1995. The other three species have also declined, at least locally. E. baleensis appears to have been extirpated at its type locality and at the same site B. hillmani has declined. These declines are in association with substantial habitat degradation caused by a growing human population. Chytrid fungus has been found on several frog species in Bale, although no dead or moribund frogs have been encountered. These results expose an urgent need for more amphibian surveys in the Bale Mountains. Additionally, we argue that detrimental human exploitation must be halted immediately in at least some parts of the Harenna Forest if a conservation crisis is to be averted.

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“…Chytrid fungus and/or accidental release of a pesticide have also been attributed to the decline of this species (Channing et al 2006). Equally vulnerable to habitat destruction is the recently described grey-faced sengi or elephant-shrew (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis).…”

Section: Habitat Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potentials of traditional African cultural practices in mitigating overexploitation of wildlife species and habitat loss: experience of Tanzania

Kideghesho

2009

International Journal of Biodiversity Science & Management

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Both colonial and post-colonial conservation policies ignored the potential role of traditional African cultural practices in contributing to conservation goals. Recently, there has been a growing global interest in these practices, although recognition in official conservation policies is still minimal in many countries. This global interest is enthused by the reality that although the use of wild species and their habitats remains the foundation for human survival all over the world, there is a huge risk of losing these species. Factors such as rapid human population increase, inadequate local support for conservation policies, limited strategies for survival among local communities and inadequate capacity of the government to fund law enforcement operations against illegal activities subject the species and habitats to unsustainable use. Traditional cultural practices, among other strategies, have promising potential to enhance sustainable resource use and conservation and, therefore, realize the desire for ecological and social sustainability. Using examples and data drawn from different parts of Tanzania, this paper attempts to uncover some of these potentials on which policy-makers and conservationists can capitalize to augment conservation work. The paper begins by reviewing the ecological impacts of two major conservation problems facing Tanzania -species overexploitation and habitat loss. Then the possible advantages of traditional cultural practices (compared to conventional conservation strategies) are outlined. The traditional practices are presented as more cost-effective, more socially acceptable and having minimal risk of failure. Furthermore, the idea of reviving these practices coincides with the philosophy of co-management approaches, which advocate sharing of power, rights and responsibilities between the state and local resource users. This is based on the idea that local communities constitute voices 'from the ground' that should be heard.In showing the efficacy of traditional African cultural practices, the paper specifically focuses on four elements: traditional institutions, taboos, sacred sites and totemic species.

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The Biology and Recent History of the Critically Endangered Kihansi Spray Toad Nectophrynoides Asperginis in Tanzania

Cited by 56 publications

References 5 publications

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in Kihansi spray toads at a captive breeding facility (Kihansi, Tanzania)

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in Kihansi spray toads at a captive breeding facility (Kihansi, Tanzania)

Long-term data for endemic frog genera reveal potential conservation crisis in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia

The potentials of traditional African cultural practices in mitigating overexploitation of wildlife species and habitat loss: experience of Tanzania

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