Academic literature on the topic 'Australian amphibians'
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Journal articles on the topic "Australian amphibians"
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Wynne, Felicity J. "Detection of ranavirus in endemic and threatened amphibian populations of the Australian Wet Tropics Region." Pacific Conservation Biology 26, no. 1 (2020): 93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc19009.
Full textAbstract:
The amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) has driven severe amphibian declines in the Australian tropics. These declines have resulted in species extirpations and extinctions, with many surviving in small, highly threatened populations. Despite the fragility of remaining populations, another group of lethal pathogens, ranaviruses, have rarely been investigated among native amphibians. Ranaviruses have previously been associated with fish, reptile and amphibian mortality events in Australia, yet remain poorly understood here, especially among amphibian hosts. Here, quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect ranavirus presence from eight of 17 tested sites containing populations of endangered and critically endangered Australian frog species. Although present in these populations, ranavirus seems to be at the lower bounds of detectability of the assay, which makes firm diagnosis at the individual level unreliable. Repeated (n=14) detections of this pathogen, however, are highly indicative of its presence at each area where it was detected. Therefore, these populations are likely often exposed to ranavirus. The results of this study are not characteristic of populations experiencing rapid disease-associated die-offs or declines, but further investigations should be undertaken to examine the potential drivers of these pathogens to predict future emergence and potential threats to endangered Australian amphibians.
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Hero, Jean-Marc, Clare Morrison, Graeme Gillespie, J. Dale Roberts, David Newell, Ed Meyer, Keith McDonald, et al. "Overview of the conservation status of Australian frogs." Pacific Conservation Biology 12, no. 4 (2006): 313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc060313.
Full textAbstract:
A review of the current conservation status of Australian amphibians was recently completed as part of a World Conservation Union (IUCN) sponsored Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA). Fifty of 216 amphibian species (23%) in Australia are now recognized as threatened or extinct in accord with IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Here we report on the categories and criteria under which individual species qualified for listing and provide a summary of supporting information pertaining to population and distribution declines. Major threatening processes contributing to listing of species are also reviewed.
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Maclaine, Alicia, Wytamma T. Wirth, Donald T. McKnight, Graham W. Burgess, and Ellen Ariel. "Ranaviruses in captive and wild Australian lizards." FACETS 5, no. 1 (January 1, 2020): 758–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0011.
Full textAbstract:
Ranaviral infections have been associated with mass mortality events in captive and wild amphibian, fish, and reptile populations globally. In Australia, two distinct types of ranaviruses have been isolated: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus in fish and a Frog virus 3-like ranavirus in amphibians. Experimental studies and serum surveys have demonstrated that several Australian native fish, amphibian, and reptile species are susceptible to infection and supported the theory that ranavirus is naturally circulating in Australian herpetofauna. However, ranaviral infections have not been detected in captive or wild lizards in Australia. Oral-cloacal swabs were collected from 42 wild lizards from northern Queensland and 83 captive lizards from private collections held across three states/territories. Samples were tested for ranaviral DNA using a quantitative PCR assay. This assay detected ranaviral DNA in 30/83 (36.1%) captive and 33/42 (78.6%) wild lizard samples. This is the first time molecular evidence of ranavirus has been reported in Australian lizards.
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Harlen, Russell. "Herpetology in Australia: A Diverse Discipline." Pacific Conservation Biology 3, no. 1 (1997): 76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc970076.
Full textAbstract:
Herpetology in Australia was published as a companion volume to the proceedings of the Second World Congress of Herpetology, held in Adelaide in 1993?94. It does not attempt to pre-empt nor duplicate the information presented at that conference, but to provide an Australian overview of the study and management of Australia's reptiles and amphibians. As such, Herpetology in Australia also complements, rather than competes with, other key works, such as Cogger's Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia; herpetofaunal systematics and biology, including evolution, reproduction and behaviour, under both natural and captive conditions, are but minor elements of this collection.
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Warren, A. Anne, Ross J. Damiani, and Adam M. Yates. "Palaeobiogeography of Australian fossil amphibians." Historical Biology 15, no. 1-2 (January 2001): 171–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10292380109380589.
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Delvinquier, BLJ. "Myxidium-Immersum (Protozoa, Myxosporea) of the Cane Toad, Bufo-Marinus, in Australian Anura, With a Synopsis of the Genus in Amphibians." Australian Journal of Zoology 34, no. 6 (1986): 843. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9860843.
Full textAbstract:
Myxidium immersum (Lutz, 1889), a gall-bladder protozoan parasite from South American Anura, is described for the first time in some Australian Anura. The cane toad, Bufo marinus, one of its natural hosts in South America, was introduced into Australia in 1935, and this led to the infection of native Australian frogs including: Hylidae, 12 species of Litoria; Myobatrachidae, four species of Limnodynastes, one each of Mixophyes, Ranidella and Uperoleia. Scanning electron microscope observations on the spore are reported. A synopsis of the Myxidium species in amphibians is presented. In explaining the present distribution of M. immersum in Australia, it is suggested that the life cycle of Myxidium species in amphibians involves an intermediate host which may become infected by swallowing trophozoites and spores; the tadpole may become infected by feeding on the intermediate host.
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Withers, PC. "Metabolic Depression During Estivation in the Australian Frogs, Neobatrachus and Cyclorana." Australian Journal of Zoology 41, no. 5 (1993): 467. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9930467.
Full textAbstract:
The standard metabolic rate (SMR) of a number of species of Western Australian frogs is similar to that predicted for other anuran amphibians. The metabolic rate during activity is elevated 10-20 times above SMR, in close agreement with other studies of the energetics of amphibian activity. Species of two genera, Neobatrachus and Cyclorana, readily enter aestivation, which involves cessation of activity, formation of an epidermal cocoon, and depression of metabolic rate below SMR. The magnitude of metabolic depression varies between species from 70 to 80% (i.e. aestivation metabolic rate is 20-30% of SMR). The variation in magnitude of metabolic depression most likely reflects, in part, the difficulty of distinguishing the early stages of aestivation from the normal resting state. Both standard and aestivating metabolic rate are strongly mass-dependent, but the magnitude of metabolic depression is remarkably consistent in a number of different genera of frogs, salamanders and fish. The metabolic rate of aestivating amphibians is similar to that predicted for a unicellular organism of equivalent body mass, but is substantially lower than the metabolic rate of aestivating mammals.
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Mcilroy, JC, DR King, and AJ Oliver. "The Sensitivity of Australian Animals to 1080 Poison VIII.* Amphibians and Reptiles." Wildlife Research 12, no. 1 (1985): 113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9850113.
Full textAbstract:
Amphibian and reptile species that have been tested in Australia are generally more tolerant to 1080 poison than are most other animals. The most common signs of poisoning amongst both groups of animals are a lack of movement or convulsions. Visible signs of poisoning first appeared from 13 h to almost 7 days after dosing. Deaths followed from 15 h to almost 22 days after dosing. It is unlikely that amphibians and reptiles face any direct poisoning risk from pest-poisoning campaigns involving 1080, given their high tolerance and the enormous amounts of poisoned bait that would have to be eaten. Some individuals, however, could be detrimentally affected through ingesting sublethal quantities of 1080.
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Bataille, Arnaud, Scott D. Cashins, Laura Grogan, Lee F. Skerratt, David Hunter, Michael McFadden, Benjamin Scheele, et al. "Susceptibility of amphibians to chytridiomycosis is associated with MHC class II conformation." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282, no. 1805 (April 22, 2015): 20143127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.3127.
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The pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) can cause precipitous population declines in its amphibian hosts. Responses of individuals to infection vary greatly with the capacity of their immune system to respond to the pathogen. We used a combination of comparative and experimental approaches to identify major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) alleles encoding molecules that foster the survival of Bd-infected amphibians. We found that Bd-resistant amphibians across four continents share common amino acids in three binding pockets of the MHC-II antigen-binding groove. Moreover, strong signals of selection acting on these specific sites were evident among all species co-existing with the pathogen. In the laboratory, we experimentally inoculated Australian tree frogs with Bd to test how each binding pocket conformation influences disease resistance. Only the conformation of MHC-II pocket 9 of surviving subjects matched those of Bd-resistant species. This MHC-II conformation thus may determine amphibian resistance to Bd, although other MHC-II binding pockets also may contribute to resistance. Rescuing amphibian biodiversity will depend on our understanding of amphibian immune defence mechanisms against Bd. The identification of adaptive genetic markers for Bd resistance represents an important step forward towards that goal.
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Barton, Diane P. "Ecology of helminth communities in tropical Australian amphibians." International Journal for Parasitology 29, no. 6 (June 1999): 921–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7519(99)00057-0.
Full textDissertations / Theses on the topic "Australian amphibians"
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McMaster, Kellie Anne. "Ecophysiology of Australian cocooning and non-cocooning, burrowing, desert frogs /." Connect to this title, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0138.
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McMaster, Kellie Anne. "Ecophysiology of Australian cocooning and non-cocooning, burrowing, desert frogs." University of Western Australia. School of Animal Biology, 2007. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2007.0138.
Full textAbstract:
[Truncated abstract] This thesis explores the ecophysiology of cocooning and non-cocooning Australian burrowing desert frogs in order to specify the details of these two alternative survival strategies. Many details of these life-history strategies have not previously been determined for Australian frogs. In this study the detailed method of function and formation of the cocoon itself was investigated for the first time, as were the moulting cycles, which drive cocoon formation. Cocooning species had consistently shorter inter-moult-periods than non-cocooning species, which is presumably adaptive, allowing production of cocoon layers at a faster rate. Transmission electron microscopy revealed cocoon formation in Cyclorana platycephala to be a plastic, rather than static adaptation. The initial stages of cocoon formation appear to be the most critical. Cocoon layer formation is fastest in the first month and the initial layers produced are thicker than subsequent layers. Also, only in this initial stage does layer thickness appear to be influenced by soil moisture. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the lips, eyelids and cloaca of cocooned frogs to be sealed by continuous layers of cocoon. However, it remains unclear precisely how the continuous junctions between cells from discreet sources, such as the upper and lower lip, are formed. Measurements of evaporative water loss and resistance over various relative humidity gradients suggested that water content within the cocoon structure is very low unless the external RH is > 93%. Therefore, anuran cocoon is confirmed to function as a specialised and highly effective barrier to water diffusion in arid-zone frogs. ... Within a dune swale, N. aquilonius burrows were an average depth of 1.13 m in loamy sand (clay = 6%, silt = 7%). Neobatrachus aquilonius excavated from the claypan had well formed cocoons, while those found in the dune swale had only one or two thin layers, indicating cocoon formation had only just commenced, although the last rainfall had been over six months prior. This suggests that N. aquilonius is able to switch between the cocooning and non-cocooning strategy in different soil types and different conditions. In summary, cocoon formation was found not to be an entirely passive accumulation of layers. Cocoon formation involved specialisation in the rate and thickness of epithelial layer production and the sealing of layers over lips, eyes and cloaca. Moreover, the cocoon was confirmed to operate effectively as a diffusion barrier at all except the highest external relative humidity. Like cocoon-forming species, Notaden nichollsi was found to metabolically depress to survive for longer periods underground. However, they cannot survive for the entire period
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Mann, Reinier Matthew. "Toxicological Impact of Agricultural Surfactants on Australian Frogs." Thesis, Curtin University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/522.
Full textAbstract:
Surfactants are one of the more ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic systems. Their importance as toxic components of pesticide formulations has, however, been largely overlooked. Amphibians particularly, as inhabitants of shallow, temporary and often lentic aquatic environments may be at risk from exposure to these chemicals when they enter aquatic systems. This thesis presents data on the toxicity of surfactants to amphibians. Several experimental exposures were conducted with embryo-larval, tadpole and adult developmental stages of the Australian species- Crinia insignifera, Helcioporus eyrei, Limnodynastes dorsalis and Litoria moorei and the exotic species- Bufo marinus and Xenopus laevis. Animals were variously exposed to glyphosate formulations that contain a high proportion of nonionic surfactants, or commercial pesticide wetting agents (alcohol alkoxylate and nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactants). Feeding stage tadpoles of C.insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei were exposed to three commercial glyphosate formulations, glyphosate isopropylamine and glyphosate acid in static-renewal acute toxicity tests. The 48-h LC50 values for Roundup Herbicide (MON 2139) tested against tadpoles of C. insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei ranged between 8.1 and 32.2 mg/L (2.9 and 11.6 mg/L glyphosate acid equivalent (ae)), while the 48-h LC50 values for Roundup Herbicide tested against adult and newly metamorphosed C. insignifera ranged from 137-144 mg/L (49.4-51.8 mg/L ae).Touchdown Herbicide (4 LC-E) tested against tadpoles of C. insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei was slightly less toxic than Roundup with 48-h LC50 values ranging between 27.3 and 48.7 mg/L (9.0 and 16.1 mg/L ae). Roundup Biactive (MON 77920) was practically non-toxic to tadpoles of the same four species producing 48-h LC50 values of 911 mg/L (328 mg/L ae) for L. moorei and >1000 mg/L (>360 mg/L ae) for C. insignifera, H. eyrei and L. dorsalis. Glyphosate isopropylamine was practically non-toxic producing no mortality amongst tadpoles of any of the four species over 48 h, at concentrations between 503 and 684 mg/L (343 and 466 mg/L ae). The toxicity of technical grade glyphosate acid (48-h LC50, 81.2-121 mg/L) is likely to be due to acid intolerance. Feeding stage tadpoles of B. marinus, X laevis, C. insignifera, H.eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei were exposed to NPE and alcohol alkoxylate in static renewal acute toxicity tests. All species exhibited non-specific narcosis following exposure to both these surfactants. The 48-h EC50 values for NPE ranged between 1.1 mg/L (mild narcosis) and 12.1 mg/L (full narcosis). The 48-h EC50 values for alcohol alkoxylate ranged between 5.3 mg/L (mild narcosis) and 25.4 mg/L (full narcosis). Xenopus laevis was the most sensitive species tested. The sensitivity of the other five species was size dependent with larger species displaying greater tolerance. Replicate acute toxicity tests with B. marinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees celsius over 96 hours indicated that the narcotic effects were not particularly time dependant.The mean 24, 48, 72 and 96-h EC50 (mild narcosis) were 3.6, 3.7, 3.5 and 3.5 mg/L respectively. The mean 24, 48, 72, and 96-h EC50 (full narcosis) values were 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.0 respectively. Acute toxicity tests with B. marinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees celsius under conditions of low dissolved oxygen (0.8-2.3 mg/L) produced a two to threefold increase in toxicity. The 12-h EC50 values ranged from 1.4 to 2.2 mg/L. The embryotoxicity of NPE was determined in X. laevis, L. adelaidensis and C. insignifera using a Frog Embryo Teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX). The 96-h LC50, EC50 and MCIG (LOEC) values for X. laevis were 3.9 to 5.4 mg/L, 2.8 to 4.6 mg/L and 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L respectively. The 140-h LC50, ECSO and MCIG values for L. adelaidensis were 9.2 mg/L, 8.8 mg/L and 5.1 to 6.0 ing/L respectively. The 134-h LC50, EC50 and MCIG values for C. insignifera were 6.4 mg/L, 4.5 mg/L and 4.0 mg/L respectively. Teratogenicity indices for the three species ranged between 1.0 and 1.6 indicating either no or low teratogenicity. Xenopus laevis was the more sensitive of the three species and the only species that displayed indisputable terata. The acute toxicity data indicated that the amphibian species tested were of similar sensitivity to fish and some invertebrates. Developmental retardation and oestrogenic effects following exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylate were indicated by sublethal toxicity tests. Crinia insignifera embryos were exposed during early embryogenesis to sublethal concentrations of NPE.Exposure to NPE did not affect either weight nor size (snout-vent length) at metamorphosis. Exposure to 5.0mg/L NPE resulted in a significant delay in the time required to reach metamorphosis. Also, exposure to 3.0 mg/L NPE for the first 6 days of embryonic development or exposure to 5.0 mg/L NPE from day 2 to day 6 resulted in a statistically significant predominance in the female phenotype amongst metamorphosing froglets. Exposure for the first five days to 1.5 ing/L or 3.0 mg/L NPE had no effect on sex ratio. The results indicated that exposure to NPEs has endocrine disruptive effects in this species and that a narrow window of susceptibility exists for the induction of predominantly female phenotype. This study has also followed the degradation of a mixture of NPE oligomers and the concomitant formation of individual oligomers in static die-away tests with and without illumination in freshwater. Over 33 days in darkness there was a progressive and complete loss of long chain oligomers (NPEO(subscript)8-17), transient increases and subsequent loss of short to medium chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)4-7), and large persistent increases (approximately 1000%) in short chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)1-3). In the presence of illumination, biodegradation was retarded and heterotrophic bacterial proliferation was inhibited. After 33 days there was complete loss of long chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)9-17), incomplete loss of medium chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)6.8) and increases in short chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)1-5).This thesis discusses the importance of persistent metabolites of NPE degradation as it pertains to the habitat, developmental time frame and ecology of amphibians. Degradation of NPE is likely to occur over a time frame that is longer than that required for complete embryogenesis and metamorphosis of many species of amphibians, and may easily encompass those critical stages of development during which oestrogenic metabolites can affect development.
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Mann, Reinier Matthew. "Toxicological Impact of Agricultural Surfactants on Australian Frogs." Curtin University of Technology, School of Environmental Biology, 2000. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=14006.
Full textAbstract:
Surfactants are one of the more ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic systems. Their importance as toxic components of pesticide formulations has, however, been largely overlooked. Amphibians particularly, as inhabitants of shallow, temporary and often lentic aquatic environments may be at risk from exposure to these chemicals when they enter aquatic systems. This thesis presents data on the toxicity of surfactants to amphibians. Several experimental exposures were conducted with embryo-larval, tadpole and adult developmental stages of the Australian species- Crinia insignifera, Helcioporus eyrei, Limnodynastes dorsalis and Litoria moorei and the exotic species- Bufo marinus and Xenopus laevis. Animals were variously exposed to glyphosate formulations that contain a high proportion of nonionic surfactants, or commercial pesticide wetting agents (alcohol alkoxylate and nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) surfactants). Feeding stage tadpoles of C.insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei were exposed to three commercial glyphosate formulations, glyphosate isopropylamine and glyphosate acid in static-renewal acute toxicity tests. The 48-h LC50 values for Roundup Herbicide (MON 2139) tested against tadpoles of C. insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei ranged between 8.1 and 32.2 mg/L (2.9 and 11.6 mg/L glyphosate acid equivalent (ae)), while the 48-h LC50 values for Roundup Herbicide tested against adult and newly metamorphosed C. insignifera ranged from 137-144 mg/L (49.4-51.8 mg/L ae).Touchdown Herbicide (4 LC-E) tested against tadpoles of C. insignifera, H. eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei was slightly less toxic than Roundup with 48-h LC50 values ranging between 27.3 and 48.7 mg/L (9.0 and 16.1 mg/L ae). Roundup Biactive (MON 77920) was practically non-toxic to tadpoles of the same four species producing 48-h LC50 values of 911 mg/L (328 mg/L ae) for L. moorei and >1000 mg/L (>360 mg/L ae) for C. insignifera, H. eyrei and L. dorsalis. Glyphosate isopropylamine was practically non-toxic producing no mortality amongst tadpoles of any of the four species over 48 h, at concentrations between 503 and 684 mg/L (343 and 466 mg/L ae). The toxicity of technical grade glyphosate acid (48-h LC50, 81.2-121 mg/L) is likely to be due to acid intolerance. Feeding stage tadpoles of B. marinus, X laevis, C. insignifera, H.eyrei, L. dorsalis and L. moorei were exposed to NPE and alcohol alkoxylate in static renewal acute toxicity tests. All species exhibited non-specific narcosis following exposure to both these surfactants. The 48-h EC50 values for NPE ranged between 1.1 mg/L (mild narcosis) and 12.1 mg/L (full narcosis). The 48-h EC50 values for alcohol alkoxylate ranged between 5.3 mg/L (mild narcosis) and 25.4 mg/L (full narcosis). Xenopus laevis was the most sensitive species tested. The sensitivity of the other five species was size dependent with larger species displaying greater tolerance. Replicate acute toxicity tests with B. marinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees celsius over 96 hours indicated that the narcotic effects were not particularly time dependant.
The mean 24, 48, 72 and 96-h EC50 (mild narcosis) were 3.6, 3.7, 3.5 and 3.5 mg/L respectively. The mean 24, 48, 72, and 96-h EC50 (full narcosis) values were 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.0 respectively. Acute toxicity tests with B. marinus exposed to NPE at 30 degrees celsius under conditions of low dissolved oxygen (0.8-2.3 mg/L) produced a two to threefold increase in toxicity. The 12-h EC50 values ranged from 1.4 to 2.2 mg/L. The embryotoxicity of NPE was determined in X. laevis, L. adelaidensis and C. insignifera using a Frog Embryo Teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX). The 96-h LC50, EC50 and MCIG (LOEC) values for X. laevis were 3.9 to 5.4 mg/L, 2.8 to 4.6 mg/L and 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L respectively. The 140-h LC50, ECSO and MCIG values for L. adelaidensis were 9.2 mg/L, 8.8 mg/L and 5.1 to 6.0 ing/L respectively. The 134-h LC50, EC50 and MCIG values for C. insignifera were 6.4 mg/L, 4.5 mg/L and 4.0 mg/L respectively. Teratogenicity indices for the three species ranged between 1.0 and 1.6 indicating either no or low teratogenicity. Xenopus laevis was the more sensitive of the three species and the only species that displayed indisputable terata. The acute toxicity data indicated that the amphibian species tested were of similar sensitivity to fish and some invertebrates. Developmental retardation and oestrogenic effects following exposure to nonylphenol ethoxylate were indicated by sublethal toxicity tests. Crinia insignifera embryos were exposed during early embryogenesis to sublethal concentrations of NPE.
Exposure to NPE did not affect either weight nor size (snout-vent length) at metamorphosis. Exposure to 5.0mg/L NPE resulted in a significant delay in the time required to reach metamorphosis. Also, exposure to 3.0 mg/L NPE for the first 6 days of embryonic development or exposure to 5.0 mg/L NPE from day 2 to day 6 resulted in a statistically significant predominance in the female phenotype amongst metamorphosing froglets. Exposure for the first five days to 1.5 ing/L or 3.0 mg/L NPE had no effect on sex ratio. The results indicated that exposure to NPEs has endocrine disruptive effects in this species and that a narrow window of susceptibility exists for the induction of predominantly female phenotype. This study has also followed the degradation of a mixture of NPE oligomers and the concomitant formation of individual oligomers in static die-away tests with and without illumination in freshwater. Over 33 days in darkness there was a progressive and complete loss of long chain oligomers (NPEO(subscript)8-17), transient increases and subsequent loss of short to medium chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)4-7), and large persistent increases (approximately 1000%) in short chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)1-3). In the presence of illumination, biodegradation was retarded and heterotrophic bacterial proliferation was inhibited. After 33 days there was complete loss of long chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)9-17), incomplete loss of medium chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)6.8) and increases in short chain oligomers (NPE0(subscript)1-5).
This thesis discusses the importance of persistent metabolites of NPE degradation as it pertains to the habitat, developmental time frame and ecology of amphibians. Degradation of NPE is likely to occur over a time frame that is longer than that required for complete embryogenesis and metamorphosis of many species of amphibians, and may easily encompass those critical stages of development during which oestrogenic metabolites can affect development.
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Davis, Robert A. "Metapopulation structure of the Western Spotted Frog (Heleioporus albopunctatus) in the fragmented landscape of the Western Australian wheatbelt." University of Western Australia. School of Animal Biology, 2004. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0026.
Full textAbstract:
[Truncated abstract] Amidst concern over the global phenomenon of declining amphibians, there is an increasing appreciation of the importance of understanding population dynamics at both local and regional scales. Data on the viability and persistence of species in landscapes altered by humans are scarce but an understanding of these dynamics is essential for enabling long-term species conservation in a modified world. Habitat loss, fragmentation and ensuing salinisation are of particular concern for species in Australia’s temperate agricultural regions where the rapid conversion of continuously vegetated landscapes to small fragments has occurred in less than 200 years. This thesis investigated the local and metapopulation structure of Heleioporus albopunctatus to determine the current population structure and likely future of this species in a highly degraded landscape: the wheat and sheep growing areas of southwestern Australia ... The life-history attributes of H. albopunctatus, including high fecundity, high adult longevity and low to moderate dispersal contribute to a robust regional metapopulation, responsive to changes, but with a strong chance of persistence over the long-term. H. albopunctatus appears to have adjusted to a radically modified landscape but its long-term persistence may be dependent on the existence of a small number of source populations that recruit in most years.
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Schwenke, Andrew C. "Riparian vegetation condition influences movement and microhabitat use by Mixophyes fasciolatus in South East Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2016. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/102339/4/Andrew_Schwenke_Thesis.pdf.
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Riparian vegetation has been impacted by urbanisation in many parts of Australia, resulting in population declines of numerous species of stream-associated frogs. This study was the first to investigate movement and microhabitat use of the stream-associated frog, Mixophyes fasciolatus, in sites that differed in the ecological condition of riparian vegetation in south-east Queensland. Twenty-nine frogs were tracked over a 48-hour period and their fine-scale movements and microhabitat use were examined and found to be related to riparian vegetation condition. These results have significant implications for the conservation management of this species.
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Jackway, Rebecca Jo. "Biologically active peptides from Australian amphibians." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/62877.
Full textAbstract:
Amphibians secrete potent host defence compounds from dorsal glands onto the skin when stressed, sick or under attack by predators and microbials. Many of these defence compounds, such as biologically active peptides, provide potential targets for new biotechnological and therapeutic investigation. The research presented in this study focuses on the isolation and investigation of peptides from Australian frogs of the genera Litoria and Crinia and endeavours to determine the biological activity and important structural and mechanistic features of these biological compounds.
Isolation and identification of the skin peptide profile of the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax has revealed a number of novel peptides named fallaxidins. This frog species is quite unique in that it does not secrete a peptide that displays potent broad spectrum antimicrobial activity nor a peptide that inhibits nitric oxide formation through the enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Instead it secretes several narrow spectrum antimicrobial peptides, including fallaxidin 3.1. In addition, there are numerous small peptides displaying unique primary structures with unknown biological function. Interestingly, L. fallax produces a skin peptide profile that is quite distinct from the skin peptide profiles of other related Litoria species.
The majority of anurans from the Litoria genus contain at least one peptide in their skin secretion that inhibits the enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase. These peptides exert this action by preventing the association of the regulatory cofactor Ca²⁺ calmodulin to the enzyme binding site. The non-covalent binding of the potent neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor dahlein 5.6 (L. dahlii) to calmodulin in the presence of Ca²⁺ is confirmed by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. A peptide-protein complex was observed in the gas-phase with a 1:1:4 calmodulin/dahlein 5.6/Ca²⁺ stoichiometry. In addition, the structure and binding interactions have been investigated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These experiments illustrated that upon binding dahlein 5.6, Ca²⁺ calmodulin undergoes a substantial conformational transition towards a globular complex with the helical dahlein 5.6 engulfed in a hydrophobic channel.
Typically, the granular secretion of amphibians contains numerous peptides that exert activities in the central nervous system, termed neuropeptides. The biological activities, in particular smooth muscle action, proliferation of lymphocytes and opioid action are investigated to provide insight into the role of these peptides in the host defence. The structure activity relationships of disulfide peptides, caerulein peptides, tryptophyllins, rothein 1 and its related synthetically modified peptides has identified several important structural features essential for their corresponding biological function.
Peptides from the granular secretion of anurans are synthesized within and released from larger precursors molecules. The genes that encode for the skin peptides of Crinia riparia and several Litoria species were isolated and identified. The cDNA sequence of the precursors provides a mechanism by which the evolution of amphibian species can be traced and information about the relationships existing among closely or distantly related species be obtained. All prepropeptides isolated from the Litoria species illustrated sequence homology to those isolated from numerous ranid and hylid frogs and demonstrate that the skin prepropeptides originated from a common ancestral gene. The precursors of peptides from C. riparia are significantly diverse and suggest that these prepropeptides either originated from the same common ancestral gene but have undergone substantial divergent evolution relative to the ranid and hylid frogs or that they have originated from distinct ancestral genes.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Chemistry and Physics, 2008
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Woodhams, Douglas Craig. "The ecology of chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease of Australian rainforest frogs." Thesis, 2003. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1352/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
In the wet tropics of Queensland, Australia eight species of stream dwelling frogs have
experienced population declines, and individuals have been found with fungal infections
of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, an emerging infectious disease of amphibians. I
examined infection prevalence in stream frog assemblages and determined that
amphibian chytrid infection is now endemic and persists in adults and tadpoles of
declining and non-declining species at all eight streams surveyed. Infection prevalence
varied among species, and between adult and tadpole life history stages, seasons, and
elevations. Prevalences were higher during the dry season (May to September) and at
high elevations (600-800 m). Tadpoles of Litoria nannotis, L. rheocola, and Mixophyes
shevilli may be carrier hosts in this system; they have infection prevalences between 48
and 76%, and appear to be resistant to disease. Non-carrier hosts may include adults of
all species and tadpoles of some species, with infection prevalence below 10%.
I found no relationships between infection prevalence and body condition,
fluctuating asymmetry of hind limbs, population density, or the presence of
metamorphosing tadpoles and juvenile frogs. I examined how environmental
temperature and moisture regimes influenced the chytrid pathogen on frog hosts and in
culture. Infected Litoria chloris juveniles survived at the lowest rates in constant mist
and constant 20°C conditions, but frogs in constant dry or rain conditions survived
longer. All frogs exposed to 37°C on days 12 and 13 after infection survived in good
health for 9 mo after infection, and were found to be free of infection.
I modelled growth of chytrid populations using in vitro experiments to estimate
the parameters zoospore production, zoospore survival rate, zoospore settlement rate, and
time to sporulation of sporangia. The chytrid lifecycle may be faster at higher
temperatures (23°C) than at lower temperatures (8°C), but relatively greater production of zoospores and better survival rates at lower temperatures may cause chytrid colonies to
grow faster under cold conditions.
In addition to environmental effects, host immune function and behaviour may
also alter host-pathogen dynamics. I found that leukocyte populations in juvenile Litoria
chloris responded to infection but not to environmental conditions. Skin peptide immune
defences were more effective in common species (Litoria lesueuri, Litoria genimaculata,
Mixophyes shevilli) and less effective in some endangered species (Litoria rheocola,
Nyctimystes dayi). Skin peptide defences against the chytrid were also better in those
species that showed greater survival when experimentally infected with B. dendrobatidis.
Environmental conditions may also affect skin peptide immune response, with poorer
responses under colder conditions.
The behaviour of captive Litoria chloris juveniles varied with thermal and hydric
environments and time of day, but not infection status. Litoria genimaculata tadpole
behaviour did vary with infection status; tadpoles exposed to chytrid sporangia showed a
behavioural fever of 6.2 to 7.1°C. The conservation status of the rainforest stream frog
species examined was correlated with their ranking on a disease risk assessment of
behaviour; however, their current infection prevalence is not well correlated with disease
risk. This agrees with epidemiological theory, which suggests that a disease involved in
population declines should be present in both common and endangered species, but
should have higher infection prevalence in species with stable populations. These stable
species are also less at risk from chytridiomycosis based on behavioural and
immunological assessments. The emergence of chytridiomycosis may occur when a
particular host-pathogen interaction is achieved involving the complex arrangement of
species assemblage structure and environmental conditions.
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Woodhams, Douglas Craig. "The ecology of chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease of Australian rainforest frogs /." 2003. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/1352.
Full text
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Mitchell, Nicola Jane. "The ecophysiology of terrestrial nesting in Australian ground frogs (Anura: Myobatrachinae) / Nicola J. Mitchell." 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19865.
Full textAbstract:
Bibliography: leaves 148-161.168 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide University, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2001
Books on the topic "Australian amphibians"
1
Barker, John S. F. A field guide to Australian frogs. Chipping Norton, N.S.W: Surrey Beatty & Sons, 1995.
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Cronin's key guide: Australian reptiles & frogs. Crows Nest, N.S.W: Allen & Unwin, 2009.
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3
What animal is that?: A guide to Australian amphibians,insects, mammals,reptiles and spiders. Frenchs Forest N.S.W: Reed Books Pty Ltd, 1985.
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4
Gleiman, Ken. Beyond 2017: The Australian Defence Force and amphibious warfare. Barton, ACT, Australia: Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2015.
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5
Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles & amphibians of Australia. Chatswood, NSW: Reed, 1994.
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Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles & amphibians of Australia. Ithaca, N.Y: Comstock/Cornell, 1992.
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Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles & amphibians of Australia. Sydney: Reed, 2000.
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Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles & amphibians of Australia. Collingwood, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing, 2000.
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Cogger, Harold G. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Reed, 1986.
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10
The cold-blooded Australians. Sydney: Doubleday, 1985.
Find full textBook chapters on the topic "Australian amphibians"
1
Mansergh, Ian, Gary Davey, and Peter Robertson. "Reptiles and amphibians of Victoria — legislation." In Herpetology in Australia, 373–76. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.060.
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Edgar, Brendan, and Sally Stephens. "Commonwealth legislation relevant to reptiles and amphibians." In Herpetology in Australia, 39–42. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.006.
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Ferraro, Timothy John, and Shelley Burgin. "Amphibian decline: a case study in western Sydney." In Herpetology in Australia, 197–204. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.030.
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Banks, C. B. "A regional approach to managing reptiles and amphibians in Australasian zoos." In Herpetology in Australia, 59–66. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.010.
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Horning, D. S. "The amphibians and reptiles in the Macleay Museum University of Sydney." In Herpetology in Australia, 227–28. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.034.
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Perry, Anne E. B. "The role of declared wilderness in the conservation of reptiles and amphibians." In Herpetology in Australia, 291–96. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.043.
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Torri, G. A. "A survey of the reptiles and amphibians of the Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park, Queensland." In Herpetology in Australia, 75–80. P.O. Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1993. http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.014.
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Tyler, Michael J. "Adhesive Dermal Secretions of the Amphibia, with Particular Reference to the Australian Limnodynastid Genus Notaden." In Biological Adhesive Systems, 181–86. Vienna: Springer Vienna, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0286-2_11.
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"Molecular Biogeography of Australian and New Zealand Reptiles and Amphibians." In Handbook of Australasian Biogeography, 321–54. Boca Raton : CRC Press, 2017.: CRC Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781315373096-18.
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BOWIE, JOHN H., and MICHAEL J. TYLER. "Host Defense Peptides from Australian Amphibians: Caerulein and Other Neuropeptides." In Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides, 283–89. Elsevier, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-012369442-3/50046-5.
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