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23 - Reproductive research and the worldwide amphibian extinction crisis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 January 2010

By
Terri L. Roth  and
Amy R. Obringer
Edited by
William V. Holt ,
Amanda R. Pickard ,
John C. Rodger  and
David E. Wildt
Terri L. Roth
Affiliation:
Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, U.S.A.
Amy R. Obringer
Affiliation:
Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220 and Biology Department, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, U.S.A.
William V. Holt
Affiliation:
Zoological Society of London
Amanda R. Pickard
Affiliation:
Zoological Society of London
John C. Rodger
Affiliation:
Marsupial CRC, New South Wales
David E. Wildt
Affiliation:
Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC
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Summary

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

This chapter is devoted to stimulating interest in amphibian reproduction and inspiring an appreciation for the challenges and benefits of such research in this largely ignored taxon that is facing a world-wide extinction crisis.

Taxonomic distribution

Amphibia can be divided into three orders: (1) Gymnophiona (caecilians), (2) Caudata (salamanders and newts) and (3) Anura (toads and frogs). Caecilians are worm-like, burrowing, legless amphibians living underground in tropical environments. Little is known about animal numbers within most of the 156 species in this order, but two species are listed by CITES as ‘Endangered’ or ‘Threatened’ (IUCN Red Book, 2000). The Caudata comprise 440 species of salamanders and newts that primarily inhabit the Northern Hemisphere. A few species extend to southern Brazil, Bolivia and Southeast Asia. Although there is concern about many of these species, only three are considered ‘Critically endangered’, eight ‘Endangered’ and 26 ‘Vulnerable’ (IUCN Red Book, 2000). Anurans are the most broadly dispersed and abundant amphibians with 4360 species identified (about the total number of mammalian species known). Twenty-two anuran species are considered ‘Critically endangered’, 29 ‘Endangered’ and 56 ‘Vulnerable’ (IUCN Red Book, 2000).

The amphibian extinction crisis

There is a rapid and alarming disappearance of amphibian species in seemingly undisturbed ecosystems. A semi-aquatic lifestyle and a highly permeable skin render amphibians vulnerable to changes in water and/or atmospheric quality. Their dependence on moisture for reproduction also places populations at risk, even during minor perturbations in weather and habitat.

Type
Chapter
Information
Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation , pp. 359 - 374
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2002

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  • Reproductive research and the worldwide amphibian extinction crisis
    • By Terri L. Roth, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, U.S.A., Amy R. Obringer, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220 and Biology Department, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, U.S.A.
  • Edited by William V. Holt, Zoological Society of London, Amanda R. Pickard, Zoological Society of London, John C. Rodger, David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC
  • Book: Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation
  • Online publication: 21 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511615016.028
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  • Reproductive research and the worldwide amphibian extinction crisis
    • By Terri L. Roth, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, U.S.A., Amy R. Obringer, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220 and Biology Department, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, U.S.A.
  • Edited by William V. Holt, Zoological Society of London, Amanda R. Pickard, Zoological Society of London, John C. Rodger, David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC
  • Book: Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation
  • Online publication: 21 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511615016.028
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Reproductive research and the worldwide amphibian extinction crisis
    • By Terri L. Roth, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220, U.S.A., Amy R. Obringer, Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220 and Biology Department, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808, U.S.A.
  • Edited by William V. Holt, Zoological Society of London, Amanda R. Pickard, Zoological Society of London, John C. Rodger, David E. Wildt, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington DC
  • Book: Reproductive Science and Integrated Conservation
  • Online publication: 21 January 2010
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511615016.028
Available formats
×