Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Lee Hancock visited the Reptile Discovery Center at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington DC and shared these great behind the scenes photos on Flickr:

Great stuff Lee.

For Sale (UK/EU only): Neurergus kaiseri

CB 2008, currently ~5 cm long, not sexable at this age.

SOLD

Email: alan dot cann at gmail dot com

Amphibian Conservation Action Plan

BBC NEWS via kwout

A Cure for Chytrid

The introduction of a new group of dendrobatid frogs to an established captive amphibian collection was followed by several acute mortalities in both resident and introduced frog populations. Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, was diagnosed by histology in two of the dead frogs. Following the diagnosis, all amphibians were moved to a specially made quarantine room with strict handling protocols and treated with itraconazole. Frogs, being terrestrial amphibians, were treated with itraconazole (Sporanox, 10 mg/ml) at 0.01% in 0.6% saline in a 5-min bath for 11 consecutive days. Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) and Kaup's caecilians (Potomotyphlus kaupii), being aquatic amphibians, were treated with itraconazole administered directly in their primary tank water to achieve a concentration of 0.01% for 30 min every 5 days for four treatments. Itraconazole was removed from the tank water after 30 min by high-rate-of-flow activated charcoal filters. The treatment and quarantine procedures were successful in eradicating the disease. The few amphibian mortalities that occurred in the 18 mo after the start of the treatment have been histologically negative for the presence of chytrid fungi. The collection is now considered free of chytridiomycosis.

Chytridiomycosis in an aquarium collection of frogs: diagnosis, treatment, and control. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2008 Sep; 39(3): 406-11

Winter draws on

As the last of my 2008 babies go off to new homes, it's time to start thinking about 2009.

In order to stimulate breeding activity, newts need a seasonal change in temperature, and reduced illumination may play a role also.

I think my juvenile Neurergus kaiseri are probably a bit young to breed next year, but I'm keen to swap animals with other breeders so as to form pairs from different bloodlines. In order to do that, I need to be sure I can sex them accurately, so they're spending the next 10 weeks at 10-15°C with reduced illumination. That should stimulate development of sexual characteristics so it will be easy to sex them later. My adult N. kaiseri will spend January-March in a dimly lit terrestrial setup at 10-15°C before coming back into a warmer (15-20°C) semi-aquatic vivarium with a waterfall to stimulate breeding.

My Mesotriton alpestris apanus spend the entire year in a semi-aquatic vivarium, but in Winter, they receive a lot less light and cooler temperatures. In February, as the days start to lengthen and temperatures warm up, mating will begin and egg laying will follow in April.

Finally, my Tylototriton kweichowensis (pictured) have moved from their semi-aquatic vivarium into a cool (10-15°C) terrestrial setup for the next 10 weeks in the hope that this seasonal change will stimulate breeding when they come back into their regular setup at Christmas.

If all goes according to plan, 2009 should be a productive year!

Think your frogs are safe? Think again

There's a lot more really nasty infectious diseases around in the hobby than people realize, and if you don't use suitable quarantine practices, really nasty things can and will happen:

Concurrent infection with ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and Aeromonas in a captive anuran colony. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2008 Sep;39(3): 445-9
Four species (Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates terribilis, Pyxicephalus adspersus and Rhacophorus dennysi) of captive anurans with a clinical history of lethargy and inappetence were found dead and were submitted for necropsy. Gross lesions included irregular patches of sloughed skin and rare dermal ulcerations. Histologic findings included epidermal proliferation that was most pronounced on the digits and that included intracytoplasmic chytrid organisms. Bacteria were often associated with the epidermal lesions. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in hepatocytes. Real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded positive results for both Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bacterial culture of internal organs yielded Aeromonas hydrophila. This is the first report of concurrent infections in anurans by Ranavirus and Bd and A. hydrophila.