Designing a diet for captive native frogs from the analysis of stomach contents from free-ranging<i>Leiopelma</i>

Shaw, SD; Skerratt, Lee F.; Kleinpaste, Ruud; Daglish, Lisa; Bishop, Phillip J.

doi:10.1080/03014223.2011.619989

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…An alternative possibility could be for the purpose of foraging, as larger individuals may have access to different foraging opportunities above the ground. Leiopelma archeyi are sitand-wait predators and perhaps have better success with catching flying insects when they are above ground level (Shaw et al 2012).…”

Section: Climbing Behaviour Of Leiopelma Archeyimentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour variation and behaviour of the cryptic New Zealand frog Leiopelma archeyi

Powell,

Matthaei,

Godfrey

2023

NZJE

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Understanding the ecology of cryptic species is essential for designing effective monitoring and conservation strategies. Leiopelma archeyi is a native New Zealand frog with cryptic colouration, patterning, and behaviour. Our study examined dorsal colour variation and climbing behaviour in this species. Our first aim was to investigate if L. archeyi demonstrates colour crypsis by background-matching. Secondly, we determined if green pigmentation is lost as frogs age by comparing frog body size (a proxy for age) with the percentage of green on their dorsal surface. Finally, to better understand frog climbing behaviour, we examined which factors influenced the height above ground that frogs were found at. The study was conducted in Wharekirauponga New Zealand between 2017 and 2021. Visual nocturnal surveys were undertaken in 112 survey plots where frogs were captured, photographed, and measured. Unexpectedly, L. archeyi tended to not show backgroundmatching between their substrate and the colour of their dorsum. Among other possible explanations, this trend might suggest their disruptive colouring is enough to camouflage them in their visually complex habitat, or the trend might be related to observer bias. Larger L. archeyi individuals had less green on their dorsal surface compared to smaller ones suggesting colour change with increasing age does occur in L. archeyi. This could reduce the longer-term reliability of photographs to identify individuals. Larger L. archeyi were also found at greater heights off the ground compared to smaller individuals, a pattern which, among other possible reasons, could be due to reduced biological constraints (e.g. risk of predation or desiccation) for larger frogs. Finally, L. archeyi climbed to greater heights off the ground at cooler temperatures and climbing behaviour was uncommon in the summer months. Improving our understanding of L. archeyi's behaviour and ecology is an essential component of successfully conserving this endangered species.

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Section: Climbing Behaviour Of Leiopelma Archeyimentioning

confidence: 99%

Colour variation and behaviour of the cryptic New Zealand frog Leiopelma archeyi

Powell,

Matthaei,

Godfrey

2023

NZJE

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“…Bell pers. comm., Newman 1990, Bell and Pledger 2010, Shaw et al 2012. Because of the lack of vocal sacks, they lack vocal choruses, although they can vocalize when handled (Bell 1978), but evidence suggests they can communicate through chemical signals (Lee andWaldman 2002, Waldman andBishop 2004).…”

Section: New Zealand Native Frogsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural patterns of two native Leiopelma frogs and implications for their conservation

Ramírez¹

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<p>Amphibian populations are in general decline internationally. The current situation of amphibian populations highlights the urgent need for comprehensive information on species’ ecology to better assess conservation and management strategies. Movement behaviour and microhabitat selection give insights into how amphibians use the environment and interact with their surroundings, and are essential to establishing their sensitivity to the global decline phenomenon and identifying the critical habitat features essential for their success. New Zealand native frogs (Anura: Leiopelmatidae, Leiopelma, nine species) were formerly distributed throughout New Zealand, but habitat modification and predation by introduced mammalian predators have influenced recent (Holocene) extinctions and declines, reducing the fauna to four species with major range reductions. All extant Leiopelma are classified as threatened both nationally and internationally, creating an urgent need for species-specific behavioural research to support conservation management. I investigated activity, movement behaviour and microhabitat use of L. archeyi and L. pakeka for better evaluation of long term population viability and improved husbandry in captivity. L. archeyi is the smallest of the Leiopelma species and has been able to co-occur with introduced predators (e.g. rats), whereas L. pakeka is the largest, and the only natural population is confined to a predator-free island. I used a fine-scale tracking technique (i.e. non-toxic fluorescent powders) to track L. archeyi and L. pakeka movements throughout their activity periods when on the surface in their natural habitats, Whareorino Forest and Maud Island, respectively, to obtain detailed information on their activity patterns, movement behaviour, and microhabitat and retreat site use. I investigated in more detail L. pakeka retreat sites by measuring the dimensions of the retreat site entrances (width, height and diameter) as well as the activity inside those retreat sites. Lastly, I used long-term frog survey data to examine the indirect impacts (i.e. behavioural changes) ship rats (Rattus rattus) may have on L. archeyi by studying the microhabitat use and home range of this species in an area with and without rat control within Whareorino Forest. L. archeyi had a longer activity period than L. pakeka with the former being active up to two hours after sunrise, but L. pakeka moved more and further than L. archeyi during their activity periods. Additionally, L. archeyi had a smaller home range compared to L. pakeka which suggests more prominent site fidelity and more sedentary behaviour in this species. Both species actively sought out specific microhabitats among the ones that were available, either to use during movement or to use as retreat sites, but those microhabitat types also differed between species. L. archeyi were more often found above ground level than L. pakeka and tended to use microhabitats that provided cover. L. archeyi preferred to use trees as retreat sites (roots, branches or trunk) whereas L. pakeka used trees (roots) and rocks. L. pakeka retreat sites had lower and more stable temperatures than outside retreats. Frogs were active inside retreats with no evidence of sleep behaviour for at least the first few hours of retreat use. In the rat control area, L. archeyi used more soil, leaf litter and ferns, and were also more likely to be found at ground level than frogs in the presence of higher numbers of rats. Abiotic factors also influenced movement patterns and microhabitat selection of both species, affirming water balance and thermoregulation are important drivers in frog behaviour. Behavioural attributes and small body size could be aiding in the persistence of L. archeyi in the presence of rats, and large body size and differences in behavioural attributes are likely to put L. pakeka at risk if rats were to reach their habitat. My findings inform on the ecology and behaviour of two Leiopelma species providing valuable information on their habitat requirements, which will enable more effective captive husbandry and better assessment of the appropriateness of translocation sites, aiding in their conservation management.</p>

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Adenomatous hyperplasia of the mucous glands in captive Archey’s frogs (Leiopelma archeyi)

Shaw¹,

Berger

Harvey³

et al. 2016

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

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Designing a diet for captive native frogs from the analysis of stomach contents from free-rangingLeiopelma

Cited by 6 publications

References 12 publications

Colour variation and behaviour of the cryptic New Zealand frog Leiopelma archeyi

Colour variation and behaviour of the cryptic New Zealand frog Leiopelma archeyi

Behavioural patterns of two native Leiopelma frogs and implications for their conservation

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the mucous glands in captive Archey’s frogs (Leiopelma archeyi)

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