Policy Recommendation on the Restriction on Amphibian Trade Toward the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Amphibian diseases and invasive amphibian species are both generally introduced through the wildlife trade, either for human consumption or for the pet trade. However, adequate regulations can prevent such introductions. In the Republic of Korea, the establishment of invasive Lithobates catesbeianus populations resulted in the alteration of native species' ecology and in an increase in Batrachochytrid load on local species. While not exemplified yet, the same risk arises from all species in the trade, some of which are already found in the wild despite the potential threats to the ecosystems. While regulations exist for the trade of wildlife in general, they are not directly addressing the amphibian trade, especially newly traded species. Thus, we recommend a restriction on the trade of amphibians in Korea.Keywords: amphibian, pet trade, invasive species, emerging diseases, threat, Korea ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Regulation of amphibian trade entering the Republic of Korea (food-and pet-trade), 2. Implementation of a stricter control of amphibian species already in the trade, 3. Establishment of quarantine and testing for all amphibians entering the country.

Disentangling the Impacts of Speciation, Sympatry and the Island Effect on the Morphology of Seven Hynobius sp. Salamanders

“…Moreover, climate change may be expected to result in a northern shift of species range to follow adequate ecological requirements [ 89 ], however, and despite the unlikeliness of such dispersal to happen, the current range borders for all three species prevent such shift. Finally the species are under threat because of invasive species such as Lithobates catesbeianus [ 90 ] emerging diseases such as Batrachochytrids [ 91 , 92 , 93 ], and the synergy of both type of invasive and pathogens being increasingly released in the environment [ 94 ].…”

Functional group analyses of herpetofauna in South Korea using a large dataset

“…The ecosystems of the southern and western regions, on the other hand, are relatively less functional except some restricted regions along the south and west coast (including Jejudo Island) harboring a few unique species. Cautions are need for the growing amount of herpetofauna import 43 through the coasts. Since many studies revealed that herpetofauna of the Korean Peninsula are especially susceptible to climate change 28,[44][45][46] , the southern ecosystems need a particular conservation concern as habitats there will be disappeared sooner than later [45][46][47][48] .…”

Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia

“…06/2019/NC-CP of Vietnam (2019). From the point of view of a recipient country of the trade such as the R Korea, where more than 85 anuran and 37 caudate species are imported in the pet trade ( Koo et al, 2020 ), 28 species such as Rana lessonae and Rana pipiens have been recently listed as “inflow-cautious organisms” (illustrating their potential as invasive species; R Korea; Ministry of Environment, 2020b ) and with efforts made to further limit the trade, now require special importation documentation ( Heo, 2008a ; Heo, 2008b ; Borzée et al, 2020a ). It is, however, necessary to acknowledge the benefit of amphibian farming locally for the pet trade in specific circumstances and under appropriate biosecurity measures ( Mattioli et al, 2006 ; Tensen, 2016 ).…”