Respiration and hemoglobin function in the giant African bullfrog<i>Pyxicephalus adspersus</i>Tschudi (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) during rest, exercise and dormancy

Aardt, W.J. van; Weber, Roy E.

doi:10.1080/21564574.2010.521197

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This study evaluated the potential for using a scent detection dog to detect the presence of the giant bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus (Tschudi, 1838) in laboratory conditions. Even though, this burrowing species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to it having a wide distribution, in the Gauteng Province its numbers have declined due to severe degradation of its habitat (Van Aardt & Weber 2010, Thomas et al 2014. Given these circumstances, P. adspersus is one of two amphibian species that are listed by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 2004 (Act 10 of 2004) as Protected Species, thus requiring national protection.…”

Section: A Case Study In Canine Detection Of Giant Bullfrog Scentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case study in canine detection of giant bullfrog scent

Matthew

Verster

Weldon

2021

Journal of Vertebrate Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Accurate survey methods are required for any wildlife research to yield reliable population data. This constraint finds significance in amphibian research that involves a highly threatened group of animals with a large proportion of cryptic species not easily detected by conventional survey methods. Across a growing spectrum of zoology research, survey outcomes are benefitting from the efficacy of scent detection dogs in assisting with species detection. We investigated the ability of a scent detection dog to locate and identify traces of giant bullfrog, Pyxicephalus adspersus scent and investigate methods of preserving frog scent for use in subsequent conditioning training of dogs. The scent detection dog was able to detect 100,000 times diluted scent with 87% sensitivity and 84% efficacy. High specificity (98,6%) was also achieved while presented with the challenge of detecting P. adspersus scent amid that of other frog species. Detection sensitivity was negatively correlated with scent preservation time but yielded the highest sensitivity for samples that were preserved as skin swabs stored at 4 °C and diluted shortly before use. Conservationists, scientists, and customs officials alike can benefit from scent detection dog detection of amphibians through enhanced sample acquisition rates with reduced collection biases.

show abstract

Section: A Case Study In Canine Detection Of Giant Bullfrog Scentmentioning

confidence: 99%