Stress Induced by Toe-Clipping in Cane Toads (<i>Rhinella marina</i>)

Fisher, Kaitlin J.; Guilfoyle, Kevin J.; Hatch, Kent A.

doi:10.1643/cp-12-149

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The thumb was never removed. While there has been some recent concern over the use of toe-clipping as a marking method for amphibians, there is no evidence that the marking scheme used in this study causes any more harm than that of temporary handling stress [ 27 – 29 ], and toe-clipping can be the safest and most reliable marking scheme for small amphibian species [ 26 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal infection has sublethal effects in a lowland subtropical amphibian population

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been implicated as a primary cause of decline in many species around the globe. However, there are some species and populations that are known to become infected in the wild, yet declines have not been observed. Here we conducted a yearlong capture-mark-recapture study and a 2-year long disease monitoring study of northern cricket frogs, Acris crepitans, in the lowland subtropical forests of Louisiana.ResultsWe found little evidence for an impact of Bd infection on survival; however, Bd infection did appear to cause sublethal effects, including increased capture probability in the field.ConclusionsOur study suggests that even in apparently stable populations, where Bd does not appear to cause mortality, there may be sublethal effects of infection that can impact a host population’s dynamics and structure. Understanding and documenting such sublethal effects of infection on wild, seemingly stable populations is important, particularly for predicting future population declines.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-018-0189-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal infection has sublethal effects in a lowland subtropical amphibian population

et al. 2018

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“… 2011 ; but see Fisher et al. 2013 ), and negative effects of toe clipping on frog survival and capturing have been observed previously (Lemckert 1996 ; van Gelder and Strijbosch 1996 ; Hartel and Nemes 2006 ). In our study, the removal of toe pads was quicker than marking with the PIT tag, and bleeding usually did not occur.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…Photography may be a good candidate for a control group in free-ranging populations. Photography also presents problems, like identifiable characteristics on the target species and obtaining good quality pictures without disturbing individuals, as handling only may be an important stressor itself (Fisher et al 2013). Controlled laboratory experiments may be useful for the inclusion of a nonmarked group, for comparing survival (e.g., looking for inflammation or stress responses) and for allowing estimation of tag loss (Brown 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

One step forward: contrasting the effects of Toe clipping and PIT tagging on frog survival and recapture probability

Guimarães

Corrêa

Filho

et al. 2014

Ecology and Evolution

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Amphibians have been declining worldwide and the comprehension of the threats that they face could be improved by using mark–recapture models to estimate vital rates of natural populations. Recently, the consequences of marking amphibians have been under discussion and the effects of toe clipping on survival are debatable, although it is still the most common technique for individually identifying amphibians. The passive integrated transponder (PIT tag) is an alternative technique, but comparisons among marking techniques in free-ranging populations are still lacking. We compared these two marking techniques using mark–recapture models to estimate apparent survival and recapture probability of a neotropical population of the blacksmith tree frog, Hypsiboas faber. We tested the effects of marking technique and number of toe pads removed while controlling for sex. Survival was similar among groups, although slightly decreased from individuals with one toe pad removed, to individuals with two and three toe pads removed, and finally to PIT-tagged individuals. No sex differences were detected. Recapture probability slightly increased with the number of toe pads removed and was the lowest for PIT-tagged individuals. Sex was an important predictor for recapture probability, with males being nearly five times more likely to be recaptured. Potential negative effects of both techniques may include reduced locomotion and high stress levels. We recommend the use of covariates in models to better understand the effects of marking techniques on frogs. Accounting for the effect of the technique on the results should be considered, because most techniques may reduce survival. Based on our results, but also on logistical and cost issues associated with PIT tagging, we suggest the use of toe clipping with anurans like the blacksmith tree frog.

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“…This method of uniquely identifying individuals does not induce significant stress in cane toads (Lampo & Bayliss ; Fisher et al . ; Hudson et al . ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural tactics used by invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) to exploit apiaries in Australia

et al. 2018

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Behavioural flexibility plays a key role in facilitating the ability of invasive species to exploit anthropogenically-created resources. In Australia, invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) often gather around commercial beehives (apiaries), whereas native frogs do not. To document how toads use this resource, we spool-tracked cane toads in areas containing beehives and in adjacent natural habitat without beehives, conducted standardized observations of toad feeding behaviour, and ran prey-manipulation trials to compare the responses of cane toads versus native frogs to honeybees as potential prey. Toads feeding around beehives travelled shorter distances per night, and hence used different microhabitats, than did toads from nearby control sites without beehives. The toads consumed live bees from the hive entrance (rather than dead bees from the ground), often climbing on top of one another to gain access to the hive entrance. Prey manipulation trials confirm that bee movement is the critical stimulus that elicits the toads' feeding response; and in standardized trials, native frogs consumed bees less frequently than did toads. In summary, cane toads flexibly modify their movements, foraging behaviour and dietary composition to exploit the nutritional opportunities created by commercial beehives, whereas native anurans do not.

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Stress Induced by Toe-Clipping in Cane Toads (Rhinella marina)

Cited by 13 publications

References 35 publications

Fungal infection has sublethal effects in a lowland subtropical amphibian population

Fungal infection has sublethal effects in a lowland subtropical amphibian population

One step forward: contrasting the effects of Toe clipping and PIT tagging on frog survival and recapture probability

Behavioural tactics used by invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) to exploit apiaries in Australia

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