Variation in food availability mediate the impact of density on cannibalism, growth, and survival in larval yellow spotted mountain newts (Neurergus microspilotus): Implications for captive breeding programs

Abstract

In this study, we examined cannibalistic behavior, growth, metamorphosis, and survival in larval and post-metamorph endangered yellow spotted mountain newts Neurergus microspilotus hatched and reared in a captive breeding facility. We designed a 2 Â 2 factorial experiment, crossing two levels of food with two levels of density including high food/high density, high food/low density, low food/high density, and low food/low density. The level of cannibalistic behavior (including the loss of fore and hind limbs, missing toes, tail, gills, body damage, and whole body consumption) changed as the larvae grew, from a low level during the first 4 weeks, peaking from weeks 7 to 12, and then dropped during weeks 14-52. Both food level and density had a significant effect on cannibalism. The highest frequency of cannibalism was recorded for larvae reared in the low food/high density and lowest in high food/low density treatments. Growth, percent of larval metamorphosed, and survival were all highest in the high food/low density and lowest in low food/high density treatment. Food level had a significant effect on growth, metamorphosis, and survival. However, the two levels of density did not influence growth and metamorphosis but showed a significant effect on survival. Similarly, combined effects of food level and density showed significant effects on growth, metamorphosis, and survival over time. Information obtained from current experiment could improve productivity of captive breeding facilities to ensure the release of adequate numbers of individuals for reintroduction programs. Zoo Biol. 35:513-521, 2016.

Habitat ephemerality affects the evolution of contrasting growth strategies and cannibalism in anuran larvae

“…Our results are congruent with previous ndings that cannibalism occurs more frequently under foodlimited and high-density conditions (Wildy et al 2001;Vaissi and Shari 2016). The difference between Jeju Island and mainland tadpoles was prominent only when the growing density was high, thus providing more opportunities for cannibalism.…”

Skin bacterial microflora of two closely related mountain newts (Salamandridae) – the Yellow‐spotted mountain newt Neurergus derjugini and the Kaiser's mountain newt Neurergus kaiseri – in the wild and in a breeding facility highlight new conservation perspectives

“…In our study, this seems to be unlikely in N. derjugini because parents had no contact with offspring after laying eggs. At the CBF, eggs were kept away from adults in order to prevent cannibalism (Vaissi & Sharifi, ). However, various activities at the CBF, such as monitoring, feeding and cleaning enclosures, may potentially increase the possibility of vertical transmission of skin bacteria from parents to larvae and post‐metamorphic newts, and this requires more precautions and strict biosecurity measures.…”

Comparing the predatory impact of captive–bred and free–living yellow spotted mountain newt (Neurergus microspilotus) on the larval green toad (Bufotes variabilis)

“…A conservation management plan funded by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund was initiated for this species in 2010. Part of this plan included the development of a captive breeding facility at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran (Vaissi and Sharifi, 2015). The project also launched several field and laboratory studies aiming to provide critical information for the management plan.…”

“…These studies include delimiting the species range (Afroosheh et al, 2016), feeding habits , activity pattern and home range (Sharifi and Afroosheh, 2014), reports on emergent diseases such as chytridiomycosis (Parto et al, 2013; and red-leg syndrome , and, finally, a first trial re-introduction of captive-born newts . In addition, several laboratory studies have provided information on ontogenetic changes in spot configuration , cannibalism (Vaissi and Sharifi, 2016a), and growth and development of N. microspilotus in the captive breeding facility Sharifi, 2016a, 2016b).…”