Issue Number 165 - Autumn 2023 | British Herpetological Society

The Herpetological Bulletin is a quarterly publication in English. It includes full-length papers, natural history notes, book reviews, and other items of general herpetological interest. Emphasis is placed on natural history and conservation as well as captive care that includes breeding, husbandry, veterinary, and behavioural aspects.

Issue Number 165 - Autumn 2023

pdf 01. No amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in four introduced populations of the midwife toad Alytes obstetricans in eastern England

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AUTHORS: MARK J. GOODMAN, DAVID J. CLEMENS, MARIO I. SHIMBOV & STEVEN J.R. ALLAIN

ABSTRACT: The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis threatens amphibian species globally as the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, with the introduction of non-native species being one of the pathways that the pathogen can spread to naive populations. We have monitored and screened the common midwife toad Alytes obstetricans in four separate populations in eastern England, to investigate the potential threats to local amphibians. Forty-eight toads across all life stages were swabbed between May 2018 and August 2020, and screened for the presence of B. dendrobatidis DNA using qPCR. None of the samples tested were positive, indicating that it is unlikely that any of the A. obstetricans swabbed were infected with B. dendrobatidis. The populations surveyed represent only a small part of the species range in Britain, consequently a more widespread survey is recommended to increase confidence that British A. obstetricans are free of B. dendrobatidis.

pdf 02. Captive breeding and ex-situ conservation of the Caucasian pit viper Gloydius caucasicus

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AUTHORS: FAEZEH FATEMIZADEH, ALIREZA MOHAMMADI & MOHAMMAD KABOLI

ABSTRACT: The Caucasian pit viper Gloydius caucasicus is one of six snake species that is frequently reported as a cause of venomous snakebite in Iran. We present the results of successful captive breeding of 20 Caucasian pit vipers (10 males and 10 females) collected in August 2018 from the Lar National Park, northern Iran. Mating and copulatory behaviours were observed from mid-June to early July 2019. Five of the ten females gave birth with parturition occurring from 10 to 13 September, when 17 vipers were born in litter sizes ranging from 2 to 5. The present captive breeding programme has been successful and shows potential for both venom production and support for conservation by reducing the demand for wild caught specimens.

pdf 03. Natural history of an anuran community in a coastal zone of north-eastern Brazil

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AUTHORS: IGOR JOVENTINO ROBERTO & PAULO CASCON

ABSTRACT: We investigated the species composition and reproduction of an anuran community in a Restinga habitat in Ceará State of north-eastern Brazil. Twenty species of four families were observed and most of these reproduced in temporary ponds, whereas Boana raniceps and Scinax x-signatus were observed in a larger number of reproductive sites and micro-habitats. Vocalisation was seasonal, with the majority of the species showing reproductive activity only during the rainy season. Only three species also vocalised during the dry season. Increases in the number of vocalising species were associated with increases in rainfall and humidity but appeared to fall with rising temperatures. For most species, there was spatial overlap of vocalisation sites and strong temporal overlapping. The anuran community in the area was composed of a mix of species that can also be found in the Caatinga and Cerrado domains but not those of the Atlantic Forest.

pdf 03a. Supplementary material for 03. Natural history of an anuran community in a coastal zone of north-eastern Brazil

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AUTHORS: IGOR JOVENTINO ROBERTO & PAULO CASCON

pdf 04. Husbandry and first record of captive breeding of the Asian giant river toad Phrynoidis asper

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AUTHORS: ADAM W. BLAND, MATTHEW COOK, JAY REDBOND, ELLIE J. MCLAREN, SONNY WELSH, CHARLIE FRELON & MATTHEW SWATMAN

ABSTRACT: The Asian giant river toad Phrynoidis asper is a large species of bufonid from south-east Asia that is apparently obtained by the international exotic-pet trade from wild populations. Captive breeding of this species seems not to have been documented. The donation to Chester Zoo in October 2021 of an adult group of five males and one female of this toad species provided an opportunity to study captive breeding. The specimens were maintained separated by sex until signs of reproductive condition were apparent and then they were placed together in a large breeding enclosure. This had three distinct environmental zones simulating a riverbank. Six days after mixing the sexes a large spawn mass was laid. On hatching, the tadpoles were transferred to a rearing aquarium and then, after reaching Gosner stage 42, the developing toads were transferred to terrestrial vivaria to complete development. Captive breeding of this species could replace collection from the wild.