Climate change presents a considerable challenge to biodiversity, with amphibians being particularly susceptible due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. One of these amphibian groups is the Anatolian waterfrog complex (genus: Pelophylax), a distinct, genetically and phylogenetically differentiated cryptic specieswhose membersare morphologically indistinguishable. In this group, the Cilician water frog lineage (Pelophylax cf. bedriagae 1) is of particular interest as it is only found in the biodiversity-rich & Ccedil;ukurova Plain in southeastern T & uuml;rkiye; it faces dual threats from historical overharvesting and impending climate change. In this study, we utilized Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling to map the Cilician lineage's current habitat suitability and distribution, identify key environmental drivers, and project future range shifts under various climate change scenarios. We compiled 167 georeferenced occurrence records and initially assembled 17 environmental predictors (climatic, topographic, and hydrological). Through a rigorous optimization process, including variable selection (varSel and reduceVar functions) and hyperparameter tuning, the model was refined to utilize the seven most influential predictors, substantially improving its predictive accuracy. Permutation and jackknife tests identified temperature seasonality, minimum temperature of the cold quarter, annual precipitation, ruggedness, slope, and distance to lake as the most important variables influencing the frog's distribution. Response curves further elucidated the specific ecological niche characteristics shaped by these factors. Projections for 2050, 2080, and 2100 under low (GCM-245) and high (GCM-585) carbon emission scenarios consistently predict a pronounced northward shift in the suitable habitat of the Cilician water frog lineage. This shift is accompanied by increased habitat fragmentation and a notable decline in suitability within the lineage's current core range, particularly under the high-emission pathway. Whereas the total climatically suitable area may increase in newly favourable northern regions, the lineage's ability to colonize these areas depends on landscape connectivity and dispersal capabilities. This raises concerns about its potential invasiveness in new ecosystems. Our findings emphasize the need for targeted, adaptive conservation strategies that mitigate the impact of climate change and account for human-induced habitat alterations to ensure the long-term persistence of this narrowly distributed water frog lineage.
the loss and homogenization of natural habitats, artificial wildlife refuges are important tools. Since one of the main obstacles is the cost of construction and subsequent monitoring of their effectiveness, it is essential to optimize procedures. Preferably, the technical specifications of the refuges and an assessment of their effectiveness should be available, as well as an estimate of the total cost. Using the PRISMA method and a Google Scholar search, we reviewed publications on the construction of various types of refuges (e.g. burrows, walls) for squamate reptiles, a speciose but highly endangered zoological group. Our results show that despite the successes associated with the construction of refuges, precise technical information is often lacking. The experimental approach needed to isolate key factors (e.g. refuge size versus ability to buffer climatic variation), to guide technical improvements and to assess overall costs, is generally lacking. While the empirical and expert-based approaches are essential, the construction of refuges could be improved by following some rules, in particular by providing the technical characteristics of the refuge, the construction and labour costs, the assessment of effectiveness (including failures) and, where possible, an experimental approach.
In light of critical environmental crises, this study emphasizes the urgent need for the U.S. and Mexico to protect 231 shared herpetofaunal species (amphibians and reptiles) distributed along their border. Key findings indicate that Texas and Chihuahua have the highest number of these cross-border species, with the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion being particularly rich in diversity. Alarmingly, 62 species (26.8%) are classified as highly vulnerable, predominantly reptiles, and 90 species are narrowly distributed across just a few states and ecoregions, primarily in the California-Baja California, Texas-Tamaulipas, and Arizona-Sonora border areas. This study highlights how the border wall severely harms wildlife by sidestepping environmental laws, destroying habitats, and undermining crucial conservation and research efforts. Consequently, our research strongly advocates for increased binational cooperation between both nations, urging governmental bodies to base their policies on sound scientific knowledge and adopt a biocentric approach to ensure the continued survival of these vulnerable species and their habitats.
Most of the species of amphibians and reptiles are facing a decline because of drug-induced metabolic disturbances and exposure to environmental contaminants. Consequently, focus is being directed to identifying various natural products with an aim of alleviating drug-induced metabolic disequilibrium. The testicular damage is due to different metabolic disturbances that are observed such as oxidative stress, liver damage, and glucose level disturbances. The given research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin in the context of preventing the testicular damage caused by the influence of ketoconazole through the utilization of a rodent organism. The results of the present research are also a prospect of amphibian and reptile conservation (ARC) medicine. To accomplish this, a sample of 36 male rodents was chosen, and they were separated into 6 groups (Group A: control, Group B: ketoconazole, Group C: Ketoconazole and low dose of curcumin, Group D: Ketoconazole and high dose of curcumin, Group E: low dose of curcumin, and Group F: high dose of curcumin). Statistical analysis was done on blood tests and serum concentrations and weight of the body. The findings indicate that in Group B, the levels of serum testosterone and SOD were reduced to 2.0 ng/ mL and 6.0 U/ mg respectively. On the contrary, MDA and glucose levels rose by 3.1 nmol/ mg and 119.9 mg/ dL, respectively, in Group B. This demonstrates that ketoconazole affects the male reproductive system to a great extent. Conversely, group D, E, and F were statistically equal, with significant results (a). The article has a clinical impact in highlighting the use of curcumin in addressing drug-induced disruption of metabolism by inhibiting oxidative stress and enzymatic action. Thus, the current study has future implications on analyzing the role of curcumin in offsetting various drug-induced metabolic disturbances in different species of amphibians and reptiles by enhancing the veterinary protocols in that matter.
Ambystoma velasci, an endemic axolotl species of Mexico, faces significant conservation challenges. Classified under Special Protection by Mexican regulations, this species is among the 18 endemic axolotl taxa at risk. Unfortunately, there are only a few ecological studies for this species, and aspects of their populations are generally unknown hindering effective conservation strategies. The present study addresses this gap by providing demographic insights on a population of A. velasci within a temperate environment of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, Guanajuato (SGBR-G). The population exhibits facultative paedomorphosis and it comprises four age classes: hatchlings, juveniles, subadults, and metamorphosed adults, subadults were the most abundant class. Significant differences were observed in the occupation of the microhabitat and activity patterns across these age classes. Key threats to this population include the extraction of specimens, water contamination, and siltation of the primary pool, which is a critical refuge, breeding site, and foraging area. Given its symbolic importance to the SGBR-G and its ecological role, A. velasci warrants priority status in regional conservation programs. Long-term monitoring initiatives are essential to track population dynamics and inform effective management strategies for this species.
