The global wildlife trade is contributing to biodiversity loss, with amphibians especially vulnerable and overlooked in trade regulations. The trade in pet amphibians is a growing area of concern, and though there are notable benefits from keeping amphibians, the trade is also associated with introducing invasive species, spreading diseases, and overexploiting wild populations. Despite such risks, we lack a full understanding of the origins of traded species and the ways they enter markets. We combined online ads and import records to analyze the sourcing and pricing of pet amphibians traded in the United States, identifying species likely sourced from domestic production and unrecorded channels. Of the 301 species sold online, we identified 30 advertised more often than expected from import records, indicating they are primarily produced domestically. We also found 18.1% of traded non-native species had no import record and were sold at a 40.4% premium. Brazil, China, and Colombia stood out as countries with native species that were unrecorded in import records. Import at the genus-level was the most common way unrecorded species arrived in U.S. markets, but we also found instances of mislabeling, laundering, and suspected smuggling. The greatest number of imports at the genus-level were from Madagascar, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Our findings show the value of combining classifieds data with import records to identify illicit trade pathways and a need for improved record keeping. To move toward sustainable trade, we advocate engaging with domestic breeders and consumers while improving amphibian identification tools for inspecting wildlife shipments.

We document predation and surplus killing of Aglyptodactylus frogs by ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans) during an explosive breeding event in northern Madagascar. The observation shows how synchronized reproduction after a cyclone provides an important feeding opportunity for a predator. Tsikaritray fa nisy fihinanana na famonoana Aglyptodactylus nataona vontsira (Galidia elegans), ka hita tamin'ny izany ny famonoana sahona maro mihoatra noho ny ilain'ireo mpiremby, nandritra ny fotoana napirongatra ny fiterahanan'ny sahona tany amin'ny faritra avaratr'i Madagasikara. Io toe-javatra io dia manambara fa ny firongatry ny fiterahana (eo amin'ny sahona) izay nifandray tamin'ny fiafaran'ny fotoan'ny rivo-doza, dia manome fahafahana ara-tsakafo bebe kokoa ho an'ny biby mpihaza.

Animal translocations provide striking examples of the human footprint on biodiversity. Combining continental-wide genomic and DNA-barcoding analyses, we reconstructed the historical biogeography of the Asian black-spined toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), a toxic commensal amphibian that currently threatens two biodiversity hotspots through biological invasions (Wallacea and Madagascar). The results emphasize a complex diversification shaped by speciation and mitochondrial introgression that comprises two distinct species. One species (true D. melanostictus) is distributed in the Indian subcontinent and is invasive in Wallacea. The other species, whose nomenclature remains unsettled, diverged from D. melanostictus in the Miocene era (~7 Mya) and diversified across Southeast Asia, from where it was introduced to Madagascar. Remarkably, the Indonesian population of D. melanostictus was recently established from India, which suggests historical, possibly human-assisted dispersal across the Bay of Bengal, reflecting the centuries-old connection between these regions. The Asian black-spined toad is a widespread, poisonous, invasive amphibian. Here, the authors use genomic and DNA-barcoding data from this toad to document its complex evolutionary history, two distinct species, and potential historic dispersal assisted by humans.

Turtles and tortoises are among the most threatened vertebrate groups. Their life history is characterized by delayed sexual maturity and a long lifespan, making populations susceptible to decline following perturbations. Despite the urgent conservation need, we are missing estimates of basic demographic traits for many species and populations. The ornate box turtle Terrapene ornata is a species lacking crucial demographic data. Many populations are isolated in fragmented habitats, especially in the eastern portion of their range. We carried out long‐term capture–mark–recapture surveys on two isolated populations in northern Illinois to estimate population vital rates and project population persistence with deterministic stage‐based matrix models. Using 34 years of data, we estimated adult female survival = 0.974 (95% CI: 0.946–0.988) and juvenile survival = 0.867 (95% CI: 0.688–0.951) at our most intensively surveyed site. At a second site using eight years of data, we estimated adult female survival = 0.897 (95% CI: 0.783–0.954) and juvenile survival = 0.844 (95% CI: 0.551–0.960). Despite seemingly high annual survival rates, populations declined under population projections using mean vital rates. Population growth was most sensitive to adult survival, with increasing sensitivity under more pessimistic scenarios. Our results highlight the importance of long‐term demographic studies for threatened species and demonstrate protecting adult female ornate box turtles is critical for ensuring populations persist at the northern edge of their distribution.

The area around the Malagasy village of Andasibe, which includes Analamazaotra-Mantadia National Park as well as other protected areas, is characterized by very species-rich and well-studied communities of animals and plants, but new species are still regularly discovered. Three species of phytotelmic frogs of the subgenus Pandanusicola in the genus Guibemantis are known from this area, G. flavobrunneus, G. liber, and G. pulcher. Further Pandanusicola frogs from this area have been provisionally assigned to G. bicalcaratus or G. albolineatus, pending detailed taxonomic review. During preliminary exploration of the ecology of these specialized frogs that live and reproduce in the leaf axils of Pandanus screw pines, we noticed the syntopic presence of two differently colored and differently sized Pandanusicola in Andasibe that could not be unambiguously assigned to any known species. A genetic screening revealed that these correspond to yet two further species in the area. Based on our data, seven species of Pandanusicola occur in Andasibe and nearby forests: (1) G. liber, the only non-phytotelmic species of the subgenus in the region; (2) G. flavobrunneus which is the largest species and characterized by a diagnostic yellowish brown dorsal pattern; (3) G. pulcher, characterized by translucent-green color with purplish brown spotting not observed in any other species in the area; (4) G. methueni, a brownish species usually lacking contrasted dorsolateral bands that differs from the other species in the area by emitting a characteristic trill-like advertisement call series (rather than clicks or chirps) and according to our data is widespread along Madagascars east coast; as well as three new species: (5) G. ambakoana sp. nov., a brownish species, typically with contrasted incomplete light dorsolateral bands and with single click-like advertisement calls; (6) G. vakoa sp. nov., a species that is equally brownish but lacks contrasted light dorsolateral bands and that has single click-like advertisement calls of very short duration; and (7) G. rianasoa sp. nov., a species that is smaller sized and has less distinct femoral glands than all the others, and emits a short series of soft chirp-like advertisement calls. All these species are genetically highly distinct, with >5% uncorrected pairwise distances in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and lack of haplotype sharing in two nuclear-encoded genes. The co-occurrence of seven Pandanusicola frogs in a relatively small geographic area is unprecedented in Madagascar and calls for in-depth studies of a possible differentiation in habitat use and life history.

Biological invasions are a major driver of global biodiversity loss, impacting endemic species, ecosystems, and economies. Although the influence of life history traits on invasive success is well-established, the role of behavior in the invasive potential of animals is less studied. The common coqu & iacute; frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, is a highly successful invader in Hawai'i. We build on previous research characterizing changes in physiology and morphology to explore behavioral variation across the invasive range of coqu & iacute; in Hawai'i. Coqu & iacute; have expanded both outward and upward from their initial introduction site, and-by comparing frogs from different densities and elevations-we specifically asked how the physiological challenges of high-elevation living interact with the competitive challenge of high-densities at population centers. To investigate whether differences in the field represent local adaptation or behavioral plasticity, we additionally evaluated behavior following acclimation to a shared laboratory environment. Although we identified only subtle behavioral variation among populations in the field, we found that individuals from all populations became less bold, active, and exploratory in the laboratory, converging on a similar behavioral phenotype. Alongside previous work, our results suggest that coqu & iacute; adjust their behavior to local environmental conditions across their invasive range and that behavioral flexibility may contribute to invasive success.

Amphibians are facing an extinction crisis, with ex situ programs increasingly being used as a tool for their conservation. However, conservation efforts are often limited because we do not understand the ecological, behavioral, and life history traits of many amphibian species. Here, we report on the seasonal breeding patterns, egg-laying behavior, clutch size, and development of 11 frog species maintained at a conservation breeding facility in Andasibe, Madagascar. The frogs exhibited diverse breeding strategies aligned with life history theory. Counting the eggs in 1239 egg masses across these 11 species, we found endotrophic microhylids and terrestrial-breeding species had the smallest clutch size yet completed metamorphosis quickly, whereas species that laid eggs above or in water with exotrophic larvae had larger clutch sizes and took longer to develop. Most reproduction in captivity occurred during the warm, rainy season and followed seasonal patterns in temperature variation. Yet, Mantidactylus betsileanus bred throughout the year, and Heterixalus betsileo required additional environmental stimuli to trigger reproduction. Notably, we confirmed that Gephyromantis mitsinjo lays eggs on land with tadpoles developing terrestrially within jelly, a behavior previously theorized but which until now remained unobserved. Such observations show how captive breeding programs can be used to gain valuable data on the life history traits of species that are otherwise challenging to observe in nature. Our findings can be used to assess threats to closely related species, helping inform conservation efforts in a country harboring exceptional amphibian species richness and endemism.

Amphibians are experiencing severe population declines, requiring targeted conservation action for the most threatened species and habitats. Unfortunately, we do not know the basic demographic traits of most species, which hinders population recovery efforts. We studied one of Madagascar’s most threatened frog species, the harlequin mantella (Mantella cowanii), to confirm it is still present at historic localities and estimate annual survival and population sizes. We surveyed eleven of all thirteen known localities and were able to detect the species at eight. Using a naïve estimate of detection probability from sites with confirmed presence, we estimated 1.54 surveys (95% CI [1.10–2.37]) are needed to infer absence with 95% confidence, suggesting the three populations where we did not detect M. cowanii are now extirpated. However, we also report two new populations for the first time. Repeated annual surveys at three sites showed population sizes ranged from 13–137 adults over 3–8 years, with the most intensively surveyed site experiencing a >80% reduction in population size during 2015–2023. Annual adult survival was moderately high (0.529–0.618) and we recaptured five individuals in 2022 and one in 2023 first captured as adults in 2015, revealing the maximum lifespan of the species in nature can reach 9 years and beyond. Our results confirm M. cowanii is characterized by a slower life history pace than other Mantella species, putting it at greater extinction risk. Illegal collection for the international pet trade and continued habitat degradation are the main threats to the species. We recommend conservation efforts continue monitoring M. cowanii populations and reassess the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status because the species may be Critically Endangered rather than Endangered based on population size and trends.

Amphibian habitat preferences have ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications, but information on habitat use is scarce for most species, especially at the microhabitat level. Considering ongoing widespread amphibian population declines, baseline estimates of abundance are increasingly important for informing conservation, yet most species lack information on population size. We identified the habitat preferences and estimated abundance of the poison frog Mantella baroni in Vohimana Reserve, eastern Madagascar. We recorded microhabitat and environmental variables in 155 1 m 2 quadrats along transects in forest valleys, on ridgelines, and in the middle between, surveying both during the rainy season and at the onset of winter. Using occupancy models, we identified leaf litter depth and the number of small trees in a quadrat as important habitat features. Deeper litter and fewer small trees increased the probability of quadrat use. Mean 24-h temperature influenced activity, with higher detection at warmer temperatures. Capture-mark-recapture models estimated 27 (95% CI: 22–49) and 197 (95% CI: 168–246) adult M. baroni individuals at each of our study sites. Our results provide the first information about habitat use for M. baroni , showing frogs select relatively open areas with deep litter near valley streams, likely due to the species eco-physiological requirements and reproductive behavior. Given that M. baroni is harvested commercially for the international pet trade, we anticipate that collection could impact local populations if it is not spread across multiple sites. In this regard, our results provide valuable evidence to inform ex-situ conservation efforts.

Fire is a vital management tool for maintaining prairie ecosystems. Prescribed burns control invasive species, regulate succession, stimulate plant growth, and are a cheap and effective method for removing excess biomass; however, fire can also inadvertently cause wildlife mortality, placing land managers in a challenging situation. Turtles are especially at risk of mortality from fire because of their low mobility and population sensitivity to reductions in adult survival. We studied ornate box turtles ( Terrapene ornata ) at 3 sites in Illinois, USA, from 2019–2022 to determine the best predictors of above‐ground activity so land managers can conduct prescribed burns when turtles are underground. We used turtle shell temperature, air temperature, soil temperature, and precipitation data to develop a predictive model of above‐ground activity. The best model for predicting above‐ground activity included an interaction between day of year and current air temperature. Earlier in spring and later in fall, above‐ground activity is more likely at higher air temperatures compared to later in spring and earlier in fall when the same likelihood of above‐ground activity is predicted at lower air temperatures. In spring, we recommend burning in Illinois ornate box turtle habitat before 1 April when air temperature is <10°C and in fall after 1 November when air temperature is <15°C. Above these temperature thresholds, there is a >5% likelihood that turtles in northern populations are above ground.

Abstract Amphibian habitat preferences have ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications, but for most species we have no information about habitat use, especially at the microhabitat level. Relatedly, considering ongoing widespread amphibian population declines, baseline estimates of abundance are increasingly important for informing conservation, yet for most species we have no knowledge of their population sizes. We explored the habitat preferences and estimated abundance for the poison frog Mantella baroni in Vohimana Reserve, eastern Madagascar. We recorded microhabitat and environmental variables in 155 quadrats in forest valleys, on slopes, and on ridgelines, surveying both during the rainy season and at the onset of winter. Using occupancy models, we identified leaf litter depth and the number of small trees in a quadrat as the most important habitat features. Deeper litter and fewer small trees increased the probability of quadrat use. Mean 24-hr temperature influenced activity, with higher detection at warmer temperatures. Capture-recapture models estimated the two M. baroni populations in the reserve at 27 (95% CI: 22–49) and 197 (95% CI: 168–246) adult individuals. Our results provide the first information about habitat use for M. baroni, showing frogs select relatively open areas with deep litter near valley streams, likely due to the species eco-physiological requirements and reproductive behavior. Considering M. baroni is harvested commercially for the international pet trade, we note current export numbers could impact local populations if collection is not spread across multiple sites and we point to how our results can inform ex situ conservation efforts.

Understanding the spatial ecology of species has important implications for conservation, as it helps identify suitable habitats and minimum requirements for biodiversity monitoring and management. The spiny-tailed lizard Oplurus cyclurus is a widespread endemic iguanid occurring in dry areas of southern and western Madagascar. While the species is known to be mostly arboreal, populations of the Isalo sandstone massif suggest local adaptation to a less forested savannah and a more exposed habitat. We radio-tracked 19 spiny-tailed lizards to investigate the species' rock-dwelling behaviour and spatial ecology at Isalo National Park. Tracked individuals showed high site and burrow fidelity, and a basking behaviour mostly tied to the accessibility of their burrow, the time of day, and their life stage. Activity peaked during the sunniest hours, while juveniles were more active than adults with unfavourable weather conditions. Despite high burrow fidelity, lizards used shelters non-exclusively, regularly changing (approx. once a week) with neighbouring burrows (average distance between burrows = 13.6 m). However, there was no obvious relation between lizards' body and/or tail size and the width and depth of selected burrows. Dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models estimated frequented areas over 247.8 m2 (95% isopleth), where territorial overlap is common. Our results challenge the notion that burrow-site fidelity is the sole driving factor behind space utilization in the studied population. We argue that the apparently unusual saxicolous habits imposed by habitat features (the absence of trees) may lead to local behavioural adjustments influencing antipredatory and foraging strategies, as well as intraspecific interactions.

Madagascar is one of the "hottest" biodiversity hotspots being home to a large proportion of animals and plants that occur nowhere else on earth. The native amphibians of Madagascar are numerous, all of them are endemic, and they are all frogs. Many species are considered to be at high risk of extinction, mostly due to habitat loss resulting from deforestation, but other threats, such as climate change, emerging infectious diseases, and invasive species, are also contributing. Over the last 15 years, the launch of the Sahonagasy Action Plan initiative helped identify actions, stakeholders, and the cost of implementation of coordinated actions to promote the conservation of Malagasy amphibians. As part of this initiative, some actions are carried out at the national level, some at the landscape level, and some others at specific geographic areas or for individual species. We here provide an overview on the conservation status of Madagascar's frogs, and include information on a dedicated action plan for the threatened Mantella cowanii.

OBJECTIVES As many primates live in forests where visibility is limited, the ability to detect the aroma of distant fruit and navigate odor plumes would be highly adaptive. Our study is the first to investigate this ability with strepsirrhine primates. MATERIALS AND METHODS We tested the ability of a group of ring-tailed lemurs to detect hidden fruit from afar using scent alone. We hid containers in the underbrush of a semi-natural forest, some baited with real cantaloupe and some with sham cantaloupe, 4-17 m from a path routinely used by the lemurs. Crucially, the containers were not visible from the path. Therefore, the lemurs had to use olfactory cues, but did not have to prioritize them to locate the bait. RESULTS The lemurs found the real cantaloupe on days that the wind blew the scent of the fruit toward the trail. They did not find the sham cantaloupe. Upon detecting the odor of the bait, the lemurs sniffed the air at one or more locations as they moved toward the bait, a process of navigation known as klinotaxis. DISCUSSION The traditional belief is that primates are unable to track odor plumes. The untrained lemurs in this study were able to detect the odor of the cantaloupe among the complex odors of the forest and navigate the odor plume to the fruit. The results indicate that olfaction may be used to respond to cues from distant sources. The ability to track odor plumes may be a critical foraging skill for strepsirrhines.

Turtle body size is associated with demographic and other traits like mating success, reproductive output, maturity, and survival. As such, growth analyses are valuable for testing life history theory, demographic modeling, and conservation planning. Two important but unsettled research areas relate to growth after maturity and growth rate variation. If individuals exhibit indeterminate growth after maturity, older adults may have an advantage in fecundity, survival, or both over younger/smaller adults. Similarly, depending on how growth varies, a portion of the population may mature earlier, grow larger, or both. We used 23-years of capture-mark-recapture data to study growth and maturity in the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata), a species suffering severe population declines and for which demographic data are needed for development of effective conservation and management strategies. There was strong support for models incorporating sex as a factor, with the interval growth model reparametrized for capture-mark-recapture data producing later mean maturation estimates than the age-based growth model. We found most individuals (94%) continued growing after maturity, but the instantaneous relative annual plastral growth rate was low. We recommend future studies examine the possible contribution of such slow, continued adult growth to fecundity and survival. Even seemingly negligible amounts of annual adult growth can have demographic consequences affecting the population vital rates for long-lived species.

Reproductive traits in turtles are often positively correlated to body size, with larger females producing more eggs. At northern latitudes, breeding frequency typically decreases, whereas clutch size increases. Given such patterns of variation in reproductive output, population-level data on clutch size and frequency are needed to predict the persistence of remaining Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata) populations. We radiographed and measured female Ornate Box Turtles in Illinois to learn if clutch size is positively correlated to body size and, if so, what is the best measurement to use to approximate body size. We then compared mean clutch size from published accounts across the species range. Of 106 turtles radiographed in Illinois, 36 had visible eggs. Clutch size ranged from 1 to 6 eggs, with a mean of 2.64 and 4.55 at our two most intensively studied sites. We found a modest fecundity advantage in clutch size with female body size. Body size accounted for 38% of clutch size variation. Our results highlight the need for additional studies on Ornate Box Turtle growth and reproduction to guide conservation decisions and better understand life-history constraints.

Reptile growth is influenced by environmental, dietary, and genetic factors. Invasive vegetation alters both the thermal qualities of a habitat and food availability; therefore, removal of established invasive vegetation may impact turtle growth. We studied a population of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolinu carolina) in Illinois, USA, to determine whether removal of invasive Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellate) and Russian Olive (E angusdfolia) impacted instantaneous growth rates. Using 16-y of capture-mark-recapture data, we found no difference in instantaneous growth rate pre- and post-invasive vegetation removal. Most of the variation in growth was attributed to the individual. Comparing commonly used growth functions, sex-specific models were better than those not accounting for sex. Male carapace and plastron lengths grew faster than females. Extrapolating from growth curves and sizes at maturity, we estimate males mature at 8.2 y (95% CI = 5.0-13.3) and females mature at 7.8 y (95% CI = 4.7-21.9). Results from our study provide new insights about Eastern Box Turtle growth at the western edge of their distribution and show removing invasive woody vegetation may not negatively impact their growth.

The Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is a highly threatened frog species found in east-central Madagascar. They are seasonally active and difficult to observe outside the summer breeding season. We used a captive population maintained within the native range of the species to examine two aspects of life history that otherwise would be impracticable to observe in the field: sheltering behavior and nearest neighbor distance (NND). We made weekly observations on seven groups of frogs for 1 yr, recording NND of each individual and how many individuals were sheltering under cover. We also recorded whether eggs were present in terraria to better define the breeding season and determine how time of year relates to NND and sheltering behavior. Frogs were closer together and more often took shelter during cool winter months. This corresponds to the time of year when fewer egg clutches were recorded. There was no difference between NND and sheltering behavior in wild-caught vs. captive-bred frogs, and there was no significant difference between NND of males and females. Golden Mantellas may be at increased risk from infectious diseases because behavior that increases contact between infected individuals can facilitate disease transmission.