Commensals of underground mammals: European mole (Talpa europaea, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae) and the greater mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus, Rodentia, Spalacidae)

Stepanova I, Andreychev A, Kulakhmetov R, Lobachev E. 2021. Commensals of underground mammals: European mole (Talpa europaea, Eulipotyphla, Talpidae) and the greater mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus, Rodentia, Spalacidae). Biodiversitas 22: 4665-4670. The study of lodgers of burrows of underground mammals was carried out using the method of hunting cylinders (cans). In the study, 29 different representatives from the following classes were identified in the courses of the greater mole-rat and European mole: Diplopoda, Chilopoda, Gastropoda, Insecta, Amphibia, and Mammalia. Among the vertebrates captured are Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), moor frog (Rana arvalis), and common toad (Bufo bufo). Twenty-six different species have been identified among invertebrates. Many animals seek shelter in the burrows of underground mammals from enemies and adverse climatic factors for food or conditions for reproduction. In the central part of Russia, more species of commensals were found in European mole burrows (29) than in greater mole-rat burrows (21).

Body size mediates latitudinal population differences in response to Bd infection in two amphibian species.

Populations of the same species may differ in their sensitivity to pathogens but the factors behind this variation are poorly understood. Moreover, infections may cause sub-lethal fitness effects even in species resistant or tolerant to disease. The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a generalist pathogen which has caused amphibian population declines worldwide. In many species, Bd infection causes the disease chytridiomycosis, often leading to high mortality. We investigated how geographical origin affects tolerance to Bd by exposing newly metamorphosed individuals of two North European amphibians (moor frog Rana arvalis, common toad Bufo bufo) from two latitudinal regions to two different BdGPL strains. Bd exposure strongly lowered survival in B. bufo, and in both species survival was lower in the northern region, this difference being much stronger in B. bufo. Northern individuals were smaller in both species, and the survival difference between the regions was size-mediated with smaller individuals being more sensitive to Bd. In both species, Bd exposure led to sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced growth suggesting that even individuals surviving the infection may have reduced fitness mediated by smaller body size. Bd strain affected size-dependent mortality differently in the two regions. We discuss the possible mechanisms how body size and geographical origin can contribute to the present results.

INSERT HOST IN THE LIFE CYCLE OF ALARIA ALATA (TREMATODA, STRIGEIDIDA) IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CENTRAL BLACK-EARTH ZONE

Currently, an increase in cases of infection of wild and domestic carnivores with the trematode Alaria alata (Trematoda, Strigeidida) is currently recorded in the Central Black-Earth Zone. The trematode A. alata has a complex life cycle involving intermediate, insert and reservoir hosts. We obtained new data on the realization of the life cycle of A. alata in the natural environment of the Central Black-Earth Zone. The moor frog (Rana arvalis), green toad (Bufotes viridis) and spade-footed toad (Pelobates fuscus) are recorded as insert hosts. Infection with mesocercarias A. alata of the moor frog is 20% (the prevalence) and 23 specimens (infection intensity). The moor frog is the most numerous species among amphibians and is characterized by high in-touch capabilities with carnivorous mammals. The moor frog is the main insert host in the circulation of A. alata in natural biocenoses. We have identified the localization of the Alaria mesocercarias in the moor frog, namely, the pericardium and subcutaneous tissue of the intermaxillary space. We determined the distribution of mesocercarias in moor frogs of this year's brood: 71% in the head; 25.8% in the hind legs; 22.6% in the trunk; and 3.2% in the front legs. The green toad and spade-footed toad were also classified as insert hosts of A. alata (prevalence of infection was less than 10%; and infection intensity was 4.0 specimens). Mesocercarias were found in frog larvae (24.6%; 2.6 sp.).

Establishement of a national monitoring program based on environmental DNA for amphibians and the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

National monitoring programs provide the basis for evaluating the integrity of ecosystems, their responses to disturbances, and the success of actions taken to conserve or recover biodiversity. In this study, we successfully established a national program for the invasive chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) based on dual TaqMan assays. Amphibian diversity based on metabarcoding of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was also performed. Assays were optimized for sensitive detection of target species from a wide range of amphibian ponds with variable potential of inhibitions for eDNA based detection. An amphibian mock community of 5 species was used to validate the metabarcoding approach while internal standards were used in the case of the dual TaqMan assays. First sampling of over 170 ponds in Norway resulted in Bd detection in 12 environmental samples and one swab sample taken over multiple years indicating the establishment of Bd in Norway. Five amphibian species Bufo bufo, Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Rana arvalis and Rana temporaria as predicted from data in long-term citizen science reporting systems were widely detected in the collected eDNA samples. Our large scale-monitoring program indicates a low risk of a Bd outbreak and amphibian decline caused by chytridiomycosis but continued monitoring is recommended in the future. These findings indicate that eDNA is an effective method to detect invasive species, and to monitor endangered amphibian species. Still, several shortcomings (such as PCR inhibitors and sample volume) were identified that need to be addressed to improve eDNA-based monitoring at the national level.

An Overview of the Helminths of Moor Frog Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842 (Amphibia: Anura) in the Volga Basin

This is the first review of the helminth fauna of the moor frog Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842 from the Volga river basin (Russia). The article summarizes the authors’ and literature data on the helminthic fauna of this species. The method of complete helminthological dissection was used. Thirthy-eight helminth species were recorded from three classes: Cestoda (1), Trematoda (28), and Chromadorea (9). Nine helminth species are new to the moor frog in Russia: trematodes Gorgodera varsoviensis Sinitzin, 1905, Strigea falconis Szidat, 1928, larvae, Neodiplostomum spathoides Dubois, 1937, larvae, Tylodelphys excavata (Rudolphi, 1803), larvae, Pharyngostomum cordatum (Diesing, 1850), larvae, Astiotrema monticelli Stossich, 1904, larvae and Encyclometra colubrimurorum (Rudolphi, 1819), larvae, nematodes Strongyloides spiralis Grabda-Kazubska, 1978 and Icosiella neglecta (Diesing, 1851). The cestode Spirometra erinacei (Rudolphi, 1918), larvae were observed of this amphibian species in the Volga basin for the first time. The nematodes Rhabdias bufonis, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Cosmocerca ornata and the trematode Haplometra cylindracea form the core of the helminth fauna of the moor frog. Information on species of helminths includes systematic position, localization, areas of detection, type and scheme of life cycle, geographical distribution, and degree of specificity to host amphibians.

Zur Bedeutung der ‚Grünbrücke Kiebitzholm‘ (Schleswig-Holstein) für Amphibien

In den Jahren 2006 bis 2010 wurde die Amphibienfauna auf der Grünbrücke bei Kiebitzholm (Schleswig-Holstein, Norddeutschland), an den angrenzenden Straßensäumen beidseitig der Bundesautobahn (BAB) A21 sowie an Stillgewässern im 1,5 km Radius um die Grünbrücke untersucht. Im Untersuchungsgebiet konn- ten sieben Amphibienarten festgestellt werden, darunter Knoblauchkröte (Pelo- bates fuscus), Kreuzkröte (Epidalea calamita) und Moorfrosch (Rana arvalis), die landes- oder bundesweit als bestandsgefährdet gelten. Bei Knoblauchkröte und Moorfrosch handelt es sich zudem um bundesweit bedeutsame Zielarten für den Biotopverbund. Teichmolch (Lissotriton vulgaris), Erdkröte (Bufo bufo), Grasfrosch (Rana temporaria) und Moorfrosch wurden im Untersuchungszeitraum auf der Grünbrücke nachgewiesen. Der Kammmolch (Triturus cristatus) konnte nur auf der östlichen Rampe festgestellt werden. Die Grünbrücke diente den er- fassten Individuen offenbar in erster Linie zur Querung der BAB A21 und nur zum Teil auch als Sommerhabitat. Eine auf der östlichen Rampe angelegte Wildtränke wurde im Jahr 2010 erstmals von Teichmolch, Kammmolch und Moorfrosch als Laichgewässer genutzt. Knoblauchkröte und Kreuzkröte waren im Untersuchungsgebiet besonders selten. Sie traten in einem bzw. zwei Untersuchungsgewässern auf. Während die Kreuz- kröte auf beiden Seiten der Autobahn gefunden wurde, wurde die Knoblauchkröte nur westlich der Straße erfasst. Die übrigen festgestellten Amphibienarten traten in teilweise größeren Populationen auf beiden Seiten der BAB A21 auf. Die Funde dieser Arten auf der Grünbrücke zeigen, dass bereits ein Verbund zwischen diesem Que- rungsbauwerk und den Populationen in der Umgebung realisiert war.

Faunistic review of amphibians in protected areas of Ukrainian Roztochia

Background. Study of amphibian fauna as a necessary component of ecosystems is always relevant and requires a regular renewal of information, especially in protected areas. We conducted a field investigation of amphibians, a literature review and an inventory of the collections of herpetological funds in relation to three protected areas: the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, and the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Materials and Methods. The field study was performed by classical methods: route method with manual catching and with herpetological nets, vocalization method, sampling of amphibians crushed on the road, and catching individuals with frog fences. We also analyzed the literature and amphibian collections in the Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Results. According to the available literature, the amphibian fauna of these three areas under protection is similar and typical of this region. The results of our field research slightly differ from the literature data, thus, there is a need for further studies. On the study areas, we found 12 species of amphibians, which is more than half of the number of amphibian species in Ukraine, in particular: Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris, Great Cres­ted Newt Triturus cristatus, Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina, Eastern Tree Frog Hyla orientalis, Common Spadefoot Toad Pelobates fuscus, Common Toad Bufo bufo, Green Toad Bufotes viridis, Common Frog Rana temporaria, Moor Frog Rana arvalis, Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus, Edible Frog Pelophylax esculentus and Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae. We detected 2 species of Caudata and 10 species of Anura. 10 species of amphibians were found in the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, 5 species – in the Yavorivskyi National Park, and 9 species – in the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve. Conclusions. According to the field results, 4 species inhabit all three protected areas – Common Toad, Eastern Tree Frog, Marsh Frog and Edible Frog. A relatively small variety of amphibians found in the Yavorivskyi National Park can be due to the homogeneity of habitats and a proximity of one of the largest military proving grounds in Europe, which limits amphibians in choice of the reproductive and trophic habitats. These habitats deserve special attention because of their fast degradation for the last 10 years. Keywords: amphibians, fauna, protected areas, Ukrainian Roztochia, the Roztochia Biosphere Reserve, the Yavorivskyi National Park, the Cholgini Ornithological Reserve

Overwintering and cold tolerance in the Moor Frog (Rana arvalis) across its range

Only two species of boreal Holarctic frogs (genus Rana Linnaeus, 1758) can survive freezing and overwinter on land; they are found in the subarctic and cold regions of North America (Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica LeConte, 1825) and Eurasia (Moor Frog, Rana arvalis Nilsson, 1842) and are an example of an unusual adaptive strategy of overwintering. Freeze tolerance (down to –16 °C) of R. sylvatica has been thoroughly studied; however, little is known about cold resistance of R. arvalis in cold regions. We found that R. arvalis from European Russia and from West Siberia tolerate freezing down to –12 or –16 °C, whereas frogs from the Danish population survived freezing only to –4 °C (Y. Voituron et al. 2009b; J. Comp. Physiol. B, 179: 223–230). All of these populations, according to mitochondrial DNA markers, are closely related. We suggest that the observed differences in cold tolerance (–4 °C vs. –12 or –16 °C) could be caused either by adaptations to climatic factors or by differences in experimental protocols. The northeastern boundary of the geographic range of R. arvalis in Yakutia coincides with the transitional area between discontinuous and continuous permafrost; beyond this area, winter soil temperature sharply declines. The lower lethal temperature and overwintering ecology of R. arvalis in Siberia are similar to those of the North American R. sylvatica.