Lab Management

Question 1

What materials are enclosures typically constructed of? What substrates are typically used?

Answer 1

Glass, acrylic, stainless steel (frogs), fiberglass (frogs), and plastic. Natural substrates, such as moistened sphagnum moss and coco fiber, moist paper towels (salamanders).

Question 2

What humidity do amphibians typically require? Exceptions?

Answer 2

70-80%, except for species that are found in arid environments.

Question 3

Why must substrates be sterilized or disinfected prior to use?

Answer 3

Risk of introducing arthropod parasites, chytrid fungus, and amphibian viruses.

Question 4

What pH is generally recommended? for substrates

Answer 4

Basic. Very acidic substrates can be acutely lethal, pH in the range of 3-4 causes death within months.

Question 5

How do amphibians drink? How should water be provided?

Answer 5

Most do not drink water, but water is absorbed through skin.
Provided to terrestrial species in shallow dishes, through moistened substrate, or by misting.

Question 6

Gravel in axolotl tanks must be how large?

Answer 6

Greater than 3cm in diameter to prevent ingestion and blockage.

Question 7

What should semiaquatic frog and salamander species be provided?

Answer 7

A sloping floor or other means of facilitating emergence from water.

Question 8

What are methods of removing chlorine and chloramines? What is produced with removal of chloramines?

Answer 8

Chlorine: Age for 24-48hr, aerate, add sodium thiosulfate, and pass through activated carbon filters
Chloramines: Unused, activated charcoal filter or sodium thiosulfate
Ammonia is release with sodium thiosulfate is added to chloramines. Zeolites can be used to remove excess ammonia.

Question 9

At what water hardness should species that normally inhabit rainwater pools be housed? What occurs if hardwater species are housed at low water hardness?

Answer 9

Soft water. Species adapted to hard water develop edema and renal problems if chronically housed in soft water.

Question 10

What water should axolotls be housed in? What water flow rate?

Answer 10

Hard water of modified Holtfreter’s solution. Come from slow moving bodies of water, suffer skin lesions if housed in systems with strong currents.

Question 11

What should the pH of water be?

Answer 11

Start with 6.8-7.1, adjust to more basic if animal appears irritated or is anorectic.

Question 12

Generally, what temperature do salamanders prefer?

Answer 12

Cooler than those of reptiles.

Question 13

Generally, what types of light do amphibians prefer?

Answer 13

Most live in cool, dark environments, so direct exposure to bright light should be avoided. Frog species that are diurnal and bask should have access to full-spectrum light.

Question 14

Generally, what should airflow be in an amphibian housing room?

Answer 14

Reduced, to prevent desiccation of habitat and animals. Alternatively, animals can be housed in enclosures which have minimal openings.

Question 15

Why is excessive cleaning to many terrestrial amphibian species?

Answer 15

They scent mark

Question 16

What agents are effective against chytrid fungus? Ranavirus? What agents should not be used?

Answer 16

Chytrid: Heat and desiccation, 1% Virkon, 1% benzalkonium chloride, 2% bleach, and 70% ethanol.
Ranavirus: 0.75% chlorhexidine, 3% bleach, and 1% Virkon
Should not use iodine disinfectants with poison dart frogs or phenolics.

Question 17

What type of gloves are associated with morbidity and mortality in tadpoles?

Answer 17

Nitrile and latex. Use vinyl

Question 18

Why can the tail not be used for restraint?

Answer 18

Some species will release their tail as a predator-avoidance measure.

Question 19

What is a unique method of secreting skin toxins by some amphibians?

Answer 19

Some eject toxins from the parotid gland when pressed. Include Rhinella marina, the cane toad.

Question 20

What methods of amphibian identification exist?

Answer 20

Unique color pattern, tattooing, freeze or chemical branding, glass or plastic beads sewn through muscle mass (not just skin, it will slough), passive integrated transponder tags (can migrate and even exit body), and visible injected/implanted elastomers. Toe clipping primary means of amphibian field ID, controversial.

Question 21

Why is toe clipping controversial? What are potential recommendations for toe clipping?

Answer 21

Most amphibians regenerate digits, making it less effective. May reduce survival. Concern about inflammation, infection, and necrosis in stream-dwelling frogs. Risk of disease spread.
Recommendations: Limiting number of toes clipped to less than one per foot, avoiding specific toes on front and hind feet that are essential to certain behavioral functions. Use sterile instruments well-disinfected between animals. Use anesthetics and analgesics when possible. Consider availability of less invasive methods.

Question 22

Generally, how long is quarantine recommended for long-term use studies? For Xenopus?

Answer 22

Generally 4-6 weeks. Quarantine Xenopus 2-3 months if a sole vendor is not used or captive reared and wild-caught animals are co-housed.

Question 23

What is most familiar zoonotic agent carried by amphibians? Describe it, including prevention.

Answer 23

Mycobacterium marinum. In humans, self-limiting cutaneous lesions on fingers and hands. Rarely to ln and become severe. IS individuals at more risk, can develop severe systemic disease. Prevent via wearing gloves, especially if pre-existing cuts or abrasions on the hands, and wash after handling animals/habitats.

Question 24

What other zoonotic agents and occupational health concerns have been identified when working with amphibians?

Answer 24

Salmonellosis, but at much less frequency than reptiles. Chlamydophila psittaci, but no amphibian-to-human transmission documented.
Allergies to frog skin and secretions with respiratory and cutaneous signs.