Hero 1989 Code for Toe Clipping Anurans

2
naturais no pantanal Matogrossense. Papeis Avulsos de Zool., S. Paulo, 36(10): 91-101. Cintra, R. 1985b. 8 0 Relatório Técnico (Perf- : odo Jan/84 - Mar/85) sobre estudos do . Caiman yacare, realizados na Base de Pesquisas da Fauna do Pantanal. Unpub- lished Technical Report, Instituto Brasí- leiro de Oesenvolvimento Florestal, IBOF, Bras(¡ia. 32 pp. Cintra, R. 1988. Nesting Ecology 01 the Para- guayan Caiman (Caiman yacare) in the '. Brazilian Pantanal. J. Herpetol. 22(2):219- 222. Prance, G.T. and G.S. Schaller. 1982. Preli- minary study 01 some vegetation types 01 the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Britto- nia 34(2):228-251. Rhodin, AG.J., R.A. Miltermeier and J.R. McMorris. 1984. Platemys macrocephala, a new species 01 chelid turtle Irom central Bolivia and the Pantanal region 01 Brazil. Herpetologica 40(1 ):38-46. Schaller, G.S. & P.G. Grawshaw, 1982. Fish- ing behavior 01 Paraguayan Caiman (Caiman crocodilus yacare). Copeia (1):66-72. Table 2. Sizes 01 eggs 01 Platemys macrocepha/a. lENGTH WIDTH MASS (mm) (mm) (9) Nest number f 31.5 30.5 18.5 31.5 31 18.5 32.5 31 19 32 31 19 SO 31.8± 0.41 30.8 ± 0.21 18.8 ± 0.22 .laid in captivity Female 1 30.5 29.8 20 30.5 29.7 19.5 30.2 29.7 19 30.9 29.3 19 X±SO 30.5 ± 0.24 29.6±0.19 19.3 ± 0.41 Female 2 28.5 26.5 13.5 28 26.3 12 29 26.5 13 29.5 26 12 28.8 25.8 11 28 26.5 12 SO 28.6 ± 0.53 26.3 ± 0.27 12.2 ± 0.80 Female 3 30 30 14.5 30.3 29.5 15.5 31 30.5 16 29.5 29.5 15.5 30 29.8 17 30.5 30.4 17.5 30.5 29.8 16 31.3 31 16 SO 30.4 ± 0.52 30 ± 0.49 15.7±1.09 Table 3. Oimensions 01 a young and adults 01 Platemys macrocepha/a. AGE SEX Cl CW CH PW Pl HW MASS (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (9) Hatchling ? 3.8 2.6 Ó.9 2.4 2.7 1.3 10 1. Adult F 26.5 19.5 10.5 17.5 24 5.7 2.507 2. Adult F 23 15.5 8.5 14 20 5.5 1.590 3. Adult F 29.5 20.5 12 17.5 25.5 6.7 3.257 4. Adult M 23.5 17 9 14 21.3 5.1 1.757 Cl/CW CLlCH Pl/PW CW/PW 1. 1.36 2.52 1.37 1.11 2. 1.48 2.71 1.42 1.10 3. 1.44 2.46 1.45 1.17 4. 1.38 2.61 1.52 1.21 Hatchling 1.46 4.22 1.12 1.10 F = Female; M = Male; Cl = Carapace length; CW = Carapace Width; CH = Carapace Height; PW = Plastron Width; HW = Head Width; Pl = Plastron length 66 Herp Review 20(3), 1989 RENATO CINTRA Base de Pesquisas da Fauna doPantanal Matogrossense (IBOF) Instituto Brasileiro de Oesenvolvimento Florestal - Poconé, Mato Grosso and CARLOS YAMASHITA CEMAVE - IBDF - Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Florestal Caixa Postal 34, 72000 Brasilia. DF, Brasllia. TECHNIQUES A SIMPLE CODE FOR TOE CLIPPING ANURANS A limited number of unique toe clipping cedes have been proposed (see Ferner 1979 lor a review). The most widely cited code is that of Martof (1953). Martof's system is appropriate if the study involves thousands of individuals. However, it has the disadvantage of requiring the clipping of many digits lor even numbers 01 two or three digits (e.g., #16 requires clipping threetoes, #66 lour toes and #199 six toes). Clarke (1972) has shown that toe clipping toads reduces the probability of recapture, suggesting that the procedure may be detrimental to them. Underhill (pers. comm. in Daugherty 1976) also reported weight 1055 in toe-clipped Rana pipiens. Toe clipping may also reduce the mobility of arboreal frogs. A system that minimizes toe clips is pre- lerred. I have used the system shown in Fig- ure 1. This system allows the first 99 individu- als to be marked with only one or two toes clipped (Table 1) and involves the clipping 01 no more than three digits for up to 736 indi- viduals, a number large enough to be ade- quate for many studies. After 99, not all con- secutive numbers are available. When two amputations occur on one side of the body (Ieft or right), the lower digit takes the higher value. For example clipping thefirst and third digits on the right hand side would represent Figure 1. A simple code lortoe clipping anu- rans. Note, when two clips are made on one side of the body, the number in brackets is adopted by the lowest digit (e.g. marking the first and third digits on the right foot would represent number 103 not 301).

Transcript of Hero 1989 Code for Toe Clipping Anurans

naturais no pantanal Matogrossense.Papeis Avulsos de Zool., S. Paulo, 36(10):91-101.

Cintra, R. 1985b. 80 Relatório Técnico (Perf-: odo Jan/84 - Mar/85) sobre estudos do. Caiman yacare, realizados na Base dePesquisas da Fauna do Pantanal. Unpub-lished Technical Report, Instituto Brasí-leiro de Oesenvolvimento Florestal, IBOF,Bras(¡ia. 32 pp.

Cintra, R. 1988. Nesting Ecology 01 the Para-guayan Caiman (Caiman yacare) in the '.Brazilian Pantanal. J. Herpetol. 22(2):219-222.

Prance, G.T. and G.S. Schaller. 1982. Preli-minary study 01 some vegetation types 01the Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Britto-nia 34(2):228-251.

Rhodin, AG.J., R.A. Miltermeier and J.R.McMorris. 1984. Platemys macrocephala,a new species 01 chelid turtle Irom centralBolivia and the Pantanal region 01 Brazil.Herpetologica 40(1 ):38-46.

Schaller, G.S. & P.G. Grawshaw, 1982. Fish-ing behavior 01 Paraguayan Caiman(Caiman crocodilus yacare). Copeia(1):66-72.

Table 2. Sizes 01 eggs 01 Platemys macrocepha/a.

lENGTH WIDTH MASS(mm) (mm) (9)

Nest number f 31.5 30.5 18.531.5 31 18.532.5 31 1932 31 19

x± SO 31.8± 0.41 30.8 ± 0.21 18.8 ± 0.22

. laid in captivityFemale 1 30.5 29.8 20

30.5 29.7 19.530.2 29.7 1930.9 29.3 19

X±SO 30.5 ± 0.24 29.6±0.19 19.3 ± 0.41Female 2 28.5 26.5 13.5

28 26.3 1229 26.5 1329.5 26 1228.8 25.8 1128 26.5 12

x± SO 28.6 ± 0.53 26.3 ± 0.27 12.2 ± 0.80Female 3 30 30 14.5

30.3 29.5 15.531 30.5 1629.5 29.5 15.530 29.8 1730.5 30.4 17.530.5 29.8 1631.3 31 16

x± SO 30.4 ± 0.52 30 ± 0.49 15.7±1.09

Table 3. Oimensions 01 a young and adults 01 Platemys macrocepha/a.

AGE SEX Cl CW CH PW Pl HW MASS(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (9)

Hatchling ? 3.8 2.6 Ó.9 2.4 2.7 1.3 101. Adult F 26.5 19.5 10.5 17.5 24 5.7 2.5072. Adult F 23 15.5 8.5 14 20 5.5 1.5903. Adult F 29.5 20.5 12 17.5 25.5 6.7 3.2574. Adult M 23.5 17 9 14 21.3 5.1 1.757

Cl/CW CLlCH Pl/PW CW/PW1. 1.36 2.52 1.37 1.112. 1.48 2.71 1.42 1.103. 1.44 2.46 1.45 1.174. 1.38 2.61 1.52 1.21

Hatchling 1.46 4.22 1.12 1.10

F= Female; M = Male; Cl = Carapace length; CW = Carapace Width; CH = Carapace Height; PW= Plastron Width; HW = Head Width; Pl = Plastron length

66 Herp Review 20(3), 1989

RENATO CINTRABase de Pesquisas da Fauna doPantanalMatogrossense (IBOF)Instituto Brasileiro de OesenvolvimentoFlorestal - Poconé, Mato GrossoandCARLOS YAMASHITACEMAVE - IBDF - Instituto Brasileiro deDesenvolvimento Florestal CaixaPostal 34, 72000 Brasilia. DF, Brasllia. •

TECHNIQUESA SIMPLE CODE FOR TOE

CLIPPING ANURANSA limited number of unique toe clipping

cedes have been proposed (see Ferner 1979lor a review). The most widely cited code isthat of Martof (1953). Martof's system isappropriate if the study involves thousands ofindividuals. However, it has the disadvantageof requiring the clipping of many digits loreven numbers 01 two or three digits (e.g., #16requires clipping threetoes, #66 lour toes and#199 six toes). Clarke (1972) has shown thattoe clipping toads reduces the probability ofrecapture, suggesting that the procedure maybe detrimental to them. Underhill (pers.comm. in Daugherty 1976) also reportedweight 1055 in toe-clipped Rana pipiens. Toeclipping may also reduce the mobility ofarboreal frogs.

A system that minimizes toe clips is pre-lerred. I have used the system shown in Fig-ure 1. This system allows the first 99 individu-als to be marked with only one or two toesclipped (Table 1) and involves the clipping 01no more than three digits for up to 736 indi-viduals, a number large enough to be ade-quate for many studies. After 99, not all con-secutive numbers are available. When twoamputations occur on one side of the body(Ieft or right), the lower digit takes the highervalue. For example clipping thefirst and thirddigits on the right hand side would represent

Figure 1. A simple code lortoe clipping anu-rans. Note, when two clips are made on onesi de of the body, the number in brackets isadopted by the lowest digit (e.g. marking thefirst and third digits on the right foot wouldrepresent number 103 not 301).

\thenumber 103, not 301. Hence it is thennecessary to delete those numbers which

+bécome obsolete-(e.g., number 301 eannot be<used). Repeating marks can be avoided by'ustnca table 01 clip codes (Table 1) and-checking thecodes as they are used. In addi-tlon to minimizing the number 01 clips, thissimplilied system is easily remembered, thusallowing more rapid marking and recognitionof frogs in the field.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank 8ill Magnusson and theInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazoniafor their support and Lyn Cocceti lrom CAL Tat Griffith University for preparing the tableand figure. This research was partially fundedby grant no. 301299-86/Z0 lrom the Brazil-ian Conselho Nacional de DesenvolvimentoCientilico e Tecnologico to W.E. Magnusson.

LlTERATURE CITED

Clark, R.D. 1972. The effect of toe clipping onsurvival in Fowlers toad (Bufo woodhou-sei fowleri). Copeia 1972:182-185.

Daugherty, C.H. 1976. Freeze-branding as atechnique for marking anurans. Copeia1976 (4):836-838.

Ferner, J.W. 1979. A review 01 marking tech-niques for amphibians and reptiles. SSAR.Herpetol. Cire. (9):41 pp.

Martof, 8.S. 1953. Territoriality in the greenfrog Rana clamitans. Ecology 34:165-174.

JEAN-MARC HERODepto. EcologiaInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da AmazoniaAmazonas, 8RASILCurrent Address: Division 01 Australian Environ-mental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Bris-bane, Queensland 4111 Australia •

NUMBERS AVAILABLETotal number

of uniquemarks

1Toe Clip 1.2,3.4,5.6.7.8.9,10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80,90 18

11-19.21-29,31-39,41-49, ....91-99.2 102-109.203-209.304-309,405-409.506-509.

Toe Clips 607-609, ,

708.709,8091020.1030,1040,1050,1060, 1070, 1080, 1090 124

112-119,122-129,132-139,142-149, ........• 192-199213-219.223-229, 233-239, 243-249, ........• 293-299314-319.324-329. 334-339, 344-349, ........• 392-399415-419, 425-429 •..................................... , 495-499516-519, 526-529, ......................................• 596-599

3 617-619.627-629 •......................................• 697-699Toe Clips 718-719.728-729, ...................................... , 798-799

819, 829, 839. 849, ....................................• 889. 8991021-1029,1031-1039.1041-1049 •.........• 1091-10992031-2039, 2041-2049 •............................• 2091-20993041-3049. 3051-3059 •............................• 3091-30994051-4059, 4061-4069, ............................• 4091-40995061-5069. 5071-5079, ............................ , 5091-50996071-6079, 6081-6089, 6091-60997081-7089, 7091-70998091-8099 736

Table 1. Numbers available using 1,2 and 3 clips, and the accumulated total number of uniquemarks available. Note that after 99 not all numbers are available (see explanation in text).

HERPETOLOGICALHUSBANDRV

See Herp. Review 20(1) for euthor's in-structions.

ARTIFICIAL HIBERNATIONOF GARTER (Thamnophis

sp.) ANO CORN (Elapheguttata guttata) SNAKES

Previous studies utilizing artilicial hiberna-tion lor garter snakes report high rates 01

mortality (24% for adult females and 50% loradult males in Vagvolgyi and Halpern 1983;and 47.2% and 63%, resp., lor adults in Joyand Crews 1987). During the course 01 ourstudies on chemosensory structures andfunctions in snakes, we have used artificialhibernation as a means of simulating naturalconditions and lowering the cost 01 rnaintain-ing captive garter snakes (Thamnophis sp.)and corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata).The methods described below have provideda high survival rate lor both adult and neona-tal snakes. In addition, we observed robustcourtship behavior and successful mating forboth genera.

MATERIALS ANO METHOOS

AII animals were contained in plasticsweater boxes (Hugh H. Wilson Co., Sun-bury, PA), measuring either 40.6 x 27.3 x 16.5cm (model 0957) or 40.6 x 27.3 x 9.5 cm(model 0956), with air holes in the cover. AIIsnakes, except for T. sirtalis parietalis. wereprovided with pine shavings as a substrate.Three brown paper towels were used to linethe bottom for T. S. parietalis. One bowl 01 tapwater, cooled down to hibernating tempera-tures, was placed in each sweater box.

In September 1986, 50.50 adult T. S. parieta-lis were purchased commercially, grouphoused by sex, and maintained at ambienttemperature (25° C ± 2°) lor several days withwater ad libitum. On 16 September, mal esnakes were separated into groups 01 12 or14/sweater box, and lemales were separatedinto groups 01 eight or t O/sweater box. AIIsweater boxes were then put into large card-board boxes, which were closed and put intoa relrigerated room (5° C ± 5°, but neverbelow 0° C). A large piece 01 opaque plasticwas placed over the cardboard boxes to pre-vent Iight Irom entering the boxes and to keephumidity high. No acclimation period wasprovided nor did we attempt to leed thesnakes prior to hibernation. AII snakes ap-peared healthy. Water and paper towels werechanged every three weeks under red lightillumination; otherwise the snakes were leftundisturbed for 111 days (males) and 112-125days (Iemales).

On 16 October 1987, 12.15 adult T. marcia-nus, collected by the first author in LaSalleCO., TX and purchased commercially, wereput into sweater boxes (four males/box and3-4 females/box) and placed within an unlitlow-temperature incubator (Queue Systems,Model 1210, Parkersburg, WV). On the sameday, 7.7 adult corn snakes were put in sweaterboxes individually and placed within the sameincubator with the T. marcianus. AII snakeswere exposed to declining temperatures (16to 10° C ± 2°) over 18 days. Water waschanged every two weeks, and the pine shav-ings were not changed during the hibernationperiodo Priorto hibernation, these snakes hadbeen maintained in the laboratory on a 12:12h lighl:dark cycle at ambient temperatures. T.marcianus were fed as many goldfish as theywould eat once/week, and the corn snakeswere fed one adult mouse/week. Water wasavailable ad libitum. Feeding was discon-tinued one week prior to hibernation. AIIsnakes were brought out 01 hibernation after73 days, directly into ambient room ternp-eratures.

On 22 September 1988, 118 male andlemale T. S. parietalis, purchased cornrner-cially, were randomly distributed into sweaterboxes (10 snakes/box) and put into hiberna-tion as described previously for this species.Twenty-eight snakes were removed after 92days in hibernation, 20 snakes alter 99 days,nine after 119 days, 20 after 131 days, 10 after

" 153 days, and 30 after 180 days.Table 1 shows the hibernation periods for

corn snakes, T. marcianus, T. redix, and T.proximus proximus in 1988. AII of thesesnakes were hibernated in the same manneras described lor the snakes in 1987 except noacclimation period was given. These snakeswere exposed to 10° C ± 2° Irom the onset.Juvenile corn snakes were not hibernated

Herp Review 20(3), 1989 67