conservation

Question 1

primary drivers of global tetrapod declines

Answer 1

• habitat loss
• climate change
• invasive species
• pollution
• over-exploitation
• enigmatic disease related declines

Question 2

enigmatic declines in amphibians

Answer 2

attributed to disease, specifically chagrin fungus

Question 3

habitat fragmentation

Answer 3

breaking habitats into smaller pieces, making species more vulnerable due to isolation and reduced gene flow

Question 4

2 species impacted by habitat alteration

Answer 4

1. florida king snake
   (increased prey + shelter)
2. flat wood salamander
   (loss of ground cover)

Question 5

invasive species have affected island herpetofauna

Answer 5

rats, mongoose, cats, goats, dogs

Question 6

how do introduced species like cane toad harm ecosystems

Answer 6

• toxic to native predators
• outcompete native species
• disrupt food webs

Question 7

key pollution threats to herpofauna

Answer 7

• fertilizers
• de-icing salts
• pesticides
• plastics
• thermal pollution

Question 8

threat of over-exploitation of reptiles and amphibians

Answer 8

they are used for food, traditional medicine, pet trade, and souvenirs

Question 9

examples of in-situ conservation

Answer 9

• habitat preservation
• sustainable harvesting
• legal protection
• promoting coexistence

Question 10

examples of ex-situ conservation

Answer 10

• captive breeding
• headstarting
• reintroductions

Question 11

headstarting

Answer 11

raising animals in captivity until they are large enough to avoid predators before release
- interferes with the early life stages of turtles and could cause issues if done incorrectly

Question 12

species suitable for sustainable harvesting

Answer 12

• early maturation
• fast growth
• high fecundity
• generalist diet/habitat

Question 13

issues with farming and ranching reptiles

Answer 13

can encourage habitat neglect, disease spread, and mislabeling wild-caught animals

Question 14

CITES

Answer 14

Convention on international trade in endangered species
- major international agreement to help regulate trade in endangered species

Question 15

zoos in herp conservation

Answer 15

• captive breeding
• public education
• maintaining assurance colonies

Question 16

importance of research in conservation

Answer 16

informs management; many species are data-deficient, especially in the tropics

Question 17

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (bd)

Answer 17

fungus that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians

Question 18

unique traits about bd lifecycle

Answer 18

• attacks keratin in amphibian skin
• fatal to adults
• carried by tadpoles

Question 19

Bsal

Answer 19

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
- severely affects fire salamanders in europe

Question 20

ophidiomyces ophidiicola

Answer 20

causes snake fungal disease (SFD)

Question 21

virus causing mass amphibian die-off since 1980

Answer 21

ranavirus
- double stranded DNA virus
- tadpoles most susceptible

Question 22

bacterial disease threatening captive and wild lizards

Answer 22

Devriesea agamarum

Question 23

conservation issue linked to pet trade

Answer 23

disease introduction
eg. chytrid via amphibians in trade

Question 24

biosecurity measures for fieldworkers

Answer 24

• disinfect equipment and hands
• never mix wild and captive animals
• never release captives

Question 25

CANV

Answer 25

Nannizziopsis barbatae - fungus causing dermal lesions in lizards

Question 26

chelonian herpesviruses

Answer 26

- transmit through nasal secretions when turtles bump heads - carry the virus for life

Question 27

education to change perspective

Answer 27

- direct participation - ecotourism - zoos - radio/tv programs

Question 28

farming vs ranching

Answer 28

farming = closed systems ranching = take eggs/hatchlings from the wild