Title

Nutrition and Health in Amphibian Husbandry

Authors

Authors

G. M. Ferrie; V. C. Alford; J. Atkinson; E. Baitchman; D. Barber; W. S. Blaner; G. Crawshaw; A. Daneault; E. Dierenfeld; M. Finke; G. Fleming; R. Gagliardo; E. A. Hoffman; W. Karasov; K. Klasing; E. Koutsos; J. Lankton; S. R. Lavin; A. Lentini; S. Livingston; B. Lock; T. Mason; A. McComb; C. Morris; A. P. Pessier; F. Olea-Popelka; T. Probst; C. Rodriguez; K. Schad; K. Semmen; J. Sincage; M. A. Stamper; J. Steinmetz; K. Sullivan; S. Terrell; N. Wertan; C. J. Wheaton; B. Wilson;E. V. Valdes

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Zoo Biol.

Keywords

aquarium; disease; ex situ; husbandry; life stage; nutrition; pathology; population; research; vitamin; water; zoo; ENDANGERED WYOMING TOAD; FECAL GLUCOCORTICOID METABOLITES; REVERSE-OSMOSIS MEMBRANE; FROGS RANA-PIPIENS; CALCIUM CONTENT; DIFFERENT; DIETS; BUFO-BAXTERI; INBREEDING DEPRESSION; CONSERVATION BIOLOGY; REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology

Abstract

Amphibian biology is intricate, and there are many inter-related factors that need to be understood before establishing successful Conservation Breeding Programs (CBPs). Nutritional needs of amphibians are highly integrated with disease and their husbandry needs, and the diversity of developmental stages, natural habitats, and feeding strategies result in many different recommendations for proper care and feeding. This review identifies several areas where there is substantial room for improvement in maintaining healthy ex situ amphibian populations specifically in the areas of obtaining and utilizing natural history data for both amphibians and their dietary items, achieving more appropriate environmental parameters, understanding stress and hormone production, and promoting better physical and population health. Using a scientific or research framework to answer questions about disease, nutrition, husbandry, genetics, and endocrinology of ex situ amphibians will improve specialists' understanding of the needs of these species. In general, there is a lack of baseline data and comparative information for most basic aspects of amphibian biology as well as standardized laboratory approaches. Instituting a formalized research approach in multiple scientific disciplines will be beneficial not only to the management of current ex situ populations, but also in moving forward with future conservation and reintroduction projects. This overview of gaps in knowledge concerning ex situ amphibian care should serve as a foundation for much needed future research in these areas. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Journal Title

Zoo Biology

Volume

33

Issue/Number

6

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Document Type

Editorial Material

Language

English

First Page

485

Last Page

501

WOS Identifier

WOS:000347183200002

ISSN

0733-3188

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