Amphibians: Identify and breed a similar species to refine husbandry techniques prior to working with target species

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 2
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Background information and definitions

Captive breeding techniques and correct husbandry have only been developed for a relatively small number of amphibian species. It is sometimes necessary to trial husbandry interventions on similar species, which are less threatened in the wild, before trying to breed more challenging and higher risk species.

Study locations

Key messages

Two small, replicated interlinked studies in Brazil found that working with a less-threatened surrogate species of frog first to establish husbandry interventions promoted successful breeding of a critically endangered species of frog.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A small, replicated study in 2009–2010 of Scinax perpusillus at São Paulo Zoo, Brazil, carried out to develop methods for breeding Scinax alcatrazin (2), found that eggs were produced in captivity. Five batches of 4–77 eggs were laid in 2010 by one female. Two of three adult males died during the year. The three males, one female and six larvae were wild caught in 2009. Following five months quarantine, adults were housed at 12–27°C in a glass tank (70 x 30 x 45 cm) with a water dish and plants. Tanks were misted once or twice a day and before breeding an ultra-sonic fogger was turned on for 10 hours overnight three times a week. Management and husbandry protocols were established using this species in preparation for attempted captive breeding of Scinax alcatrazin.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Lisboa C.S. & Vaz R.I. (2012) Captive breeding and husbandry of Scinax perpusillus at São Paulo Zoo: preliminary action for ex situ conservation of Scinax alcatraz (Anura: Hylidae). Herpetological Review, 43, 435-437.
A small, replicated study in 2011–2012 of captive Scinax alcatrazin at São Paulo Zoo, Brazil, having developed methods using Scinax perpusillus (1), found that eggs were produced and juveniles maintained in captivity. The first breeding event occurred after 33 days in captivity. One female deposited around 140 eggs, of which 132 hatched. By July 2012, 93 froglets were still alive. Two males and a female died on the first day in captivity. Eleven animals (five males, three females, three tadpoles) were collected from the wild in October 2011 and housed in a biosecure room. Adults were kept in two glass enclosures, with plants and water. An ultra-sonic fogger was used to increase night-time humidity to stimulate breeding. Tadpoles were housed in a plastic enclosure and froglets in plastic cups. Management and husbandry protocols had been established over two years using captive Scinax perpusillus (see 1).
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Lisboa C.S. (2012) Conservation of Scinax alcatraz (Anura: Hylidae): captive breeding and in situ monitoring of a critically endangered treefrog species. Amphibian Ark Newsletter, 20, 6-8.

Please cite as:

Jonas, C.S., Timbrell, L.L., Young, F., Petrovan, S.O., Bowkett, A.E. & Smith, R.K. (2020) Management of Captive Animals. Pages 527-553 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Management of Captive Animals

Related Actions

	Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
	Amphibians: Identify and breed a similar species to refine husbandry techniques prior to working with target species Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	2	Synopsis Link

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