Dataset Information

The relationship between spindly leg syndrome incidence and water composition, overfeeding, and diet in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

ABSTRACT: Spindly Leg Syndrome (SLS) is a persistent animal welfare issue associated with the rearing of amphibians in captivity. We conducted two experiments to investigate the effects of diet, water composition and overfeeding on prevalence of SLS in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.). In our first experiment, we offered 400 full-sibling tadpoles of Atelopus certus isocaloric diets in treatments of 31%, 37%, 42% and 48% crude protein respectively. Tadpoles fed higher protein diets metamorphosed faster, but the incidence of SLS exceeded 80% in all treatments leading to the conclusion that variation in dietary protein was not responsible for causing SLS. We used 720 full-sibling Atelopus glyphus tadpoles in a second experiment to examine the effects of diet type, water composition and diet ration on SLS. We found that an overall incidence of 58% spindly leg in tadpoles reared in tap water, but reduced to about 10% in water treated by reverse osmosis and then reconstituted. It is possible that the reverse osmosis treatment removed some factor that caused the SLS, or that the reconstitution may have added a mineral lacking in the original tap water. Within tap water treatments, overfeeding tadpoles in tanks increased the incidence of SLS. We recommend further experimental research into this condition to identify the causative factors in the water. Additional research into the nutritional composition of food available to wild tadpoles would be useful in formulating captive diets, that have to date been solely based on surrogate species.

SUBMITTER: Camperio Ciani JF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6191089 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The relationship between spindly leg syndrome incidence and water composition, overfeeding, and diet in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

Camperio Ciani Julio Federico JF Guerrel Jorge J Baitchman Eric E Diaz Rigoberto R Evans Matthew M Ibáñez Roberto R Ross Heidi H Klaphake Eric E Nissen Bradley B Pessier Allan P AP Power Michael L ML Arlotta Caitlin C Snellgrove Donna D Wilson Brad B Gratwicke Brian B

PloS one 20181016 10

Spindly Leg Syndrome (SLS) is a persistent animal welfare issue associated with the rearing of amphibians in captivity. We conducted two experiments to investigate the effects of diet, water composition and overfeeding on prevalence of SLS in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.). In our first experiment, we offered 400 full-sibling tadpoles of Atelopus certus isocaloric diets in treatments of 31%, 37%, 42% and 48% crude protein respectively. Tadpoles fed higher protein diets metam ...[more]

PMID: 30325919

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Project description:The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) is a critically endangered species and currently is believed to survive and reproduce only in human care. Panamanian golden frog males are considerably vocal which may be an important component in their successful reproduction, though little is currently known about their calls. To better understand the behavior and vocal patterns of this species and to improve breeding efforts in the assurance colony, we employed individual sound recording of male advertisement calls and acoustic monitoring of a breeding colony to investigate variation in the vocal behavior of Panamanian golden frogs. The goal was to capture variability within and among frogs as well as patterns of periodicity over time. First, the advertisement calls from individual male Panamanian golden frogs were recorded, and acoustic parameters were analyzed for individual differences. Results suggest that male advertisement calls demonstrate individual- and population specificity. Second, data collected through a year-long acoustic monitoring of the breeding colony were investigated for circadian and circannual periodicity. Male vocal activity revealed a circadian periodicity entrained by the daily light schedule. Seasonal periodicity was also found with highest vocal activities between December and March. The finding of a seasonal periodicity is worth noting given that the population had been bred for 20 years under constant environmental conditions. Finally, results suggest that vocal activity was responsive to daily animal care activity. Vocal activity decreased substantially when personnel entered the room and engaged in animal husbandry activities. The findings illustrate the usefulness of acoustic monitoring to provide insight into animal behavior in a zoo setting in a key breeding colony of endangered animals, and calling pattern observations may be utilized to modify husbandry practices to improve Panamanian golden frog breeding success and general care.

Project description:ObjectiveWe have previously shown that 24 young lean men (12 pairs of identical twins) subjected to a standardized 353 MJ (84 000 kcal) overfeeding protocol over 100 days exhibited individual differences in body weight and composition gains. The mean (+s.d.) gains in fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were 5.4+1.9 kg and 2.7+1.5 kg for a total body energy (BE) gain of 221+75 MJ, representing 63% of the energy surplus consumed. We report here on the most important baseline correlates of these overfeeding-induced changes with the aim of identifying biomarkers of the response.ResultsBaseline maximal oxygen uptake per kg body mass was negatively correlated with gains in weight, FM and BE (all P<0.05). Enzyme activities indicative of skeletal muscle oxidative potential correlated with gains in FM and BE (all P<0.05). Baseline thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation correlated positively with changes in FM-to-FFM ratio (P<0.05). Plasma concentrations of androstenediol sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone and 17-hydroxy pregnenolone were negatively correlated with gains in FM and BE (0.01<P<0.05), whereas the level of estrone was negatively correlated and androsterone glucoronide was positively correlated with FFM gains (P<0.05). Baseline leptin and abdominal fat cell size correlated positively with gains in weight, FM and BE (P<0.05). When compared with the six highest BE gainers, the six lowest gainers exhibited higher thermic effect of a meal (TEM) and plasma levels of total testosterone, cortisol, estradiol, androstenedione and androstenediol sulfate (all P<0.05). High baseline levels of total TEM, testosterone and androstenediol sulfate were associated with lower FM gains, whereas high baseline levels of FT4 and estrone were found in low-FFM gainers.ConclusionAlthough none of the variables exerted individually an overwhelmingly strong influence on overfeeding-induced changes, baseline FFM, maximal oxygen uptake, muscle oxidative capacity, androgens and leptin levels were the most consistent significant biomarkers of the responsiveness to chronic overfeeding.

Dataset Information

The relationship between spindly leg syndrome incidence and water composition, overfeeding, and diet in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

Publications

The relationship between spindly leg syndrome incidence and water composition, overfeeding, and diet in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

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