title: Meeting ultraviolet B radiation requirements of amphibians in captivity: a case study with mountain chicken frogs (Leptodactylus fallax) and general recommendations for pre-release health screening.
abstract: Conservation breeding programmes are a tool used to prevent amphibian extinctions. The husbandry requirements of amphibians are complex. Ongoing research is needed to ensure optimal management of those captive-bred animals destined, in particular, for reintroduction. The UV-B and vitamin D3 requirements of amphibians are largely unknown. Metabolic bone disease has been reported in a number of species. These include the Critically Endangered mountain chicken frog (Leptodactylus fallax) reared in captivity on diets supplemented with a high-calcium multivitamin and mineral supplement containing vitamin D3 but without UV-B provision. Captive-bred L. fallax being reared for reintroduction to Montserrat were provided with UV-B radiation from metamorphosis and were fed on insects supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Overlapping heat, light and UV-B gradients were provided, mimicking what we believe best represents the natural situation and thereby facilitated self-regulation of UV-B exposure. A subset of 10 frogs was periodically radiographed to assess skeletal health. Radiographic bone density and anatomical integrity appeared unremarkable when compared with a wild caught L. fallax. In addition to other routine health-screening, we recommend that radiography be performed to a structured schedule on a subset of all captive-bred and reared amphibians to assess skeletal health and to gauge the appropriateness of captive husbandry. We demonstrate here that, through the appropriate provision of a combination of both UV-B radiation and dietary supplementation, L. fallax can be bred and reared in captivity with healthy skeletal development.
authors.affiliation: Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tapley
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rendle
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Baines
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: Kay S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bradfield
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rood
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Routh
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001001:Anura / Q000502:physiology*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014900:West Indies
keywords: Leptodactylus fallax; UV-B; amphibian; conservation; husbandry