https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:44996 Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is an emerging infectious pathogen present on every continent except Antarctica. It causes the disease chytridiomycosis in a subset of species but does not always result in disease or death for every host. Ambient temperature influences both amphibian metabolism and chytrid pathogenicity, however the interactive effects on host physiology is not well understood. We investigated the sublethal effect of B. dendrobatidis infection on a susceptible host, Litoria aurea to test (1) whether the infection load, metabolic activity, body fat and gonad size differed in L. aurea at either 24 °C or 12 °C ambient temperatures and (2) whether previous Bd infection caused long-term changes to body fat and gonad size. Litoria aurea in 12 °C treatments had higher infection loads of B. dendrobatidis and lower survivorship. Metabolic rate was higher and fat mass was lower in infected individuals and in animals in 24 °C treatments. Male L. aurea previously infected with B. dendrobatidis had smaller testes 5 months-post clearance of infection, an effect likely to translate to fitness costs in wild populations. These experiments demonstrate a physiological cost to sublethal B. dendrobatidis infection, which suggests a reduction in host fitness mediated by temperature in the host’s environment regardless of whether infection leads to mortality.]]> Wed 26 Oct 2022 09:28:56 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:29590 Wed 11 Apr 2018 17:18:53 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:10298 Wed 11 Apr 2018 13:57:34 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:18541 Wed 11 Apr 2018 12:29:41 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:43094 Tue 13 Sep 2022 12:33:35 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:21237 Litoria aurea) did not avoid or decrease their activity when exposed to solutions of conspecific macerate, suggesting that the chemicals released into the water by dead/injured conspecifics do not function as an alarm pheromone. This non-avoidance of dead conspecific chemicals may explain why green and golden bell frog tadpoles have seemingly not developed any avoidance behaviour to the presence of introduced mosquito fish, and may render attempts to teach naïve tadpoles to avoid this novel predator more difficult.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:53:02 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:27266 Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:34:28 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:29028 Litoria aurea, are attracted to conspecifics and form schools. We conducted two choice experiments for captive breed tadpoles of this species to test their grouping preferences. Tadpoles preferred to aggregate with conspecifics to heterospecifics of a sympatric species; however, when conspecifics were absent they preferred to aggregate with the heterospecifcs than to remain alone. Tadpoles also preferred unfamiliar kin to unfamiliar non-kin conspecifics, but had no preferences between unfamiliar and familiar siblings. Once widespread in southeast Australia, the green and golden bell frog has suffered considerable declines and local extinctions in recent decades. Susceptibility to chytridiomycosis is likely the major threat for most remaining fragmented populations and the major challenge for reintroduction programs. The strong gregarious behaviour of this species may affect disease dynamics, especially chytridiomicosis that continues to threaten remaining wild populations.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:31:06 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:23914 Litoria aurea) have suffered considerable shrinking of their original distribution in south-eastern Australia since the 1970s. Currently, with only about 40 populations remaining, the species is considered nationally threatened. In natural conditions, these frogs are aggregated in the landscape and do not seem to occupy all suitable ponds within the occurrence area. To date, studies focusing on the frogs' habitat have failed in finding a general habitat feature that explains current or past occupancy. This led us to the hypothesis that social cues may play a key role in habitat selection in this species. Using two choice experiments, we tested the preference of juvenile green and golden bell frogs for habitats containing cues of conspecifics of similar size versus habitats without conspecific cues. Tested frogs did not show a preference for habitats containing only scent from conspecifics but did prefer habitats where conspecifics were present. Our results show that conspecific attraction is a determining factor in juvenile green and golden bell frog habitat selection. To our knowledge, this is the first time the behaviour is shown to occur in juvenile frogs in the habitat selection context. From a conservation management point of view, the behaviour may help to explain the failure of reintroductions to areas where the frogs have been extinct, and the non-occupation of suitable created habitats in areas where they still inhabit and develop appropriated management strategies.]]> Sat 24 Mar 2018 07:10:02 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:44520 Mon 17 Oct 2022 08:35:24 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:44399 Fri 17 May 2024 14:35:40 AEST ]]>