Consistency of Coloration Pattern and Applicability of Photo Identification Method as a Tool to Identify Individuals of the Kaiser’s Mountain Newt, Neurergus kaiseri

Somaye Vaissi, Hossein Farassat, Vahid Akmali, Mozafar Sharifi

Abstract


In this study, we investigated the use of the dorsal coloration pattern of larval, post-metamorphic and adult Neurergus kaiseri in order to develop a non-invasive photo-identification method to identify individuals of this species. Development of color pattern of larval and post-metamorphic newts until to reach to a pattern constancy was studied by consecutive photography during one year. In all transparent larval newts, we observed that random distributed pigment cells gradually accumulate along dorsal line and midbody lateral line during the first half of the larval period, and following localization in early post metamorphosis remains unchanged thereafter. Also, in a separate experiment we evaluated accuracy (% matching) and efficiency (time required for each matching) of visual judgments (true recognition or matching and false recognition or miss-matching) by naive observers when they recognized 150 individual’s adult newts based on their pattern coloration in colored photographs. In all visual judgments of photographic identification trials based on true and false recognitions in naive observer using different dorsal parts the success rate averaged 99.9 ± 0.3. The mean success rate in false recognition was 99.9% ranging from 99.7 to 100%. Assessment of accuracy of photo-identification method by true recognition yielded 100% success rate.

Keywords


Neurergus kaiseri; ontogeny; photo-identification; capture-mark-recapture

Full Text:

PDF

References


Arntzen J. W., Smithson A., and Oldham R. S. (1999), «Marking and tissue sampling effects on body condition and survival in the newt Triturus cristatus», J. Herpetol., 33(4), 567 – 576.

Arntzen J. W., Goudie I., Halley J., and Jehle R. (2003), «Cost comparison of marking techniques in long-term population studies: Pit-tags versus pattern maps», Amphibia– Reptilia, 25(3), 305 – 315.

Balogová M., Kyselová M., and Uhrin M. (2016), «Changes in dorsal spot pattern in adult Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758)», Herpetozoa, 28(3/4), 167 – 171.

Barabanov A. V. and Litvinchuk S. N. (2015), «A new record of the Kurdistan newt (Neurergus derjugini) in Iran and potential distribution modeling for the species», Russ. J. Herpetol., 22(2), 107 – 115.

Beirinckx K., Van Gossum H., Lajeunesse M. J., and Forbes M. R. (2006), «Sex biases in dispersal and philopatry: insights from a meta-analysis based on capture-markrecapture studies of damselflies», Oikos, 113, 539 – 547.

Bendik N. F., Morrison T. A., Gluesenkamp A. G., Sanders M. S., and O’Donnell L. J. (2013), «Computer assisted photo identification outperforms visible implant elastomers in an endangered salamander, Eurycea tonkawae», PLoS ONE, 8(3), e59424.

Beukema W. (2011), «Ontogenetic pattern change in amphibians: the case of Salamandra corsica», Acta Herpetol., 6(2), 169 – 174.

Beukema W., De Pous P., and Brakels P. (2009), «Remarks on the morphology and distribution of Lyciasalamandra luschani finikensis with the discovery of a new isolated population», Zeitschr. Feldherpetol., 16, 115 – 126.

Bogaerts S. (2002), «Farbkleidentwicklung bei einigen Feuersalamanderarten und Unterarten», Amphibia, 1, 4 – 10.

Bretagnolle V., Thibault J. C., and Dominici J. M. (1994), «Field identification of individual ospreys using head marking pattern», J. Wildl. Manag., 58, 175 – 178.

Connolly R. M., Melville A. J., and Keesing J. K. (2002), «Abundance, movement and individual identification of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques (Pisces, Syngnathidae)», Mar. Freshwater Res., 53, 777 – 780.

Covaciu-Marcov S. D., Vesea L., Peter V., Kovacs E. H., and Lazãr V. (2004), «Studies on the hybridization area between Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata in Derna Hill region (Bihor district, Romania)», Anal. Univ. Din Oradea. Fasc. Matem., 11, 55 – 60.

Dixon D. R. (2003), «A non-invasive technique for identifying individual badgers Meles meles», Mammal. Rev., 33, 92 – 94.

Eiselt J. F. (1958), «Der Feuersalamander, Salamandra salamandra, Beiträge zu einer taxonomischen Synthese», Abh. Ber. Naturkund. Vorgesch. Magdeburg, 10, 77 – 154.

Farasat H. and Sharifi M. (2016), «Ageing and growth of the endangered Kaiser’s mountain newt, Neurergus kaiseri (Caudata: Salamandridae), in the southern Zagros range, Iran», J. Herpetol., 50(1), 120 – 125.

Ferner J. W. (2007), A Review of Marking and Individual Recognition Techniques for Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetol. Circ. No. 35, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Ferner J. W. (2009), «Measuring and marking post-metamorphic amphibians», in: C. K. Dodd, Jr. (ed.), Amphibian Ecology and Conservation, Oxford Univ. Press, New York, pp. 123 – 141.

Fleck J. (2011), «Kritische Anmerkungen zu einem neuen Fundort der Bergbachmolchart Neurergus microspilotus sowie weitere Erkenntnisse zur Verbreitung und Morphologie von Neurergus crocatus Cope, 1862 und N. microspilotus (Nesterov, 1916) im Irak, Iran und der Türkei», Amphibia, 10, 16 – 21.

Forcada J. and Aguilar A. (2000), «Use of photographic identification in capture-recapture studies of Mediterranean monk seals», Mar. Mammal Sci., 16, 767 – 793.

Funk W. C., Donnelly M. A., and Lips K. R. (2005), «Alternative views of amphibian toe-clipping», Nature, 433, 193.

Gronell A. M. (1984), «Courtship, spawning and social organization of the pipefish, Corthoichthys intestinalis (Pisces: Syngnathidae) with notes on two congeneric species», Zeitschr. Tierpsychol., 65, 1 – 24.

Hallmen M. (1999), «Individualerkennung melanistischer Tiere bei der gewöhnlichen Strumpfbandnatter Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae)», Salamandra, 35, 113 – 122.

Heemeyer J. L., Homyack J. A., and Haas C. A. (2007), «Retention and readability of visible implant elastomer marks in the eastern red-backed salamanders Plethodon cinereus», Herpetol. Rev., 38, 425 – 428.

Hendrix R., Fleck J., Schneider W., Schneider C., Geller D., Avci A., Olgun K., and Steinfartz S. (2014), «First comprehensive insights into nuclear and mitochondrial DNA based population structure of Near East mountain brook newts (Salamandridae: genus Neurergus) suggest the resurrection of Neurergus derjugini», Amphibia–Reptilia, 35, 173 – 187.

Jonas M., Bowman J. L., and Nazdrowicz N. H. (2011), «Using spot pattern to identify individual Long-tailed salamanders», Herpetol. Rev., 42(4), 520 – 522.

Kalina M. and Schultschik G. (2014), «Development and constancy of the markings in Neurergus kaiseri K. P. Schmidt, 1952», Herpetozoa, 27(1/2), 3 – 12.

Kenyon N., Phillott A. D., and Alford R. A. (2009), «Evaluation of the photographic identification method (pim) as a tool to identify adult Litoria genimaculata (Anura: Hylidae)», Herpetol. Conserv. Biol., 4(3), 403 – 410.

Loafman P. (1991), «Identifying individual spotted salamanders by spot pattern», Herpetol. Rev., 22, 91 – 92.

May R. M. (2004), «Ecology: ethics and amphibians», Nature, 431, 403.

Mazerolle M. J., Bailey L. L., Kendall W. L., Royle J. A., Converse S. J., and Nichols J. D. (2007), «Making great leaps forward: accounting for detectability in herpetological field studies», J. Herpetol., 41, 672 – 689.

Mobaraki A., Amiri M., Alvandi R., Tehrani M. E., Kia H. Z., Khoshnamvand A., Bali A., Forozanfar E., and Browne R. K. (2013), «A conservation reassessment of the critically endangered, Lorestan newt Neurergus kaiseri (Schmidt 1952) in Iran», Amph. Rept. Conserv., 9, 16 – 25.

Mobaraki A., Safaei Mahroo B., Torki F., Sharifi M., Rastegar-Pouyani N., Kuzmin S., Anderson S., Papenfuss T., and Dibadj P. (2016), «Neurergus kaiseri», in: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016, e.T59450A49436271. DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.20163.RLTS.T59450A49436271. en. Downloaded on 20 January 2017.

Mutz T. (1992), «Vergleich der Farbkleidentwicklung bei Unterarten des Feuersalamanders», Urodela Info, 3, 4 – 5.

Řien I. J., Aarvak T., Lorentsen S. H., and Bangjord G. (1996), «Use of individual differences of lesser white-fronted geese Anser erythropus in belly patches in population monitoring at a staging ground», Fauna Norveg. Ser. C, 19, 69 – 76.

Payne R., Brazier O., Dorsey E. M., Perkins J. S., Rowntree V. J., and Titus A. (1983), «External features in southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and their use in identifying individuals», in: R. Payne (ed.), Communication and Behavior of Whales, Westview Press, Colorado, pp. 371 – 445.

Phillott A. D., Skerratt L. F., McDonald K., Lemckert F. L., Hines H. B., Clark J. M., Alford R. A., and Speare R. (2007), «Toe-clipping as an acceptable method of identifying individual anurans in mark recapture studies», Herpetol. Rev., 38, 305 – 308.

Plăiaşu R., Hartel T., Băncilă R. I., and Cogălniceanu D. (2005), «The use of digital images for the individual identification of amphibians», Stud. Cercet. Biol., 10, 137 – 140.

Pounds J. A., Bustamante M. R., Coloma L. A., Consuegra J. A., Fogden M. P. L., Foster P. N., La Marca E., Masters K. L., Merino-Viteri A., Puschendorf R., Ron S. R., Sánchez-Azofeifa G. A., Still C. J., and Young B. E. (2006), «Widespread amphibian extinctions from epidemic disease driven by global warming», Nature, 439, 161 – 167.

Richards S. J. and Alford R. A. (2005), «Structure and dynamics of a rainforest frog (Litoria genimaculata) population in northern Queensland», Austral. J. Zool., 53, 229 – 236.

Sannolo M., Gatti F., Mangiacotti M., Scali S., and Sacchi R. (2016), «Photo-identification in amphibian studies: a test of I3S Pattern», Acta Herpetol., 11(1), 63 – 68.

Schlaepfer M. A. (1998), «Use of a fluorescent marking technique on small terrestrial anurans», Herpetol. Rev., 29, 25 – 26.

Schluepmann M. and Kupfer A. (2009), «Methoden der Amphibienerfassung — eine Übersicht», Zeitschr. Feldherpetol., Suppl. 15, 7 – 84.

Schmidtler J. J. and Schmidtler J. F. (1975), «Untersuchungen an westpersischen Bergbachmolchen der Gattung Neurergus (Caudata, Salamandridae)», Salamandra, 11, 84 – 98.

Schulte U., Küsters D., and Steinfartz S. (2007), «A PIT tag based analysis of annual movement patterns of adult fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) in a Middle European habitat», Amphibia–Reptilia, 28, 531 – 536.

Sharifi M. and Vaissi S. (2014), «Captive breeding and trial re-introduction of the endangered yellow spotted mountain newt Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in western Iran», Endang. Spec. Res., 23, 159 – 166.

Sharifi M., Naderi B., and Hashemi R. (2013a), «Suitability of the photographic identification method as a tool to identify the endangered yellow spotted newt, Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae)», Russ. J. Herpetol., 20(1), 264 – 270.

Sharifi M., Farasat H., Barani-Beiranvand H., Vaissi S., and Foroozanfar E. (2013b), «Notes on the distribution and abundance of the endangered Kaiser’s mountain newt Neurergus kaiseri (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Southwestern Iran», Herpetol. Conserv. Biol., 8, 724 – 731.

Simoncelli F., Fragotti A., Dall’Olio R., Vagnetti D., Pascolini R., and Di Rosa I. (2005), «Evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection in water frogs of the Rana esculenta complex in Central Italy», EcoHealth, 2, 307 – 312.

Steinicke H., Ulbrich K., Henle K., and Grosse W. R. (2000), «Eine neue Methode zur fotografischen Individualidentifikation mitteleuropäischer Halsbandeidechsen (Lacertidae)», Salamandra, 36, 81 – 88.

Šukalo G., Dordević S., Golub D., Dmitrović D., and Tomović L. (2013), «Novel, non-invasive method for distinguishing the individuals of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) in capture mark recapture studies», Acta Herpetol., 8(1), 41 – 45.

Thiesmeier B. (2004), Der Feuersalamander, Laurenti Verlag, Bielefeld.

Tilley S. G. (1980), «Life histories and comparative demography of two salamander populations», Copeia, 1980, 806 – 816.

Vaissi S., Parto P., and Sharifi M. (2017), «Ontogenetic changes in spot configuration (numbers, circularity, size and asymmetry) and lateral line in Neurergus microspilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae)», Acta Zool., DOI: 10.1111/azo.12187.

Voros J., Korsos Z., and Szalay F. (2002), «A comparative morphological study of the two Hungarian discoglossid toad species Bombina spp»., Biota, 3, 171 – 177.

Waddle J. H., Rice K. G., Mazzotti F. J., and Percival H. F. (2008), «Modeling the effect of toe clipping on treefrog survival: beyond the return rate», J. Herpetol., 42, 467 – 473.

Waye H. L. (2013), «Can a tiger change its spots? A test of the stability of spot patterns for identification of individual tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum)», Herpetol. Conserv. Biol., 8(2), 419 – 425.

Wolterstorff W. (1926), «Über Triton crocatus Cope», Zool. Anz., 67, 1 – 6.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2018-25-4-311-321

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


You can subscribe to the print or electronic version of the journal on the site of EastView Company. If you have any questions, please write to the email sales@ivis.ru