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We report the first observations of Opheodrys vernalis (Smooth Greensnake) communal oviposition of 137 eggs within an active nest mound of Lasius interjectus (Citronella Ant) in a northern Illinois prairie. This is the first North American documentation of snake oviposition, and communal oviposition, within an active ant nest. The communal Smooth Greensnake nest is also the largest reported to date. We observed other instances of Smooth Greensnakes nesting in proximity to Citronella Ant nests beneath artificial cover objects, which may indicate a facultative inquiline relationship. Other documented North American associations between snakes and ants have been with Formica mound-building ants in which snakes used mounds as refugia or hibernacula. The only other North American observation of a reptile nesting within an active ant mound was with Anolis carolinensis (Green Anole) and Odontomachus brunneus ants in Florida (Kwapich 2021). Other accounts of inquiline oviposition by snakes within active ant nests have been from Central America, South America, and Africa, predominantly within the fungal-farming chambers of leaf-cutter ant genera Acromyrmex, Anochetus, Apterostigma, Atta, Camponotus, Platythyrea, and Strumigenys.

  Bsal appears to have originated in Asia, and may have been introduced by humans into wild populations in Europe through commercial trade of amphibians [1]. Since the first outbreaks of Bsal in the Netherlands, it has been the etiologic agent of mortality events in Belgium (wild) and Germany (captivity), and was recently found in imported salamanders in the United Kingdom [1-4]. [...]response to the threat of Bsal calls for a cooperative effort across nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, zoos, the pet industry, and concerned citizens to avoid the potential catastrophic effects of Bsal on salamanders outside of the pathogen's endemic regions.

Abstract Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and increased exposure to environmental stressors, including global climate change and pathogens like Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), may be contributing to this decline. Our goal was to use a novel dermal swabbing method to measure glucocorticoid (GC) hormones and investigate the relationship among disease and environmental conditions in the critically endangered Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri). Our objectives were to (i) validate the use of dermal swabs to measure GCs using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge on eight captive toads (4 ACTH: 2 M, 2F and 4 saline as a control: 2 M, 2F), (ii) investigate stress physiology and disease status of toads across six reintroduction sites and (iii) compare dermal cortisol between reintroduced and captive toads. Dermal cortisol peaked immediately after the ACTH and saline injections. Faecal GC metabolites (FGMs) were significantly higher one week after the ACTH injection compared with the week before. Saline-injected toads had no change in FGM over time. Toads were only found in three reintroduction sites and dermal cortisol was similar across sites; however, reintroduced toads had higher dermal cortisol in August compared with June and compared with captive individuals. Bd status did not influence dermal cortisol concentrations. Dermal and faecal hormonal metabolite analyses can be used to study amphibian stress physiology and learn how environmental conditions are impacting population success.

Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and increased exposure to environmental stressors, including global climate change and pathogens like Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), may be contributing to this decline. Our goal was to use a novel dermal swabbing method to measure glucocorticoid (GC) hormones and investigate the relationship among disease and environmental conditions in the critically endangered Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri). Our objectives were to (i) validate the use of dermal swabs to measure GCs using an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge on eight captive toads (4 ACTH: 2 M, 2F and 4 saline as a control: 2 M, 2F), (ii) investigate stress physiology and disease status of toads across six reintroduction sites and (iii) compare dermal Cortisol between reintroduced and captive toads. Dermal Cortisol peaked immediately after the ACTH and saline injections. Faecal GC metabolites (FGMs) were significantly higher one week after the ACTH injection compared with the week before. Saline-injected toads had no change in FGM over time. Toads were only found in three reintroduction sites and dermal Cortisol was similar across sites; however, reintroduced toads had higher dermal Cortisol in August compared with June and compared with captive individuals. Bd status did not influence dermal Cortisol concentrations. Dermal and faecal hormonal metabolite analyses can be used to study amphibian stress physiology and learn how environmental conditions are impacting population success.

Bsal appears to have originated in Asia, and may have been introduced by humans into wild populations in Europe through commercial trade of amphibians [1]. Since the first outbreaks of Bsal in the Netherlands, it has been the etiologic agent of mortality events in Belgium (wild) and Germany (captivity), and was recently found in imported salamanders in the United Kingdom [1-4]. [...]response to the threat of Bsal calls for a cooperative effort across nongovernmental organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, zoos, the pet industry, and concerned citizens to avoid the potential catastrophic effects of Bsal on salamanders outside of the pathogen's endemic regions.