Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) are giant, charismatic salamanders of conservation concern. Despite growing interest in their breeding behavior, significant gaps remain in our understanding of hellbender reproduction, particularly the behavior occurring immediately prior to and during breeding because these activities typically occur within the nesting cavity and out of view. In this study, we used custom-built infrared cameras installed underwater in artificial nesting shelters to record prebreeding behaviors, complete mating sequences, and failed mating attempts in 11 shelters. Using these recordings, we describe the basic mating sequence, the presence of potential alternative mating tactics, and two novel behaviors, including possible signal production via wave-based communication and unique egg laying behavior by female hellbenders. These findings add to our understanding of hellbenders' life history as well as informing conservation efforts in both captive and wild environments.

Worldwide, amphibians are experiencing high rates of decline. Large-scale, long-term studies of amphibians are crucial for uncovering potential causes of the declines; however, such long-term studies remain rare, particularly for salamanders. In this study, we monitored populations of Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in 90 Connecticut, USA, ponds. Populations were divided between an inland, undeveloped landscape monitored for up to 23 yr and a coastal, developed landscape monitored for up to 9 yr. We measured the density of egg masses (number of egg masses per unit of search effort) each year at each pond for a total of 1392 pond-years of sampling effort and asked how egg mass densities and breeding probability relate to local environmental and climatic conditions. In the undeveloped landscape, average egg mass densities have declined by ∼30% over the course of 2 decades. The presence of salamander breeding activity was positively associated with spring pond depth, and pond depth itself has declined by ∼20% during the survey period. We also found that egg mass density was related to road proximity and developed land cover: egg mass densities tended to be higher in ponds near roads and in ponds with less development within a 200-m buffer. In the developed landscape, egg mass densities showed a nonsignificant declining trend from 2014 to 2022 and salamander breeding activity was positively associated with higher canopy cover and larger pond surface area. Our findings suggest that even in a protected landscape with increasing forest cover, spotted salamander egg mass densities are declining at a rate of 1.6%/yr. Decreasing pond depths are likely linked to decreased water yield as forests grow, which could affect pond hydroperiods (aquatic larval habitat) as well as forest soil moisture levels (adult habitat). Overall, increasing development may continue to negatively affect habitat of Spotted Salamanders and it is possible that forest maturation also has a negative influence on salamanders—an effect not documented previously.

Bolson Tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) are a keystone species whose burrows are a unique microhabitat for a large number of vertebrates in the Chihuahuan Desert. Through the construction of burrows, Bolson Tortoises modify the habitat, resulting in greater structural complexity. This in turn results in a greater number of niches and therefore in greater biodiversity, providing not only shelter from predators, adverse climatic conditions, and fires, but ideal conditions for reproduction, socialization and feeding of various species. The potential distribution of Bolson Tortoises, eight mammal, four bird, and seven reptile species that use Bolson Tortoise burrows was modeled for the present, as well as for 2050 and 2070. The maximum entropy model (Maxent) included 19 bioclimatic layers and altitude. The models suggest a decrease in the potential distribution of G. flavomarginatus (its distribution was reduced by 85.95% from the present scenario to 2070) and 17 out of the 19 species of vertebrates that use their burrows, in both projected scenarios. This indicates climate change would negatively affect not only species with restricted or micro-endemic distributions, such as Bolson Tortoises, but also those of wide distribution, such as Coyotes (Canis latrans), Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata). The models also indicate that the percentage of geographical overlap of ≥12 of vertebrate species with G. flavomarginatus will decrease drastically by 2070, thereby reducing the availability of microhabitat (G. flavomarginatus burrows) for these species. Reduced availability of microhabitats could affect the ability of these accompanying vertebrates to hide from predators or adverse weather conditions, as well as to find sites for reproduction or feeding (Lepus californicus, Athene cunicularia, M. mephitis, C. latrans, Lynx rufus, Vulpes macrotis, and M. mephitis). Our work emphasizes the importance of conservation actions to help Bolson Tortoises (G. flavomarginatus), which in turn will benefit other species of mammals, birds, and reptiles that require the presence of tortoise burrows as microhabitats.

The rapid growth of global human activities has increased the introductions of nonnative species to an unprecedented level. Among globally documented nonnative species, reptiles and amphibians make up a significant portion. Although the introduction of many nonnative species has been linked to the wildlife trade and stowaways, the origin of introduced individuals often remains unclear. Here, we determined the geographic origin of the second known specimen of Red-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus) found in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, using phylogenetic analyses. In addition, we assessed the establishment potential of the species through ecological niche modeling. Phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes strongly supported the origin of the specimen from the East or South Central regions of the People's Republic of China, especially Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, suggesting an introduction through anthropogenic activities rather than a natural colonization from mainland Korea. In addition, the ecological niche models had adequate predictive abilities and estimated suitable habitats across the island, suggesting habitat conditions sufficient for establishment and colonization. The potential sources of introduction are legal and illegal trading, as well as accidental transportation as stowaways. The locations of the two L. rufozonatus recorded are extremely close, suggesting that the species has potentially established itself in Jeju. The introduction and establishment of L. rufozonatus on the island is likely to have negative impacts on the island's native fauna through predation. Therefore, further surveys around the area where the specimens were found and around major ports on the island are required to verify the presence of additional individuals and prevent population establishment.

Reptiles play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, yet many species face increasing threats because of various anthropogenic factors. To enhance our understanding of reptile diversity and habitat use, evaluation of the effectiveness of diverse survey techniques is necessary. The relative efficacy of different methods may vary significantly across regions or communities, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach using multiple survey methods over extensive spatial and temporal scales. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of seven survey methods—pitfall traps, funnel traps, spotlighting, arboreal cover boards, incidental encounters, camera traps, and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM)—for assessing reptile biodiversity over several years across an extensive spatial range in open eucalypt woodlands in eastern Australia. Pitfall and funnel traps were the most effective methods for detecting reptiles across all sites and latitudes. A combination of pitfall and funnel traps accumulated species most quickly, had high detection probabilities, and accounted for nearly 90% of all different reptile species detected in this study. However, with a decrease in latitude reptile diversity increased and other survey methods became necessary to document the full extent of the reptile communities. Reptile assemblages captured by different survey methods varied significantly, except for the communities captured by pitfall and funnel traps. No single method captured all species, and no species was detected by every method. PAM failed to detect any reptiles and may not be viable for assessing reptile biodiversity in Australia. Pitfall and funnel traps proved highly effective for detecting terrestrial reptiles within open eucalypt woodlands in Australia; however, the selection of methods for evaluating reptile biodiversity depended on the objectives and target fauna. When possible, to maximize species richness, survey designs should incorporate an array of concurrently deployed methods, particularly in regions with higher overall species richness. Nevertheless, if resources and time are limited, pitfall and funnel traps, combined with incidental encounters, should capture the majority of species.

The genus Aplastodiscus (Hylidae) is widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and adjacent Argentina, and a single species inhabits the Cerrado in Central Brazil. The genus comprises 16 species included in 4 species groups. The A. albosignatus species group contains 6 described species, as well as two candidate species referred to as Aplastodiscus sp. 5 and Aplastodiscus sp. 6 in previous studies. Here we name and describe Aplastodiscus sp. 6, based on morphology, DNA sequences, and vocalizations. The new species is known only from the northern sector of the Mantiqueira Mountain Range and can be distinguished morphologically from most congeneric species based on body size, iris color pattern, and cloacal ornamentation. The new species is distinguished from its sister species A. leucopygius by its vocalization. The species of the A. albosignatus group share a conserved external morphology and most of the morphological characters traditionally included in their diagnoses failed to distinguish them. In contrast, advertisement call traits, such as call duration, call envelope, and distribution of sound energy in the harmonic series, were informative in Aplastodiscus species discrimination.