4/2/2009. What exploitation is How amphibians are being exploited

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1 Tyler Blystone April 2, 2009 College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Tennessee Knoxville What exploitation is How amphibians are being exploited History of amphibian trade Global amphibian declines Current data on global trade Impacts of exploitation on amphibians Exploitation as the primary factor of decline Future of amphibians and harvest/trade regulations Exploit (v) to make use of something in a mean or unfair way for one's own advantage Merriam Webster.com Amphibians are sold and traded worldwide for: Food Medicine Medical testing Pets Are we in fact taking advantage of amphibians in an unfair or destructive way? YES! Current levels of global harvest and trade are unsustainable, And the exploitation that amphibians are suffering from is the major driving force behind global amphibian declines 1

2 Amphibians are wild harvested or farm raised Sold locally, or processed and exported worldwide Easy to find and catch Relatively safe to eat Pet Trade Laboratory use African clawed frog Valued ingredient in traditional medicine China Important source of protein in many countries Frogs, giant salamanders, and even tadpoles In school cafeterias in France Stuart et al. Source: news.bbc.co.uk Historically, harvest and trade was seasonal and local Populations able to withstand pressure Switch to year round global trade Is a serious threat Demand is unlikely to diminish Trade and harvest is very species specific Exploitation and consumption is a direct source of mortality 2

3 Habitat loss Pesticides Introduced species Global l warming UV B radiation Acid Precipitation Parasites Pathogens Chytrid fungus, Ranavirus, Iridovirus Commercial Exploitation #1 Indonesia #2 China Warkentin #3 Belgium #4 Luxembourg et al

4 In no order: France, United States, Belgium, Luxembourg United Nations Statistics Division 2008 From: Warkentin et al ban on frog trade in India Due to concerns over inhumane killing and loss of natural control of agricultural pests (Warkentin et al. 2009) Several species being harvested illegally Species were listed under Appendix II of the Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (Niekisch 1986) Following the ban in India, Indonesia became one of the primary global exporters of frog legs Indonesia peaked years later at 5600 tons Domestic Indonesian markets account for 2 to 7 times this volume (Teixeira et al. 2001; Kusrini & Alford 2006) 4

5 Crab eating frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) Giant Javan frog (Limnonectes macrodon) Introduced & farm raised American bullfrog (Rana catesbiana) Grass Frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) is also sold locally Kusrini & Alford

6 Stress Disease and pathogen risk Death or relocation is inevitable Individual may be released or escape in a foreign location Example = American Bullfrog Chytrid fungus Source: bama.ua.edu Possible spread of disease and pathogens Introduced predators, ex. Bullfrog Risk of increased insect populations Imbalance in trophic systems Loss of genetic diversity Big and strong individuals are more likely to be harvested Exploitation and trade have a direct and deadly impact on Amphibians Although not all species are consumed, the ecological effects associated with exploiting amphibians are very high This is a man made decline, we can fix it In less developed countries, over harvest and unsustainable practices may be common Giant salamander story Species that are rare, restricted, or highly valuable are most likely to be impacted by trade. 6

7 Countries with high export rates lack the necessary institutional capacity and financial resources Developed, wealthy countries should aid in programs for better, more regulated trade Would never be passed and properly regulated Societies and specific cultures would hold on to traditions of amphibian consumption Harvest and consumption for personal uses and local trade in small villages could likely never be stopped Better regulated commercial harvest Misidentification of wild harvested species has been observed (Veith 2000) Stop eating frogs and other amphibians Wildlife farming Has been unsuccessful in Indonesia (Kusrini & Alford 2006) Overexploitation of marine fisheries caused chain reaction of fisheries collapses around the world, same thing could happen to amphibians 7

8 Kusrini, M. D. and R. A. Alford Indonesia s exports of frogs legs. Traffic Bulletin 21: Niekisch, M The international trade in frogs legs. TRAFFIC Bulletin 8:7 10. Teixeira, R. D., C. R. Silva, P. Mello, and C. A. M. Lima dos Santos The world market for frog legs. Globefish version. 68:1 44. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. United Nations Statistics Division Trade of goods, US$, HS 1992, 02 Meat and edible meat offal. Veith, M., J. Kosuch, R. Feldmann, H. Martens, and A. Seitz A test for correct species declaration of frog legs imports from Indonesia into the European Union. Biodiversity and Conservation 9: Warkentin, I.G., D. Bickford, N.S. Sodhi, C.J.A. Bradshaw Eating frogs to extinction. Conservation Biology. Manuscript accepted November 2008, not yet in print. Available at 8