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japanese giant salamander
Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus)

Cryptobranchid Interest Group

The Family Cryptobranchidae contains the largest of all the worlds' salamanders. The Cryptobranchidae family consists of two different genera, Andrias and Cryptobranchus. Andrias having two species, the Chinese giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus and the Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonicus, both found in small-restricted areas of Asia. The Cryptobranchus genus encompasses one species, the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, which is found in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains in the eastern United States.

Cryptobranchids have steadily declined over much of their range and are under considerable pressures in the wild. To make matters worse, little to no natural history information exists for these unique animals to aid in their conservation. The Cryptobranchid Interest Group (CIG) has been formed and is supported by the Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group (ATAG) of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). CIG's fundamental goal is to work towards the conservation of Cryptobranchids through cooperative program building, in-situ and ex-situ research, information exchange and increasing public and political awareness. A fund has already been established to support on going field research projects for the Japanese and Chinese giant salamanders as well as North America's hellbender, but we need your help!

For more information on the Asian giant salamanders and the North American hellbender, check out the Cryptobranchid Interest Group web site hosted by caudata.org.

puerto rican crested toad

Puerto Rican Crested Toad
Peltophryne lemur


AZA Species Survival Plan

The Puerto Rican Crested Toad is one of Natures truly unique amphibians. With its upturned snout and extremely limited range. This attractive island endemic is struggling for long-term survival and is a perfect candidate for the Nebraska Herpetological Society's 2002 conservation campaign. This is the only native toad found in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Puerto Rican Crested Toad was the first amphibian species to be managed under an the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Species Survival Plan (SSP). The money raised by the Nebraska Herpetological Society will assist the SSP in its joint efforts with the Puerto Rican Department of Natural & Ecological Resources, the Mayaguez Zoo, University of Puerto Rico, US F&WS-Caribbean field office and other parties to ensure the successful implementation of the recovery plan for this threatened amphibian species.

Physical Characteristics

These toads have textured, pebbled skin and striking marbled golden eyes. The males are olive green and gold, and the females are dull brown. The females also have rougher skin and a high crest above the eyes.

Average Length

  • male = 3 inches
  • female = 4 inches
  • both genders have upturned snouts, unique among toads

Reproduction

  • heavy rains prompt breeding
  • females lay as many as 15,000 eggs in long, black strands
  • eggs hatch into tadpoles then turn to toadlets in 18 days
  • toadlets clump together to save body moisture as they move away from breeding ponds
  • due to loss of breeding ponds the northern population only has been observed breeding in walk-in concrete cattle troughs

Environmental/Global

  • nocturnal (active at night)
  • habitat: drier, semi-arid regions, rocky limestone areas rain pools for breeding
  • diet: insects, worms, insect larvae and other invertebrates
  • distribution: Puerto Rico (only native toad species)- NW and SW coasts (once ranged over entire island at lower elevation)
  • numbers:
    • wild: 3,000 for southern population, maybe 25 for northern (difficult to estimate)
    • captive: 300 toads
    • status: threatened
  • habitat loss: dense human populations
  • competition: proliferation of giant marine toad introduced in the 1920's to control sugar cane grubs, compete with toad for food, habitat and spawning sites thought to be extinct until 1967

Conservation Efforts

  • support of local field biologists
  • captive breeding involvement by 22 zoos for release and for maintaining optimum genetic diversity in captivity
  • construction of ephemeral wetlands (marine toads require permanent wetlands)
  • expansion of education initiatives island-wide
  • decrease degradation to protected breeding sites
  • development of a crested toad exhibit at Juan Rivera Zoo

Research and Investigation Programs

  • genetic analysis of northern and south populations
  • development of permanent specimen identification systems
  • prevention of disease in wild and captive toads
  • determining optimal nutrition for captive toads
  • population monitoring and continued natural history investigation

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