Amphibian Malformations, Diseases, and Parasites

Any diseased, parasitized, or malformed amphibians encountered are examined, recorded on a data sheet, and photographed.  All ectoparasites (e.g., leeches, mites) observed on amphibians are collected in vials and preserved in 95% ethanol.  The following information should be recorded on the vial: date, time, name of  location, UTM coordinates, amphibian  species and life stage.  If the disease or deformity is severe, try to keep the individual alive in captivity and send it to Dr. David Green for evaluation.  Contact Robin Jung or Sam Droege if there is a question on whether the amphibian should be shipped to Dr. Green.

Packing Amphibians For Shipping:

If a live adult amphibian is to be sent to a laboratory, place it in a zip-loc bag with a damp (but not soaking wet) paper towel.  The bag should be full of air, both to provide oxygen needed by the animal, but also to provide protection from being crushed. 

Eggs and larvae can be put in aged tap water or water from the collection site in Nalgene bottles or heavy-duty ziploc bags for shipping.  Make sure air comprises half the volume of the shipping container.

Place the ziploc bag or Nalgene bottle in an ice chest.  Add a couple packs of blue ice to keep the amphibians cool.  Make sure the ice will not shift and crush the animals.

Mail using FEDEX overnight, express mail.  Label the package as "Amphibian Pathology Specimens."  

Mail to:

Dr. David Green
National Institutes of Health
Bldg. 28A, Rm. 115
28 Library Dr., MSC 5230
Bethesda, MD 20892-5230
(301) 496-4465(Phone)
(301) 402-1068(FAX)
email:  greend@exchange.nih.gov

Amphibians Found Dead in the Field

We will document (photograph, and record time, day, location) any mass mortality of eggs, tadpoles, or adults caused by pond or spring dry-ups, freezes, or other events.  If fresh road-killed amphibians are found, we will collect them for either 1) contaminant analyses (freeze specimen in ziploc bag), or 2) specimen preparation for the National Museum of Natural History.

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