AmphibiCast Folgen

This week I am joined by Jay Sommers and we discuss the legacy of Bob Mailoux. Bob was a giant in the amphibian world and many of the species we work with today (including white's treefrogs) would never have risen to their current status in the hobby with out Bob's decades of hard work and passion. Jay and go on to discuss the history of the amphibian hobby back into the 70s and 80s and how some of the species kept back then have all but disappeared from the hobby.  We also talk about the challenges of large scale frog breeding,  the resurgence of fire bellied toads, and his new project, -The Reptile Talks. The Reptile Talks takes place MAY 17-19, 2024 in ANAHIEM, CA at The Hilton Anaheim —777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802for more info visit https://www.thereptiletalks.com/The Event is a series of talks aimed at expanding the knowledge base of reptile and amphibian hobbyists with profits going to Support USARK. Speakers include:Mandica (Amphibian Foundation)Philippe de Vosjoli (Advanced Visions)Armen Keuylian (HerpTime)Jeff Galewood (JMG Reptiles)Phil Lietz (Arids Only)Bill Stegall (Phoenix Reptiles)Jay Sommers (Sandfire Dragon Ranch)Scott Stahl (DVM)Mike Ready (Field Tech/Photographer)Jordan Russell (California Breeders Union)Mark Chen (TMK Aquarist)James Badman (USARK Board)John Adragna (SIM Container)Phil Goss (USARK President)Justin Munsterman (Legacy Herps)Dayyan Saylany (Reptiliatus)Chad Brown (Ship Your Reptiles)James Lindros (Micro Geckos)Socratis Christoforou (Ariellimax Arboreals)This week's episode is sponsored by Gray Ghost Creations. For unique amphibian, reptile, and arachnid art, visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrayGhostCreationsTo Support the podcast by becoming a Patron, for Merch, for a 10% listener discount off of an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCastIf you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, support is available. Please visit: https://www.parkinson.org/ or your local Parkinson's Disease Charity and talk with your healthcare provider.

This week I am joined by Lynn Rech of Fern's Frogs and we discuss her approach to breeding and keeping dart frogs with a high attention to detail.  We talk about the benefits of in person sales, vending at east coast expos, raising oophaga pumilio in grow outs bins, the importance of maintaining frog pedigrees via a  Universal Unique Identifier (UUID) known as "Foot Prints", and how she turned her love for the hobby into a thriving one woman operation. For more information check out:https://www.fernsfrogs.com/https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs/https://www.instagram.com/fernsfrogs/If you'd like to support the podcast by becoming a Patron, for merch, and for a 10% discount off an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium, visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast

As the amphibian hobby continues to grow, it is crucial that we advocate for the health and wellbeing of our beloved frogs, toads and salamanders. We must also be mindful of the health and wellbeing of the industry that provides us the privilege of working with these amazing creatures. And when it comes to setting policies that affect the industry (particularly with regard to amphibian disease), input from hobbyists and breeders is a vital component.  This week I am joined by Dr. Matt Gray and we discuss his ongoing project with the Pet Advocacy Network.  The aim of the project  is to identify how socioeconomic decisions made by stakeholders drive pathogen dynamics in a wildlife trade network and use this information to identify disease mitigation strategies that are economically viable and minimize spillover risk (i.e., pathogen transmission from captive to wild populations). This project is partnering with the U.S. wildlife trade industry and government stakeholders, and will facilitate discussions among them to identify strategies that promote clean trade, while considering socioeconomic impacts on the industry. The project uses a combination of socioeconomic surveys, facilitated discussions, pathogen surveillance, and controlled experiments to build a series of predictive models that can be used to guide policy.To find out more about free pathogen tests,  grad and post grad opportunities, and to take the survey visit: https://www.healthyamphibiantrade.orgAlso check out this paper https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/10/22-1899_articleFollow @UTOneHealth on twitter Additional Resources: Cavasos, K., N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. R. Warwick, J. Jones, N. Moherman, M. George, J. D. Willard, Z. Brinks, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Attitudes and behavioral intentions of pet amphibian owners about biosecurity practices. EcoHealth, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-023-01645-8.Cavasos, K., R. Adhikari, N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. Warwick, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Understanding the demand for and value of pathogen-free amphibians to US pet owners. Conservation Science and Practice, e12995.Gray, M. J., E. D. Carter*, J. Piovia-Scott, J. W. Cusaac*, A. C. Peterson*, R. D. Whetstone, A. Hertz, M. C. Bletz, D. C. Woodhams, W. B. Sutton, W. Sheley, and D. L. Miller.  2023.  Broad host susceptibility of North American amphibian species to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans suggests high invasion potential and biodiversity risk.  Nature Communications, DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-38979-4Cavasos, K., N. C. Poudyal, J. L. Brunner, A. R. Warwick, J. Jones, N. Moherman, M. George, J. D. Willard, Z. T. Brinks, and M. J. Gray. 2023. Exploring business stakeholder engagement in sustainable business practices: Evidence from the US pet amphibian industry. Business Strategy and the Environment, DOI: 10.1002/bse.3455