Members of Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group (SARG) have been participating in a national investigation into an amphibian disease caused by a chytrid fungus. This particular chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) is one of the factors behind the declines of some amphibians around the world. The fungus is microscopic, and lives in the skin of infected amphibians. Whether it kills them by release of toxin or due to the disruption of respiration and/or water balance achieved through the skin is unknown, as this particular chytrid has only recently been discovered. It has been found in the UK in non-native introductions, such as alpine newts and North American bullfrogs, and in natterjack toads. The potential effect of the fungus on natterjacks is unknown. It is also not known whether chytrid occurs in other native species and if so, what impact it may have on them, if any.

To determine whether the chytrid fungus occurs elsewhere in the country, Natural England is funding the Institute of Zoology to carry out a national screening programme, recruiting the help of local amphibian and reptile groups. The latter have been collecting skin swab samples from amphibians at about 40 sites across the country. SARG sampled animals at Bobbits Lane Local Nature Reserve and the National Trust’s Ickworth House. The sampling does not harm the amphibians – a swab is run over the skin to collect a sample of cells and is returned to the Institute of Zoology for analysis. Initial results have not detected chytrid, but the analysis of samples is not complete at this stage, so the full results will not be available until later in the year.

Swab sample being taken from a smooth newt

SARG is also working on an atlas project. The last published review of Suffolk’s amphibians and reptiles was produced by Mark Jones twenty years ago (Jones, 1989). SARG is working with Suffolk Biological Records Centre to carry out a similar exercise, mapping the ranges of the county’s amphibians and reptiles and reviewing any changes over the last twenty years. As part of this project a provisional atlas has been produced (Sanford & Baker, 2007). This is available as a download from Suffolk Biological Record Centre’s website (www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sbrc), to allow inspection of the current mapping data held.

To help the atlas project please send any amphibian or reptile sightings to the county recorder, Rosie Norton (3 Wood View, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2NH, rosie AT brundish.demon.co.uk). SARG would also like to hear of any observations of behaviour or other anecdotes concerning these groups of animals, so please contact Rosie, or John Baker (johninhalesworth AT aol.com). One species we are particularly keen to learn more about is the palmate newt. Nationally this species has a western distribution and there may be no naturally occurring populations in Suffolk. There are county records, though. Some are almost certainly misidentifications of smooth newts. However, a population introduced to the Tuddenham Road area of Ipswich over fifty years ago is reported still to be present. There are also reliable records from Burgh Castle. Any observations of palmate newts in garden ponds, or anywhere else, would be very welcome.

      John Baker:
Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group

Adder - SARG wants to know where you have seen reptiles or amphibians. Address above .

Acknowledgements
Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group would like to thank Duncan Sweeting, Emma Quick, Kay Hinchsliffe and Rachael Dobbie for help with swab sampling and National Trust, Ickworth House for providing a sampling site and Martin Sanford for help with the atlas.

References
Baker, J. & Sanford, M.(2007). Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Atlas. Provisional (2007). www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sbrc
Jones, M.L. (1989). A survey of the reptilia and amphibia of Suffolk. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24 9-24.