standardization of records keeping in indian zoos - Central Zoo ...

should never be involved in the coding system as they are vital to the performance of
copulation. Neither should the longest digit of the hind foot be clipped as it is an
essential element in proper sloughing. Viertel‟s (1976) two years of observation on
frogs of the family Ranidae led him to caution against interfering with any of the rear
phalanges as in these species the hind limbs are the major organs of locomotion. He
suggested that the foredigits only should be clipped and that, even here, the first digit,
which is important in aplexus, should be avoided. The amputation of Phalanx distalis
on finger 4 is, according to Viertel, the optimal procedure. As the latter allows for
only two possible codings, it is thus a technique best suited to a mass field study
where, for example, two separate populations require designation, and is not
appropriate in a zoo group that would normally be comprised of several individuals.
Toes essential to animals for activities such as burrowing, climbing, amplexus, or nest
excavation should never be removed. Removal of more than two non- adjacent toes
per foot should be avoided. If behavior or survival of animal is likely to be seriously
impaired, alternate marking techniques should be employed.
Method
Prior to toe clipping, an amphibian should be anesthesized or given a suitable
level of analgesia (e.g., 2% lidocaine applied to the site), and the limb to be toe
clipped should be disinfected using a standard surgical protocol. If possible toes
should be amputated at the interphalangeal joint (Wright 2001b). Sterile stainless steel
clips or absorbable monofilament suture may be used to constrict the digit prior to
amputation, and tissue glue applied after the procedure (Wright 2001b). stainless steel
clips should not be used on amphibians that are being released because of the risk of
entanglement (Wright 2001b).
In salamanders, newts and some frogs, digits can regenerate. Digit
regeneration has been prevented by using cauterizing materials, such as the
phenylmurcuric acetate solution, after removal of the toe. However it should be noted
that any mercuric compound is an environmental toxicant.
To mark anurans and caudates, two to four toes are removed using small, good
quality scissors, generally, no more than three toes are removed, but never more than
one toe from each foot. After the toes are clipped, the codes should be read back to
the data collector to ensure that the mark corresponds to what is recorded on the data
sheet, because while clipping the toes, it is easy to become confused as to orientation
of the animal and the order in which the mark is read. After finishing with each
animal, the scissors should be dipped in 95% ethanol to reduce the chance of
transmitting infections between animals. An antiseptic could be applied to clipped
digits to prevent infection.
To maximize data yield, it has been suggested that clipped toes should be kept
for determination of age through skeletochronology by preserving them in 10%
buffered formalin, or for genetic analysis by preserving them in 70 to 100% ethanol.
Coding System: The choice of coding system is largely a matter of personal taste and
experience, but it is always desirable to use a system that is simple and easy to record.
Below is given a simple symbolic coding scheme that does not require mental
addition and uses a simple numeric character per foot. This method may be used as
a standard system of coding for toe clipping of amphibians.
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