Table of Contents
· Even though Xenopus is one of the two most popular non-mammalian animals used in biomedical research, their value in the lab suffers from a lack of standardization regarding their optimal care, breeding, and housing.
· Filling the need for such a reference, The Laboratory Xenopus sp provides researchers and lab managers with a practical, step-by-step manual that emphasizes the humane care and use of captive clawed frogs in basic as well as biomedical, and toxicological research.

· The Only Book of Its Kind Available to Researchers
· Amply illustrated with 50 color illustrations of management practices and technical procedures, this how-to guide:
· Offers quick reference on the humane care and use of clawed frogs in the laboratory
· Illustrates management practices and technical procedures with figures and tables
· Provides sources of additional information on frogs, feed, and sanitation supplies
· Supported with hypothesis-driven research, this well-organized manual explores the full range of responsibilities facing individuals who work with this species. The content is divided into intentionally brief sections that allow for the quick retrieval of essential information regarding important biological features and experimental methodology, as well as compliance and veterinary care, husbandry, housing, and water quality management.

· Important Biological Features
· Introduction
· Habitat and Geography
· Behavior
· Anatomic and Physiologic Features
· General Features
· Integument
· Sensory
· Gastrointestinal and Excretory
· Reproduction
· Respiratory
· Cardiovascular
· Thermoregulation
· Longevity
· Aestivation
· References
· Husbandry
· Introduction
· Macroenvironment
· Microenvironment
· Housing Systems and Water Sources
· Static/Closed Systems
· Flow-Through Systems
· Modular/Recirculating Systems
· Filtration Systems and UV Water Sanitation Systems
· Mechanical Filtration
· Biological Filtration
· Chemical Filtration
· Ultraviolet Sterilization
· Water Quality
· Ph
· Alkalinity
· Temperature
· Conductivity
· Hardness
· Ammonia (Nh3)
· Nitrate and Nitrite
· Chlorine/Chloramines
· Dissolved Oxygen
· Total Dissolved Gases—Percent Saturation (TDG%)
· Carbon Dioxide
· Water Clarity
· Miscellaneous Water Toxicants
· Monitoring Water Quality
· Stocking Density
· Photoperiod
· Nutrition
· Types of Food
· Frequency of Feeding
· How Much to Feed
· Sanitation
· Environmental Enrichment
· Identification
· Transportation of Xenopus
· Record Keeping
· References
· Management
· Regulations and Regulatory Agencies
· Occupational Health and Safety: Injury and Zoonotic Risks
· References
· Veterinary Care
· Physical Examination
· Quarantine
· Clinical Problems
· Bacterial Infections
· Red Leg Syndrome
· Chryseobacterium (Formerly Called Flavobacterium) Spp
· Mycobacterium Spp
· Chlamydia Spp
· Viral Infections
· Ranavirus
· Lucke Herpesvirus
· Fungal Infections
· Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis
· Saprolegnia Spp. and Other Water Molds
· Parasitic Infections
· Pseudocapillaroides Xenopi (Capillaria Xenopodis)Rhabdias (Strongyloid Lungworms)
· Cryptosporidia
· Acariasis (Mites)
· Noninfectious Diseases and Conditions
· Dehydration and Desiccation
· Gas Bubble Disease
· Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicities
· Neoplasia
· Rectal And Cloacal Prolapses
· Gout
· Skeletal Deformities
· Bite Wounds
· Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
· Thermal Shock
· Poor Egg Production, Poor Egg Quality
· Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases in Laboratory Xenopus
· General Comments on the Treatment of Infectious Diseases
· Treatment of General Trauma and Abrasions
· Anesthesia
· Tricaine Methanesulfonate (Ms-222)
· Benzocaine Gel
· Ketamine
· Eugenol (Clove Oil)
· Propofol
· Aseptic Surgery
· Analgesics and Post-Operative Care
· Euthanasia
· References
· Experimental Methodology
· Catching and Handling Xenopus
· Compound Administration Techniques
· Blood Sample Collection and Interpretation
· Blood Sample Collection
· Processing the Samples
· Xenopus Hemocytology: Characteristics
· Interpretation of the Hemogram And Serum Clinical Chemistries
· Egg/Oocyte Collection
· Surgical Laparotomy for Egg/Oocyte Harvest From Xenopus
· Raising Xenopus Tadpoles
· Necropsy
· Necropsy Equipment
· Necropsy Technique
· References
· Resources
· Organizations
· Electronic Resources
· Electronic Resources for X. Tropicalis
· Electronic Resources for X. Laevis
· Guidelines and Protocols For Harvesting Oocytes
· Additonal Guidelines
· Periodicals
· Books
· Vendor Contact Information
· Microchips
· Carriers Who Will Ship Xenopus
· Frog Suppliers (Frogs and Food)
· Modular Housing for Laboratory Xenopus
· Sanitation Supplies
· Water Quality Sensors
· Water Filtration Systems
· Water Test Kits (Spectrophotometric)
· Water Purifiers
· Taxonomy and Natural History
· Anatomy and Histology
· Physiology
· Ontogeny
· Genetics
· Medicine and Surgery
· Xenopus Listservs
· Index