Tim Halliday E-mail: Tim Halliday I have been carrying out research on amphibians for 25 years, my primary interest being in their reproductive strategies. I worked first on the sexual behaviour of European newts (genus Triturus) but have also worked on the European toad (Bufo bufo) and, more recently, other anurans.

The European newts have very complex sexual behaviour, the most distinctive feature of which is that the male does not capture or restrain the female. This provides the females with opportunities to choose which males they will mate with which are not available to most newts and salamanders. By comparing the behaviour of our newts with that of other urodeles, I am seeking to explore the many evolutionary consequences of this aspect of newt behaviour.

My work on anurans is also comparative, both between species, and between localities and years within species. I am intrigued by the very high degree of variation that exists in the mating patterns of frogs and toads and am investigating the evolutionary consequences of this variation. Much of the variation that we observe seems to be caused by variation from year to year in the weather conditions that stimulate anurans to breed. This dependence on climatic factors has implications for my other main interest, the conservation of amphibians.

My lab is host to a population of about 700 individuals of the Mallorcan Midwife Toad (Alytes muletensis),

a highly endangered species. We are part of a programme that breeds this species in captivity and releases animals into the wild. As far as we can tell at present, the project is being successful and new populations of this fascinating creature, in which males care for the eggs, are being established on Mallorca.

I am International Director of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF). The DAPTF coordinates the efforts of about 3000 people whose primary objectives are: 1. to document declines in amphibian populations throughout the world, and 2. to identify and research into potential causes of those declines. The

DAPTF is making good progress towards meeting these objectives but we need money to support our important work. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to give a donation to our funds.