Ten new amphibian species have been discovered in Columbia. The discovery was made by a team of herpetologists from Conservation International, Colombia and ornithologists from the Ecotrópico Foundation. Their expedition was centered in Darien, a mountainous band of high and lowland rainforest that runs along the border of Columbia and Panama.
The newly identified amphibian species include:
- three glass frogs belonging to the Nymphargus, Cochranella and Centrolene genuses
- three poison dart frogs from the Dendrobatidae family including members of the Colostethus, Ranitomeya and Anomaloglossus genera
- one harlequin frog classified as belonging to the Atelopus genus
- two species of rain frogs of the Pristimantis genera
- one salamander of the Bolitoglossa genus
The research team surveyed the Tacarcuna region over a period of three weeks and recorded a wide variety of unique wildlife. During that time, they identified approximately 60 species of amphibians, 20 reptiles and almost 120 species of birds. Colombia is home to one of the worlds most diverse amphibian assemblages, there are currently 754 known species in the country.
Amphibians have for some time now been the focus of concern amongst conservationists due to the fact that their populations have been steadily declining around the world. This news of new species gives rare hope and reason for celebration to herpetologists:
"Without a doubt this region is a true Noah's Ark. The high number of new amphibian species found is a sign of hope, even with the serious threat of extinction that this animal group faces in many other regions of the country and the world," ~ Jose Vicente Rodriguez-Mahecha, Scientific Director of CI-Colombia.
Refs:
- 10 New Amphibian Species Discovered in Colombia (Eurekalert)
- Secluded Safe Haven for Frogs as Global Extinctions Rise (Conservation International)
Photo © Marco Rada / Conservation Internal.
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