Molecular detection of (Chytridiomycota) and culturable skin bacteria associated with three critically endangered species of (Anura: Bufonidae) in Ecuador.

Chytridiomycosis is a fungal disease responsible for massive amphibian die-offs worldwide, caused by the fungus (Bd). Potential symbiotic relationships between frogs and the bacteria residing on their skin-referred to as skin-bacteria-may inhibit Bd growth, aiding in resistance to this lethal disease. This research had three main objectives: (1) to detect the presence of Bd in native populations of , and in the central Andes and coastal southern regions of Ecuador; (2) to identify the culturable skin-bacteria; and (3) to analyze differences among the bacterial communities in the three species studied.

Effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on aquatic invertebrate communities of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide that has received particular attention due to its widespread use and potential adverse effects for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Its toxicity to aquatic organisms has been evaluated in central and southern Europe as well as in (sub-)tropical regions of Africa and Asia, showing high toxic potential for some aquatic insects and zooplankton taxa. However, its toxicity to aquatic organisms representative of tropical regions of Latin America has never been evaluated.

Environmental DNA and visual encounter surveys for amphibian biomonitoring in aquatic environments of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Background: The development of anthropogenic activities has generated a decline in aquatic fauna populations, and amphibians have been the most affected. The decline of batrachofauna is concerning, as 41% of all species worldwide are endangered. For this reason, rapid, efficient, and non-invasive biodiversity monitoring techniques are needed, and environmental DNA (eDNA) is one such tool that has been sparsely applied in Ecuador.

Rediscovery of Laura's glassfrog (Anura: Centrolenidae) with new data on its morphology, colouration, phylogenetic position and conservation in Ecuador.

We report the rediscovery of Laura's Glassfrog, Cisneros-Heredia & McDiarmid, 2007, based on two specimens collected at the Colonso-Chalupas Biological Reserve, province of Napo, Ecuador. The species was described and known from a single male specimen collected in 1955 at Loreto, north-eastern Andean foothills of Ecuador. Limited information was available about the colouration, systematics, ecology, and biogeography of .

Red List assessment of amphibian species of Ecuador: A multidimensional approach for their conservation.

Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but faces severe pressures and threats to its natural ecosystems. Numerous species have declined and require to be objectively evaluated and quantified, as a step towards the development of conservation strategies. Herein, we present an updated National Red List Assessment for amphibian species of Ecuador, with one of the most detailed and complete coverages for any Ecuadorian taxonomic group to date.

Systematics of with the description of a new species and comments on the taxonomy of (Anura, Hylidae).

is an Amazonian hylid of uncertain phylogenetic position. Herein DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes are used to determine its phylogenetic relationships. New sequences and external morphology of are also analyzed to assess the status of Ecuadorian and Peruvian populations.

Insights from Integrative Systematics Reveal Cryptic Diversity in Pristimantis Frogs (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Upper Amazon Basin.

Pluralistic approaches to taxonomy facilitate a more complete appraisal of biodiversity, especially the diversification of cryptic species. Although species delimitation has traditionally been based primarily on morphological differences, the integration of new methods allows diverse lines of evidence to solve the problem. Robber frogs (Pristimantis) are exemplary, as many of the species show high morphological variation within populations, but few traits that are diagnostic of species.

Ecological and geographical analysis of the distribution of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in Ecuador: importance of protected areas in future scenarios of global warming.

In Ecuador, Tapirus pinchaque is considered to be critically endangered. Although the species has been registered in several localities, its geographic distribution remains unclear, and the effects of climate change and current land uses on this species are largely unknown. We modeled the ecological niche of T.

A new synonym for Pristimantis luscombei (Duellman and Mendelson 1995) and the description of a new species of Pristimantis from the upper Amazon basin (Amphibia: Craugastoridae).

We consider Pristimantis achuar as junior synonym of P. luscombei, based on morphological and genetic evidence. Paratype specimens of P.

Novel data on the ecology of Cochranella mache (Anura: Centrolenidae) and the importance of protected areas for this critically endangered glassfrog in the neotropics.

We studied a population of the endangered glassfrog, Cochranella mache, at Bilsa Biological Station, northwestern Ecuador, from 2008 and 2009. We present information on annual abundance patterns, behavioral ecology, habitat use and a species distribution model performed with MaxEnt. We evaluate the importance of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) in Colombia and Ecuador, under scenarios of climate change and habitat loss.

A new species of small tree frog, genus Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae) from the eastern Amazon lowlands of Ecuador.

We describe a new species of the hylid frog genus Dendropsophus from Amazonian Ecuador. The new species, Dendropsophus shiwiarum sp. nov.