A5043320476- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios
2016-2025
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (United States)
2023
Universidad Regional Amazónica IKIAM
2015-2018
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
2001-2010
Museo Civico di Zoologia
2009
Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad
2003-2005
Johns Hopkins Medicine
1988
Johns Hopkins University
1988
University of Chile
1986
Fondation HEC
1971
The Neotropics contains half of remaining rainforests and Earth's largest reservoir amphibian biodiversity. However, determinants Neotropical biodiversity (i.e., vicariance, dispersals, extinctions, radiations) earlier than the Quaternary are largely unstudied. Using a novel method ancestral area reconstruction relaxed Bayesian clock analyses, we reconstructed biogeography poison frog clade (Dendrobatidae). We rejected an Amazonian center-of-origin in favor complex connectivity model...
Abstract Background Advancements in portable scientific instruments provide promising avenues to expedite field work order understand the diverse array of organisms that inhabit our planet. Here, we tested feasibility for situ molecular analyses endemic fauna using a laboratory fitting within single backpack one world's most imperiled biodiversity hotspots, Ecuadorian Chocó rainforest. We used equipment, including MinION nanopore sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) and miniPCR...
Abstract: Although dramatic amphibian population declines have been reported worldwide, our understanding of the extent in Latin America, where diversity is high, limited to a few well‐documented studies. To better understand geographic declines, their possible causes, and measures needed improve American scientists' ability research phenomenon make effective management recommendations, we convened three regional workshops with 88 herpetologists conservationists. Population are widespread...
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Aposematism is the association, in a prey organism, of presence warning signal with unprofitability to predators. The origin aposematism puzzling, because its predicted low probability establishment population due prey's increased conspicuousness. widespread trait invertebrate taxa, but, vertebrates, it mostly evident amphibians, reptiles, and fishes. Poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) are one most well known examples co-occurrence coloration toxicity. This monophyletic group diurnal leaf-litter...
Peroxisome proliferation has been induced with 2-methyl-2-(p-[1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl]-phenoxy)-propionic acid (Su-13437). DNA, protein, cytochrome oxidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and phosphatase concentrations remain almost constant. Peroxisomal enzyme activities change to approximately 165%, 50%, 30%, 0% of the controls for catalase, urate L-alpha-hydroxy D-amino respectively. For catalase results from a decrease in particle-bound activity fivefold increase soluble activity. The...
We review the systematics of species Gastrotheca (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in highlands southern Ecuadorian Andes. analyzed phylogenetic, morphological, ecological, and acoustic data from populations region. provide an updated phylogenetic hypothesis inferred a database that contains 42 Gastrotheca, sequences mitochondrial (12S, 16S, ND1) nuclear (POMC RAG-1) genes. describe four new endemic biphasic for Ecuador (Gastrotheca cuencana, G. elicioi, turnerorum, yacuri). In addition, we redefine...
Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in world, but faces severe pressures and threats to its natural ecosystems. Numerous species have declined require be objectively evaluated quantified, as a step towards development conservation strategies. Herein, we present an updated National Red List Assessment for amphibian Ecuador, with detailed complete coverages any Ecuadorian taxonomic group date. Based on standardized methodologies that integrate work, spatial analyses, ecological...
Defensive mechanisms, including noxious or toxic substances, are favored by predation‐driven natural selection. The acquisition of noxious/toxic substances can be either endogenous, in which the produced organism, exogenous, another organism and sequestered. Evidence indicates that defensive skin alkaloids Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae) have an exogenous source: a diet ants other small alkaloid‐containing arthropods, we term diet‐toxicity hypothesis. A critical prediction...
The Jambato Toad, Atelopus ignescens, is endemic to montane forests, inter-Andean valleys, and paramos in Ecuador. Although formerly abundant widely distributed, the species has not been recorded nature since 1988. To determine its population status, data from intensive surveys 1999–2001 are compared with those 1967 1981. Presence-absence several localities also reported. Temperature precipitation between 1891 1999 were analyzed whether these correlate trends. ignescens was at Paramo de...
Multimodal signals facilitate communication with conspecifics during courtship, but they can also alert eavesdropper predators. Hence, signallers face two pressures: enticing partners to mate and avoiding detection by enemies. Undefended organisms limited escape abilities are expected minimize predator recognition over attraction limiting or modifying their signalling. Alternatively, anti-predator mechanisms such as aposematism (i.e. unprofitability signalled warning cues) might elaborate...
We describe a new species of dendrobatid frog, Leucostethus bilsa sp. nov., using molecular, morphological, and acoustic evidence. also comment on the taxonomic status four similar Hyloxalus Colostethus. provide an updated phylogeny that corroborates previous hypotheses relationships nine species. Phylogenetic analysis mitochondrial (i.e., 7095 bp combined data from NADH1, NAHD2, cytochrome c oxidase I, b 12S-16S rRNA) seven nuclear genes 4739 bp) indicate close relationship L. to...
Parental care has evolved repeatedly and independently across animals. While the ecological evolutionary significance of parental behaviour is well recognized, underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We took advantage behavioural diversity closely related species South American poison frogs (Family Dendrobatidae) to identify neural correlates shared sexes species. characterized differences in induction, gene expression active neurons activity specific neuronal types three with...
Abstract Most anurans possess a tympanic middle ear (TME) that transmits sound waves to the inner ear; however, numerous species lack some or all TME components. To understand evolution of these structures, we undertook comprehensive assessment their occurrence across and performed ancestral character state reconstructions. Our analysis indicates was completely lost at least 38 independent times in Anura. The inferred evolutionary history is exceptionally complex true toads (Bufonidae),...
Abstract Biodiversity loss is extreme in amphibians. Despite ongoing conservation action, it difficult to determine where we stand overcoming their extinction crisis. Among the most threatened amphibians are 131 Neotropical harlequin toads. Many of them declined since 1980s with several considered possibly extinct. Recently, more than 30 species have been rediscovered, raising hope for a reversing trend amphibian We use past and present data available toads ( Atelopus ), examine whether...
Alkaloids are important bioactive molecules throughout the natural world, and in many animals they serve as a source of chemical defense against predation. Dendrobatid poison frogs bioaccumulate alkaloids from their diet to make themselves toxic or unpalatable predators. Despite proposed roles plasma proteins mediators alkaloid trafficking bioavailability, responsible have not been identified. We use approaches show that ~50 kDa protein is principal alkaloid-binding molecule blood frogs....
Poison frogs sequester small molecule lipophilic alkaloids from their diet of leaf litter arthropods for use as chemical defenses against predation. Although the dietary acquisition in poison is well-documented, physiological mechanisms alkaloid sequestration has not been investigated. Here, we used RNA sequencing and proteomics to determine how impact mRNA or protein abundance Little Devil Frog (Oophaga sylvatica) compared wild caught chemically defended laboratory raised on an...
Amphibians face global declines, and it remains unclear the extent to which species have responded, through what mechanisms, persist in of emerging diseases climate change. In recent years, rediscovery considered possibly extinct has sparked public scientific attention. These are hopeful cases an otherwise bleak story. Yet, we know little about population status these rediscovered species, or biology underlying their persistence. Here, highlight iconic Harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus)...
Sex differences in vertebrate spatial abilities are typically interpreted under the adaptive specialization hypothesis, which posits that male reproductive success is linked to larger home ranges and better navigational skills. The androgen spillover hypothesis counters enhanced performance may be a byproduct of higher levels. Animal groups include species where females expected outperform males based on life-history traits key for disentangling these hypotheses. We investigated association...