Ex-situ Conservation Program for the Ecuadorian Tiger (Hyloscirtus tigrinus . Anura - ) Diego Patricio Almeida Reinoso Fundación Hrpetológica Gustavo Orcés [email protected] ; Soporting: US$5000,oo

Proyect Summary: The Ex-situ Conservation Program for the Ecuadorian Tiger Frog ( Hyloscirtus tigrinus Anuara - Hylidae) is a new effort in Ecuador to support the conservation of one rarest species of tree frog, Hyloscirtus tigrinus ; this species was recently reported in Ecuador and known only in a small area, Quebrada Corazón-Santa Barbara Sucumbios Province. This species is endangered in Colombia where only a few male adults are known. In Ecuador we have encountered only a few individuals in tadpole stage and a single juvenile; human pressure as the advance of the agricultural frontier, cattle raising and pesticide use in the area where it is reported H. tigrinus combined with climate change and emerging diseases suggest raising the status to Critically Endangered. Our goal is to perform an exhaustive search of adult and tadpoles in the creek and vicinity of Quebrada-Corazón to rescue and establish ex-situ management program in facilities at Gustavo Orcés Herpetological Foundation, FHGO as an emergency measure to try to save the species from extinction. The ex-situ colony of H. tigrinus will be maintained until the conditions for reintroduction are appropriate. It will make direct contact with the Fundación para la Investigación de Biodiversidad Amazónica, FIBA, from Colombia who conducts a of ex-situ conservation program of the H. tigrinus in Putumayo - Colombia to coordinate inter-agency mutual cooperation and optimizing efforts for the Hyloscirtus tigrinus conservation.

Introduction: It is generally known that all over the world, are going through an unprecedented crisis. Drastic declines have been reported globally caused by several factors, the main ones are: climate change (Pounds et al. 2005), infectious diseases (Berger et al. 1998, Lips 1998, Vredenburg et al. 2010) as chytridiomycosis caused by a lethal fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, Bd); another causes are habitat loss and forest fragmentation. (Kiesecker et al 2001).

The status of amphibians in Ecuador is even more critical, as being one of the most diverse countries in the world with 532 species of amphibians described (Ron et al. 2013), has certain features that make it more vulnerable to the loss of amphibians; these are the small size of the country, the fragility of their micro habitats, extraction of mineral resources and its consequences such as water pollution by the use of heavy metals, the opening of roads, loss and forest fragmentation, the advance of the agricultural frontier and cattle rising. These events in addition with environmental variables as climate change, emerging infectious diseases; have led to an accelerated decline in Ecuadorians populations, about 150 species are in danger and possibly 15 species are extinct. There are many more species in Ecuador following this pattern, including Hyloscirtus tigrinus , species described by Mueses - Cisneros and Anganoy - Criollo, 2008 based on two adults (male and female) for Colombia and recently reported for Ecuador by Coloma et al based on the review of several tadpoles and a single juvenile. The color pattern of juvenile known only in Ecuador could be due to geographical variation and the effects of laboratory conditions (Coloma et al, 2012). The only known population of Hyloscirtus tigrinus from Ecuador is located in a small area: Quebrada Corazón - Santa Barbara, Province of Sucumbios, this species is micro sympatric with H. pantostictus and sympatric with H. psarolaimus and H. Lindae (Coloma et al 2012). This specie is considered by Mueses - Cisneros and Pedromo - castle 2012 to be Endangered (B1 ab (iii, v), IUCN red list categories and criteria) but the situation in Ecuador is different so it is proposed Critical Endangered category (Coloma et al 2012). This area is seriously threatened by agriculture, raising of cattle, habitat fragmentation and pesticide contamination so it is recommended urgent action to protect and restore habitat and implementation a ex-situ management program to maintain a genetically viable colony that is stable over time.

Methodology

Implementing an ex-situ colony of Hyloscirtus tigrinus is essential and a priority to save this species from extinction. The project of the FHGO will has appropriate facilities for ex- situ management and conservation, specially the husbandry of tadpoles and juveniles. We will use the funds to bring the area of conservation management of the species include a parent population and offspring of H. tigrinus . This emergency alternative is essential for the current situation facing the species in Ecuador, they only know a site where this tiger frog lives, which is the Quebrada Corazón in Santa Barbara and faces significant human pressures.

We intend to conduct extensive searches in the locality type (Quebrada Corazón, Santa Barbara - Sucumbios province) to locate several adult males and females individuals, but the only known records for Ecuador are a few tadpoles preserved and deposited in QCAZ Museum of the Catholic University and juvenile individual who was raised to its current stadium from the early stages as the raft tadpole at Balsa de los Sapos of PUCE. We estimate that the population is very small, so that much more difficult in the meeting of adult; colony of H. tigirnus may starts with tadpoles.

Hyloscirtus tigrinus is a micro sympatric with H. pantostictus . The two species share ecological niches, all tadpoles of H. tigrinus were found with tadpoles of H. pantostictus in the same pools. Hyloscirtus gender larvae are cryptic and differentiation is very difficult particularly in its early stages so that in our facilities we will keep at least two species of Hyloscirtus until they can differ from one another. The population of Hyloscirtus tigrinus (tadpoles and ) will be kept in terrariums in shelves individually kept for this species. An automatic system for open water and outlet will sprinklet Mil. In Addition UV Light bulbs will be included as well as a variety of insects based on crickets and mealworms (proportion Ca 1.5-P1). Tadpoles will be fed with SAR (Super Tadpoles Food) with patented nutritional formulation with extraordinary properties with exclusive application on tadpoles . In the Amphibian Management Center of the FHGO will establish a colony of H. tigrinus stable over time, we will make a complete record of the development of tadpoles to discover other structures to differentiate tadpoles of H. tigrinus from other Hyloscirtus tadpoles , tests shall be made responsible and serious reproduction and work with the community to protect the natural area where the population will be located, will commit to environmental authorities to protect the habitat ordinances by government measures and if environmental conditions and physical range of the species are appropriate, will be start an appropriate reintroduction program.

Finally, establish direct contact with the Research Foundation of Amazonian Biodiversity FIBA, who runs conservation actions for Hyloscirtus tigrinus in Putumayo - Colombia, to coordinate joint actions and mutual support among conservation of Hyloscirtus tigrinus programs of FHGO - Ecuador and FIBA - Colombia

Budget

Item/amount Requested Budget category Request FHGO/other sources AArk Research in situ Transport : 1 person $5/day, 10 days, 3 $0 $300 FHGO months Food: 1 person $10/day, 10 days/ 3 $0 $600 FHGO months Accommodation in the field: 1 person $0 $900 FHGO $15/day, 10days/3 months $5/Bd swab, $20/test, 20 samples $500 1 video camera $300 FHGO 1 digital camera $500FHGO Equipments 1 quality water system S100 FHGO 1 pH meter $100 FHGO 1 Water termometer $60 Rescue tadpoles. transport field vehicle $140 $280 FHGO rental, fuel, $35/day, 4 days/3 moths Ex situ facility Racks for terrariums $300 $300 FHGO Terrariums materials: pumps, false $300 bottom, substrate 10 Terrariums for tadpoles, $400 20 Terraiums for maintenance young, $800 sub adults and breeding Misting system automatization $600 UV light sistem $ 400 Water filtration system and filters $210 $450 FHGO Disposable gloves $140 $150 FHGO Food for tadpoles/1year $750 Food for young and adults frogs/1 year $800 Education Flyers, 1 Infocus, Path signs and $1500 FHGO Posters 1 Terrarium for display $300 $300FHGO Socialization at the community $3000 FHGO Threat mitigation Habitat restauration and enrichment $3000 requested from Municipio de Sucumbios Meetings with local government for planning the habitat protection $3500 requested from Municipio programs de Sucumbios

Total $5000 $15780 Porcentage 24,06 % 75,94%

Timeline of work

Activity Jul’ Ago Sep Oct Nov Dic Ene Feb Mar Abr’ May Jun 13 ’13 ’13 ’13 ’13 ’13 ’13 ’14 ’14 14 ’14 ’14 Tadpoles rescue X X X In situ research X X X X X X Ex situ work X X X X X X X X X X X X Meetings with local X X government planning the habitat X X X X protection programs and execution