Erick Arturo Barria Marciaga
Amphibians are the most threatened group of vertebrates worldwide, where the genus Atelopus is among the most severely affected. In Panama, five of the seven described Atelopus species are critically endangered, one is unassessed, and one is extinct. Over the past decade, populations of the Panamanian endemic Limosa Harlequin Frog, Atelopus limosus, have declined drastically, disappearing from many areas where they were once abundant. This project aims to assess the density of remaining populations and search for remnant groups to update the species’ conservation status and inform protection strategies.
Through intensive fieldwork, we will search for the remaining populations within Cocobolo Nature Reserve and in the surrounding areas, a region of high conservation value but that remains ecologically fragile due to mounting pressures such as deforestation, illegal hunting, and the expansion of intensive cattle ranching. In this context, the reserve functions as a critical biodiversity refuge. Using non-invasive mark-recapture techniques based on photographic identification, the project will estimate population sizes to support long-term monitoring and conservation of these critically endangered species.
Because community-based conservation is essential for lasting protection of wildlife, this project will strengthen community engagement and citizen science initiatives in the Mamoní Valley by working with the local community run organisation Amigos del Bosque en Madroño (ABM) to deliver workshops in local schools, community night hikes, and talks about reptiles and amphibians, highlighting the ecological importance of Atelopus limosus and the threats it faces as a critically endangered species. These workshops will also include arts-based activities to foster empathy and inspire local pride in this unique species.
Through hands-on involvement and basic training in biodiversity monitoring, community members will be empowered to strengthen their ownership of conservation efforts and play an active role in safeguarding both A. limosus and the forest it depends on.
Since A. limosus is not the only threatened species in this area, we will also share broader knowledge about the importance of reptiles and amphibians in local ecosystems and develop a photographic catalog of the region’s reptiles and amphibians as a lasting resource for education and monitoring, integrating local ecological knowledge to guide fieldwork. These actions lay the foundation for the long-term local stewardship of A. limosus and other species that share its home.