Members of Conservation International discovered ten previously unknown species while on an expedition in the tropical mountains of Colombia.Among the new species found were three glass frogs of the Nymphargus, Cochranella and Centrolene genera, so called because their internal organs are visible through their translucent skin; three poison dart frogs of the Colostethus, Ranitomeya and Anomaloglossus genera, whose natural toxins present on their skin make them poisonous; one harlequin frog of the genus Atelopus; two different types of Pristimantis rain frogs; and one Bolitoglossa salamander species. Colombia is recognized as having one of the most diverse amphibian communities in the world, with 754 currently known species.
The expedition was part of the group's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) and targeted the Darien region of Colombia near the Panama border, which includes the mountainous Tacarcuna area. Herpetologists from Conservation International led the expedition, which also included ornithologists from Colombia's Ecotrópico Foundation. Over a period of three weeks, the group cataloged about 60 species of amphibians, 20 species of reptiles and almost 120 species of birds, many found nowhere else.
Amphibians are considered "indicator species" because their permeable skin exposes them directly to the environment, and thus these animals are affected by changes or contaminants in that environment before other more robust species. Amphibians are also extremely sensitive to variations in temperature and moisture brought about by changes in climate.
These results were announced February 2nd on Conservation International.
Source: Yahoo!
No comments:
Post a Comment