Teleferico rubber frog (Pristimantis telefericus) Case Study

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MBZF Grant 172516447
Amphibian

Continent: South America

Country: Venezuela

Grant Amount: $5,000

Awarded Date: October 27, 2017

Enrique La Marca

Laboratory of Biogeography, University of Los Andes at Mérida. Venezuela


Escuela de Geografía, Avenida principal via Chorros de Milla

Merida

Merida

5101

Venezuela

Tel: +58-274.2401647

Mob: +58-412.5107091

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Conservation status and natural history of the endemic and endangered Teleferico rubber frog, an enigmatic high altitude Venezuelan Andean frog

The main objective of the project is to evaluate and reassess the conservation status of the Teleferico rubber frog (Pristimantis telefericus), gather biogeographic and natural history data, and search for new areas of occurrence based on scientific explorations. Specific objectives for the target species: 1. To carry out a detailed survey of its distribution and gather data on its natural history (largely unknown). Surveys will be aimed to visit historic localities, and to explore new areas to find new populations. Hopefully, we will find new populations that will expand the known species range and reassess its conservation status. 2. To identifying threats that the species is facing and to take actions to mitigate them. A parallel investigation will be conducted to also determine whether a raise of temperatures have taken place in the general area within the last 30 years and how it will be related to the pathogenic chythrid fungus (Bd). 3. The ecological and biogeographic data will help to address direct actions and recovery management plans for the species, as well as to write a conservation action plan. If needed, new areas could be identified and proposed to the pertaining institutions to be protected. As has been the case in previous studies, we foresee the discovery of new frog species.

 

Grant documents

MBZF Grant 172516447 - located in Venezuela, South America