Species

Leptodactylus meridensis

Common Name(s)

Region where program is based

South America

Country where program is based

Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of

The authority that recommended this species for an ex situ program

Has a genetic analysis been performed on wild populations to define the target taxon, i.e., verify that single, viable Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESU's) that are managed as separate populations, are not confounded by cryptic species or polymorphisms?

Name of the institution managing the ex situ population

Rescue of Endangered Venezuelan Amphibians Program

Year the program started

2016

Is at least some portion of the captive population maintained in range country?

Yes

Are sufficient resources available to manage the ex situ population?

No

Are adequate numbers of skilled staff available with the appropriate ex situ amphibian experience?

No

Is sufficient space available for the required population size?

No

Additional Support required

Additional funds for operation

Has a Taxon Management Coordinator for the ex situ population been appointed?

Yes

Taxon Management Coordinator

Enrique La Marca of Rescue of Endangered Venezuelan Amphibians Program

Has a Taxon Management Group or Recovery Team been established?

Yes

Has a Taxon Management Plan, Recovery Plan or Species Action Statement been written?

No

Web link to Taxon Management Plan

Have Husbandry Guidelines been written?

No

Web link to Husbandry Management Guidelines

Have any knowledge gaps in the species biology or in their interaction with potential threats been identified that could benefit from research using the ex situ population?

Yes

List of knowledge gaps

The reproductive biology of the species is now known from ex situ research in REVA.

Have founder needs been calculated using the AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines ?

Yes

Have sufficient potential founders been collected? ( AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines recommends a minimum of 20 pairs of found animals).

No

If sufficient founders have not been collected, is there an ongoing search for additional founders?

Yes

Is the ex situ population managed by nationals from the range country?

Yes

What tools are used to maximize retention of genetic diversity?

None

Has the population produced viable offspring?

Yes

Have the first generation captive-bred animals bred successfully?

Yes

Is the ex situ population housed in permanent isolation from other populations occurring outside its range?

Yes

Is work being supported to study and mitigate threats to the species in the wild, either by the institution or by a regional wildlife agency?

Yes

Have captive-bred or captive-reared animals been released into the wild?

Yes

If releases were undertaken, have disease screening protocols or veterinary health checks been conducted prior to releases to the wild?

Yes

Is follow-up work being carried out to monitor progress of the released animals?

Yes

Is the taxon again secure in the wild, even if it might still require some ongoing in situ management? i.e. has the need for a captive assurance population been obviated such that we can call this a successfully terminated captive rescue program?

Yes

Comments

2021: Animals released at two sites within the Albarregas Metropolitan Park in the city of Merida, (along with Mannophryne collaris) have formed two stable populations. We think that's an important achievement. The lack of financial resources to continue this project, as well as the need to free up personnel and physical space for other threatened species and currently in ex situ in REVA, prevent further with this particular project. Ex situ breeding began in 2016 at CC-RAAV with funding from Amphibian Ark. In 2018, when this centre was dissolved, this program was absorbed by the REVA conservation center. The next step in the conservation of this species would be to involve communities in the knowledge and protection of it. You can take advantage of the fact that this species is simpatric with Mannophryne collaris to develop community programs together in the future. Received an Amphibian Ark seed grant in 2016. Most offspring are dying during larval stages.