Species

Aromobates duranti

Common Name(s)

Sapito De Niebla De Durant, La Culata’s Frog

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?

Yes

Name of the institution managing the ex situ population

Rescue of Endangered Venezuelan Amphibians Program

Year the program started

2018

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?

Yes

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?

Yes

Web link to Taxon Management Plan

http://www.amphibianark.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Plan-de-Acci%C3%B3n-para-Aromobates-duranti.pdf

Have Husbandry Guidelines been written?

Yes

Web link to Husbandry Management Guidelines

http://www.amphibianark.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Pautas-de-Manejo-Ex-situ-Aromobates-duranti.pdf

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 unknown.

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?

No

Have the first generation captive-bred animals bred successfully?

No

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?

No

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

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

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?

Comments

2021: Two new populations of this species have been located; one of them heard songs and captured a juvenile. In the other locality, songs were heard but no specimens were seen. Vocalizations are being analyzed to formally describe them. There are not yet enough specimens of this rare species. Few wildlife-caught tadpoles died before reaching metamorphosis. The cause of his death is unknown. 2019: We are carrying out some priority actions in situ in favor of the species, taking measures to prevent the degradation of the places where it currently lives and implementing habitat restoration actions. These actions must be accompanied by an environmental education campaign with local people, which we have already started, that helps to raise awareness about the problems associated with this species.