Species

Hylomantis lemur

Common Name(s)

Region where program is based

Europe

Country where program is based

United Kingdom

The authority that recommended this species for an ex situ program

Conservation Needs Assessment Workshop

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

Manchester Museum

Year the program started

2001

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

No

Are sufficient resources available to manage the ex situ population?

Yes

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

Yes

Is sufficient space available for the required population size?

Yes

Additional Support required

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

Yes

Taxon Management Coordinator

Andrew Gray of Manchester Museum

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://lemurfrog.org/aims/

Have Husbandry Guidelines been written?

Yes

Web link to Husbandry Management Guidelines

http://www.amphibianark.org/pdf/Husbandry/Agalychnis%20lemur%20-%20Husbandry%20Guidelines%202012.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

Although genetic differences between Panamanian and Costa Rican populations of Agalychnis lemur have been highlighted, and there is recognition that these populations are separate ESUs, microsatellite markers for this species are currently being developed in order to assess the levels of genetic diversity within specific wild populations and also support the identification and of individual bloodlines in separate ESU managed ex-situ populations.

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).

Yes

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

No

What tools are used to maximize retention of genetic diversity?

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?

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?

No

Comments

2017: A final report was produced and is available online: https://lemurfrog.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/project-lemur-frog-project-final-report.pdf 2016: At the beginning of 2016 an assurance ex situ population of lemur leaf frogs, representing 3 different initial bloodlines, was transferred to Nordens Ark in Sweden from Manchester Museum and Bristol Zoo. The aim of the transfer was to maintain a further assurance population in a bio-secure manner, while maintaining the genetic integrity of the captive population overall. 2011: Panamanian and Costa Rican specimens of this species have been identified as potentially separate ESUs. Genetic research work is underway to indentify microsatellite markers for the species, it is recommended that those from populations within these two countries are treated as being separate (see: http://frogblogmanchester.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/gray-20111.pdf). The ex situ population initially collected, bred and managed by Manchester Museum and which has now been extended to Bristol Zoo Gardens in the UK represents specimens purely from the population in Guyacan Costa Rica. Bristol Zoo has since provided a breeding facility dedicated to this species (see photos below) on its premises and started the development of husbandry guidelines for the Costa Rican specimens. The genetic diversity of both this ex situ and in situ population is being assessed to facilitate further support for this distinct population. A specific project and taxon management group for the Costa Rican population is established. See: http://lemurfrog.org/ Detailed DNA fingerprint studies, including the development of a genetic marker system from microsatellites is underway to ensure clearly defined bloodlines for the captive population and aid genetic assessment of the wild population at the CRARC.