Species

Hylomantis lemur

Common Name(s)

Region where program is based

Mesoamerica

Country where program is based

Panama

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

Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Year the program started

2007

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

Yes

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

Brian Gratwicke of Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Has a Taxon Management Group or Recovery Team been established?

No

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?

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

Natural history and capacity of the populations to recover naturally under normal conditions after a Bd outbreak. We need to make sure this species is part of an an ex situ management program at the moment by conducting specific surveys before and after the declines. Verify taxon variability and taxonomy.

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?

PM2000/PMX

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

2018: We recently imported 30 animals descended from 6 founders from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. 105 adult animals in collection descended from 11 founders representing 55% of our target founding population for this species. 2016: will need to reimport animals from US for founding population. EVACC successfully bred Agalychnis lemur in 2007-2008, to the point that space became a serious limiting factor. We have stopped reproducing this species until we find an effective way to reduce the negative effects that internal parasites have caused within our F1 individuals. We estimate we will start breeding this species again by the end of 2010. Due to its high reproduction rate and adaptability to captive conditions H. lemur could be a great candidate for a reintroduction program in the near future. Training: At the moment we are needing to hire specific keepers for our insect colonies, and to perform amphibian husbandry. We can provide the training to the new keepers when we hire them (we need at least 2 new keepers). Space: Right now we have enough space for the founding population, but we know that lack of space becomes a problem every time we get to reproduce them. We might be able to increase the space for this species within the near future, with the help of a mining company that has shown interest in helping us.