Zegarra Vila, Jan P.

Profile Picture

Filters

20071
Reset filters

Settings

Citations

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Assessment of Eleutherodactylus richmondi populations at the Maricao State Forest, Puerto Rico
    (2007) Zegarra Vila, Jan P.; Bird Picó, Fernando J.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Lewis, Allen R.; Santos, Carlos J.; Department of Biology; González Lagoa, Juan G.
    Since 1986, several publications have indicated Eleutherodactylus richmondi (ER) population declines or disappearances in Puerto Rico. The bulk of these reports come from the Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque) and less time has been spent surveying amphibian communities in other areas of the island. Literature reports of ER populations were used to verify their current distribution and status in the Maricao State Forest. A total of eleven sampling areas was established and surveyed from July 2005 through December 2006. These sites were integrated into a geographical information system (GIS) and associated with a map of potential suitable habitat for ER created by Villanueva (2006). Approximately 60% of the Maricao State Forest contains potential suitable habitat and the areas sampled contain roughly 73%. Calling ER individuals were found in three of the eleven sampling areas; 86 ER counts for the entire assessment. ER counts were significantly different among sampling areas, but not between seasons. This investigation confirms previous reported declines for the Maricao State Forest and there is no evidence of recovery. There is a strong possibility that local ER population extinctions have occurred. These localized populations might be part of a metapopulation dynamic. The probability of recovery is plausible with continuing survey efforts and establishing a captive breeding program.