Leaping Back to Existence: Harlequin Frogs Rediscovered in Ecuador; 32 Species Believed To Be Revived Through Conservation Efforts

Ecologists in a biodiverse country have rediscovered 32 species of Harlequin frogs that were previously thought to be extinct. This is one of the largest cataloged rediscoveries of animals in scientific history, and it suggests that there is still a chance for these amphibian "gems" to thrive in the long term. The research was led by Kyle Jaynes, a doctoral student at Michigan State University, who received a grant previously to study reports of these frogs, which were either assumed or officially declared extinct.

Jaynes and his team traveled to five different locations in Ecuador to search for the frogs. Whenever they found one, they would take saliva and skin samples to check for the presence of a fungal parasite called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) that has had a significant impact on amphibians. It is estimated that over 80% of Harlequin frog species may have gone extinct due to Bd. Out of the 87 missing species, 32 of them (or 37%) have been rediscovered in the past two decades, according to Jaynes. This is a significant number.

Studying the Frogs

In 2019, Jaynes received a grant from the National Geographic Society, partially to compile and analyze disparate reports of sightings of frogs that were previously thought to be extinct, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their status. With the help of Sarah Fitzpatrick and their colleagues in Ecuador, they have now achieved this goal. Their analysis was published in the online journal Biological Conservation.

By analyzing the collected DNA, the researchers were able to gain insights into the genetic diversity of the frogs. They observed differences between species that had not been seen for different periods, which could be useful in developing conservation and protection strategies for the rediscovered species.

Jaynes and his team received valuable assistance from Ecuadorian scientists from various institutions, as well as Indigenous people in the areas they visited, who had never "lost" some of the frogs. These frogs were only missing to scientists, according to Jaynes, who stated that Indigenous people had been protecting them all along.

Culturally Iconic in Ecosystem

The researchers emphasized that the frogs are considered important not just by scientists but also by the local community. "They're culturally iconic," said co-author Dr. Sarah Fitzpatrick. The team concluded that rediscovery does not necessarily mean recovery, but with the appreciation of the frogs by the local community and their resilience in the face of an epidemic, their decline and potential extinction are not inevitable, contrary to some media reports.

As stated by the MSU press release, adding to the contributions of professional researchers and conservationists, the team also received valuable assistance from local communities in Ecuador, including Indigenous communities, who value the frogs. One challenge in accurately classifying a species as rediscovered or returned from extinction was demonstrating that it was lost in the first place. For some species, such as the starry night harlequin frog that researchers believed was extinct, this involved identifying the right people to talk to.

While the rediscovery of species previously thought to be extinct is certainly exciting, it also underscores the work that remains to be done. As Jaynes pointed out, rediscovery does not equal recovery. The story of these frogs is not over, and there is still much to be learned and done in terms of conservation and protection.

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