I’m leaving Saturday for another round of research and monitoring on the endangered Limosa Harlequin Frog (Atelopus limosus) monitoring with Alex Shepack, Michael Roy, and Abel Batista in the wonderful Cocobolo Nature Reserve in Eastern Panama. We’re looking for more clues on the enigmatic behavior of the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus in the area and the mechanisms that allow some local frogs to survive.
In addition we’ll be setting up opportunities for student research on the project through the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and Yale University. It’ll be very wet and very muddy this time of year, but I’m excited to see what the rainy season brings. I’m counting on a spectacular glass frog show at the very least – last trip’s Granular Glass Frog (Cochranella granulosa) was a nice teaser… I’ll keep you posted!
Twan Leenders
RTPI President
