interim report on the cepf/uf project - Eco

INTERIM REPORT ON THE CEPF/UF PROJECT
Country-wide Conservation and Management
Assessment of Critically Endangered Amphibians in
Honduras
Upstream of the only known breeding locality of the frog Isthmohyla insolita, an AZE Trigger Species.
Presented by
Josiah H. Townsend (University of Florida/IRBio)
Larry David Wilson (IRBio)
Ileana R. Luque-Montes (UNAH)
31 July 2008
23 pages
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Project Collaborators…………………………………………………………………………….3
2. Site Visits Completed and Preliminary Evaluations…………………………………………4
Parque Nacional Celaque………………………………………………………………5
Parque Nacional Cerro Azul…………………………………………………………...5
Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meámbar……………………………………………….6
Parque Nacional La Tigra………………………………………………………………6
Parque Nacional Montaña de Comayagua…………………………………………...7
Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara…………………………………………7
Parque Nacional Pico Pijol……………………………………………………………..9
Reserva Biológica Guajiquiro…………………………………………………………..9
Reserva Biológica Güisayote………………………………………………………….10
Reserve de Vida Silvestre Texiguat.………………………………………………….10
Cerro Cantagallo……………………………………………………………………….11
Cerro El Zarciadero...………………………………………………………………….11
Lenca Highlands……………………………………………………………………….12
Montaña de Macuzal………………………………………………………………….12
3. Workshop Activities……………………………………………………………………………13
4. Publications……………………………………………………………………………………..20
5. Projected Timeline for Remaining Field Activities………………………………………….22
6. Outline for Final Workshop……………………………………………………………………23
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1. PROJECT COLLABORATORS
Josiah H. Townsend, School of Natural Resources & Environment, and Florida Museum of
Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611–7800, USA; and Instituto
Regional de Biodiversidad (IRBio), Centro Zamorano de Biodiversidad, Escuela Agrícola
Panamericana Zamorano, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
Max A. Nickerson, Division of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of
Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611–7800, USA ([email protected])
James D. Austin, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida,
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0430, USA ([email protected])
Larry David Wilson, IRBio, Centro Zamorano de Biodiversidad, Escuela Agrícola
Panamericana Zamorano, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
Ileana R. Luque-Montes, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
Jorge Iván Restrepo, IRBio, Centro Zamorano de Biodiversidad, Escuela Agrícola
Panamericana Zamorano, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
César A. Cerrato-M., Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
Melissa Medina-Flores, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras
([email protected])
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2. SITE VISITS COMPLETED AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATIONS
Basic information and summary data are presented for each field site visited as part of the
project prior to 31 July 2008. The final report will include stand-alone reports on each protected
area evaluated, as well as a set of general conclusions and management recommendations for
the entire protected areas system.
Figure 1A) PN Celaque cloud forest, 2600 m; B) RB Güisayote, 2100 m; C) Quebrada Grande, PN Cerro Azul, 1350 m;
D) PN Cerro Azul Meámbar seen looking south.
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Parque Nacional Celaque
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –2, Other –1;
Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla hartwegi, Critically Endangered
(IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa celaque, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla psiloderma Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Plectrohyla matudai, Vulnerable (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Campamento Don Tomás (2050 m) & Naranjo (2560 m), Depto. Lempira,
core zone of PN Celaque. 21–28 June 2008.
Preliminary findings: PN Celaque has a large core zone, and the physiographic structure of the
mountain benefits conservation efforts. Steep sides to this mesa-like set of mountains protect a large,
relatively flat area above 2500 m elevation that is almost completely intact. Upon this mesa originates the
primary water source for the nearby city of Gracias, and protection of this and other important
watersheds provides added benefit to the people inhabiting the park’s surroundings. During our visit,
we found a single Plectrohyla psiloderma and none of the other three species of Plectrohyla previously
reported to occur in PN Celaque. The endemic salamander Bolitoglossa celaque was found to be abundant
and to occur at relatively high density.
Additional visits needed? Yes. Only one of four species of Plectrohyla was found, and additional
targeted searches for the other three species should be carried out immediately. Also, additional focused
investigation at Celaque would almost certainly produce additional new herpetofaunal species.
Relatively high costs associated with work in the reserve and other logistical and temporal constraints
will likely preclude us from returning to carry out these searches as part of the current project.
Parque Nacional Cerro Azul
AZE sites? Yes; “Between Laguna del Cerro and Quebrada Grande”.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –6, Endangered –3, Other –1;
Craugastor (Eleutherodactylus) coffeus, AZE Trigger Species, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008);
Agalychnis moreletii, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Duellmanohyla soralia, Critically Endangered
(IUCN, 2008); Ecnomiohyla salvaje, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically
Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Ptychohyla hypomykter, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa conanti,
Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa dunni, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bromeliohyla bromeliacia,
Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla matudai, Vulnerable (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Quebrada Grande, Depto. Copán, 1280–1400 m elevation, in the buffer zone
of PN Cerro Azul, on the south-southeastern side of Cerro Azul. 26–30 July 2008.
Preliminary findings: PN Cerro Azul is both a reserve with high importance with regard to its
amphibian diversity and one at high risk due to a lack of management and increasing human population
and forest clearing. The highest parts of the southeastern flank of Cerro Azul appears steep enough to
deter campesinos from clearing most of the remaining forest. Unfortunately, there appear to be no
streams flowing through this portion of forest due to the extreme topographical grade. Riparian areas in
the vicinity of Quebrada Grande have been completely cleared and converted to livestock pastures.
Below this area, a larger creek (Que. Cañon Oscuro) forms from those running through pastures and
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rapidly descends into a deep canyon, inside which remains some riparian forest. The water source for
Quebrada Grande is a spring just above town, with a very small (<1 ha) patch of forest remaining in the
spring’s vicinity. The hillsides above and surrounding the spring have been converted to agriculture.
Additional visits needed? Yes, additional work is urgently needed to determine the status of
remaining forest both at higher elevations and of the side of Cerro Azul opposite to Quebrada Grande. If
at all possible, a follow-up trip to PN Cerro Azul will be made as part of this project.
Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meámbar
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –1, Other –; Nototriton
limnospectator, AZE Trigger Species, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa oresbia, Critically Endangered
(IUCN, 2008); Ptychohyla hypomykter, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Craugastor laevissimus,
Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Los Pinos Visitor’s Center, Depto. Cortés, 700-1400 m elevation, 4-5 April
2008, 14-17 April 2008, 4-12 June 2008; Cerro Azul, 800–1740 m elevation, 18 April 2008, 5–12 July 2008;
San Jose de los Planes, 930-1290 m elevation, 1-3 June 2008.
Preliminary findings: Highland forest areas of this park previously had not been sampled, and
our first visit to cloud forest elevations yielded significant results: finding what appears to be Bolitoglossa
oresbia, the most Critically Endangered salamander in Honduras whose previous known distribution
consisted of a 1 ha patch of forest on top of the otherwise-deforested Cerro El Zarciadero; a potentially
new species of Bolitoglossa with a remarkable golden coloration; and a newly identified population of an
AZE Trigger Species, Nototriton limnospectator, previously known only to occur across Lago de Yojoa in
Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Barbara. An effort was made to access high elevation forest on the
southeastern flank of the mountain mass, in the vicinity of San José de los Planes, but it proved
unsuccessful. The route we accessed led through pastures and crop fields, then up along a ridge covered
with recently burned pine forest and finally to a recently clear-cut and burned zone that abutted directly
against the area identified by a sign as the nuclear zone. However, the nuclear zone forest we accessed
was second-growth. It is apparent that the integrity of the park is not being maintained in this portion of
the mountain range.
Additional visits needed? Yes; another attempt to access the core zone of PN Cerro Azul
Meámbar will be made in August to search for additional evidence of Bolitoglossa oresbia as well as the
apparently new species of Bolitoglossa, and to continue to document the herpetofauna of this poorlyknown yet clearly important reserve.
Parque Nacional La Tigra
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –1; Craugastor (Eleutherodactylus)
emleni, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Jutiapa Visitor’s Center, core zone of PN La Tigra, 1930–2050 m elevation, 1113 January 2008; El Rosario Visitor’s Center, core zone of PN La Tigra, 1740–2050 m elevation, 14-16
January 2008.
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Preliminary findings: Despite repeated searches of apparently suitable habitat, no evidence
indicating the persistence of Craugastor emleni was found.
Additional visits needed? Yes; a two day visit to a stream site on the southwest flank of PN La
Tigra will be made to search for evidence of Craugastor emleni.
Parque Nacional Montaña de Comayagua
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –1; Plectrohyla
guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Ptychohyla hypomykter, Critically Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Craugastor laevissimus, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: La Oki, Depto. Comayagua, 1680-2040 m elevation, edge of core zone for PN
Montaña de Comayagua, 21-24 January 2008; Río Negro, Depto. Comayagua, 1100-1560 m elevation,
buffer zone of PN Montaña de Comayagua, 19-21 April 2008, 15-20 May 2008, 15-22 July 2008.
Preliminary findings: Accessing areas of cloud forest above 1500 m elevation has proven very
challenging; intact cloud forest occurs as low as 1200 m elevation along large streams and rivers. The
community of Río Negro is a model of community based conservation and sustainable development, and
is a prime candidate to receive funding to support these areas.
Additional visits needed? Yes; areas of cloud forest above 1800 m elevation need to be sampled
for the presence of salamanders. No highland salamander has ever been reported from PN Montaña de
Comayagua, however salamander species are present in surrounding mountain ranges.
Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara
AZE sites? Yes, “Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara”.
Conservation priority amphibians: Endangered –2; Dendrotriton sanctibarbarus, AZE Trigger
Species, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Nototriton limnospectator, AZE Trigger Species, Endangered (IUCN,
2008).
Site visit summary: El Cedral, in the buffer zone of PN Montaña de Santa Barbara on the western
slope of the mountain, 1600–1720 m elevation, 28-29 January 2008.
Preliminary findings: The physiography of PN Montaña de Santa Barbara helps to ensure the
long-term persistence of intact forest inside the park’s core zone. The steep side and jagged karst
composition deter deforestation above 2000 m, and both AZE Trigger species in the park appear to have
stable populations. Our limited time at PN Montaña de Santa Barbara nonetheless resulted in two notable
discoveries: a remarkable new species of giant blindsnake (Typhlops), the largest member of its genus in
Mesoamerica; three Anolis rubribarbaris, a lizard species previously known from only a single poorly
preserved specimen.
Additional visits needed? No. While additional visits to the park would almost certainly
produce additional new herpetofaunal species, for the purposes of evaluating the conservation and
management needs of PN Montaña de Santa Barbara as it pertains to the amphibian fauna such visits are
not deemed necessary.
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Figure 2A) Bolitoglossa cf. conanti, RB Güisayote; B) Plectrohyla psiloderma, PN Celaque; C) searching for
amphibians in bromeliads in PN Celaque; D) Bolitoglossa cf. oresbia, PN Cerro Azul Meámbar.
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Parque Nacional Pico Pijol
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –2, Other –; Plectrohyla
guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Ptychohyla hypomykter, Critically Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Bolitoglossa porrasorum, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Nototriton barbouri, Endangered (IUCN, 2008);
Craugastor aurilegulus, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Road above El Porvenir de Morazán, northeastern buffer zone of PN Pico
Pijol in the vicinity of Cerro Las Pajarillos, 1380–1520 m elevation, 23–25 July 2008.
Preliminary findings: Extensive shade-coffee production dominates the northern side of the
buffer zone of PN Pico Pijol. A single frog, apparently Craugastor aurilegulus, was collected along a path
through converted cloud forest; however a search of a medium sized upper tributary of Que. Las Payas
surrounded by moderately disturbed forest failed to find any of the normally stream-side inhabiting C.
aurilegulus. No individuals of Bolitoglossa porrasorum were collected despite constant targeted searching
for this species. A single Ptychohyla hypomykter and two groups of tadpoles were the only amphibians
observed along the stream.
Additional visits needed? Yes; in September 2008, we will enter PN Pico Pijol from the
southeastern side, where we can access the core zone (1800 m+) of the reserve.
Reserva Biológica Guajiquiro
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –2, Other -1;
Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa celaque, Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Exerodonta catracha, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Hypopachus barberi, Vulnerable (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Guajiquiro and surrounding countryside, 1900–2240 m elevation, 23-25 May
2008.
Preliminary findings: Highland areas above about 2000 m elevation in the vicinity of the town of
Guajiquiro are a matrix of both traditional and modern agriculture and patches of remnant cloud forest.
In some places, proximity of existing patches and make-up of the intervening agricultural areas is such as
to allow species such as Bolitoglossa cf. celaque and Exerodonta catracha to persist and, in some cases,
apparently thrive. Cattle ponds in small pastures were readily being used for breeding by the anurans E.
catracha and Hypopachus barberi, and B. cf. celaque was found in a forest patch surrounding a
communications tower.
Additional visits needed? Yes; additional highland areas with forest patches in the area need to
be visited to fully and accurately assess the conservation needs of the relatively large but
biogeographically connected highland area. Also, preliminary genetic analysis indicates that the
salamander referred to as B. celaque from the Guajiquiro area may represent a distinct species, in which
case this species would be completely reliant on the remaining cloud forest patches as their only refuge
from extinction.
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Reserva Biológica Güisayote
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –1, Other –2;
Leptodactylus silvanimbus, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically
Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Bolitoglossa conanti, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Hypopachus barberi, Vulnerable
(IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla matudai, Vulnerable (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Communication towers southeast of El Portillo de Ocotepeque, core zone of
RB Güisayote, 2080-2230 m elevation, 18-21 June 2008.
Preliminary findings: The core zone of RB Güisayote has an access road running along the top of
the reserve through high pastures and remnant cloud forest to a set of communications towers. This
reserve appears to support a surprising amount of forest given that it lies in a region that could be
considered heavily deforested. Preliminary genetic analysis of salamanders referred to as Bolitoglossa cf.
conanti indicate that the Ocotepeque populations of these salamanders represent an un-named species.
Additional visits needed? Yes; the status of Leptodactylus silvanimbus is unclear; we have not
found this species but it has previously been documented inhabiting open fields and pastures with
flooded areas.
Reserva de Vida Silvestre Texiguat
AZE sites? Yes, “Sierra Nombre de Dios”.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –5, Endangered –4; Isthmohyla (Hyla)
insolita, AZE Trigger Species, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Agalychnis moreletii, Critically
Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Duellmanohyla salvavida, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla
guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Rhinella chrysophora, Critically Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Bolitoglossa porrasorum, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Nototriton barbouri, Endangered (IUCN, 2008);
Oedipina gephyra, Endangered (IUCN, 2008);Ptychohyla spinipollex, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: 2.5 km NNE of La Fortuna, buffer zone of RVS Texiguat, 1500–1890 m
elevation, 8-11 April 2008.
Preliminary findings: RVS Texiguat may simultaneously be the single protected area of the most
biodiversity significance and facing the strongest threat to its long-term survival in the Honduran
protected areas system. Access to cloud forest areas is limited to a poorly-maintained road used to extract
illegal timber, from the end of which begins a series of trails into the forest apparently set up specifically
for finding, cutting, and removing valuable hardwood trees, particularly mahogany. Once an area is
depleted of valuable hardwoods, it is cleared, burned, and converted to basic bean production. During
our visit, we were able to find only two species of anurans (Ptychohyla spinipollex and Lithobates maculatus)
along the stream that is the only known locality of Isthmohyla insolita, an AZE Trigger Species. The
specialized breeding habitat of I. insolita, thick mosses that hang from branches over the stream, are
almost completely gone, apparently a result of heavy flooding experienced in this and other area streams
during Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Furthermore, large riparian areas upstream of the locality had recently
been cleared and burned to make way for additional bean production.
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Additional visits needed? Yes; however an additional trip into RVS Texiguat during the period
of the current project may not be possible due to seasonally high water at four river crossings along the
way in and out of the reserve.
Non-protected Areas
Cerro Cantagallo
AZE sites? Yes, “Cerro Cantagallo”.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2; Bolitoglossa carri (Plethodontidae),
AZE Trigger Species, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically Endangered
(IUCN, 2008);
Site visit summary: Finca La Alondra, cafetal in region of Cerro Cantagallo, and other fincas in
the area. 1750-2020 m elevation, 7-9 January 2008.
Preliminary findings: Despite the fact that most of the forest around Cerro Cantagallo is
disturbed and much of that is fully converted to agriculture, Bolitoglossa carri can still be found relatively
easily inside bromeliads in remaining forest patches.
Additional visits needed? No. Additional work should be done to determine the extent of
remaining forest on the highest portions of Cerro Cantagallo, but probably will not be carried out as part
of this project.
Cerro El Zarciadero
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –1, Endangered –1; Bolitoglossa oresbia,
Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Exerodonta catracha, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: Cerro El Zarciadero, 1845–1890 m elevation, 14-15 July 2007.
Preliminary findings: The small patch of forest on top of Cerro El Zarciadero remains intact, and
is essentially protected as part of a buffer zone around a set of communications towers. A family lives at
the entrance to the tower complex and the husband is paid to guard and maintain the grounds. The
residents were already familiar with Bolitoglossa oresbia and the idea that they are protecting the only
known habitat of this animal, which was found active on vegetation on the only night we spent on top of
the mountain. Exerodonta cf. catracha was also found actively calling and breeding in and around a very
small water basin and stream just below the road and towers.
Additional visits needed? No. The situation with the remaining forest patch, tiny as it is, appears
stable for the time being as it provides a buffer area around the communications towers at the top of the
mountain. The discovery of Bolitoglossa oresbia in PN Cerro Azul Meámbar also lessens the urgency with
which earlier conservation efforts surrounding El Zarciadero were being pursued.
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Lenca Highlands (vicinity of La Esperanza, Intibucá)
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –2; Agalychnis
moreletii, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Bolitoglossa celaque, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Exerodonta catracha, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: San Pedro La Loma, 1960-2020 m elevation, 21-24 January 2008; Cerro El
Pelón, 2065 m elevation, 30 June 2008; Zacate Blanco, 1950 – 2100 m elevation, 29-30 June 2008.
Preliminary findings: As is the case in RB Guajiquiro, highland areas above around 2000 m
elevation in the vicinity of La Esperanza are a matrix of both traditional and modern agriculture and
patches of remnant cloud forest. In some places, proximity of existing patches and make-up of the
intervening agricultural areas are such as to allow species such as Bolitoglossa cf. celaque and Exerodonta
catracha to persist and, in some cases, apparently thrive.
Additional visits needed? Yes; additional highland areas with forest patches in the area need to
be visited to fully and accurately assess the conservation needs of the relatively large but
biogeographically connected highland area.
Montaña de Macuzal
AZE sites? No.
Conservation priority amphibians: Critically Endangered –2, Endangered –2; Duellmanohyla
salvavida, Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Plectrohyla guatemalensis, Critically Endangered (IUCN,
2008); Bolitoglossa porrasorum, Endangered (IUCN, 2008); Nototriton barbouri, Endangered (IUCN, 2008).
Site visit summary: El Panal, southwest side of Montaña de Macuzal, 1500–1800 m elevation,
Depto. Yoro, 31 January-3 February 2008, 6-7 April 2008.
Preliminary findings: While the flanks of Montaña de Macuzal are converted to shade coffee
cultivation or completely cleared of all natural vegetation, the area above 1780 m elevation still supports
an approximately 5–10 ha patch of moderately disturbed cloud forest on karstic soils, and Bolitoglossa
porrasorum and Nototriton barbouri are persisting, and in the case of the former species, abundantly so.
Additional visits needed? Yes; a stream flowing out of the northern corner of Montaña de
Macuzal near the community of El Portillo should be checked for signs of Duellmanohyla salvavida or
Plectrohyla guatemalensis, as well as other priority species. A brief, 1-3 day visit will be made in September
between visits to Pico Pijol and Montaña de Yoro.
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3. WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES
As part of our efforts to support and involve Honduran students in the project, we organized
and directed a workshop entitled “Biología, Conservación, e Investigación Herpetológica en
Honduras” on 15 – 18 April 2008, at the Los Pinos Visitor’s Center of Parque Nacional Cerro
Azul Meámbar. We invited seven biology students in the last two years of their degree program
at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras who expressed a serious interest in pursuing
a career in biology and/or conservation. Also invited was the Peace Corp protected areas
management volunteer and the two guardabosques for the Los Pinos area of Parque Nacional
Cerro Azul Meámbar.
Activities that took place during the workshop are summarized as follows:
-
-
Presented five comprehensive powerpoint presentations (in Spanish) on the following
topics:
o Introduction to the Science of Herpetology
o The Herpetofauna of Honduras
o The Utility of Museum Collections and Proper Sample Preparation
o The Amphibian Tree of Life
o Summary of Current and Potential Future Research in Honduran Herpetology
Led nightly “herp-walks” to search for and identify amphibian and reptile species in the
forest surrounding Los Pinos.
Provided three hours of hands-on instruction in amphibian identification, handling, data
collection, and sample preparation.
Student participants from the Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Departamento de Francisco Morazán, Honduras:
Carlos A. Andino
César A. Cerrato M.
Gabriela Díaz S.
Ileana R. Luque-M.,
Melissa Medina F.
Aaron A. Mendoza
Wendy Naira M.
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Local Participants:
Lorraine Ketzler, Voluntaria de Cuerpo de Paz, San Isidro, Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Departamento
de Cortés, Honduras
Teodoro Argueta, Guardabosque, Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meámbar, Departamento de
Cortés, Honduras
José Max, Guardabosque, Parque Nacional Cerro Azul Meámbar, Departamento de Cortés,
Honduras
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Transcript of written comments received from participants at the end of the workshop
1.
¿Cuál fue el aspecto más importante para usted en todo el taller? ¿Por qué?
En mi opinión, fueron dos. Uno fue la oportunidad y aprovechamiento del trabajo de campo con
especialistas en herpetología, los cuales nos enseñaron como se hacen las cosas en el mismo. El otro
aspecto es la inducción que realizaron para motivarnos a hacer investigación. Fue muy provechoso en ese
sentido para mí.
Las practicas de campo, como las caminatas nocturnas y la preservación de organismos. Este es el aspecto
más importante ya que tuvimos la oportunidad de hacerlo nosotros mismos, y esa es la mejor forma de
aprender.
Creo que de todos los aspectos de los que conversamos, el más importante fue el intensivo recibido para
realizar investigaciones dentro del país y para el país, y que estas deben ir encaminadas a la conservación
de las especies. Además, es importante tener conciencia de las dificultades con las que se trabaja como la
falta de fondos invertidos para investigación por parte del gobierno de Honduras. Para mí, fue excelente
obtener un poco de experiencia de campo y de preservación de especies.
Todos tienen su importancia. Ninguno supera al otro.
El aprendizaje en general es lo más importante y no solo un aspecto que no tenemos el tipo de enseñanza
que deberíamos tener así que podría decir que tenemos debilidad en todos los aspectos, a mi paracer todo
fue realmente importante tanto charlas y prácticas, puedo mencionar que caulquier comentario “fuera”
del taller (comentarios después de las practicas simples charlas mientras descansamos). Bastante
importante también y dentro del contexto del taller y lo honrada que me siento de haber aprendido de
verdaderos científicos.
Las caminatas nocturnas, porque no siempre se tiene la facilidad de trabajar y aprender en el campo, de un
especialista en el área.
Lo más importante fue el hecho de haber tenido la oportunidad de ir al campo. Siempre he pensado que se
aprende más observando; cosa o aspecto que no ocurre en nuestra Universidad. Y la mayoría de los
talleres a los que he asistido son solo teóricos. Así que pienso que eso es muy importante, el recibir teoría y
práctico, se aprende más.
2.
¿Cuál fue el aspecto menos importante para usted durante el taller? ¿Por qué?
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Yo no lo llamaría “menos importante,” por que no lo es. Yo le llamaría algo previamente sabido (en su
mayoría), y es sobre la biología, biogeografía de la herpetofauna. Pero es obvio que se debe hacer una
introducción al tema.
Ningún aspecto fue menos importante, considero que toda información es importante.
De todo lo discutido y de todo lo que aprendí no puedo encontrar algo menos importante.
Ninguno.
Ninguno fue menos importante para mi, porque el más mínimo detalle, la cosa más simple es parte del
aprendizaje y a veces el detalle más simple es el más importante y es el que a veces más rápido se olvida
(me pasa a mí muchas veces).
Ninguno.
No creo que existan aspectos menos importantes. Todo lo que recibí en el taller fue muy importante,
debido a que lastimosamente no hemos recibido mucha información de la situación actual de muchas
especies de nuestro país (animales y plantas) y si uno quiere investigar por cuenta propia no existe
información alguna, o no permiten que uno la use. Así que todo me pareció muy didáctico, aprendí mucho
para ser un taller introductorio la herpetología de nuestro país. Espero que hallan más.
3.
¿Qué aspecto cree que pudo haber sido mejorado en este taller?
Tal vez que los participantes hubieramos expuesto nuestras experiencias y/o ideas sobre la herpetofauna
en Honduras y que los especialistas nos comentarán.
Ninguno, para ser el primero estuvo muy bueno.
Creo que más tiempo de trabajo de campo; las jornadas de charlas estuvieron muy bien.
Nada.
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No creo que mejorarlo, solamente incluir otras cosas que en realidad sería como profundizar más en
ciertos temas, tal vez un “Taller II,” porque todo el contexto del taller fue la más importante para
introducir la herpetología como ciencia.
Se pudo haber profundisado un poquito más en lo de endemismo.
No hay aspecto que puedan ser mejorados. Todo fue excelente!!!
4.
¿Qué temas esperaba usted que fueron tratados en este taller y no fueron tratados?
Tal vez mencionar o comentar sobre estudios que hayan hecho otros especialistas en la rama.
La clasificación de especies y la interpretación de claves taxonómicas. También, muestreo para determinar
e infección por chytridiomycosis.
Chytrid sampling.
Se que es un poco mucho los tópicos de taller a mi parecer bastante importantes, pero como no se nos
enseña mucho ni bien tal vez aspectos anatómicos y fisiológicos o de comportamiento de las especies
aunque algunas fueron tratadas y otras fueron respuestas a mis preguntas es importante saber porque
una especies es esa especie aunque se bien que la parte importante también es que nos interesemos más
en leer y aprender solos para después despejar con ustedes.
Herpetofauna especialista, para la protección de su hábitat.
Como taller introductorio a la herpetofauna, todo fue tratado.
5.
¿Qué aspectos cree usted que se puedan mejorar en futuros talleres?
Primero, al momento de buscar la gente, se podría hacer una selección más amplia de personas. Conozco
gente que le hubiera gustado venir pero por no haber sido invitados no están aquí. Debería haber habido
mayor divulgación en ese sentido. Al hablar sobre conservación tomar en cuenta que en Honduras debe
haber primero concientización por medio de educación ambiental Integral para que luego podamos
inculcarles la conservación en todos los sentidos.
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Ninguno.
Talvez falto un poco de interacción entre el grupo, dar momentos de discusión de los temas.
Nada.
Algo importante para cualquier persona creo que es aprender a usar las claves taxonómicas correctamente
y que hay ciertas cosas dentro de la clave que a veces es difícil de entender porque no hay material
suficiente.
Todo me pareció muy bueno, pero sería interesante que antes de ir al campo se pudieran ver fotografías
de las posibles especies que se pueden ver en el campo, para tener uno una idea de lo que pueda buscar en
las caminatas.
6.
¿Qué otros talleres cree usted que se podrían realizar?
Muchos. En mi opinión, tambien, se le debería dar una oportunidad a la herpetofauna propia de otros
ecosistemas, por ejemplo zonas secas, zonas costeras, especies introducidas. También, se podría hablar
sobre como realizar concienciación sobre los recursos naturales.
Conservación, educación, manipulación de organismos, clasificación taxonómica.
Efecto de calentamiento global en las poblaciones de anfibios y reptiles, como se deber realizar
correctamente colectas de serpientes, contaminación de poblaciones de anfibios, situación de las especies
endémicas, uso de claves taxonómicas, elaboración de documentos científicos para revistas, elaboración
de documentos para obtención de fondos para investigación y organizaciones a las que se puede.
Redacción de artículos científicos, Manipulación de organismos (en especial serpientes venenosas).
Lo más importante es aprender a publicar, cómo, cuando y por qué. Antes de publicar claro está hay que
trabajar cómo y donde es importante de igual manera la redacción del proyecto y el anteproyecto como
propuesta. Así que primero sería un taller de “Redacción de documentos” suena un poco estúpido, pero
en realidad no se nos enseña algo diferente entonces mi pregunta cuál es el verdadero método científico y
después o tal vez en el mismo taller el cómo y por qué publicar. El cómo es más importante, y aunque no
soy esa persona a algunas se les olvida el por qué es importante publicar así es bueno recordarlo.
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Redacción y publicación de artículos científicos. Estrategias para la conservación del hábitat de la
herpetofauna.
Sería interesante recibir talleres sobre el declive de los anfibios por causa del calentamiento global. Como
afecta, si es que afecta la contaminación en general a la morfología de los anfibios y reptiles. Un taller en el
que se pueda aprender a clasificar con claves taxonómicas a las diferentes especies. Esto se trata muy
poco en la Universidad.
Craugastor cf. laevissimus, PN Cerro Azul Meámbar, collected by students during the April workshop.
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4. PUBLICATIONS
The following publications have been generated based on project activities through 31 July
2008. Most publications are coauthored by student researchers from the biology department at
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Townsend, Josiah H., and Larry David Wilson. 2008. Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Cusuco
National Park, Honduras / Guía de los Anfibios y Reptiles de Parque Nacional Cusuco, Honduras.
Bibliomania!, Salt Lake City, Utah. xiv + 322 pp.
This CEPF-supported bilingual field guide was published in July 2008, and details the
amphibian and reptile fauna of a Honduran cloud forest reserve with three Critically
Endangered and 10 Endangered species of amphibians.
The following papers have been accepted or submitted for publication based directly on
results from the project during the first half of 2008.
Townsend, Josiah H., J. Michael Butler, Larry David Wilson, Lorraine P. Ketzler, John Slapcinsky, and
Nathaniel M. Stewart. In press. Significant range extension for the Central American Colubrid snake
Ninia pavimentata (Bocourt 1883). Herpetological Bulletin 106.
Townsend, Josiah H., Larry David Wilson, Ileana R. Luque-Montes, and Lorraine P. Ketzler. Accepted.
Redescription of Anolis rubribarbaris (Köhler, McCranie, & Wilson 1999), a poorly known
Mesoamerican cloud forest anole (Squamata: Polychrotidae). Zootaxa
Townsend, Josiah H., Larry David Wilson, Lorraine P. Ketzler, and Ileana R. Luque-Montes. Submitted.
The largest blindsnake in Mesoamerica: A new species of Typhlops (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from an
isolated karstic mountain in Honduras. Zootaxa
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Luque-Montes, Ileana R., Lorraine P. Ketzler, César A. Cerrato M., Larry David Wilson, and Josiah H.
Townsend. Submitted. Geographic Distribution. Hypopachus barberi (Montane Sheep Frog).
Herpetological Review.
Ketzler, Lorraine P., Ileana R. Luque-Montes, César A. Cerrato M., Larry David Wilson, and Josiah H.
Townsend. Submitted. Natural History Notes. Thamnophis fulvus (Central America Highland Garter
Snake). Diet. Herpetological Review.
The following manuscripts are in preparation and are based directly on results of the
project during the first half of 2008, and are planned to be submitted before the end of
the year.
Luque-Montes, Ileana R., Josiah H. Townsend, and James D. Austin. In preparation. New hope for one of
Mesoamerica’s most critically endangered amphibians
Townsend, Josiah H., and Ileana R. Luque-Montes. In preparation. The golden salamander of Honduras: a
new species in the Bolitoglossa dunni group (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from Parque Nacional Cerro
Azul Meambar.
Townsend, Josiah H., Larry David Wilson, Ileana R. Luque-Montes, and Melissa Medina-Flores. In
preparation. A new species of highland salamander (Caudata: Plethodontidae), formerly referred to as
Bolitoglossa conanti McCranie and Wilson, from Departamento de Ocotepeque, Honduras.
Medina-Flores, Melissa, Ileana R. Luque-Montes, César A. Cerrato M., Larry David Wilson, and Josiah H.
Townsend. In preparation. Field key to the reptiles of Honduras/Clave de campo de los reptiles de
Honduras.
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5. PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR REMAINING FIELD ACTIVITIES.
10-28 August 2008. Field team led by Larry David Wilson (LDW) will visit at least Cerro El
Pital, the Lenca Highlands, and RB Guajiquiro.
20-28 August 2008. Field team led by Josiah Townsend (JHT) and Ileana Luque-Montes (IRL)
will make second expedition to the core zone of PN Cerro Azul Meámbar.
29 August-3 September 2008. Both teams go to Río Negro in PN Montaña de Comayagua to
attend the annual environmental artisans fair, and then to attempt to access forests above 1800
m elevation.
4-6 September 2008. Mesoamerican Amphibian Meeting, San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
7-11 September 2008. CEPF Northern Mesoamerica Meeting.
12-30 September 2008. Team led by JHT, LDW, and IRL goes to PN Pico Pijol, Montaña de
Macuzal, and PN Montaña de Yoro.
16 October – 8 November 2008. Team led by JHT, LDW, and IRL goes to PN La Muralla, PN,
Sierra de Agalta, and PN Pico Bonito.
9-15 November 2008. Congreso SMBC, San Salvador, El Salvador.
16-21 November 2008. Fieldwork in Honduras.
22-29 November 2008. 8th Congreso Latinamericano de Herpetología, Topes de Collantes,
Cuba.
30 November – 9 December 2008. Fieldwork/Permits in Honduras.
5 – 16 January 2009. Workshop for UNAH Students: Professional Development for Aspiring
Scientists: Publishing, Grants, and Graduate School (see attached outline)
17-25 January 2009. Any remaining fieldwork.
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6. OUTLINE FOR FINAL WORKSHOP
“SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
BIOLOGY STUDENTS AT UNAH”
Proposed Sponsors: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Instituto Regional de Biodiversidad,
Centro Zamorano de Biodiversidad, Escuela Agrícola Panamericana Zamorano, University of
Florida.
Workshop Facilitators
Josiah H. Townsend (UF; IRBio)
Larry David Wilson (IRBio)
James D. Austin (UF)
Ileana R. Luque-Montes (UNAH)
Proposed Dates: 5–16 January 2009.
Proposed Location: Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, Zamorano, Honduras.
Participants: 8–12 advanced undergraduate biology students from UNAH; preference given to
students who have completed research projects for various university classes and have a serious
interest in careers as professional scientists.
Topics to be covered:
-
Preparation of research results for submission and publication in peer-reviewed
scientific publications
Preparation of research results for presentation at scientific meetings and
conferences
Preparation of research results for dissemination to the public
Assembling a Curriculum Vitae
Applying to Graduate School
Preparing and submitting grant proposals
Workshop Schedule
Morning and afternoon sessions Monday through Friday each week.
Saturday and Sunday field excursions between weeks 1 and 2.
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