Perereca-de-Capacete-do-Rio-Pomba

Thermal and acoustic ecology of a critically endangered frog species, Nyctimantis pomba

The Nyctimantis pomba is a critically endangered frog species found only in a small, fragmented forest in southeastern Brazil. Discovered in 2013, this rare amphibian lives in a highly impacted environment of just 1.36 km², threatened by deforestation, pesticide use and human encroachment. Its critical situation is compounded by an ongoing legal dispute over land ownership, the potential construction of a hydroelectric dam, and the presence of invasive bullfrogs, which compete for resources and can spread the deadly chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Alarmingly, there are currently no protected areas covering the species' habitat.

To address these challenges, a new conservation project has been launched under the leadership of Isabela Alavarces Reis, in line with the Strategic Plan for the Conservation of Amphibians (PECAn) and Brazil's National Action Plan for Endangered Herpetofauna. This initiative builds on previous efforts, including the successful establishment of a captive breeding programme at São Paulo Zoo in 2019, and aims to deepen knowledge of the species' ecological needs while addressing critical threats.

Central to this project is the study of the thermal preferences and limits of Nyctimantis pomba across its life stages, both in its natural habitat and under controlled ex situ conditions. This knowledge will help identify suitable areas for population restoration and refine husbandry protocols. In parallel, researchers will monitor chytridiomycosis, a disease that poses a significant threat to amphibians worldwide, to develop effective mitigation strategies.

By combining in-situ and ex-situ approaches, this project aims to prevent the extinction of Nyctimantis pomba. The results will guide habitat management, improve captive breeding practices and support reintroduction efforts to ensure the long-term survival of this unique species in the face of escalating environmental pressures.