An Introduction to the Amphibians of Ecuador: Diversity, Conservation, and Cultural History

An Introduction to the Amphibians of Ecuador is the first of four volumes, which are comprehensive, well-illustrated, and authoritative works, making them invaluable to biologists, conservationists, and others. This initial volume delves into the cultural history of amphibians, encompassing ethnobatrachology and folklore, while summarizing the amphibian iconography found in Ecuadorian archaeology. Moreover, it covers topics such as bioprospecting, sustainable management, and biotrade activities. The history and present state of amphibian biology research are also addressed. Furthermore, it explores in comprehensive detail the rich amphibian diversity of Ecuador, providing a thorough review of biogeography, amphibian declines, and conservation. Subsequent volumes list the characteristics of each species, define each taxon, and compare them to similar other species. Natural history and reproductive behavior, where known, are described, as are data on vocalizations, larvae, and ontogenetic changes. Amphibian distributions are illustrated with physiographic maps with dots. Each volume addresses the declines, extinctions, and conservation status of each species and provides notations of their occurrence in reserves. KEY FEATURES Summarizes the ethnozoological aspects of amphibians Provides a thorough history of research Introduction to three volumes providing accounts for each of the 3 orders, 19 families, 78 genera, and over 650 species from Ecuador Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents About the Authors Contributors In Memoriam Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Ethnobatrachology Indigenous and Vernacular Names Tadpole Names Standardized Names in Spanish and English Amphibian Iconography in Ecuadorian Archaeology Late Formative Period (1000–500 BCE) Regional Development Period (500 BCE–500 CE) Integration Period (500–1500 CE) Amphibians and Their Relationship with Rain Rituals Crafts Mythology, Stories, and Legends Mestizo and Spanish Popular Culture The Toad Game The Water Toad Fountains and Drinkers Education Films on Ecuadorian Amphibians Ecuadorian Amphibians in the News Poetry and Music Sayings, Superstitions, Jokes, and Graffiti Food for Humans Native Species The Bullfrog Industry Traditional Medicine Biotrade Live Frogs for Research, Education, and the Pet Market The Sustainable Bioethical Trade References Chapter 2 The History and Present of Amphibian Biology A Linnaean Preamble Cornalia and the Start of Amphibian Taxonomy in Ecuador Jiménez de la Espada: An Outstanding Spanish Savant European Museums, the British Empire, and the Axis of Collections Growth Mountaineering and Collecting: Whymper Rosenberg: A Successful Natural History Dealer The Scientifically Honored but Poorly Known Buckley The Consul: Mr. Fraser Simons: A Promising Collector and a Tragedy Palmer: The Analytical Chemist The Italian Enrico Festa during the Ecuadorian Civil War Günther and the Explosion of Collections Boulenger: The Tireless and Prolific Taxonomist The First Half of the 20th Century, a Period of Wars Mario G. Peracca: The Aristocratic Italian Zoologist Lars Andersson: The Swedish School Teacher Emmett Dunn: The American Herpetologist Edward Taylor: The University of Kansas Grandfather Orcés and the Foundations of Amphibian Collections in Ecuador Peters and the Harlequin Frogs A Rebirth for Amphibian Collections The EPN Museum and a Woman Pioneer Del Pino and the Marsupial Frogs Kenneth Miyata: A Legendary Harvard Herpetologist and the Roots of Ecotourism Vigle: Two Decades of Conservation and Amphibian Surveys in the Old Forest Rivero, Heyer, and Flores: Their Transient Work on Ecuadorian Amphibians Rivero and the Cryptic Dendrobatids Heyer: The Smithsonian Taxonomist behind Leptodactylus Frogs Glenn Flores: From “Eleuths” to Pediatrics The Duellman–KU Era: The Big Bang in Amphibian Systematics and Ecology Martha L. Crump: From Tying Tags to Field Biology and Conservation Lynch: “Eleuths” and Glassfrogs Trueb: A Skilled Systematist Cannatella: The Generous Supporter of Ecuadorian Scientists Edwards, Hillis, and Their Pioneering Taxonomic Work Duellman, Trueb, and Their Ecuadorian Graduate Students The 1980s: The National Research Takes Off Amphibians at the QCAZ Read: The Great Naturalist and Survivor of an Airplane Crash and a Kidnapping The DHMECN Collection: From the Friends of Nature to the National Biodiversity Institute Three Decades of Amphibian Research at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ Touzet, Velasco, and the Vivarium of Quito Centro Jambatu: A Fresh Venture Amphibian Conservation in Southern Ecuador: The Amaru Initiative Filling the gap of amphibian research in southern Ecuador: The Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja Women in Amphibian Biology: An Ongoing Trend of Underrepresentation in Academia The (Slow) Progression of Women’s Inclusion in the Taxonomy of Ecuadorian Amphibians Women’s Contribution to Evolution, Ecology, and Natural History and Conservation of Amphibians of Ecuador Enhancing Gender Inclusion in Amphibian Research The Diversity and Academic Lives of Current Amphibian Biologists References Chapter 3 Diversity, Extinction, and Conservation Molecular Diversity and Bioprospection in Amphibian Skin Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources: The Case of Epibatidine and Derivatives In Search of Bioactive Peptides from Ecuadorian Frog Skin Secretions Peptide Families from Ecuadorian Frogs Phyllokinins Orphan Peptides Amphibian Skin AMPs as a Source of Inspiration for the Development of Therapeutic Antimicrobial Candidates Cruzioseptin Analogs Picturin Analogs Progress in Amphibian Systematics and Taxonomy in Ecuador Taxonomy and Other Fields Discovery and Rates of Descriptions Species Richness and Patterns of Distribution Understanding the Richness of Ecuadorian Amphibians Patterns of Distribution of Amphibians in Ecuador Undescribed Species and Incertae Sedis Atelopus spp. (spumarius Complex) (Anura: Bufonidae) (Figure 3.24) Rhinella spp. (margaritifera Complex) (Anura: Bufonidae) (Figures 3.25, 3.26) Dendropsophus sp. (minutus Complex) (Anura: Hylidae) (Figure 3.27) Bolitoglossa spp. (peruviana Complex) (Caudata: Plethodontidae) Introduced Species Extinction and Conservation The Red List of Ecuadorian Amphibians The Data-Deficient Species Which Are the Causes of Amphibian Declines in Ecuador? Conservation What Are the Solutions? Conservation Genetics Why Should We Focus More on Populations? How Can We Apply Genetics to the Conservation of Amphibians in Ecuador? Main Techniques to Assess Genetic Variation in Populations Genetic Detection, DNA Barcoding, and Environmental DNA Resolving Taxonomic Uncertainties Conservation Units Genetics of Wild Populations Conservation Breeding References Index