#variable harlequin frog

Variable Harlequin Frog

“The variable harlequin frogs, raised in captivity at a Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute facility in Panama are part of an experiment to see how the amphibians will fare in a country besieged by a pervasive and deadly disease. The population has declined by more than 80 percent over the last three generations, and in Panama, wild populations exist only in some protected areas.

The scientists gave 500 frogs a unique marking visible under UV light, while 30 additional frogs were released wearing miniature radio transmitters, says Brian Gratwicke, international coordinator for the Smithsonian’s Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation project and a National Geographic Explorer.”

“The Smithsonian team staged a similar release with another species of harlequin frog last June. Here, one wears a small radio transmitter. Because of heavy rains, the research team was unable to take photographs of the radio-wearing frogs from this recent release.” (Photograph by Roshan Patel)

This species is threatened by habitat lost, predation by introduced trout, and historically by the pet trade, but by far it's biggest threat is, like many amphibians, chytridiomycosis, caused by chytrid fungus. One of the few places it is still known to persist is also under serious threat of landslide. Since there is no known cure for chytrid fungus a captive breeding program has been initiated to try to preserve the species.