Native Amphibian Species Preservation Laboratory

Amphibian Extinction

Amphibians were the first vertebrates to leave the aquatic realm around 370 million years ago.  Currently, there are three living orders of amphibians: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata (salamanders and newts), and Gymnophiona (caecilians).  Modern-day amphibians have descended from ancestors that have survived some of the most devastating events in the history of the world, including those that destroyed the dinosaurs.  Today, however, we are seeing amphibian extinction

rates occurring at an alarming pace.  In reality, it is too early to define exactly what is happening to our amphibians, but evidence is pointing towards a mixture of causes ranging from habitat loss, contamination, global climate changes, and disease.  In the last two decades dozens of species have disappeared from numerous areas of the globe, even from some pristine habitats.  The trend appears to be continuing.  Humans are very likely responsible for at least some of these disappearances due to unsustainable ecological practices.  It is time to step in and try to save some of the remaining species, so that future generations may one day have the experience of admiring such natural beauty that took millions of years to evolve.

Amphibian Conservation

Through intense captive studies, combined with natural environment research, preservation, and experimentation we may have the chance to save several species of amphibians, but time is crucial.  Every minute that we allow to go by we may be losing a chance to make the difference for a particular species of amphibian.  The Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center has built a laboratory designed specifically for the purpose of "in-country" amphibian research and conservation.  The C.R.A.R.C. was established in 2002 to fulfill the need for such a center in Costa Rica, one dedicated to the biological and conservational research of amphibians and their habitats.  Costa Rica is one of the richest countries in the world in amphibian diversity (188 species), but when looking at this richness in correlation with the size of the national territory, Costa Rica can be viewed as the richest country on the planet in amphibian density (3.68 species / 1000 sq. km.).  Considering the fact that Costa Rica has this richness, it is unfortunate that so little is being done to truly protect and ensure Costa Rica's astonishing amphibian diversity.  The C.R.A.R.C. is intensively working in both areas of amphibian biological studies and amphibian conservational research and experimentation.  This conservational research and experimentation is vital for species preservation, and without it we are looking at possible extinction for a number of species in the not-so-distant future.

Brian has spent thousands of hours in the field studying, documenting, and photographing Neotropical amphibians.  This field experience, combined with over a decade of intense literature research and more than 15 years of studies in captivity, have provided the essential tools for cutting edge amphibian conservational practices.  The goals for the lab are to provide vital information into captive husbandry techniques for some Costa Rican species of concern.  This information will, hopefully, be utilized by zoological parks and other institutions with captive amphibian collections, in addition to those working with amphibian conservation in Latin America.

Terrariums

Details of a terrarium

These photos show some of the results of  amphibians

being bred and reared at the C.R.A.R.C.