Patterns & Partners: Ecological Distribution & Space-Use Habits of Adinobates claudiae with Heliconia spp. in Tropical Rainforests
Event Type
Research Presentation
Location
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Start Date
24-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
24-4-2026 2:30 PM
Description
Understanding of how small-scale disturbances, such as tree-fall gaps, affect the dynamics between tropical vegetation and the distribution of amphibians, remains a knowledge gap that is key to conservation efforts. Disturbed secondary forests are recognized as sufficient habitats for Adinobates claudiae (Claudia's Poison Frog) to reproduce and distribute offspring to phytotelmata. Several species of neotropical frogs in Central America, including A. claudiae, use phytotelmata in heliconia, bromeliads, and dieffenbachias to deposit their tadpoles (Poelman et. al., 2008). Thus, monitoring the distribution of A. claudiae in their potential reproductive sites may be influential in predicting the trajectory of ecosystem health and how species might be affected by human disturbances, pathogens, and climate change. Continued research on amphibian species distribution, such as the Smithsonian's work on endemic species in Panama, is becoming crucial as anthropogenic disturbances easily persuade amphibian populations (Nilipour, L. 2019).
Patterns & Partners: Ecological Distribution & Space-Use Habits of Adinobates claudiae with Heliconia spp. in Tropical Rainforests
Dana Science Building, 2nd floor
Understanding of how small-scale disturbances, such as tree-fall gaps, affect the dynamics between tropical vegetation and the distribution of amphibians, remains a knowledge gap that is key to conservation efforts. Disturbed secondary forests are recognized as sufficient habitats for Adinobates claudiae (Claudia's Poison Frog) to reproduce and distribute offspring to phytotelmata. Several species of neotropical frogs in Central America, including A. claudiae, use phytotelmata in heliconia, bromeliads, and dieffenbachias to deposit their tadpoles (Poelman et. al., 2008). Thus, monitoring the distribution of A. claudiae in their potential reproductive sites may be influential in predicting the trajectory of ecosystem health and how species might be affected by human disturbances, pathogens, and climate change. Continued research on amphibian species distribution, such as the Smithsonian's work on endemic species in Panama, is becoming crucial as anthropogenic disturbances easily persuade amphibian populations (Nilipour, L. 2019).
Comments
Under the direction of Dr. Daniel Medina, School for Field Studies, Panama. Coordinated by Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael.