Ecuador study registers amphibian and reptile species unseen for over a century

A recent study in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has documented 63 species of amphibians and reptiles, revealing the surprising persistence of wildlife in the country's most populous city. Researchers from Ecuadorian universities identified 19 amphibian and 44 reptile species within remnants of tropical dry forest, protected areas, and urban parks. This finding underscores Guayaquil's continued role as a vital refuge for coastal fauna, even amidst intense urban development.

The research highlighted the rediscovery of several elusive species. 'Caecilia tenuissima,' a type of amphibian, was observed for the first time in nearly five decades. The snake 'Drymobius rhombifer' had not been reliably recorded in the city for over a century, and the rare snake 'Atractus microrhynchus' had not been documented in Guayaquil since 1868. The study, conducted over 17 years, also marked the first recording of the spectacled caiman ('Caiman crocodilus') in the city, expanding knowledge of its distribution along the coast.

While the city harbors a significant portion of the Guayas province's amphibian and reptile diversity, the study also points to a "worrying trend." Spatial analyses revealed that Guayaquil's urban area expanded by over 26% between 2008 and 2022, while native forest cover within the study zone decreased substantially. This landscape transformation poses a significant threat to species that depend on well-preserved ecosystems, including the Pacific horned frog ('Ceratophrys stolzmanni') and the American crocodile ('Crocodylus acutus').