Project Results

Twelve representative peaks in Trinidad’s Northern Range. The three tallest peaks are named. Isolation in- creases with distance from the two largest peaks: El Tucuche and Cerro del Aripo. Size of “B” denotes G. erectiflora relative abundance, value indicates proportion of sampled bromeliads with P. auratus present. Peak bands show lower limit of G. erectiflora. Peaks with a “?” are unsampled. Drawn approximately to scale. 

About This Project

In two isolated "sky islands" on the island of Trinidad live an IUCN critically-endangered species, the golden tree frog. We know little about the golden tree frog, so it is very difficult to help protect this rare species. It is nationally and internationally recognized as threatened and important for conservation and cultural reasons. To understand this endangered species we need to develop two new non-invasive methods to study them: environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and vocalization surveys.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The endangered and endemic golden tree frog (Phytotriades auratus) is a small 3cm tree frog with bright gold stripes set against a brown background. We've been able to locate them on only two isolated 'sky islands', the two tallest peaks on Trinidad. We wish to know how much available habitat remains for this species, and how to ensure its protection.

The frogs inhabit the tank bromeliads, a plant resembling a pineapple-top, also restricted to these 'islands'. These habitats are in danger of continued fragmentation and degradation.

Previously, sampling methods to find the frogs involved destroying the host bromeliad. This, combined with encroaching land use from development, highlights the need to move quickly to discover and save its habitat, and develop a new set of non-invasive methods.

What is the significance of this project?

We know very little about the distribution and ecology of the golden tree frog. Information is needed to develop a conservation path for the species and Trinidad's Environmental Management Authority. Previously, data collection involved removing the bromeliads from trees and peeling back the leaves to reveal any frogs or tadpoles hiding within; this conventional method means destroying the frog's habitat.

This project aims to develop non-invasive methods for collecting data on the frog. These include new methods to detect the presence of the frogs by analyzing the environmental DNA (eDNA), a method that would be applicable to other species. We also plan to map the range of the frogs' habitat testing vocalization surveys, to compare alongside the genetic method.

What are the goals of the project?

We will return to Trinidad to complete mapping, sample collection, development of new methods, and the creation of a monitoring plan with local partners. To complete this we need funds to conduct research insitu for three months. During this time we will collect samples to test for eDNA of the golden tree frog and map the frog's habitat.

For a detailed explanation of the project you can read our project methods.

Using these methods, we will decrease the risk of spreading disease while determining the relative abundance of this frog. We will also be using one of the most effective tools for finding rare and elusive animals, eDNA sampling and analysis. This is a new and developing field in conservation biology and our study will play an important part in its development.