Only 1 out of every 5 amphibian type localities in Ecuador are in protected areas
In taxonomy, the location where specimens used to formally describe a new species are collected is called a type locality. These sites can be thought of as the species' formal birthplace, much as the scientific article containing the original description constitutes its scientific birth certificate, because this is how the species officially acquires its identity and name within the scientific…
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that only 21% of Ecuador's 505 amphibian type localities are protected by the National System of Protected Areas. Instead, 27% are found on agricultural land, and 7% within urbanized areas. This finding comes from a research team at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, who georeferenced and analyzed all such sites throughout the country. Among these 505 locations, 326 species are unique to Ecuador.
The research uncovered that type localities often reside near roads and cities, a trend that has evolved over time. While early species descriptions (up to 1950) focused on accessible regions, later research expanded to remote sites at higher altitudes. This led to the discovery of new amphibian species and type localities, showcasing Ecuador's diverse biodiversity.
However, the study also highlights a complex relationship between the number of species described at a site and its overall biodiversity, primarily due to inaccessibility. In a specific 10x10 kilometer area (6x6 miles) encompassing Abra de Zamora and the city of Loja, 14 frog species have type localities, making it the highest concentration in the country.
Eight of these species are endemic to this region. Notably, three of these species were collected in the 1930s by Ecuadorian naturalist Clodoveo Carrión. Unfortunately, human activities like agriculture, urbanization, and deforestation have led to a 34% of type localities facing drastic land-use changes.
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