Ten new records of anomalies for eight species of anurans – amphibians from Honduras and Colombia

ABSTRACT

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in reported anomalies among amphibians worldwide, especially malformations. These anomalies not only signify a decline in the quality of their habitats but also hold special significance among anuran species as vital indicators of ecosystem health. Our study presents ten previously undocumented cases of anomalies within eight anuran species found in Honduras and Colombia. These species include Ameerega bilinguis, A. hahneli and A. ingeri (Dendrobatidae), Craugastor sp. (Craugastoridae), Engystomops pustulosus (Leptodactylidae), Incilius valliceps (Bufonidae), Lithobates maculatus (Ranidae), and Smilisca baudinii (Hylidae). The observed anomalies encompass a range of abnormalities, including a protuberant tumor (1), adactyly (1), amely (2), anophthalmy (1), brachydactyly (1), ectrodactyly (1), ectromely (5), and phocomely (1), which affect the mobility and vision of these individuals. While the root causes may differ, we suspect that pollution stemming from agricultural and urban activities in the observed areas could be a contributing factor. However, we do not dismiss the possibility of other physicochemical or biological stressors.

KEYWORDS:

• Abnormal morphology
• ecosystem bioindicator
• frogs and toads
• malformations
• neotropical region

Acknowledgments

We dedicate this work to Luis Hernán Baca Valladares (RIP), known as “Don Mero,” former president of the “Comité Ecologico Aldea Suyapa” (COEAS), whose life was taken away while fighting to protect and conserve the Suyapa Wildlife Refuge Luis Hernán Baca Valladares ‘Mero’. We thank Alejandro Orellana and Celeste López (ASICH), Manuel García y Tania Erazo (COEAS), Comando de Apoyo y Manejo al Ecosistema y Ambiente (C9), Francisco Morazán Regional Office, and Guaimaca Local Office of ICF, FIPADEH, Jeffrey Canaca, Municipality of Guaimaca, The Big Bat Theory research group, Unidad Humanitaria y de Rescate (UHR), Aserradero Sansone, Yenifer Coto, Oscar Amador, Daniel Germer, Andrés Reyes, Ciro Amador, and Paola Arguijo for their support in fieldwork. We also give special thanks to Cristian Estrada for providing us with the data on the individual of Craugastor sp. and to Walter J. Alvarado-Ortíz for providing us with the data on S. baudinii. This research arose as part of the biodiversity monitoring within the Annual Operational Plan of the National Institute of Forest Conservation (ICF) and in part we use ICF permit Resolution DE-MP-067-2018 for Honduras.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

AJSS, CAAF, JCDR: conception and design; AJSS, CAAF, JCDR, ANM: interpretation of the data; AJSS, CAAF, JCDR, ANM: Writing original drafting of the paper, visualization, and investigation; AJSS, CAAF, JCDR, ANM, MACT, YGD, EOM: Writing editing, revising it critically for intellectual content; JCDR: Supervision. All authors approve of the final version to be published and agree to be responsible for all aspects of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Financial Code 001, by the Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (SEDESOL), Becas Solidarias – Honduras, the Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación (SENACIT) – Becas de Posgrado – Honduras and by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Regional Program – Costa Rica.