Jesus presented his research on the antimicrobial properties of a skin peptide of Pristimantis toftae at the Annual Honors Thesis Presentations. Jesus combined a variety of transcriptomic, proteomic, and genetic approaches to identify peptide candidates from the genome, transcriptome, and skin secretions. One of the best candidate peptide, found at high frequency in the skin transcripts, was then tested for inhibition activity in co-culture assays in a plate reader, revealing moderate inhibition against E. coli. Rising microbial resistance to antibiotics demands innovative strategies to expand our therapeutic arsenal, and the chemically diverse secretions of frog skin offer a promising pharmacopeia for the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents

A new paper led by Kathryn A. Sullivan and Tony Gamble, in collaboration with the Catenazzi Lab and an international team of collaborators, sheds new light on the evolutionary history of Neotropical leaf‑toed geckos (Phyllodactylus). The study, published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, presents the most complete time‑calibrated phylogeny of this group to date and reveals a surprisingly complex biogeographic history shaped by both continental geology and long‑distance dispersal.

One of the most striking results of the study is evidence that Phyllodactylus dispersed into North and Central America well before the complete closure of the Isthmus of Panama, which is often cited as the primary route for interchange between the continents. Using a densely sampled molecular dataset and state‑of‑the‑art phylogenetic methods, the authors estimated that this northward dispersal occurred roughly 37–46 million years ago, long before a continuous land bridge existed. Rather than relying on emerging land connections, these geckos most likely crossed marine barriers via overseas dispersal, possibly rafting on vegetation. While this might sound extraordinary, geckos are well known for their ability to colonize remote islands, and similar dispersal events have been inferred in many other reptile lineages.

The study also examined how Andean uplift influenced diversification within Phyllodactylus, particularly in western South America and inter‑Andean valleys. Although some lineages predate major uplift events, several divergence events coincide with periods of accelerated mountain building in the late Miocene, suggesting that the Andes did not simply act as barriers dividing populations, but also created new opportunities that promoted diversification and micro‑endemism. This is especially evident in western Andean clades.y.

By sampling nearly 70% of described Phyllodactylus species, the authors were able to test long‑standing assumptions about relationships within the group. Surprisingly, the analyses indicate that Phyllodactylus, as currently defined, is not monophyletic, with some species more closely related to other genera in the family Phyllodactylidae. The study also found evidence of mitonuclear discordance, likely caused by ancient introgression or incomplete lineage sorting. These complex histories make species boundaries difficult to define, but also highlight how dynamic evolution has been in this group. Importantly, many of the lineages with hidden diversity occur in regions facing habitat loss, particularly along the Pacific coast and in Andean dry forests. Clarifying species limits is critical for conservation, as several species are already listed as threatened by the IUCN.

Citation: Sullivan, K.A., R.L. Klabacka, A. Catenazzi, J. Pérez Z, P.J. Venegas, P.L. Wood, Jr., D.C. Browne, C. Koch, J.P. van Leeuwen, F. Valdez, S.V. Nielsen, A.M. Bauer, J.W. Sites, Jr., C. Aguilar Puntriano, E. Greenbaum, T. Gamble. 2026. One if by land, two if by sea: molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Neotropical leaf‑toed geckos (Phyllodactylidae: Phyllodactylus). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 206: zlag63. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlag063 

The lab gathered this weekend for our annual beach BBQ at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. It was a great opportunity to take a break from fieldwork, experiments, and writing to enjoy some time together outdoors.

We spent the day grilling, swimming, playing smash ball and catching up, with plenty of good food and even better company. These moments are a reminder that strong collaborations and friendships are just as important as the research we do.

Thanks to everyone who helped organize, bring food and cook—already looking forward to next year!

A new paper led by Pablo Venegas and collaborators, including Alessandro, has just been published in Zootaxa, announcing the discovery of Gastrotheca mittaliiti sp. nov. ​(inset photo by P. Venegas), a previously unknown species of marsupial frog from the subalpine páramo of the Amazonas department in northern Peru. The study also reports the first confirmed Peruvian record of Gastrotheca turnerorum, previously known only from southern Ecuador.
Marsupial frogs (genus Gastrotheca) are famous for their unique reproductive strategy: females carry developing eggs in a pouch on their back until the young emerge as tadpoles or fully formed froglets. In some direct-developing species, mothers even transfer nutrients to their developing embryos through their dorsal skin! 

Citation: Venegas, P. J., L. Y. Echevarría, L. A. García Ayachi, I. Wong, G. Chávez, A. García-Bravo, A. Catenazzi, and S. Castroviejo-Fisher. 2026. A new species of marsupial frog (Hemiphractidae: Gastrotheca) from the Andes of northern Peru and first country record of Gastrotheca turnerorum. Zootaxa 5777: 431–452. doi: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.3.2

Lab collaborator Valia Herrera also attended the meeting, and presented a poster on genetic diversity and species delimitation in the Pristimantis danae group of southern Peru and northern Bolivia.

A new paper by Pablo Venegas and collaborators, including Alessandro, fills key gaps in what we know about the Condor Rain Frog, Pristimantis condor. The study documents new populations in Peru and reports the first description of the species’ advertisement call.
Surveys carried out from 2014–2023 revealed the species in the departments of Loreto and Amazonas. The Cordillera Escalera record pushes the known distribution about 250 km southeast of the nearest previously documented locality in Ecuador. The findings hint that P. condor may be more widespread across still poorly explored Andean foothill ranges. Every new locality and every new call helps. These baseline data improve our ability to survey remote regions, recognize hidden diversity, and plan conservation actions for Andean amphibians.
Males were typically encountered at night calling from shrubs half a meter to a meter above ground, often near white-sand habitats and blackwater streams, whereas females and juveniles were mostly found in leaf litter. Recordings from one male show that the call is a train of 17–20 notes lasting about three seconds, with a dominant frequency near 2.4 kHz and little change in frequency across the call. Additional recordings will be needed to capture the full range of variation. 

Citation: ​Venegas, P.J., L.A. García-Ayachi, S. Bullard, J.D. Valencia, E. Quispe, A. Catenazzi. 2026. Range extension and advertisement call description of Pristimantis condor (Lynch And Duellman, 1980) (Anura: Strabomantidae). Revista Latinoamericana De Herpetología 9: 11-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.22201/fc.25942158e.2026.1.1493

On 16 December 2025, Alessandro Catenazzi joined the team of Geo — the acclaimed RAI 3 program dedicated to nature, science and the environment — as a featured guest alongside host Emanuele Biggi. Live on air, Alessandro shared insights from his extensive fieldwork in the Andes and Amazon, bringing viewers into the heart of contemporary scientific expeditions and biodiversity discovery. 
The conversation with Emanuele Biggi — naturalist, photographer and long-time Geo co-host — touched on the challenges and rewards of conducting research in rugged Andean landscapes, where new amphibian and reptile species continue to be documented. Biggi’s deep appreciation for small creatures and their ecological roles provided the perfect backdrop for Alessandro’s stories from the field. 
Alessandro described how herpetologists comb through high-elevation grasslands, cloud forests and remote valleys to catalogue life that has remained hidden from science. These expeditions not only enrich our understanding of biodiversity in some of the world’s most species-rich environments, but also highlight the urgency of conservation in the face of climate change and habitat loss. His anecdotes underscored the intimate connection between exploration and stewardship. 
Amphibians and reptiles — groups at the forefront of many recent discoveries — took center stage in the discussion. Alessandro explained why these vertebrates are both indicators of ecosystem health and subjects of intense taxonomic research. His lab’s work on Neotropical frogs, including the description of new species from the upper Amazon and Andean slopes, illustrates the hidden diversity that still awaits formal recognition. 
Throughout the live broadcast, Alessandro emphasized not just the thrill of discovery, but the broader implications of documenting life in a rapidly changing world. Viewers were reminded that each new species description helps build the scientific foundation needed to protect these unique organisms before they slip into extinction. The recording (in Italian) is available at ​https://www.raiplay.it/programmi/geo/​