Honor student Jesus Diaz presented a poster at the OURI Research Forum today! His poster's  title is Discovery and Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Skin Secretions of Frogs in the Pristimantis Genus. His research investigates the presence of these peptides in the largest genus of vertebrates, terrestrial-breeding frogs of the genus Pristimantis. He is working with skin transcriptomic datasets from P. toftae, as well as skin secretions of that same species and five additionally and closely related species. The event was hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences' Office of Undergraduate Research and Internships. 

​A team of lab collaborators has published valuable new insights into the Oxapampa harlequin frog, Atelopus oxapampae, an endemic and poorly known species classified as Endangered. Herpetological surveys conducted between 2019 and 2022 in the central Andes, specifically in the Pasco and Junín departments, recorded two new localities for the species, significantly expanding its known geographic distribution. The previous known range spanned approximately 26 km airline distance within the cloud forests of the Pasco department. With the inclusion of these new records, the known range of A. oxapampae is expanded approximately 80 km southwest of its type locality. This discovery drastically revises the estimated Extent of Occurrence (EOO) for the species from 236 to 918 sq km.

Citation: ​García-Ayachi, L.A., P.J. Venegas, B. Roca-Rey Ross, E. Almora, W. Aznaran, E. Quispe, A. Catenazzi. 2025. Extensión del rango de distribución, descripción de las hembras y observaciones de la historia natural de Atelopus oxapampae Lehr, Lötters Y Lundberg, 2008 (Anura: Bufonidae). Revista Latinoamericana de Herpetologia 8: 229-233.

​A comprehensive new academic volume, Andean Herpetofauna: Explorations of Diversity, Ecology, and Conservation, has been published, offering the first integrative synthesis of the amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the vast and highly biodiverse Andes Mountains. Spanning over 8,900 kilometers across seven countries, the Andes are a global hotspot for unique and endemic herpetofauna, species found nowhere else on Earth. Co-edited by Dr. Catenazzi alongside colleagues Carla Piantoni, Carlos A. Navas, and Nicolás Urbina-Cardona, this volume brings together multidisciplinary perspectives across 18 chapters, covering topics from natural history and thermal ecology to biogeography and conservation challenges.

The publication places a critical focus on emerging threats, including the devastating impact of infectious diseases like the chytrid fungus and the effects of climate change on species survival in harsh montane conditions. "The Andean region is a spectacular laboratory of evolution, but it is also one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet," said Dr. Catenazzi. "This book serves not only as a crucial reference for researchers and students but also as an urgent call to action. By integrating the latest findings on diversity, physiology, and distribution, we aim to provide the essential knowledge needed for effective, evidence-based conservation planning to protect these remarkable species before they vanish."

Andean Herpetofauna is an invaluable resource for researchers, conservation scientists, and students interested in the biology and preservation of amphibians and reptiles in montane ecosystems, providing a vital roadmap for future research and conservation efforts in this critical biodiversity hotspot.

Title: Andean Herpetofauna: Explorations of Diversity, Ecology, and Conservation
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN: 978-3-032-00074-3
Link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-00074-3

Gustavo has been awarded the ​Doctoral Evidence Acquisition Fellowship for the semester of Spring 2026 by the University Graduate School. He will be conducting field research for his dissertation. Congratulations Gustavo!!

Isabel and Alessandro attended the E. O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation's Half-Earth Day at the Field Museum in Chicago on October 30th. Alessandro moderated and Isabel was one of the panelists in the afternoon session "Cultivating the Next Generation Through Mentorship in Nature and Science". Mentorship is a powerful way to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of scientists and environmental stewards. The session explored how guiding learners through hands-on experiences with nature and science fosters both knowledge and passion. It highlighted how mentorship connects people to the natural world, cultivates critical thinking, and supports future leaders in conservation and scientific discovery.

Alessandro also co-presented along with Dr. Edgar Lehr of Illinois Wesleyan University a framed photograph of Tachimenoides harrisonfordi to Harrison Ford, who had just received the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership from the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. Ford is a longtime environmental advocate. 

Undergraduate student Carisa Lynch and Honors student Jesus Diaz were awarded the  $500 Biology OURI Research Award in support of their research -- congratulations!  Carisa is examining decadal changes in acoustic characteristics in a tropical frog community. Jesus is investigating anti-microbial skin peptides of direct-developing frogs. 

Amber, Gabriel and Sergio presented today at the QBIC Undergraduate Research Symposium, with the talk titled "DNA barcoding for the identification of Corethrellidae". Congrats!

A new lab collaboration led by graduate student Jessa Aretz at the University of South Florida appeared today in The Journal of Thermal Biology. Tadpoles, like all amphibians, are especially vulnerable to rising global temperatures, as their physiological processes are directly influenced by their environment. The study with the pinewoods tree frog (Dryophytes femoralis) in Central Florida sought to understand how these tadpoles respond to warmer conditions. Jessa conducted common garden experiments with tadpoles reared in temperatures mimicking rural, suburban, and urban ponds. Her findings suggest that while these tadpoles do exhibit some adaptability to warming temperatures, their ability to cope may have limits. This research highlights the critical role of phenotypic plasticity, or the ability of an organism to adjust to its environment, in the face of climate change and urbanization. The study also emphasized that variations in the tadpoles' traits were often better explained by maternal effects rather than the experimental rearing temperature, suggesting that the mother's characteristics have a significant influence on her offspring's thermal ecology and swimming performance.

Tadpoles raised in warmer conditions had a higher critical thermal maximum and a wider thermal safety margin, meaning they tolerated higher temperatures before their physiological functions failed. However, the researchers also found that the tadpoles' thermal preference was a fixed trait and did not change with rearing temperature. While tadpoles showed a clear increase in swimming performance with higher temperatures, the relationship was complex and varied with their rearing temperature. These findings stress the need to conserve cooler habitats and better understand how specific amphibian species will respond to a warming environment. Overall, while tadpoles showed some ability to adjust their thermal limits, this may not be enough as warming ponds could soon exceed what tadpoles can tolerate.

Citation: Aretz, J.M., D. Cassill, S.M. Deban, A. Catenazzi, A.M. Gainsbury. 2025. Thermal ecology and swimming performance of native tadpoles Dryophytes femoralis in Central Florida. Journal of Thermal Biology 104237. 

A new study published in Reptiles & Amphibians reports the first-ever sighting of the Black False Boa (Pseudoboa nigra) in Peru. This discovery extends the known range of the species, pushing it about 1,395 km northwest from its previously documented location in Mapinguari NP, Brazil. The Black False Boa had also been found in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina, and this recent finding adds Peru to the list.

Citation: ​García-Ayachi, L.A., S.A. Ramírez-Castillo, D. Deza, V. Flores, A. Catenazzi, P.J. Venegas. 2025. First record of Pseudoboa nigra (Duméril, Bibron &Amp; Duméril, 1854) (Squamata: Colubridae) in Peru. Reptiles & Amphibians 32: e23302.