More than 90% of harlequin frog species ( Atelopus spp.), endemic to the Americas, are currently threatened with extinction. We report the discovery of the only currently known breeding population of the Critically Endangered A. varius in Costa Rica. This population was located in 2008 on a private property in Las Tablas Protected Zone near San Vito, Coto Brus at 1300 m elevation. Previously, the only known remaining/remnant population of this species and genus was a single location near Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, where two individuals were documented in 2004. Subsequent searches at this location have yielded no additional sightings. Delineating the spatial limits of this population, quantifying demographics and resource use, and implementing conservation actions are necessary to ensure persistence of this population. Conducting additional surveys in this region to ascertain occurrence of additional populations is warranted.

We conducted nocturnal surveys in the insular and coastal areas of Coiba National Park (CNP) and its mainland buffer zone in Panama (Chiriquí conservation site) from 2009–2012 to determine the conservation status of Crocodylus acutus. In 99 nights, we surveyed 147.2 km and captured 185 animals during nocturnal transects inspection with headlamps. Overall, sex ratio was 1.00:1.01 female/male with significant differences by size/age class and year. Females were slightly larger in total length than males (115.1 ± 56.9 cm-females, 105.4 ± 71.8 cm-males). The encounter rate was calculated based on number of animals captured per km of surveyed transect. The C. acutus encounter rate per year was 1.8 ind/km (60 ind/33.5 km/12 places visited) in 2009, 1.0 ind/km (90 ind/87.4 km/18 places visited) in 2010, and 1.3 ind/km (35 ind/26.3 km/8 places visited) in 2012. Based on our spatial analysis, the animals showed a dispersed pattern in most sites on CNP. Captured C. acutus were found in 581.1 km2 total area... Resumen Entre 2009 al 2012 hicimos varias expediciones en la parte insular y en las áreas costeras del Parque Nacional Coiba y su zona de influencia en Panamá (Sitio de conservación para la diversidad), para determinar el estado de conservación de Crocodylus acutus y sus hábitats asociados. En 99 noches recorrimos 147.2 km y capturamos 185 animales usando linternas de cabeza. La proporción de sexos fue 1.00:1.01 hembra/macho, la cual fue significativamente diferente cuando los animales fueron clasificados por grupo etario y año. Las hembras fueron un poco más grandes que los machos (115.1 ± 56.9 cm-hembras, 105.4 ± 71.8 cm-machos). La tasa de encuentro fue calculada con base en el número de animales capturados por kilómetro. La tasa de encuentro para C. acutus por año fue de 1.8 ind/km (n = 60; 33.5 km; lugares visitados: 12) en 2009, 1.0 ind/km (n = 90; 87.4 km; lugares visitados: 18) in 2010 y 1.3 ind/km (n = 35; 26.3 km; 26.3; lugares visitados: 8) en 2012. El análisis espacial mostró a C. acutus distr...

Morphometric analysis of the Rio Apaporis Caiman (Reptilia, Crocodylia, Alligatoridae)

We describe a new species of leaf-toed gecko of the genus Phyllodactylus from María Cleofas Island, the smallest island of Tres Marías Archipelago, Nayarit, México. Genomic, phylogenomic, and morphological evidence support that the new species presents a unique combination of diagnostic characters. Morphologically, the new species has a high number of tubercles, head to tail (mean 47), longitudinal ventral scales (mean 61), and third labial–snout scales (mean 26). Gene flow tests revealed the genetic isolation of insular populations from mainland counterparts. In addition, we confirmed the non-monophyly of P. homolepidurus and P. nolascoensis, and we show that the taxon P. t. saxatilis is a complex; therefore, we propose taxonomic changes within the saxatilis clade. The discovery of this new insular endemic species highlights the urgency of continued exploration of the biological diversity of island faunas of Mexico.

The genus Kinosternon in Mexico is represented by 12 species of which only 2 inhabit the lowlands of the central Pacific region (Kinosternon chimalhuaca and Kinosternon integrum). Based on 15 standard morphological attributes and coloration patterns of 9 individuals, we describe a new microendemic mud turtle species from the central Pacific versant of Mexico. The suite of morphological traits exhibited by Kinosternon sp. nov. clearly differentiates it from other species within the genus Kinosternon by a combination of proportions of plastron and carapace scutes, body size, and a large yellow rostral shield in males. The new species inhabits small streams and ponds in and near the city of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Unfortunately, natural populations are unknown so far. The habitat is damaged by urban growth, and only one female is known. The available information would suggest that Kinosternon vogti sp. nov., is one of the most threatened freshwater turtle species. An urgent conservation program is... Resumen El género Kinosternon en México está representado por 12 especies, de las cuales solo dos habitan las tierras bajas de la región Pacífico central (Kinosternon chimalhuaca y K. integrum). Con base en la evaluación de quince atributos morfológicos y la coloración de nueve individuos, describimos una nueva especie de tortuga lodo micro-endémica del Pacífico central de México. El conjunto de rasgos morfológicos exhibidos por Kinosternon sp. nov., lo diferencia claramente de otras especies dentro del género Kinosternon por una combinación de proporciones de escudos de plastrón y caparazón, tamaño del cuerpo y un escudo rostral de color amarillo en los machos. La nueva especie habita pequeños arroyos y estanques en y cerca de la ciudad de Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. No se conocen poblaciones naturales hasta el momento. El hábitat está dañado por el crecimiento urbano, y solo se conoce una hembra. La información disponible sugeriría que Kinosternon vogti sp. nov., es una de las especies de tortugas de agua...