Authors:

Abby Marie Hagan

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About Paper:

Over the last five decades, wildlife populations decreased by an estimated 73%. Overharvest was the second most significant driver of this decline, which includes the illegal extraction for the pet trade. Poison dart frogs are more abundant in the global pet market than other anurans due to their attractive colors. Many of these species, including Lehmann's poison dart frog (Oophaga lehmanni), have been subject to illegal extraction from the wild into the global pet trade. While these anuran population declines have been attributed to the illicit pet trade, few studies have addressed this problem. Oophaga lehmanni is a critically endangered species found in western Colombia. Here, we aim to predict the future of O. lehmanni by performing a population viability analysis using Vortex10. Based on current knowledge of the life history and demographic traits of this species, we will simulate a baseline scenario that represents the current probability of extinction of protected and unprotected populations. To evaluate the impact of ex-situ supplementation on the probability of extinction, we will simulate various supplementation regimes and contrast those results with current ex-situ conservation efforts by the Zoológico de Cali. We will concurrently simulate these scenarios with low, intermediate, and high yearly harvest rates to account for uncertainty in this parameter and assess its impact on the unprotected populations. This analysis will not only inform future conservation strategies for O. lehmanni but also underscores the need to address the specific challenges that both protected and unprotected populations face. Keywords: Illegal Extraction; Oophaga lehmanni; Population Viability Analysis (PVA); Supplementation; Conservation

Source:

Purdue University / 2025

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Co-authors:

Abby Marie Hagan