Emergency actions to ensure the survival of highly endangered amphibian species of Ecuador for conservation and bio-prospecting purposes

1.   Increase in additional hectares of habitat critical for conservation of target amphibian species that is under legal protection thereby closing conservation gaps.
2.   Replication of in situ amphibian conservation measures tested by project further reducing conservation gaps
3. Number of amphibian species on updated IUCN red list
• under successful captive breeding
• with cryopreserved sperm samples viable for reproductive
• with skins or secretions preserved in the Ecuadorian Amphibian Genome Bank (EAGB)
4.   Increase in the flow of resources to amphibian conservation/ABS
5.   Degree of compliance in environmental licensing with regards to official guidelines on amphibian conservation in sites prioritized in the National Strategic Plan
6.   % Reduction in processing times for Collection Permits, Framework Contracts, and Access Contracts
7.   # of protected areas and hectares of habitat critical for amphibians with specific conservation measures for highly endangered amphibian species legally-recognized and integrated in the SNAP.
8.   Increase in management effectiveness of 3 legally-recognized PAs with conservation measures for highly endangered amphibian species (METT)
9. Successful captive breeding programmes measured by:• # of reproductive events (egg mass) of target species• % survival of rescued individuals in captivity
10. Active compounds isolated and structurally characterized (peptides and natural proteins sequenced) from the skin secretions of 4 amphibians:
1= Agalychnis spurelli
2= Cruziohyla calcarifer
3= Hypsiboas picturatus
4= Atelopus nanay
11.   # of new peptides synthesized and pharmacologically tested from the skin secretions of 4 amphibian species
12.   # of students with Senescyt scholarships pursuing graduate studies in amphibian bio-prospecting
13.   Ecuadorian bio-prospecting laboratory equipped with appropriate technology and conducting research on amphibian bio-prospecting
14.   # of publications in peer review scientific journals on bio-prospecting research on amphibian skin secretions by Ecuadorian Institutions
15.   % Ecuadorian amphibian species with tissues preserved in the Ecuadorian Amphibian Genome Bank (EAGB)
16. Strengthened policy and regulations measured by:
• % implementation of the Strategic Action Plan for Conservation of Ecuadorian Amphibians
• Nagoya Protocol ratified
• Regulation 905 aligned with national, sub-regional and international legislation
17. Improved capacities of national ABS implementing agencies, measured by the ABS Capacity Development Scorecard
18. % Reduction in processing times for Collection Permits, Framework Contracts, and Access Contracts
19. Increase in awareness on amphibian conservation as measured by
• Increase in users accessing ABS-CH Platform
• Increase in records of amphibians from unofficial sources

Discovery of active compounds derived from the skin secretion of Ecuadorian amphibians with potential applications in biomedicine

Institutional strengthening for the implementation of biodiversity conservation measures and sustainable use of its genetic resources in Ecuador, using amphibians as a pilot case study.