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Conservation Biology Herpetology

Across the world chytrid fungus threatens amphibians with extinction, including many species that we are not familiar with. Getting as many as possible into captive breeding programs is essential to their survival until science finds a cure for the disease.

Research Focus

My primary research focus is on Panamanian frogs that are likely extinct in the wild due to a fungal infection but are kept alive in captive breeding programs in Panama and the United States. Our lab has collected founding individuals for these amphibian colonies, devised methods to sustainably feed them, and raised reproductive populations that maintain the species’ genetic health. We are also advancing research that seeks to find a cure for this fungal disease, called Chytridiomycosis, with the hope of reintroducing species to their native habitats. My research has included studies of biodiversity and the biogeography of amphibians and reptiles in Panama.

Publications

Publications by in STRI Bibliography

Publications available in PDF

Contact

ibanezr [at] si.edu
+507 212.8222

Research Overview

How can individual countries help save frog species?

Our project is helping to implement the action plan for amphibian conservation that was created by Panama’s environmental authorities in 2011. This is only possible thanks to the government of Panama’s interest in conservation of amphibian biodiversity and the support we have received from businesses in Panama.

Education

B.S., Universidad de Panamá

M.S., University of Connecticut

Ph.D., University of Connecticut

Selected Publications

Woodhams, D. C., Alford. R. A., Antwis, R. E., Archer, H. Becker, M. H., Belden, L. K., Bell, S.C., Bletz, M., Daskin, J. H., Davis, L. R., Flechas, S. V., Lauer, A., Gonzalez, A., Harris, R. N., Holden, W. M., Hughey, M.C., Ibáñez, R. D., Knight, R., Kueneman, J., Rabemananjara, F., Reinert, L. K., Rollins-Smith, L. A., Roman-Rodriguez, F., Shaw, S.D., Walke, J.B., McKenzie, V. 2015. Antifungal isolates database of amphibian skin-associated bacteria and function against emerging fungal pathogens. Ecology, 96(2)

Ellison, A. R., Tunstall, T., DiRenzo, G. V., Hughey, M. C., Rebollar, E. A., Belden, L., Harris, R. N., Ibáñez, R., Lips, K., Zamudio, K. R. 2015. More than skin deep: functional genomic basis for resistance to amphibian chytridiomycosis. 2015. Genome Biology and Evolution, 7(1): 286-298.http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evu285

Perez, R., Richards-Zawacki, C., Krohn, A. R., Robak, M., Griffith, E. J., Ross, H., Gratwicke, B., Ibáñez, R., Voyles, J. 2014. Field surveys in Western Panama indicate populations of Atelopus varius frogs are persisting in regions where Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is now enzootic. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 8(2): 30-35.

Myers, C. W., Ibáñez, R. D., Grant, T., Jaramillo, César A. 2012. Discovery of the frog genus Anomaloglossus in Panama, with descriptions of two new species from the Chagres Highlands (Dendrobatoidea: Aromobatidae). American Museum Novitates, 3763: 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1206/3763.2

Heckadon-Moreno, S. Ibáñez, R.D., Condit, R. 1999. La Cuenca del Canal: deforestación, contaminación y urbanización: proyecto de monitoreo de la Cuenca del Canal de Panamá (PMCC).

Ibáñez, R. D., Solis, F. A. 1991. Las serpientes de Panama: Lista de especies, comentarios taxonomicos y bibliografia. Scientia, 6(2): 27-52.

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