- veronica smink
- BBC World, Southern Cone
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It has inhabited the Earth since before the American continent was formed, but in less than two decades it could disappear. That warns a group of experts studying the possible imminent extinction of Chile’s common large frog.
Considered a «living fossil», the Calyptocephalella gayi –as its official name– has an average size of 20 centimeters and a weight of more than one kilo, which makes it the largest amphibian in Chile, the only country in the world where this species lives.
But its unusual size is also its weakest point: in some parts of Chile the meat of this frog is considered a culinary delight, and although hunting is prohibited, authorities say that many of the farms authorized to sell them capture specimens instead. to raise them.
In 2008, the Chilean large frog was included in the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Despite the fact that the exact number of specimens was not calculated, the experts observed a reduction of the «suspected» population by at least 30%, for which reason they classified the animal as «vulnerable», the penultimate risk category before the extinction
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The Chilean large frog is considered a «living fossil» (Photos courtesy: Marcela Vidal)
Now some experts say that this decline has been pronounced in the last six years to such an extent that this amphibian could disappear in less than two decades if measures are not taken to prevent it.
Marcela Vidal, a biologist at the Faculty of Sciences of the Bío-Bío University and national coordinator of the Chilean Herpetology Network, told BBC Mundo that the large frog should already be considered «critically endangered», the highest category of threat. .
«A couple of decades ago it was common to see populations of 15 or 20 frogs, but now you see one or two,» he said.
According to the expert, the main challenge facing this species is the disappearance of its natural habitat.
«Unfortunately the frog lives in some of the most populated regions of Chile and a lot has been built on the wetlands where it lives,» he said.
endangered
The Chilean large frog was traditionally present in a large area of the country’s territory, from Coquimbo, 500km north of Santiago, to Puerto Montt, 1,000km south of the capital.
According to Vidal, it is one of the most voracious amphibians on the planet, since in addition to feeding on insects, it is capable of eating a mouse or even feeding on other amphibians and larvae of its species.
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That explains how it will survive for about 300 million years.
However, being an aquatic animal that only comes out of lakes to find food, this frog cannot live without water. That is why the urbanization of many of their natural habitats means a death sentence for a large part of the species.
September and October are particularly dangerous months for the large frog. It is the time of the year in which many peasants carry out the cleaning of ditches and irrigation canals, and they usually consume the frogs that are found.
conservation
Sandra Díaz, an expert in Species Management from the Chilean Ministry of the Environment, admitted in a conversation with BBC Mundo that there is not much that can be done to prevent the growth of construction in areas where the large frog lives.
However, the official assured that her portfolio is preparing a plan for the recovery, conservation and management of amphibians, which will begin to be implemented in 2015, and which will seek to improve the availability of water for these animals.
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«Habitats must be restored, breeding sites must be better supervised, and agricultural practices must be improved, since pesticides are another risk factor for frogs,» he said.
A study from the University of Concepción found that in the estuaries, lakes and lagoons where the frogs live, the levels of contamination have affected the reproduction of the species, causing deformities in the eggs.
And if the threats of pollution, human consumption and the destruction of its habitat are not enough, this amphibian has another implacable enemy: climate change.
«It is estimated that by 2050 the planet’s temperature falls between five and six degrees, and the large frog cannot bear more than 30°, so this increase could be lethal», exclude.
Profits
Experts stress that it is not only for the good of the frogs that their extinction must be avoided. The entire ecosystem will suffer if this amphibian disappears.
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The wetlands where the frogs live are disappearing.
«The large frog is a predator and a controller of pests in lakes. If it is gone, there will be invasions of insects, such as mosquitoes,» Vidal said.
The large frog serves man directly: its presence in water wells guarantees its cleanliness by eliminating insects and parasites and allows its consumption.
The song of the big frog during the spring allows to anticipate the approach of rain, so farmers will also regret the absence of this amphibian if it disappears.
It is these benefits that academics and environmental officials seek to convey to the population through talks in schools and in areas where frogs live.
According to them, education and dissemination are the only tools that will be able to reverse a decline that for now seems inexorable.