The origin and evolution of the acquisition of guanidinium alkaloids in Harlequin Frogs (Atelopus, Bufonidae) from Ecuador and Colombia

Amphibians are very well known to harbor a wide array of chemical compounds that can be used as toxins to deter predators, combat parasites, and in some cases serve as signals for courtship and mating. The highly endangered Harlequin toads (Atelopus) are known to possess TTX and unique TTX-analogs seen nowhere else in nature. However, only 13 of 99 species have been assessed for toxicity, and 9 of these are from Central America. However, the vast majority of Atelopus species occur in South America, with 65 species in Ecuador and Colombia alone. My research aims to fill this gap in our knowledge of the chemical defenses in this group of amphibians. Additionally, Atelopus has been experiencing mass die-offs due to a lethal fungal disease known as chytridiomycosis. These toxins potentially aid in preventing or resisting infection, but without understanding their distribution, concentration, origin, and evolutionary history, it is difficult to assess how these toxins can prevent disease and contribute to the conservation of Atelopus and amphibians in general. With the funding provided by the Tinker Field Research Grants through the Center of Latin American and Caribbean Studies at UC Berkeley, I traveled to Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia to assess whether the populations of three species of Atelopus I am interested in including in my dissertation sampling are abundant and to conduct a preliminary assessment of the methodology I will use to sample their toxins. Equally important, I traveled there to establish collaborations with local researchers and students interested in working on my research project. This collaboration will help establish contact with local communities, making my work available to local people. This experience taught me the importance of collaboratively creating field safety plans, as what might not be evident to us may be obvious to the local team, and vice versa. Having this moment to share experiences and discuss risk mitigation is a critical step in building trust, showing care for the well-being of all team members, and fostering a culture of safety during fieldwork.