Biodiversity Science

Research into chameleons’ sensitivity to landscape alteration in East Africa shows that species vary in their response. Some species increase in population density as a result of habitat fragmentation, partially counteracting the population decline from habitat loss.

Rising beach temperatures are posing a new threat to endangered sea turtles. A successful conservation project in Mexico is now looking to widen its scope to monitor ambient temperatures in turtle nests.

One of the first programmes to protect amphibian populations from extinction in the wild caused by disease is being set up in Honduras. The new rescue facility will treat infected tadpoles and froglets, raise them to adulthood, and then reintroduce the healthy adults back into their environment.

A study into the ecological significance of skin colour among groups of lizards in northwestern Madagascar has focused on the roles of matching backgrounds (camouflage) and communication within populations

Research into endangered iguana species is underway on islands off the north coast of Honduras. Whilst island populations are better protected than their mainland counterparts, these populations may be threatened by the presence of other iguana species on the islands.

DNA sequencing has shown that the critically-endangered golden tree frog found in Trinidad belongs in a genus of its own.

Almost three years’ worth of surveys into herpetofauna diversity in Bahia, Brazil have resulted in listings of more than 100 amphibian and reptile species, filling in valuable distribution gaps and underpinning conservation efforts there