Hyloscirtus princecharlesi

Hyloscirtus princecharlesi, commonly known as the Prince Charles stream tree frog, is a species of amphibian belonging to the family Hylidae. It is a rare and critically endangered species of tree frog discovered in the Andean cloud forests of Ecuador. The frog was named in honour of King Charles III (then Prince Charles) for his environmental conservation efforts, particularly his advocacy for rainforest protection and biodiversity preservation.

Discovery and Nomenclature

The species was first described scientifically in 2012 by a team of herpetologists led by Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, and colleagues from the Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios in Ecuador. However, the original specimen was collected as early as 2008 during biodiversity surveys in the Cotopaxi Province of north-western Ecuador.
The name Hyloscirtus princecharlesi derives from the Greek “hylos” (wood), “skirtos” (leaping), and the Latinised “princecharlesi”, recognising Prince Charles’s long-standing commitment to global environmental conservation through initiatives like The Prince’s Rainforests Project.
The official description of the species appeared in Zootaxa (2012), formally establishing its taxonomic position within the genus Hyloscirtus, a group of Neotropical frogs typically associated with montane and cloud forest ecosystems.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Amphibia
• Order: Anura
• Family: Hylidae
• Genus: Hyloscirtus
• Species: Hyloscirtus princecharlesi

It belongs to the Hyloscirtus larinopygion group, which includes stream-dwelling frogs characterised by their robust bodies, expanded toe discs, and adaptation to fast-flowing montane streams.

Physical Description

Hyloscirtus princecharlesi is notable for its striking colouration and distinctive morphology:

• Size: Medium-sized tree frog, with adult males measuring about 60 mm in snout–vent length.
• Colouration: The dorsal surface is dark brown to black with numerous bright orange or yellow spots. The ventral side tends to be lighter, often with orange or reddish hues.
• Skin Texture: Smooth to finely granular, aiding in camouflage among wet moss and rocks.
• Limbs: Strong, well-developed limbs adapted for climbing and leaping; toes have large adhesive discs.
• Eyes: Prominent and golden-brown, adapted for nocturnal activity.

The vivid patterning likely plays a role in species recognition and may act as a warning signal against predators.

Habitat and Distribution

The species is endemic to Ecuador, known only from a limited range in the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, particularly in the Cotopaxi and Pichincha Provinces. It inhabits cloud forests at elevations between 2700 and 2800 metres above sea level.
These high-altitude forests are characterised by persistent mist, abundant mosses, bromeliads, and fast-flowing mountain streams, which serve as vital breeding and larval habitats for the species. The frog’s life cycle and ecology are intimately linked to these pristine stream ecosystems.

Behaviour and Ecology

Like many members of its genus, Hyloscirtus princecharlesi is a nocturnal and stream-associated species. Adults are often found perched on vegetation or rocks along streams at night, while tadpoles develop in the cool, oxygen-rich waters.
Key behavioural and ecological traits include:

• Reproduction: Eggs are likely laid on submerged vegetation or rocks in flowing water, where larvae attach and feed on algae.
• Diet: Consists mainly of small insects and other invertebrates found within its moist forest habitat.
• Adaptations: The species exhibits physiological tolerance to cold, high-altitude environments and morphological traits suited to climbing and streamside living.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified Hyloscirtus princecharlesi as Critically Endangered due to its extremely restricted distribution, small population size, and continuing decline in habitat quality.
Major threats include:

• Deforestation: Ongoing conversion of Andean forests for agriculture, logging, and cattle grazing.
• Pollution: Water contamination from agricultural chemicals and mining activities affects stream ecosystems.
• Climate Change: Altered precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations threaten the fragile cloud forest microclimate.
• Disease: Susceptibility to the fungal infection chytridiomycosis, which has devastated amphibian populations globally.

Efforts to locate additional populations have revealed that the species’ range is severely limited, with known individuals confined to a few sites.

Conservation Efforts

The discovery of Hyloscirtus princecharlesi has drawn international attention to Ecuador’s amphibian conservation challenges. The Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios, one of Latin America’s leading amphibian conservation institutions, has played a vital role in studying and breeding the species in captivity.
Notable conservation initiatives include:

• Captive Breeding Programmes: Establishment of ex-situ breeding populations to safeguard against extinction.
• Habitat Protection: Advocacy for the preservation of Andean cloud forests through local and international collaboration.
• Environmental Education: Promotion of awareness about amphibian conservation among local communities.
• Research Collaboration: Partnerships with global organisations and herpetologists to study the genetic diversity and disease resistance of the species.

The species’ association with Prince Charles has further elevated public interest, linking amphibian conservation with broader environmental causes such as rainforest protection and biodiversity preservation.

Significance

The discovery of Hyloscirtus princecharlesi has scientific, ecological, and symbolic importance:

• It enriches the understanding of Andean amphibian biodiversity, which is among the richest in the world.
• The species serves as an indicator of ecosystem health, reflecting the condition of high-altitude forest and stream systems.
• Its naming honours global conservation leadership, reinforcing the link between scientific discovery and environmental advocacy.
• It underscores the urgent need to protect Andean ecosystems that host numerous endemic and threatened species.

Broader Ecological Context

The Andean region of Ecuador is recognised as one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots. Amphibians like Hyloscirtus princecharlesi play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling insect populations and serving as prey for birds and reptiles. Their permeable skin makes them highly sensitive to environmental changes, rendering them effective bioindicators of ecological disruption.
The decline of such species signals broader environmental stress, including deforestation, pollution, and climate instability. Thus, conserving Hyloscirtus princecharlesi contributes to the preservation of entire ecosystems upon which both wildlife and human communities depend.