DAY 1: CARACAS-MERIDA
Arrival to Caracas airport and transfer to Merida city in the Andes, at 1600 m and 18°C mean temperature.

DAYS 2-4: MERIDA.
The Merida Andes, with many types of ecosystems is a special site for dendrobatids, including a highly diversity in apparently monophyletic assemblies as Colostethus and relative genera described but still to be proved (Mannophryne and Nephelobates). This range is home of 28% of the amphibian fauna of Venezuela with nearly 80 species. During fascinating excursions we can discover Colostethus leopardalis, C. (Mannophryne) collaris, C. (M.) codilleriana, C. (Nephelobates) alboguttatus, C. (N.) duranti, C. (N.) mayorgai, C. (N.) meridensis, C. (N.) serranus among many others. Other amphibians include several Eleutherodactylus, hilids like Hyla meridensis, H. platidactyla, H. jahni, Gastrotheca nicefori, Flectonotus pygmaeus and two species of Bolitoglossa.  Five species of toads in the genus Atelopus seems to be declining or maybe disappearing. Our accommodation will be in typical andean posadas.

DAYS 5-6: TRUJILLO.
Here we will be an unforgettable experience looking for one of the most bizarre dendrobatids: Aromobates nocturnus (the bigger, rarest, nocturnal, aquatic, with extensive toe webbing and defensively smelling!!). However we have not recent notice about its survivorship, so, our work will be to try to found them! This area is inhabited by some undescribed dendrobatids!

DAY 7: ANDEAN FOOTHILLS.
Heading towards the Llanos, we will stop to see enormous populations of Colostethus (Mannophryne) collaris. It will be an opportunity to see other wonders of nature such as paradisiacal birds like Andean cock of the rock's (Rupicola Peruvian) in display; and huge blue Morpho butterflies and other intriguing anurans and snakes.

DAYS 8-9: LLANOS.
Although lacking of dendrobatids, the Llanos is a duty for naturalists. It is one of the places with greatest concentration of birds in the world and it is where other animals are easier to spot. This is the domain for pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), giant ant-eater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus), capucin monkeys (Cebus), agoutis (Dasyprocta), tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla), foxes (Cerdocyon thous), white tailed deers (Odocoileus virginianus), capibaras (Hydrochoerus), and with luck, we can see an ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), a yaguarondi (Herpailurus yaguarondi) and even with more a cougar (Puma concolor) or a jaguar (Panthera onca). Especial herps are reptiles (in dry season) like the impressive Anaconda (Eunectes murinus), spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodylus) and several turtle species (Chelus fimbriatus, Podocnemis unifilis, P. vogli, Kisnosternon scorpioides, Geochelone carbonaria), lizards (Iguanas, Ameiva, Tupinambis...) and frogs (during wet season) in large concentrations like Hyla microcephala, H. punctata, Phrynohyas venulosa, Physalaemus pustulosus, Leptodactylus fuscus, L. macrosternum, Phyllomedusa hypocondrialis, Scinax x-signata, Pleurodema brachyops, Pseudis paradoxa, Bufo marinus and B. granulosus...

DAY 10: PUERTO AYACUCHO.
Entrance to Venezuelan Amazon. Night excursion in search of frogs.

DAY 11: DENDROBATES LEUCOMELAS.
The entire day is dedicated to search for the most beautiful living jewel of Venezuela in its natural environment. At night, the amazon rainforest will reveal one of the most diverse amphibian fauna of the world.

DAYS 12-14: CUAO.
Depart to an expedition by native boat towards the Cuao massif in the Guianan shield. We will be looking for a yet undescribed spectacular poison dart frog that is under the study of Dr. Charles Myers (a green morph of D. leucomelas). The stunning effect of seeing this species will be enhanced by one of the most incredible landscapes of the planet.

DAYS 15-18: YAPACANA.
Navigating the Orinoco, we will camp at the base of cerro Yapacana, home of the red demonic poison frog Dendrobates (Minyobates) steyermarki. This species is very little known, and no natural history accounts has been thoroughly documented.

DAY 19: PTO-AYACUCHO-CARACAS-MARACAY-RANCHO GRANDE.
Back to the civilized North, we will visit the treasured nature of Parque Nacional Henri Pittier. Several dendrobatids will be at our reach from the all too common Colostethus (Mannophryne) herminae to the rarest, like C. (M.) neblina or Colostethus bromelicola. Other amphibians inhabiting the park are: the bizarre Eleutherodactylus maussi (actually E. biporcatus) and the precious Gastrotheca walkeri, the pretty Atelopus cruciger, Phyllomedusa medinai (both believed to be extinct), the glass frogs Hyalinobatrachium fleishmanni and H. antisthenesi and a beautiful tropical salamander, Bolitoglossa borburata.

DAY 20: CHORONI.
A field worn tourist deserves a typical tropical relaxing endeavor. The paradisiac Caribbean beaches of Choroní will invite for an unforgettable experience. At night, if on the mood and the locals are around in fiesta, the beating rhythms of afro-Caribbean drums will surely awaken unrevealed talents in many of us.

DAY 21: CARACAS.
Return to CCS and transfer to Europe. Farewell!
 

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:
- Hat
- Insect repellent
- Solar protector
- Jungle boots (waterproof)
- Light shoe wears (sandals)
- Raincoat
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Coat for chilly nights in the Andes
- Jersey, and at least two long-sleeved shirts
 
 

Some interesting literature references:

-BARRIO, C.L.,  1998. Sistemática y Biogeografía de los anfibios (Amphibia) de Venezuela. Acta Biol. Venez. 18(2): 1-93.

-BARRIO-AMORÓS, C. L.. 2001. Some aspects of Dendrobatids in Venezuela: declines and nomenclature. British Dendrobatid Group Newsletter 44 (December): 1-5.

-BARRIO, C.L. & FUENTES, O., 1998.- Distribución de Dendrobates leucomelas (Anura: Dendrobatidae) en Venezuela. Acta Biol. Venez. 18 (2): 35-41.

-BARRIO, C. L., & FUENTES, O., 1999.- Sinopsis de la familia Dendrobatidae (Amphibia: Anura) de Venezuela. Acta Biol. Venez. 19 (3): 1-10.

-COLOMA, L.A., 1995. Ecuadorian frogs of the genus Colostethus (Anura: Dendrobatidae). Univ. Kansas Nat. Hist Mus Misc Publ. 87: 1-72.

 -DUELLMAN, W.E., 1997.- Amphibians of La Escalera Region, Southeastern Venezuela: Taxonomy, Ecology and Biogeography. Scient. Pap. Nat. Hist. Mus. Univ. Kansas 2: 1-52.

-DURANT, P. & DOLE, J., 1975.- Agressive behavior in Colostethus collaris (Anura: Dendrobatidae).  Herpetologica, 31 (1): 23-26.

-GORZULA, S., 1988.- Una nueva especie de Dendrobates (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae) del Macizo del Chimantá, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela.  Mem. Soc. Cien. Nat. La Salle, 48 (130): 143-149.

 -GORZULA, S. & BALBÁS, L., 1991.-Geographic Distribution. Anura:  Epipedobates trivittatus.  Herp. Review., 22 (3): 102.

 -HEATWOLE, H., SOLANO, H. & HEATWOLE, A., 1965.- Notes on Amphibians from the Venezuelan Guayanas with description of two new forms.  Acta Biol. Venez., 4 (12): 349-364.

 -LA MARCA, E., 1991a "1994".- Descripción de un género nuevo de ranas (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae) de la cordillera de Mérida, Venezuela.  Anuario de Investigación 1991, Inst. Geogr. U.L.A.: 39-41.

 -LA MARCA, E., 1996.- Ranas del género Colostethus (Amphibia: Anura: Dendrobatidae) de la Guayana Venezolana, con la descripción de siete nuevas especies. Publ. Asoc. Amigos Doñana 9: 1-64.

 -MEINHARDT, D.J. & PARMALEE, J.R., 1996.- A new species of Colostethus (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Venezuela. Herpetologica 52 (1):70-77.

 -MIJARES-URRÚTIA, A. E. & LA MARCA, E., 1997.- Tadpoles of the genus Nephelobates (Amphibia: Anura: Dendrobatidae) from Venezuela.  Trop Zool., 10: 133-142.

 -LYNCH., J.D., 1971.- Evolutionary relationships, osteology and zoogeography of Leptodactyloid frogs. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 53: 1-238.

 -MYERS, C.W., 1987.- New generic names for some neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae).  Pap. Avulsos Zool., S. Paulo, 36 (25): 301-306.

 -MYERS, Ch.W & DONNELLY, M.A., 1996.- A new Herpetofauna from Cerro Yaví, Venezuela: First Results of the Robert G.Goelet American Museum-TERRAMAR Expedition to the Northwestern tepuis. Am. Mus. Novitates 3172: 1-56.

 -MYERS, Ch.W & DONNELLY, M.A., 1997.- A tepui Herpetofauna on a Granitic Mountain (Tamacuari) in the borderland between Venezuela and Brazil. Report of the Phipps-Tapirapecó Expedition. Am. Mus. Novitates 3213: 1-71.

-MYERS, Ch.W., DALY. J.W. & MALKIN, B., 1978.- A dangerously toxic new frog (Phyllobates) used by Emberá Indians of Western Colombia, with discussion of blowgun fabrication and dart poisoning. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 161 (2): 307-366.

 -MYERS, Ch. W., PAOLILLO, A & DALY, J. W., 1991.- Discovery of a defensively malodorous and nocturnal frog in the family Dendrobatidae: phylogenetic significances of a new genus and species from the Venezuelan Andes.  Amer. Mus. Novitates, 3002: 1-33.

 -NOBLE, 1922.- The phylogeny of the Salientia I.- The osteology and the thigh musculature, their bearing on classificatioan and phylogeny. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 46: 1-87.

 -PÉFAUR, J.E., 1993.-Description of a new Colostethus (Dendrobatidae) with some natural history on the genus in Venezuela. Alytes 11 (3):88-96.

 -RIVERO, J. A., 1971c.- Un nuevo e interesante Dendrobates (Amphibia: Salientia) del Cerro Yapacana de Venezuela.  Kasmera, 3 (4): 389-396.

 -RIVERO, J. A., 1982.- Anfibios Neotropicales: Origen y distribución. Pp: 91.123. En: SALINAS, P.J. Zoología Neotropical. Actas VIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Zoología; octubre 1980, Mérida, Venezuela.

 -RIVERO, J. A., 1988.- Sobre las relaciones de las especies del género Colostethus (Amphibia, Dendrobatidae). Mem. Soc. Cien. Nat. La Salle, 48 (129):3-32.

 -RODRÍGUEZ, J.P. y ROJAS-SUÁREZ, F., 1995.- El Libro Rojo de la fauna Venezolana. PROVITA, Fundación Polar, Wildlife Cons. Soc., PROFAUNA-MARNR, UICN: 444 pp.

 - RODRÍGUEZ, L.O., CÓRDOVA, J.H. y ICOCHEA, J., 1993.- Lista preliminar de los anfibios del Perú. Publ. Mus. Hist. Nat. UNMSM (A) 45: 1-22.

 -RUÍZ-CARRANZA , P.M., ARDILA-ROBAYO, M.C. y LYNCH, J.D., 1996.-Lista actualizada de la fauna de Amphibia de Colombia. Rev. Acad. Colomb. Cienc., 20(77): 365-415.

 -STARRET, 1968.- The phylogenetic significance of the jaw musculature in anuran amphibians. Ph D. Thesis. Univ. Michigan, 179 pp.

 -SAVAGE, J.M., 1968.- The dendrobatid frogs of Central America. Copeia 1968: 745-776.

 -TEST, F. H., 1963.- A protective behavior pattern in Venezuelan frogs of mountain streams. Carib. J. Sci.. 3 (2-3): 125-128

 TOFT, C., 1995.- Evolution of diet especialitation in poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae). Herpetologica 51(2): 202-216.

 -WELLS, K.D., 1980.- Social behavior and communication of a dendrobatid frog (Colostethus trinitatis): Herpetologica 36 (2): 189-199.

 -YÚSTIZ, E., 1991.- Un nuevo Colostethus (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae) en la Sierra de Barbacoas, Estado Lara, Venezuela. Bioagro 3 (4):145-151.

-ZIMMERMANN, H & ZIMMERMANN, E., 1988.- Etho-taxonomic und zoogeographische artengruppenbildung bei Pfeilgift-froschen (Anura: Dendrobatidae). Salamandra 24(2-3): 125-160.
 
 

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