Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve

Ecuador, Lizards

Exploring Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve

After a well-deserved rest, I was ready to travel to Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve, the last study site of my 2022 field season. This private reserve is located at the south east of Loja city, at an elevation between 2200 to 3300 m.a.s.l. The close proximity to the Amazon region makes it a place with abundant rainfall and strong winds almost all year round. Additionally, it is a buffer zone of Podocarpus National Park, which means that it harbours incredible biodiversity and high species endemism.

Map showing the location of Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve location. Image taken from Google Earth
The landscape of Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve with Loja city in the background
A spiny caterpillar
A pair of toucanets
A snake of the genus Erythrolamprus
A frog and its intriguing skin pattern
A specimen of the genus Pristimantis, an endemic group of terrestrial frogs of the Neotropical region
A dragonfly on a fern leaf
The Lojan Ground Snake, Atractus carrioni, is a semi-fossorial snake that can be found in this reserve
A spider matching colours with the ground
An iridescent beetle
The Puya flower, the plant that the spectacle bear feeds on
Three beautiful orchids hanging from a tree

Surprisingly, there are three endemic Stenocercus species inhabiting this place. Two species, S. ornatus and S. festae, are found in the same microhabitat, which made sampling a bit tricky at the beginning. However, later on I was able to clearly distinguish between them by considering two main physical features: (1) S. ornatus, both adult male and female lizards are bigger in size than S. festae; (2) Adult males and females of S. ornatus have a white or greenish moustachial stripe, while in S. festae individuals, this stripe is indistinct or absent.

A male of Stenocercus festae basking on a fern leaf
A female of Stenocercus festae
Male of Stenocercus ornatus
Male of Stenocercus ornatus
Male of Stenocercus ornatus
Female of Stenocercus ornatus
Female of Stenocercus ornatus

The remaining species, S. humeralis, is arboreal and was particularly found active over the rooftops of the house.

Stenocercus humeralis leaving a scat sample
A male of S. humeralis basking on the rooftops of the house

While monitoring the last transect of this study site, we noticed that a cloud of smoke was coming out of the mountain next to the one in the reserve. We immediately called emergency services because that day in particular was hot and sunny, and we were afraid that the fire would quickly get out of control. Hours later, the blue sky turned into orange and we began to hope that the fire would not reach the reserve.

The fire burning the mountain near the Reserve. Photo taken by Marek Castel
A lizard that survived the fire, near a burn bromeliad. Photo taken by Marek Castel

Fortunately, consistent drizzle overnight helped to contain the fire and firefighters arrive early the next morning to completely put out the fire. They confirmed that the fire was an intentional burn by a local farmer who wanted more land so his cattle could graze. This unconsciousness (selfishiness?) and lack of education of local people is a huge problem in the area, and it is sadly destroying this unique environment.

Firefighters on the job. Photo taken by Marek Castel
A couple of days after the fire
The habitat of many species was lost
Luckily the fire just reached the border of the reserve

Despite this tragic event, I left El Madrigal of Podocarpus really grateful to the people I met and for many great moments that I will never forget.

Elena, Marek and me enjoying the last day in the Reserve
The last photo in the Reserve with Julia, one of the owners of the Reserve

That wraps up the field work for 2022. I am hopeful that 2023 will bring more memorable trips and interesting data for me to share with you.

Gracias,

Estefany Guerra Correa