* (DFCH) Laboratorio de Anfibios & Reptiles, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Ave. Interoceánica y Calle Diego de Robles, Campus Cumbayá, Edif. Newton Plaza, of. NP004
Casilla Postal: 17-12-841, Quito, Ecuador
(email: diegofrancisco_cisneros@yahoo.com)

** (ALR) Tiputini Biodiversity Station, and, Laboratorio de Anfibios & Reptiles, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ave. Interoceánica y Calle Diego de Robles, Campus Cumbayá.
Casilla Postal: 17-12-841, Quito, Ecuador
(email: andresleonreyes@hotmail.com)

The herpetofauna of the Rio Guajalito Protection Forest, northwestern Ecuador, was studied over a period of four-years. Species richness and relative abundance of amphibians and reptiles was determined through the application of "inventory multiple methods" (visual encounter survey transects, leaf litter plots, larval survey, and random sampling points). A new species of frog of the genus Phyllonastes and a new species of snake of the genus Atractus were discovered, both restricted to the area. Several restricted-range species of the genus Hyalinobatrachium, Eleutherodactylus (Amphibia), Dipsas and Atractus (Reptilia) are present at the forest. Using data obtained since the late 70’s, several changes in the composition and relative abundance of species have been observed. At least three taxa of amphibians are extirpated or extinct and some local declines have been detected on anurans and lizards. Extinctions and declines at the area could be related to several factors working synergistically: habitat destruction, introduced species, diseases and local climate change. However, patterns of changes of the community of amphibians and reptiles at the Rio Guajalito Protected Forest are similar to those reported for Monteverde, Costa Rica, not just for herpetofauna but for birds as well, suggesting a link to recent climate changes. Issues concerning the conservation of amphibians and reptiles of the region are discussed.