Taysa Rocha - Darwin200

Taysa Alves Rocha

I am a veterinarian graduated from the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), with a Master's degree from the same institution, and currently pursuing a postgraduate course in Clinical Pathology of Wild Animals. I have experience in extension projects related to environmental areas, public health, conservation medicine, and clinical practice for companion and wild animals.
I have been a research fellow at the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) for five years, working on environmental conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, invasive species management, and wildlife monitoring in oceanic islands in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.
I was selected as a Darwin Leader for the Charles Darwin 200 project in the Galápagos Archipelago, where I collaborated on research regarding invasive species. I have also worked on fishing and bird monitoring in the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago.
My career combines scientific research, conservation efforts, and veterinary practice, with a focus on biodiversity protection and wildlife health in insular environments.

LOCATION:	Galapagos	AREA OF STUDY:	Invasive frogs
NATIONALITY:	Brazil	SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Joshua Vela

START DATE:	27th April
END DATE:	11th May
LOCATION:	Galapagos
END POINT:	Brazil

AREA OF STUDY:	Invasive frogs
SPONSOR:
FILMMAKER:	Joshua Vela

Area of Study: Invasive Frogs

As a Darwin Leader, I had the opportunity to develop my project in partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation, closely following research on the invasive frog Scinax quinquefasciatus. Invasive alien species pose a serious threat to biodiversity, especially in island ecosystems like Galápagos. Understanding these biological invasions is essential for implementing effective management strategies.

The presence of this invasive frog in freshwater pools — which are also habitats for the iconic giant tortoises — raises concerns about potential ecological impacts, such as competition for food with endemic bird species, including Darwin’s finches. To assess these impacts, researchers are conducting detailed studies on the frog’s abundance, spatial distribution, diet, and genetic profile.

Participating in this project was a transformative experience, not only for the scientific learning involved but also for the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems on the planet.