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Opuntia insularis Stewart
Species Database Opuntia insularis Stewart
Juan Manuel Garcia-CDF
Natural History Collections

The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to the largest Natural History Collections of endemic, native and introduced species of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. It is also one of the largest in the world with over 135,000 specimens from more than 7,500 species.

Pelayo Salinas
CDF and WWF launch project to promote the conservation of sharks and rays in Ecuador

The Charles Darwin Foundation and WWF launch project "Habla Tiburón" to promote the conservation of sharks and rays and empower fishing communities in mainland and insular Ecuador

Rashid Cruz/CDF
New Populations of Scalesia cordata Found in Southern Isabela Island, Galapagos

Park rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), in collaboration with scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), have discovered two new areas of Scalesia cordata on Sierra Negra volcano, located in southern Isabela Island. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve this critically endangered species, which has seen its natural habitat severely reduced.

Rashid Cruz/CDF
New Populations of Scalesia cordata Found in Southern Isabela Island, Galapagos

Park rangers from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD), in collaboration with scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), have discovered two new areas of Scalesia cordata on Sierra Negra volcano, located in southern Isabela Island. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve this critically endangered species, which has seen its natural habitat severely reduced.

Philornis downsi, an invasive fly.
Introduced Species Dashboard Galapagos Introduced Species Dashboard
Carlos Espinosa/CDF
Galapagos Rail Rediscovered on Floreana

The Galapagos Rail (Laterallus spilonota) has been confirmed on Floreana Island for the first time in 190 years. This follows a 2023 eradication campaign that removed most invasive cats and rats, likely aiding its survival. Researchers will conduct genetic testing to determine if the species recolonized or persisted undetected.