Over 60 species of frogs and toads were identified on a 1 km loop trail at Madre Selva by researchers from the Dallas Zoo Herpetological Department in a single three-week period in late 1997. Reptiles are well represented by a diverse assemblage of lizards, snakes, turtles, and caimans. The capture of a Crocodilurus lacertinus lizard in 1995 represented the first record of this species in Peru during the 20th century. The species has been seen multiple times in the region since. The most recent amphibian and reptile list is available on the Flora and Fauna webpage.
Much work needs to be done with the invertebrate fauna at all of the field sites.
The floral composition of the terra firme, varzea, and secondary forests present at each field site is very different, providing excellent opportunities for comparative studies of forest structure and floristics within sites. The terra firme primary forest at all sites has high concentrations of large canopy trees, particularly at Paucarillo and Sabalillo. Several extensive blowdowns involving dozens to hundreds of trees occurred at Madre Selva in November 1998 during severe storms. Such areas are ideal for studies of natural succession processes. Varzea forest areas are inaccessible except by small boat for several months of the year, and are floristically depauperate in comparison to terra firme forest areas.