Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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160 Threatened Amphibians of the World VU Ansonia torrentis Dring, 1983 Vulnerable D2 Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Malaysia Current Population Trend: Stable Geographic Range This species is known only from Gunung Mulu in northern Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia, at 1,800m asl, though it is possible that it might occur in other montane forest blocks. Population It is believed to be reasonably abundant. Habitat and Ecology Specimens were observed calling beside a small, clear, mountain stream with a steep gradient. Breeding is presumed to take place in these forest streams. Major Threats There are no current major threats to this species, but if Gunung Mulu is indeed the only locality at which this species occurs, then it might well be susceptible to stochastic threatening processes. Conservation Measures The species has been recorded from Gunung Mulu National Park. Further survey work is needed to ascertain whether or not this species is indeed confined to Gunung Mulu. In any event, the population status of this species requires careful monitoring given that it is currently known from only a single location. Bibliography: Dring, J.C.M. (1984b) Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun EN Atelophryniscus chrysophorus McCranie, Wilson and Williams, 1989 Endangered A2ac; B1ab(iii,v) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Honduras Current Population Trend: Decreasing © James McCranie Geographic Range This species occurs in the middle of the Cordillera Nombre de Dios along the Atlantic versant of north-central Honduras at 750-1,760m asl. It has been collected at only two sites, 60km apart. Population It is uncommon, and the population has been decreasing over the last 15 years. Habitat and Ecology It lives in premontane and lower montane wet forest, and is found breeding in clear water mountain streams. Major Threats Major threats to this species include landslides in the upper reaches of streams (due to strong storms and human activities) and slash-and-burn agriculture. As a montane, stream-breeding species, declines could also be linked to chytridiomycosis. Conservation Measures The upper elevations in the central Cordillera Nombre de Dios have been protected in Pico Bonito National Park since 1988 and also in Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texiguat. Research is urgently needed to determine whether or not this species has been affected by chytridiomycosis. If disease is shown to be a major threat, then a captive-breeding programme may need to be established. Bibliography: Lavilla, E.O. and de Sá, R. (2001), McCranie, J.R. and Wilson, L.D. (2002b), McCranie, J.R., Wilson, L.D. and Williams, K.L. (1989), Wilson, L.D. and McCranie, J.R. (1998) Data Providers: Gustavo Cruz, Larry David Wilson CR Atelopus andinus Rivero, 1968 Critically Endangered A3ce Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Peru Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Ted Kahn Geographic Range This species is restricted to the upper Río Biabo Valley (northern versant of the Cordillera Azul) (Departamento de San Martín), the Río Pisqui, (Departamento Loreto), and Río Cachiyacu (on the border of Departamentos San Martín and Loreto), Peru. Its recorded altitudinal range is 1,000-2,000m asl. Population There is no information on its current population status, but it has been seen as recently as 2004 near Iquitos. Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species restricted to submontane tropical forest. Breeding is thought to take place in streams. This species is presumed to be susceptible to habitat change and is therefore not expected to occur in any modifi ed or degraded habitats. Major Threats There are no reports of chytridiomycosis impacting this Atelopus species, but it is presumed to be susceptible to this pathogen, which is now causing amphibian declines in northern Peru. It is possible that populations of this species at lower altitudes might be able to survive an outbreak of the disease. Conservation Measures This species is present in the Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul. Given the susceptibility of this species to chytridiomycosis, successful conservation measures are likely to require some form of disease management programme and the maintenance of captive populations. Bibliography: Alverson, W.S., Rodriguez, L.O. and Moskovits, D.K. (2001), Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA) (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Lötters, S. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. and de la Riva, I. (1998), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Rivero, J.A. (1968b), The Field Museum of Natural History (2002) Data Providers: Stefan Lötters, Antonio Salas, Ariadne Angulo, Javier Icochea, Robert Reynolds, Enrique La Marca CR Atelopus angelito Ardila-Robayo and Ruíz-Carranza, 1998 Critically Endangered A3ce Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Colombia Current Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range This species is known only from near Valencia, San Sebastián Municipality, in Cauca Department, Colombia, at elevations of 2,900-3,000m asl. It might occur more widely than current records suggest. Population There is very little information available, but it was collected as recently as 2000. Habitat and Ecology This species is found on vegetation along side streams in montane Andean forests and sub-páramo bush land. There is no information known about breeding habitats, or its ability to tolerate habitat disturbance. Major Threats There have been serious declines of other high-elevation Atelopus species in the region suggesting that this species might also be at risk. The cause of the declines is still not fully understood, though chytridiomycosis is almost certainly involved, possibly in combination with the effects of climate change. Conservation Measures The type locality is within Parque Nacional Natural Puracé, which might benefit in future from improved management. However, given the likely threat of chytridiomycosis, disease management and captive-breeding programmes might be required. Research into this species’ population status and ecological requirements is needed, in particular to determine if it occurs outside the vicinity of the type locality. Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. (1998), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006) Data Providers: María Cristina Ardila-Robayo, Wilmar Bolívar, Jose Vicente Rueda, Andrés Acosta-Galvis, John Lynch
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 161 CR Atelopus arsyecue Rueda-Almonacid, 1994 Critically Endangered A3ce Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Colombia Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Juan Manuel Renjifo Geographic Range This species is known only from the type locality: Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the department of Cesar, Colombia. It has been recorded between 2.000 and 3,500m asl. It might occur a little more widely on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Population Only six specimens of this species are known, and there have been no records since 1991. It is not yet clear whether or not this refl ects lack of survey effort, or a genuine rarity or decline. Habitat and Ecology It occurs in sub-Andean and Andean forests, sub-páramo and páramo. Egg chains are placed in fast-fl owing water, and the tadpoles develop in the water. Major Threats The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, leading to a catastrophic population decline, as has occurred in many other montane species of Atelopus. Habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and logging is also a major threat, as is pollution resulting from the fumigation of crops. Conservation Measures Its range includes Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Further survey work is required to determine the population status of this species, especially in light of the recent drastic declines observed in other montane Atelopus species. Given the likely threat of chytridiomycosis, disease management and captive-breeding programmes might be required. Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Rueda-Almonacid, J.V. (1994b), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996) Data Providers: Jose Vicente Rueda, Andrés Acosta-Galvis, Martha Patricia Ramírez Pinilla, Mariela Osorno-Muñoz, Adolfo Amézquita, María Cristina Ardila-Robayo CR Atelopus arthuri Peters, 1973 Critically Endangered A2ace; B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Ecuador Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Luis A. Coloma Geographic Range This species is known from three localities on the Pacifi c versant of the Andes of Ecuador at an altitude of 2,200-3,000m asl. The type locality is 15km north of Pallatanga, in Chimborazo Province. The second and third localities are at Cashca Totoras and Las Guardias, respectively, in Bolivar Province. Population This is an extremely rare species and it has not been recorded since 1988, despite searches, particularly at Cashca Totoras (Bustamante 2002). This suggests that a serious decline has taken place. Habitat and Ecology It inhabits humid montane forest and sub-páramo. There is no specific information known about breeding habits, though it is likely to be similar to other Atelopus species, with breeding taking place in streams. Major Threats The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, leading to a catastrophic population decline, as has occurred in many other montane species of Atelopus. The disease has been confi rmed in Gastrotheca pseustes in the same area. Other major threats includes habitat loss due to agriculture, logging and infrastructure development for human settlement, and agricultural pollution. Conservation Measures The range of the species does not encompass any protected areas. However, it was protected in Bosque Protector Cashca Totoras (in Bolívar Province), where it disappeared. The species might be extinct, and it might be too late for measures such as captive breeding; additional survey work is required to confirm the continued persistence of this species in the wild. Bibliography: Bustamante, M. R. (2002), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Merino-Viteri, A. (2001), Peters, J.A. (1973), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ron, S.R. and Merino, A. (2000) Data Providers: Santiago Ron, Luis A. Coloma, Martín R. Bustamante, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Mario Yánez-Muñoz CR Atelopus balios Peters, 1973 Critically Endangered A2ace Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Ecuador Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Luis A. Coloma Geographic Range This species is known from only four localities in Azuay, Cañar, and Guayas Provinces in the Pacifi c lowlands of south-western Ecuador, from 200-460m asl. Population This is now considered a very rare species. There have been no records since April 1995 despite repeated searches. It is no longer found at Río Patul (in Azuay province), where it used to be abundant (L. Coloma pers. comm.). Habitat and Ecology It is an inhabitant of lowland rainforest, and has been found on riverbanks. There is no specific information known about breeding habits, though it is likely to be similar to other Atelopus species, with breeding taking place in streams. Major Threats This species seems to have disappeared, as with many other Atelopus species, likely due to chytridiomycosis, although the altitude at which it occurs is low (the disease normally occurs at higher altitudes in the tropics). Habitat degradation and loss, due to agriculture (crops and livestock) and logging, and pollution, continue to be very serious threats. Conservation Measures The range of the species does not include any protected areas. As the species might be extinct, it might be too late for conservation measures such as captive breeding; additional survey work is required to confi rm the continued persistence of this species in the wild. Bibliography: Coloma, L.A. and Lötters, S. (1996), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Parker III, T.A. and Carr, J.L. (1992), Peters, J.A. (1973), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006) Data Providers: Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron CR Atelopus bomolochos Peters, 1973 Critically Endangered A2ace Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Ecuador Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Luis A. Coloma Geographic Range This species is found in the Cordillera Oriental in southern Ecuador, Azuay and Cañar Provinces, between 2,500 and 2,800m asl, where it has been recorded from at least 15 localities. There was one record from Parque Nacional Sangay. The specimens from the Departamento Piura, Peru, which referred to this species, are in fact specimens of an undescribed species (Coloma, Lötters and Salas 2000). Population One individual was seen in 2002 in the Parque Nacional Sangay (D. Almeida pers. comm.), but otherwise this formerly abundant species has disappeared from its range. Habitat and Ecology It lives in humid montane forest, sub-páramo, and páramo (Lötters 1996). Breeding takes place in streams. Major Threats The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, leading to a catastrophic population decline, as has occurred in many other montane species of Atelopus. Dead and dying animals infected with the chytrid fungal pathogen have been collected in Ecuador (Ron et al. 2003), and it was the first species (in 1980) in Central or South America confirmed to have chytridiomycosis. It tolerates some habitat destruction, and can be found near streams in artifi cial grasslands. Introduced predators such as trout might threaten the species. Conservation Measures The species has been recorded from Parque Nacional Sangay, which is a World Heritage Site. The population status of this species urgently needs to be assessed; given the threat of chytridiomycosis, successful conservation measures will probably need to include the maintenance of any surviving individuals in captivity. Bibliography: Coloma, L.A., Lötters, S. and Salas, A.W. (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Merino-Viteri, A. (2001), Peters, J.A. (1973), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ron, S.R. et al. (2003), Ron, S.R. and Merino, A. (2000) Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Stefan Lötters, Martín R. Bustamante, Andrés Merino-Viteri, Antonio Salas
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Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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