Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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