Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 171
CR Atelopus nahumae Ruíz-Carranza, Ardila-Robayo and Hernández-Camacho, 1994
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Unknown
© Conservacion Internacional-Colombia
Geographic Range This species is known from the slopes of south-east Cuchilla San Lorenzo, in the north-west
sector of Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the adjacent El Dorado Nature Reserve, in the
department of Magdalena, Colombia. It has been recorded between 1,900 and 2,800m asl.
Population This was a common species when it was last recorded in 1992. It was rediscovered in 2006, following
survey work in the recently established El Dorado Nature Reserve.
Habitat and Ecology This species is an inhabitant of sub-Andean forests, and can also tolerate some degree of
habitat disturbance. It lays egg chains in streams, where the tadpoles also develop.
Major Threats The most serious risk to this species is chytridiomycosis, which has had a devastating impact on
other high-altitude species of Atelopus. Other major threats include climate change, habitat loss caused by agriculture
(illegal crops) and logging, and pollution caused by the fumigation of illegal crops.
Conservation Measures The range of this species encompasses the Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa
Marta; the adjacent El Dorado Nature Reserve was established in March 2006 to secure one of the last forested valleys
for this and other threatened amphibian and bird species. Surveys are needed to determine the current population
status of this species and, given the threat of chytridiomycosis, a captive-breeding programme might be required.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M.,
Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Hernández-Camacho, J.A. (1994), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Martha Patricia Ramírez Pinilla, Mariela Osorno-Muñoz, Jose Vicente Rueda, Adolfo Amézquita, María Cristina
Ardila-Robayo
CR Atelopus nanay Coloma, 2002
Critically Endangered A2ace; B2ab(v)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Luis A. Coloma
Geographic Range This species is known only from páramo habitats near Laguna Toreadora, in the Cordillera
Occidental, in Azuay Province, Ecuador (Coloma 2002) at around 4,000m asl.
Population The current population status of this species is not known. It has not been recorded since July 1989,
despite surveys within the range, suggesting a serious population decrease.
Habitat and Ecology This species is an inhabitant of herbaceous páramo. Some specimens have been found active
close to streams and springs in an area of many interconnected pools, while others have been found on land under
rocks (Coloma 2002). There is no specific information available on their breeding habits, but they are likely to be
similar to other Atelopus species, with breeding and larval development 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. Agriculture (both crops and livestock), as well as logging and
infrastructure development for human settlement, are major threats to the species’ habitat. Invasive alien species
are also a problem.
Conservation Measures The type locality of the species is within Parque Nacional Cajas. Further survey work
is required to determine whether or not this species survives in the wild. Given the threat of chytridiomycosis, any
surviving individuals might need to form the basis for the establishment of an ex-situ population.
Bibliography: Coloma, L.A. (2002), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Merino-Viteri, A. (2001), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ron, S.R. et al.
(2003)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Martín R. Bustamante, Stefan Lötters
CR Atelopus nepiozomus Peters, 1973
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Unknown
© Ted Kahn
Geographic Range This species is known from six localities, on the eastern flanks of the Andes in Morona-Santiago
Province, Ecuador, at 2,000-3,450m asl.
Population The population status of this species is not known, but sampling effort through its range is insuffi cient.
It was last recorded in September 1985.
Habitat and Ecology This species is an inhabitant of sub-páramo and páramo. There is no specific information
available on breeding, but it is likely to be similar to other Atelopus species, with breeding and larval development
taking place in streams.
Major Threats The most serious risk to this species is chytridiomycosis, which has had a devastating impact on other
high-altitude Atelopus species. Habitat loss and degradation as a result of mining and logging is a major threat.
Conservation Measures The range of this species slightly overlaps with Parque Nacional Podocarpus, although it
has, to date, not been recorded from inside the park. Further survey work is required to determine the abundance of
this species. In view of the severe risk of chytridiomycosis, ex-situ populations might need to be established.
Bibliography: La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Merino-Viteri, A. (2001), Peters, J.A. (1973), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Martín R. Bustamante, Stefan Lötters, Diego Cisneros-Heredia
CR Atelopus nicefori Rivero, 1963
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Geographic Range This species is known only from the type locality:
Alto de Caicedo, in Antioquia Department, Colombia, between
1,800 and 2,670m asl.
Population The current population status of this species is unknown,
but it was not uncommon when last collected. There has not been
any recent survey work for this species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs along forested streams in sub-Andean
and Andean forests. It is restricted to forest habitats requiring
canopy cover over the stream to maintain suitable conditions. Breeding
and larval development take place in streams.
Major Threats The most serious risk to this species is chytridiomycosis,
which has had a devastating impact on other high-altitude
species of Atelopus. Forests within the range of the species are being
cleared for the planting of fruit trees, as well as illegal crops.
Conservation Measures The known range of the species is close
to Parque Nacional Natural Orquideas. Further survey work is needed
to determine the population status of this species, and to establish whether or not it occurs outside the vicinity of the
type locality. In view of the threat of chytridiomycosis, ex-situ populations might need to be established.
Notes on taxonomy: Specimens discussed by Cochran and Goin (1970) were subsequently named as Atelopus echeverrii.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Cochran, D.M. and Goin, C.J. (1970), Cocroft, R.B. et al. (1990), La Marca, E. et al. (2005),
Lötters, S. (1996), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Rivero, J.A. (1963b), Rivero, J.A. and Serna, M.A. (1985), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo,
M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Stefan Lötters, Jose Vicente Rueda, John Lynch