Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

174
Threatened Amphibians of the World
CR Atelopus pulcher (Boulenger, 1882)
Critically Endangered A2ace
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Ariadne Angulo
Geographic Range This species is distributed along the lower Andean versant in the upper Río Huallaga drainage,
Departamentos San Martín and Loreto, Peru. It is present at approximately 600-900m asl. There are populations
resembling this species from the north-eastern versant of Peru and adjacent Ecuador, but these are not included in
this account until their taxonomic status can be more conclusively verifi ed.
Population The current population status of this species is not known, although it was recorded as recently as July
2004. It is now considered to be relatively rare, and has disappeared from many known localities.
Habitat and Ecology This is a diurnal and terrestrial species of lowland and premontane tropical forest. Breeding
takes place in streams. It is not known how adaptable the species is to habitat modifi cation.
Major Threats The threats to this species include the potentially devastating impacts of chytridiomycosis (the disease
is already present in northern Peru) which was confirmed in this species in 2003. Other threats include localized habitat
loss through conversion to agricultural land.
Conservation Measures The species occurs in Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul. A captive-breeding program for
this species has been established, and there is ongoing research investigating the biology of a population of this
species that apparently has chytridiomycosis.
Notes on taxonomy: This species was removed from the synonymy of A. spumarius by Lötters et al. (2002b).
Bibliography: La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. et al. (2002b), Lötters, S. et al. (2005), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006)
Data Providers: Stefan Lötters
CR Atelopus quimbaya Ruíz-Carranza and Osorno-Muñoz, 1994
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Unknown
© Pedro Ruiz Carranza
Geographic Range This species is known only from the vicinity of the type locality on the border of Risaralda and
Quindio Departments, Colombia, between 2,200 and 2,900m asl. It might occur more widely than current records
suggest.
Population This is a rare species, and was last recorded in 1992.
Habitat and Ecology It is found on vegetation along streams and away from streams in sub-Andean and Andean
forests; it has not been recorded outside forest habitat. 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.
Conservation Measures It might occur within a protected area (Parque Regional Natural Ucumarí, in Risaralda
Department). Further survey work is required to determine the population status of this species and whether or not
if it occurs outside the vicinity of the type locality. Given the threat of chytridiomycosis, recommended conservation
measures will probably need to include the maintenance of any surviving individuals in captivity.
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.
and Osorno-Muñoz, M. (1994), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Wilmar Bolívar, Andrés Acosta-Galvis, John Lynch
CR Atelopus reticulatus Lötters, Haas, Schick and Böhme, 2002
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Rainer Schulte
Geographic Range This species is known only from the type locality on the eastern versant of the Cordillera Azul
(Departamento Ucayali), ca. 3km by road after Divisoria on the Tingo Mariá-Pucallpa road, Peru. It was collected at
an elevation of 1,600m asl.
Population There is no information on the population of this species. It appears that the last record was in 1992,
but the lack of subsequent observations might be due to lack of survey work.
Habitat and Ecology It is recorded from primary montane tropical forest; it is not known whether or not it occurs in
modifi ed habitats. Breeding is believed to take place in streams, like other species in the genus.
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 chytrid pathogen has yet to be found in this species, but
the disease is known to be spreading in northern Peru. Its habitat might also be threatened by small-scale agriculture
(e.g., cocoa and tea), but this requires further confi rmation.
Conservation Measures The presence of this species in the Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul is possible, but is
not confirmed. Further survey work is required to determine the current population status of this species. Given the
threat of chytridiomycosis, recommended conservation measures will probably need to include the establishment
of a captive-breeding programme.
Bibliography: La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. et al. (2002a), Lötters, S. et al. (2005), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006)
Data Providers: Stefan Lötters, Jorge Luis Martinez, Rainer Schulte
CR Atelopus seminiferus Cope, 1874
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Rainer Schulte
Geographic Range This species is known only from the type locality and the immediate vicinity, from between
Balsa Puerto and Moyobamba (San Martin), Peru. It occurs at 1,000-2,000m asl.
Population There is no information on population status or abundance, although it was recorded as recently as
2004.
Habitat and Ecology This is a terrestrial species of montane primary forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes. It
is a stream-breeding species and not believed to be present in modified habitats.
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; however, the chytrid pathogen has not yet been positively
confi rmed in this species.
Conservation Measures This species is present in the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo. Given the possible threat
of chytridiomycosis, disease management and captive-breeding programmes might be required, as is further survey
work to establish the population status of this species.
Bibliography: La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Lötters, S. et al. (2005), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Rodríguez, L.O., Cordova,
J.H. and Icochea, J. (1993)
Data Providers: Rainer Schulte, Antonio Salas, Ariadne Angulo, Stefan Lötters