Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 177
CR Atelopus tamaense La Marca, García-Pèrez and Renjifo, 1989
TAMÁ HARLEQUIN FROG
Critically Endangered A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Colombia, Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from the Páramo de Tamá,
on the Venezuelan-Colombian border, in Apure State, Venezuela. It
has been heard in Colombia from Venezuela, along the stream that
marks the border between the two countries. Its known altitudinal
range is 2,950-3,200m asl.
Population This species has not been seen since 1987, but there
have not been any surveys within its range since this time.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in high-elevation sphagnum bogs in
páramo habitat. The tadpoles have been found 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 only likely threat to
its habitat is fire.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Parque Nacional El Tamá
in Venezuela, and Parque Nacional Natural Tamá in neighbouring
Colombia. In view of the risk of infections with the chytrid fungus, it
is a very high priority to conduct surveys to relocate this species and determine its current population status, as well
as to initiate a captive-breeding programme.
Notes on taxonomy: The correct name of this species is Atelopus tamaense (a noun in apposition, rather than an adjective) (E. La
Marca pers. comm.)
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), La Marca, E. (1992), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), La Marca, E. and Lötters, S. (1997), La Marca,
E., Garcia-Perez, J.E. and Renjifo, J.M. (1990), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Rodríguez, J.P. and Rojas-Suárez, F. (1995)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Juan Elías García-Pérez
VU Atelopus tricolor Boulenger, 1902
Vulnerable A3ce
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Bolivia, Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jörn Köhler
Geographic Range This species is found in the eastern Andes in Peru and Bolivia, at elevations of 600-2,500m
asl. The type locality is the Marcapata Valley in Peru, in the Amazonian slopes of the eastern Andes (south-eastern
Cuzco Department). Other Peruvian records are from areas close to the Puno Department, at 1,700-2,100m asl
(Duellman 1979, Köhler 2000a). In Bolivia there are records from La Paz Department, in the Yungas region, and in
the south of the Chapare’s region, at Cochabamba Department, at the eastern slope of the Andes (Fugler 1984, De la
Riva 1990, Reynolds and Foster 1992, Köhler 2000a). The larval description of A. tricolor comes from 12 samples of
Pucartambo-Atalaya, 68km (by the road) north-east Union Bridge, at Tachila River at 1,700m asl, in Cuzco Department,
THREE-COLOURED HARLEQUIN TOAD
Peru; and five specimens from 40km north Caranavi, Buena Vista Hills, Nor Yungas Province, La Paz Department,
Bolivia (Lavilla et al. 1997).
Population It is still common within its range, and the declines associated with other species of Atelopus have not
yet been noted in this species. It has been recorded as recently as 2003.
Habitat and Ecology This species inhabits wet primary montane forest, corresponding to the Yungas Forest (De la
Riva et al. 2000, Köhler 2000a). Breeding takes place in streams. Köhler (2000a) observed this species perching, at
night, at 0.3-1.2m elevation, in vegetation in disturbed primary forest, and secondary growth along roadsides. Males
call in small groups of 4-10 individuals.
Major Threats The major threats are habitat loss, due to smallholder farming activities (coffee, coca, chili peppers),
and pollution, as a result of increased stream sedimentation. Chytridiomycosis has yet to be found in this species, but
is a potential major threat in the future. Introduced predatory trout might be a threat in some areas.
Conservation Measures In Bolivia, it is present in the Parque Nacional Carrasco, Parque Nacional Madidi and Pilon
Lajas. In Peru, it is present in Manu Biosphere Reserve. Continued population monitoring is required, especially in
light of the potential threat of chytridiomycosis.
Notes on taxonomy: Reynolds and Foster (1992) indicated that Atelopus rugulosus is a synonym of A. tricolor. Subsequently, Lötters
and De la Riva (1998) confirmed this and pointed out that in evaluating the types of A. rugulosus from south-east Peru, and A. wilimani
from Bolivia, both are synonyms of A. tricolor.
Bibliography: Boulenger, G.A. (1902), de la Riva, I. (1990), De la Riva, I. et al. (2000), Donoso-Barros, R. (1969), Duellman, W.E. (1979),
Fugler, C.M. (1984), Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales (INRENA) (2000), Köhler, J. (2000a), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lavilla, E.O.
and de Sá, R. (2001), Lavilla, E.O., de Sa, R.O. and de la Riva, I. (1997), Lötters, S. and de la Riva, I. (1998), Noble, G.K. (1921), Pounds,
J.A. et al. (2006), Reynolds, R. and Foster, M. (1992)
Data Providers: Antonio Salas, Roberto Ibáñez, Alessandro Catenazzi, Juan Carlos Chaparro-Auza, Ariadne Angulo, Steffen Reichle,
Jörn Köhler, Ignacio De la Riva, Stefan Lötters, Claudia Cortez, Wilfredo Arizabal
CR Atelopus varius (Lichtenstein and von Martens, 1856)
Critically Endangered A2ace
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Costa Rica, Panama
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Brian Kubicki
Geographic Range This species is known from both Atlantic and Pacific versants of the cordilleras of Costa Rica and
western Panama, up to 2,000m asl. It is also present on outlying ridges and hills down to 16m asl at a few lowland
sites. The species is absent from the lowlands of the Pacific north-west (Savage 2002). Records from Colombia are
in error. Recent declines have reduced the Costa Rican range to only one known locality, Fila Chonta, 10km northwest
of the city of Quepos.
Population Over 100 populations of this species were known from Costa Rica where it was often quite common.
Drastic declines began in Monteverde in 1988 and the species was thought to have been extirpated in Costa Rica by
1996. However, after nearly eight years during which the species was thought to be extinct, a remnant population
was discovered near Quepos, on the Pacific coastal range, in 2003, and was surveyed again in 2005 when more
HARLEQUIN FROG
individuals were found. In Panama, some populations have declined, but others persist. For example, Lips (1999)
reported a mass mortality in Fortuna, Provincia de Chiriquí, which affected this species in December 1996-January
1997. This site was visited again in February 1998, but the species was not found (Ibáñez 1999). It has been recorded
in Panama as recently as November 2002, but it is believed to still be in serious decline.
Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species of humid lowland and montane forest; specimens recorded at lowland
rainforest localities were all found along high-gradient, rocky streams, in hilly areas (Savage 2002). It is associated
with small fast-flowing streams and is often found along the banks and sitting out on rocks in streams; at night
they sleep in crevices or low vegetation. They forrmely occurred in large concentrations during the dry season, from
December to May (Savage 2002). Eggs are laid in water and are probably attached to rocks.
Major Threats The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, which has led to catastrophic population declines in
many other montane species of Atelopus. Museum specimens of this species have been found to have chytrid fungi.
One specimen collected in 2003 from the only known site at which the species survives in Costa Rica tested positive
for chytrid infection, and the disease was also confirmed in individuals in 1986, 1990, 1992 and 1997. Other threats
to the species include habitat loss due to the destruction of natural forests, and predation by introduced trout. The
only known site in Costa Rica is under serious threat of a landslide that could potentially destroy the entire stream
section where they are presently found. It was collected by the thousands in the 1970s and shipped to Germany as
part of the international pet trade.
Conservation Measures The species is present in three protected areas in Panama, and was previously found in a
number of Costa Rican protected areas. Ex-situ conservation measures are now needed to ensure the future survival
of this species, and a captive-breeding program has been initiated.
Bibliography: Crump, M.L. (1986), Crump, M.L. and Pounds, J.A. (1989), Ibáñez, R. (1999), Ibáñez, R. et al. (2000), La Marca, E. et al.
(2005), Lips, K.R. (1999), Lips, K.R., Green, D.E. and Papendick, R. (2003), Lips, K.R., Reeve, J.D. and Witters, L.R. (2003), Lötters, S. (1996),
Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Pounds, J.A. and Crump, M.L. (1987), Pounds, J.A. and Crump, M.L. (1994), Pounds, J.A., Fogden, M.P.L. and
Campbell, J.H. (1999), Savage, J.M. (1972a), Savage, J.M. (2002), Young, B. et al. (1999), Zippel, K. (2005)
Data Providers: Alan Pounds, Robert Puschendorf, Federico Bolaños, Gerardo Chaves, Martha Crump, Frank Solís, Roberto Ibáñez, Jay
Savage, César Jaramillo, Querube Fuenmayor, Karen Lips