Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

210
Threatened Amphibians of the World
EN Centrolene lynchi (Duellman, 1980)
Endangered B2ab(iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia, Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mario Humberto Yánez-Muñoz
Geographic Range This species is known only from two general areas: on the western versant of the Cordillera
Occidental in Risaralda Department, Colombia; and seven localities on the western versant of the Andes in Ecuador in
Pichincha Province. It probably occurs between these areas, but it is a rare species and hard to detect. Its altitudinal
range is 1,100-1,600m asl.
Population It is known to have undergone declines in Ecuador, but has been seen as recently as August 2001. It
appears to have disappeared entirely from some regions, such as the Río Faisanes area.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in cloud forest, including secondary forest, along streams, where it needs forest
vegetation overhanging water, but it is not found in degraded habitats. It breeds in streams, with the eggs laid on
leaves overhanging the water.
Major Threats The most likely cause of the severe decline of this species is the movement of the cloud layer up
the mountain sides as a result of climate change, resulting in reduced humidity within the altitudinal range of the
species (probably exacerbated by habitat fragmentation). Additional likely threats include: deforestation due to
agricultural development, the planting of illegal crops, fire, logging, and human settlement; introduction of alien
predatory fish species in streams; and pollution resulting from the spraying of illegal crops. Chytridiomycosis also
cannot be ruled out.
Conservation Measures Its distribution overlaps with the Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas in Ecuador, but it is not
known from any protected areas in Colombia, and further protection of the cloud forest habitat of this species is necessary.
Further research is needed to ascertain whether or not chytrid is a threat to this species; given the multitiude of
current threats, including the impact of predatory fi sh, a captive-breeding programme may need to be established.
Notes on taxonomy: This species and Centrolene scirtetes may be conspecifi c (D. Cisneros-Heredia pers. comm.).
Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. (1980), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch,
J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Erik Wild, Diego Cisneros-Heredia
EN Centrolene mariae (Duellman and Toft, 1979)
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known only from the Serrania
de Sira at 2,000m asl, extending north-north-west to south-east
between two large northward flowing rivers, the Río Pachitea on
the west and the Río Ucayali on the east, in Huanuco Department,
Peru, at 1,550-2,000m asl. It presumably occurs more widely, but it
nevertheless probably has a restricted distribution.
Population The population status of this species is not known (its
description was based on a single specimen).
Habitat and Ecology The fauna of the Serrania de Sira area
apparently represent isolated relicts from Andean relatives that
spread across the lowlands during periods of climatic depression
in the Pleistocene. The area is cloud forest, and characterized by
the presence of many bromeliads and moss. Eggs are deposited on
leaves, and larvae develop in streams.
Major Threats Although the area that the species inhabits is relatively
inaccessible, there is some habitat disturbance due to farming
and human settlement. In addition, the lower parts of the Serrania de Sira are being selectively logged.
Conservation Measures It may occur in the Reserva Comunal El Sira. Further research is needed to determine the
current population status of this little-known species.
Bibliography: Cannatella, D.C. and Duellman, W.E. (1982), Duellman, W.E. and Schülte, R. (1993), Duellman, W.E. and Toft, C.A. (1979),
Rodríguez, L.O., Cordova, J.H. and Icochea, J. (1993)
Data Providers: Lily Rodríguez, Jorge Luis Martinez, Erik Wild, Wilfredo Arizabal, Edgar Lehr, César Aguilar Puntriano
VU Centrolene peristictum (Lynch and Duellman, 1973)
Vulnerable B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia, Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© John D. Lynch
Geographic Range This species occurs on the Pacifi c slopes of the Andes in Ecuador (in Pichincha Province, where
it is known from three localities), north to the northern extent of the western slope of the Cordillera Occidental in
Colombia. Its recorded altitudinal range is 1,780-1,820m in Colombia, but has been found down to 1,350m in Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian population appears to be isolated from that in Colombia.
Population In Ecuador, the species seems to have undergone a severe decline, and it has not been recorded in recent
years. It remains uncommon in Colombia.
Habitat and Ecology It is a species of undisturbed cloud forest, and has not been found in secondary habitats. It
breeds in streams, with the eggs laid on leaves overhanging the water.
Major Threats The most likely cause of the severe decline of this species is the movement of the cloud layer up the
mountain sides as a result of climate change, resulting in reduced humidity within the altitudinal range of the species
(probably exacerbated by habitat fragmentation). Additional likely threats include deforestation, due to agricultural
development (including the planting of illegal crops), fire, logging, and human settlement; the introduction of alien
predatory fish species in streams; and pollution resulting from the spraying of illegal crops. Chytridiomycosis also
cannot be ruled out.
Conservation Measures It occurs in three Natural National Parks in Colombia: Farallones de Cali, Munchique, and
Tatama. It is not known from any protected areas in Ecuador. There is a need for further survey work in Ecuador to
establish the current population status of the species in the wild.
Bibliography: Lynch, J.D. and Duellman, W.E. (1973), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo,
M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, John Lynch, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Erik Wild
EN Centrolene petrophilum Ruíz-Carranza and Lynch, 1991
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species occurs on the eastern fl ank of
the northern portion of the Cordillera Oriental, Boyacá Department,
Colombia, between 1,600 and 2,200m asl.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs on vegetation next to or above
streams in cloud forest, and can also occur in secondary forest. It lays
its eggs on rocks in streams, and the larvae develop in the water.
Major Threats Deforestation due to agricultural activities (livestock
ranching, and the cultivation of crops) is the main threat to
this species.
Conservation Measures It does not occur in any protected areas,
and there is a need for the protection of existing cloud forest fragments,
such as the site known as “Pajarito”.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch,
J.D. (1991b)
Data Providers: María Cristina Ardila-Robayo, Jose Vicente Rueda