Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 213
VU Cochranella balionota (Duellman, 1981)
Vulnerable B2ab(iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia, Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species occurs between 400 and 800m
along the western slope of the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia,
from El Tambito in Cauca Department, south to Ecuador. In Ecuador,
it is known only from the type locality: Mindo, in Pichincha Province,
at 1,540m asl.
Population It is reasonably common in Colombia, but there are no
recent records from Ecuador.
Habitat and Ecology It is an arboreal species, living on vegetation
next to streams in humid lowland tropical forest and cloud forest. It
seems to require closed forest. It breeds in streams, with the eggs
laid on leaves overhanging water.
Major Threats The major threat is habitat loss as a result of deforestation
for agricultural development (including the planting of illegal
crops), logging, and human settlement. Other threats include the
introduction of alien predatory fish, and pollution resulting from the
spraying of illegal crops. Like some other centrolenids, this species
might also be affected by 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).
Conservation Measures Its presence has not been confirmed from any protected areas, though it might occur in
Parque Nacional Natural Munchique in Colombia. There is clearly a need for improved habitat protection of sites at
which this species is known to occur.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Duellman, W.E. (1981), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M.,
Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Wilmar Bolívar, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, John Lynch, Erik Wild
VU Cochranella cochranae (Goin, 1961)
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research
Center, University of Kansas
Geographic Range This species is found on the lower Amazonian slopes of the Andes in northern and southern
Ecuador (Sucumbios, Pastaza and Zamora Chinchipe Departments), at elevations of 1,100-1,600m asl. It might occur
a little more widely.
Population This species is noted as being uncommon across most of its range.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in montane rainforest along streams with steep gradients (Lynch and Duellman 1973).
Reproduction is presumed to occur via eggs laid on vegetation, with the tadpoles developing in the water.
Major Threats Habitat destruction and degradation is a threat to this species, mainly as a result of smallholder
farming activities and clear-cutting of forests.
Conservation Measures Its distribution range overlaps with Parque Nacional Sumaco Napo-Galeras, Reserva
Ecológica Antisana, Parque Nacional Podocarpus and Parque Nacional Llanganates.
Bibliography: Goin, C.J. (1961), Lynch, J.D. and Duellman, W.E. (1973), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Diego Almeida
VU Cochranella daidalea Ruíz-Carranza and Lynch, 1991
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Conservacion Internacional-Colombia
Geographic Range This species occurs on the western flank of the Cordillera Oriental in Cundinamarca and Santander
Departments, Colombia, between 1,630 and 2,060m asl.
Population It is common, and has recently been collected.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs on vegetation near streams in premontane and cloud forest, and has been recorded
from secondary forest. It lays its eggs on vegetation, and the tadpoles develop in the water.
Major Threats The main threat to this species is habitat fragmentation and loss due to agriculture (cattle raising
and crops).
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Guanentá Alto Río Fonce.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991c), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and
Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: María Cristina Ardila-Robayo, Jose Vicente Rueda
VU Cochranella garciae Ruíz-Carranza and Lynch, 1995
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from Cauca, Huila and
Tolima (Combeima) Departments, on the eastern slope of the Cordillera
Central, in Colombia, between 1,900 and 3,030m asl.
Population It is a relatively common species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs on vegetation alongside streams
in sub-Andean and Andean forests. The eggs are laid on leaves
overhanging water and when they hatch the tadpoles drop in to
the water below where they develop further. They require gallery
forest to lay their eggs and hence are very sensitive to disturbance
of their forest habitat.
Major Threats The main threat to this species is habitat loss as a
result of clear-cutting of forests and agricultural encroachment, due
to the planting of illegal crops and cattle raising.
Conservation Measures The range of the species includes a
few protected areas, such as Parque Nacional Natural Nevado
del Huila.
Bibliography: Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1995b), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Alonso Quevedo Gil, John Lynch