Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 217
EN Cochranella saxiscandens Duellman and Schulte, 1993
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research
Center, University of Kansas
Geographic Range This species is known only from one locality (two sites in close proximity to each other) at 800m
asl on the south slope of the north-west-south-east range of the mountains immediately to the north of Tarapoto
Province, San Martin Department, in northern Peru. It probably occurs more widely, but it is still likely to have a
restricted distribution.
Population It is a common species at the type locality, and was described from a series of 31 adult males.
Habitat and Ecology The type locality is a rocky gorge into which two streams plunge. The sides of the gorge are
nearly vertical rocky walls, and the floor of the gorge is littered with huge boulders. The species was found perched
on ferns on boulders, but most were on the boulders within 10cm of the waterline at night. They breed in streams,
with eggs laid on leaves above water.
Major Threats The main threat to this species is habitat loss due to agriculture, wood extraction, and human settlement,
as well as the impacts of tourism. The potential impacts of localized climate change and possible infection
with the chytrid fungus require further investigation.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas, but the type locality at least is in need of
some formal protection or management.
Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. and Schülte, R. (1993), Rodríguez, L.O., Cordova, J.H. and Icochea, J. (1993)
Data Providers: Lily Rodríguez, Jorge Luis Martinez, Ariadne Angulo, Karl-Heinz Jungfer, Wilfredo Arizabal
VU Cochranella siren (Lynch and Duellman, 1973)
Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research
Center, University of Kansas
Geographic Range This species occurs on the Amazonian slopes of the eastern Andes in Napo Province, Ecuador
(at elevations of 1,310-1,700m asl); in Putumayo Department, Colombia; and in Ayacucho Province, southern Peru.
The Peruvian specimens might refer to a distinct species (Duellman and Schülte 1993).
Population In Ecuador, it has disappeared from the type locality (Río Salado) and several other localities, but one
specimen was seen in Azuela in 1998.
Habitat and Ecology It lives near streams in pre-montane forest (Lynch and Duellman 1973; QCAZ database). It lays
its eggs on vegetation, and the tadpoles develop in the water.
Major Threats Habitat destruction and degradation is a threat to this species, due mainly to the activities of
smallholder farmers and as a result of logging. Given its narrow altitudinal range, its decline in Ecuador might be
related to the impacts of climate change.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Reserva Ecológica Cayambe-Coca in Ecuador.
Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. and Schülte, R. (1993), Lynch, J.D. and Duellman, W.E. (1973), Rodríguez, L.O., Cordova, J.H. and Icochea,
J. (1993), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Diego Cisneros-Heredia
VU Cochranella susatamai Ruíz-Carranza and Lynch, 1995
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Fundación ProAves / www.proaves.org
Geographic Range This species is known from the departments of Tolima, Caldas and Antioquia, on the eastern
fl ank of the Cordillera Central, in Colombia, between 400 and 1,650m asl. It is likely to occur a little more widely
than these records suggest.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in sub-Andean forests on vegetation along streams. Eggs are laid on leaves overhanging
water and when they hatch the tadpoles drop into the water below where they develop further. They require gallery
forest to lay their eggs, and hence are sensitive to any habitat disturbance.
Major Threats The major threats are habitat fragmentation and loss, due to agricultural expansion (including planting
of illegal crops) and timber extraction, and water pollution.
Conservation Measures The range of the species does not include any protected areas, and there is a need for
improved habitat protection at sites where it is known to occur.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1995b), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and
Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Erik Wild, John Lynch
VU Cochranella xanthocheridia 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 the departments
of Risaralda and Antioquia on the western flank of the Cordillera
Occidental, in Colombia, between 800 and 2,060m asl.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs on vegetation next to streams in
sub-Andean forests. It lays its eggs on the top of leaves and when
hatched the tadpoles drop into the water below where they develop
further. It has not been recorded outside forest habitat.
Major Threats The major threats are habitat fragmentation and loss,
due to agricultural expansion (including planting of illegal crops) and
timber extraction, and water pollution.
Conservation Measures The range of the species includes Parque
Nacional Natural Orquideas.
Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch,
J.D. (1995a)
Data Providers: Fernando Castro, John Lynch