Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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Threatened Amphibians of the World
EN Hyalinobatrachium pallidum (Rivero, 1985)
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from Guacharaquita, in
the state of Táchira, in the Venezuelan Andes at 1,768m asl, and from
Mundo Nuevo, in the state of Cojedes, at 396m asl.
Population It is not a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in evergreen dry forest in the Andes,
and humid forests in the southern central part of the Venezuelan
coastal mountain tange. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves
in humid forest near streams, into which the larvae then fall to
complete their development.
Major Threats The habitat of the Andean populations has suffered
from intensive exploitation and degradation in the past, and these
populations are now almost extirpated.
Conservation Measures The range of this species does not include
any protected areas. Surveys are needed to determine the current
population status of the Andean population.
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), Duellman, W.E. (1999), La Marca,
E. (1992), La Marca, E. (1997), Mijares-Urrutia, A. (1990), Myers, C.W. and Donnelly, M.A. (1997), Rivero, J.A. (1985), Ruiz-Carranza,
P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Jesús Manzanilla
EN Hyalinobatrachium pellucidum (Lynch and Duellman, 1973)
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(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 known from three localities: Río Azuela, Río Reventador and Río Salado, all in
Napo Province on the Amazonian slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, at 1,740m asl.
Population It was last recorded in 1979, when fi ve specimens were collected from one site. The Río Azuela site has
been revisited several times without locating any individuals.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in cloud forest. The holotype was found on the leaf of a herb over a small stream at
night (Lynch and Duellman 1973). Reproduction is presumed to occur via eggs laid on vegetation, with the larvae
developing in streams.
Major Threats Habitat destruction and degradation is the main threat to this species, primarily due to smallholder
farming and logging. At this stage it is not clear whether or not this species might have declined within pristine
habitats.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas, and protection of remaining cloud forest habitats
is sorely needed. Further survey work is necessary to determine the current population status of this species.
Bibliography: 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 Cisneros-Heredia
VU Hyalinobatrachium revocatum (Rivero, 1985)
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Centrolenidae
Country Distribution: Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from the southern
slopes of the central part of Cordillera de la Costa, and Serranía
del Interior, in the Venezuelan coastal range, at elevations between
1,200 and 1,800m asl.
Population It is a common frog in undisturbed habitats.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs along streams, and is usually found
on overhanging vegetation up to 2m above the stream. The eggs are
laid on the upper and under sides of leaves, and when hatched the
larvae fall into the stream below where they develop further.
Major Threats The major threat is habitat loss, due to agriculture
(both crops and livestock), logging, and infrastructure development
for human settlement. Agricultural pollution is also having an impact
on populations.
Conservation Measures Some populations lie within the El Avila,
Macarao and Henri Pittier and Rancho Grande National Parks.
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), Duellman, W.E. (1993), La Marca, E. (1997), Rivero, J.A. (1961), Rivero, J.A. (1968a), Rivero,
J.A. (1985), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M. and Lynch, J.D. (1991a)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Celsa Señaris
DENDROBATIDAE
CR Aromobates nocturnus Myers, Paolillo and Daly, 1991
SKUNK FROG
Critically Endangered A2a; B2ab(v)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known only from the type
locality: about 2km ESE by air from Agua de Obispo, in the state of
Trujillo, Venezuela, at 2,250m asl (9.42’N, 70.05’W).
Population It is a very rare species that appears to have declined.
Several attempts to find it in recent years have failed, and it is still
known only from the time it was first described.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in small cold-water streams in cloud
forest. The eggs are laid on land and the male protects the eggs.
When hatched the male carries the larvae on his back to water
where they develop further.
Major Threats Habitat loss and degradation due to agriculture (both
crops and livestock) and road construction, is the major threat to the
species. The locality is near the headwaters of a stream and thus
could have been affected by a drought in the past. The species could
also potentially be affected by disease, such as chytridiomycosis.
Conservation Measures There is a population within the Parque
Nacional Dinira. Surveys are urgently needed to determine the population status of this species.
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2001), Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), La Marca, E. (1992), La Marca, E. (1996b), Myers, C.W., Paolillo,
A. and Daly, J.W. (1991)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Juan Elías García-Pérez