Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

222
Threatened Amphibians of the World
CR Colostethus delatorreae Coloma, 1995
Critically Endangered B2ab(iii,iv,v) C2a(ii)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mario Humberto Yánez-Muñoz
Geographic Range This species is known only from three nearby localities at elevations of 2,340-2,700m on the
western slopes of the Andes in Carchi Province, in extreme north-western Ecuador.
Population It is locally uncommon. Fifty calling males were recorded in 2003 in Moran, Carchi Province. However,
it appears to have disappeared at all other localities.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in wetlands and bogs, and in areas of cattle ranching surrounded by forest remnants.
It lays its eggs on the ground, and the males carry the tadpoles to water where they develop further.
Major Threats Habitat destruction and degradation is a significant threat to this species, due mainly to agriculture
(including livestock ranching) and logging. It is possible that this species has been impacted by chytridiomycosis,
which has been confi rmed in other frog species within its range.
Conservation Measures The species is not known to occur in any protected areas, and there is a need for urgent
habitat protection at sites at which it is known to survive.
Bibliography: Coloma, L.A. (1995)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Mario Yánez-Muñoz
CR Colostethus dunni (Rivero, 1961)
Critically Endangered A2ace
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from the central part
of the Venezuelan Coastal Range, in the vicinity of Caracas, from
around 800 to at least 1,520m asl. Its presence has been suggested,
but not confirmed, in Quebrada de Caurimare, Miranda State, also
in the vicinity of Caracas.
Population This species was once considered one of the more
common species of the Caracas Valley; however, comprehensive
surveys in 1992-1993 and, more recently, in 2004 have failed to find
any populations in these areas. It is not known when exactly the
decline began, but the decline of Atelopus cruciger, another formerly
common frog from the same region, has been documented. It is
possible that Colostethus dunni has experienced a similar decline.
There are no known extant populations in the wild at present, even
in suitable habitat.
Habitat and Ecology It inhabits seasonal montane forests. Its
breeding habits are unknown, although the larvae are likely to
develop in water, like other species of the genus.
Major Threats The major threats to the species include habitat loss due to urban development and fires, and pollution.
The cause(s) of the recent dramatic decline have not been established, but it is charecteristic of declines seen
in other species impacted by chytridiomycosis.
Conservation Measures Some populations might be protected in Parque Nacional El Avila, near Caracas. Research
into the cause(s) of the population decline is urgently needed, as are surveys to determine the current status of
populations.
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), Barrio, C. (1998), La Marca, E. (1992), La Marca, E. (1997), La Marca, E. (2004), Rivero, J.A.
(1961)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Jesús Manzanilla, Celsa Señaris
CR Colostethus edwardsi Lynch, 1982
Critically Endangered A2ac; B1ab(iii,iv,v)+
2ab(iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known from two localities in the Cordillera Oriental, La Cueva de las Moyas and
the Páramo de Cruz Verde, Cundinamarca Department, Colombia, between 3,030 and 3,300m asl.
Population It was last seen in 1996. Three visits to the type locality have failed to turn up this species, and it is
likely that it has declined severely due to complete habitat alteration.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in streams within caves and crevices. Breeding and larval development takes place
in streams.
Major Threats It is threatened by habitat loss due to conversion to timber forestry and water pollution caused by
urban runoff.
Conservation Measures The species is not known to occur in any protected areas. Surveys are needed to determine
the current population status of the species.
Bibliography: Lynch, J.D. (1982b), Rivero, J.A. (1988), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Jose Vicente Rueda
© John D. Lynch
EN Colostethus elachyhistus Edwards, 1971
Endangered A2ac; B2ab(iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador, Peru
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© John D. Lynch
Geographic Range This species occurs on the western slopes of the Andes in southern Ecuador, at elevations of
850-2,760m asl. It also occurs on the Pacific and Amazonian slopes of the Andes in the Huancabamba depression,
Piura Department, northern Peru, at 600-1,800m asl.
Population It is an uncommon species. In Ecuador, populations from Loja and nearby localities at the higher altitudes
of its range seem to be extinct, but lowland populations are still extant with records as recently as 2003.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in dry and humid lowland and premontane forest, and occurs near streams, especially
in dry forests. The larvae presumably develop in streams.
Major Threats The cause of the declines at high elevations, which have taken place even in suitable habitat, could
be due to chytridiomycosis. Habitat destruction and degradation, in particular due to agricultural activities, is also a
threat to this species, and the species may also be impacted by invasive alien species and pollution.
Conservation Measures It does not occur in any protected areas, and some form of formal habitat protection is
urgently needed. Further survey work is needed to determine whether any animals survive around Loja and other
nearby localities.
Bibliography: Coloma, L.A. (1995), Duellman, W.E. and Wild, E.R. (1993), Edwards, S.R. (1971), Rodríguez, L.O., Cordova, J.H. and
Icochea, J. (1993)
Data Providers: Javier Icochea, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron