Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

228
Threatened Amphibians of the World
VU Dendrobates altobueyensis (Silverstone, 1975)
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Stable
CITES: Appendix II
Geographic Range This species has a very restricted range around
Alto del Buey, on the Serrania Baudo, in Choco Department, Colombia,
between 980 and 1,070m asl.
Population There is little information on its population status.
Habitat and Ecology It lives on the ground and in bromeliads in
very humid pre-montane forests in the Pacific region of Colombia.
There is no information on breeding, but it is probable that the
eggs are laid in leaf-litter, and that the tadpoles are carried by the
adults to bromeliads. There is no information on its adaptability to
secondary habitats.
Major Threats There is very little information on threats to this
species, though it is likely that some populations are threatened by
habitat loss due mainly to smallholder agricultural activities, logging,
and human settlement. It might also be collected for the pet trade.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Parque Nacional Natural
Utria. Management practices that could allow a commercial, sustainable
harvest of this species should be investigated. Decree
INDERENA No. 39 of 9 July, 1985, forbids the collection of Dendrobates spp. from the wild for breeding (or other)
purposes.
Bibliography: Myers, C.W. (1987), Rueda-Almonacid, J.V. (1999), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996),
Silverstone, P.A. (1975)
Data Providers: Wilmar Bolívar, Taran Grant
EN Dendrobates arboreus Myers, Daly and Martínez, 1984
POLKADOT POISON FROG
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Panama
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
CITES: Appendix II
© Marcos Guerra
Geographic Range This species is endemic to the western cordilleras and Atlantic lowlands of Panama. It occurs
up to at least 1,120m asl.
Population There is no information available on the population status of this species.
Habitat and Ecology This is a phytotelmic canopy species of humid lowland and montane forest, with breeding
taking place in bromeliads.
Major Threats The main threat is habitat loss due to logging, livestock ranching and human settlement. The level
of trade in this species is not known. It is potentially at risk from chytridiomycosis.
Conservation Measures It has been recorded from the protected areas of Parque Internacional La Amistad and
Bosque Protector Palo Seco. Further research and survey work is needed to ascertain the possible negative impacts
of trade and chytrid.
Bibliography: Ibáñez, R. et al. (2000), Myers, C.W., Daly, J.W. and Martinez, V. (1984), Young, B. et al. (1999)
Data Providers: Frank Solís, Roberto Ibáñez, César Jaramillo, Querube Fuenmayor
VU Dendrobates azureus Hoogmoed, 1969
BLUE POISON FROG
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Suriname
Current Population Trend: Stable
CITES: Appendix II
© Paddy Ryan
Geographic Range This species is known only from the vicinity of the type locality: “Sipaliwini, forest-island on
western slope Vier Gebroeders Mountain, 2°N; 55° 58’W, Surinam.” The type locality is at around 350m asl.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It is usually seen on rocks along streams in naturally occurring primary forest fragments (forest/savannah
mosaic). Males call from leaves on trees or from the ground. A clutch of 2-6 eggs are laid in leaf-litter
and attended to by the male, but also sometimes by the female. Males carry the tadpoles on their back to streams
where they develop further.
Major Threats It is not significantly threatened in its tiny range, but fire probably has an impact on its forest habitat
(though rumours from European dart frog collectors that a fire had rendered the wild populations extinct in 1992
were proved to be unfounded). Illegal collection of the species for the international pet trade probably is no longer
a signifi cant threat, since the species is extensively bred in captivity.
Conservation Measures The range of the species is wholly within Sipaliwini Protected Area. In 1997 the National
Aquarium in Baltimore, in the USA, initiated a captive-breeding program, which has been very successful and now
involves more than 20 other institutions.
Bibliography: Hoogmoed, M.S. (1969), Zippel, K. (2005)
Data Providers: Robert Reynolds, Marinus Hoogmoed, Ross MacCulloch, Philippe Gaucher
EN Dendrobates bombetes (Myers and Daly, 1980)
CAUCA POISON FROG
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Dendrobatidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
CITES: Appendix II
© Juan Manuel Renjifo
Geographic Range This species is known from both fl anks of the western Andes, in the department of Valle del
Cauca, and from the western flank of the central Andes, in the departments of Quindio and Risaralda, in Colombia,
between 1,580 and 2,100m asl.
Population It is a common species, but it is believed to be declining.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs on the lowest stratum and on bromeliads in cloud forests and very dry forests. Eggs
are laid in the leaf-litter, and the larvae develop in bromeliads.
Major Threats Habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural expansion, timber extraction, crop fumigation,
and the removal of bromeliads is a major threat. This species is also collected illegally for the pet trade.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas, and habitat protection is urgently needed.
Decree INDERENA No. 39 of 9 July, 1985, forbids the collection of Dendrobates spp. from the wild for breeding (or
other) purposes. It is also necessary to review international legislation regarding the illegal trade of this species.
Bibliography: Myers, C.W. (1987), Myers, C.W. and Daly, J.W. (1980), Rueda-Almonacid, J.V. (1999), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo,
M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996)
Data Providers: Martha Patricia Ramírez Pinilla, Mariela Osorno-Muñoz, Jose Vicente Rueda, Adolfo Amézquita, María Cristina
Ardila-Robayo