Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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Threatened Amphibians of the World
EN Dendropsophus gryllatus (Duellman, 1973)
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Hylidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research
Center, University of Kansas
Geographic Range This species is known from the Pacific lowlands of north-western Ecuador, from 200-500m asl.
It is known from three localities, but with further sampling is likely to occur more widely.
Population It is a rare species.
Habitat and Ecology This is originally a lowland forest species. However, specimens have been collected at a large
duckweed-covered pond in a banana plantation outside forest; a few individuals were calling from bushes at the
edge of the water, while others were found on grasses overhanging shallow muddy pools (Duellman 1973). It breeds
in ponds, and probably deposits its eggs in the water.
Major Threats The main threat to this species is habitat loss, and much of the natural vegetation within its range has
been cleared. While its occurrence in banana plantations may suggest that the species can survive in altered habitats,
farming practices have changed radically over the last 20 years, especially with the use of pesticides, and cultivation
that is more intensive. The soil is very fertile, and banana plantations do very well; however, these plantations are
increasingly intensively managed and the use of pesticides poses an increasing threat.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. There is an urgent need for protection of
remaining lowland forest habitat in this part of Ecuador.
Notes on taxonomy: This species was previously included in the genus Hyla but has recently been moved to the resurrected genus
Dendropsophus (Faivovich et al. 2005).
Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. (1973), Faivovich, J. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Ana Almandáriz
EN Dendropsophus meridensis (Rivero, 1961)
Endangered B1ab(iii,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Hylidae
Country Distribution: Venezuela
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© César Luis Barrio-Amorós / Fundación AndígenA
Geographic Range This species is known from the Andes of Mérida State, in Venezuela. It has been recorded from
1,200-2,400m asl. Records from the Sierra del Turimiquire, in Sucre and Monagas States, are misidentifi cations.
Population This is an uncommon species that is estimated to have undergone a significant decline over the past
ten years.
Habitat and Ecology It is an inhabitant of small ponds in cloud forests. It lays its eggs directly in water, where
the larvae also develop.
Major Threats The main threats are agriculture, involving both crops and livestock, as well as agricultural pollution.
The recent introduction of Rana catesbeiana has probably been at least parly responsible for the decline in
populations of this frog.
Conservation Measures Although most of the species’ range is outside protected areas, it may occur in Parque
Nacional La Culata and/or Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada. Remaining cloud forest habitats in the Venezuelan Andes
are in urgent need of protection.
Notes on taxonomy: This species was previously included in the genus Hyla but has recently been moved to the resurrected genus
Dendropsophus (Faivovich et al. 2005).
Bibliography: Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), Duellman, W.E. (1977), Duellman, W.E. (1989b), Faivovich, J. et al. (2005), La Marca, E. (1992),
La Marca, E. (1995b), La Marca, E. (1997), Péfaur, J.E. and Rivero, J.A. (2000), Rivero, J.A. (1961), Vial, J.L. and Saylor, L. (1993)
Data Providers: Enrique La Marca
VU Dendropsophus stingi (Kaplan, 1994)
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Hylidae
Country Distribution: Colombia
Current Population Trend: Increasing
Geographic Range This species is found on the eastern slope of
the Cordillera Oriental in Boyacá Department, Colombia, at elevations
of 2,000-2,020m asl.
Population This species is abundant and there are many recent
records. Some populations even appear to be increasing.
Habitat and Ecology It occurs and reproduces in shrubs in flooded
pastures, marshes, and temporary pools.
Major Threats There are no current major threats; however, its small
range renders it susceptible to stochastic threatening processes.
Conservation Measures It does not occur in any protected areas.
There is a need for close population monitoring of this species
considering its small range.
Notes on taxonomy: This species was previously included in the genus
Hyla but has recently been moved to the resurrected genus Dendropsophus
(Faivovich et al. 2005).
Bibliography: Faivovich, J. et al. (2005), Kaplan, M. (1994)
Data Providers: María Cristina Ardila-Robayo, Jose Vicente Rueda
EN Duellmanohyla chamulae (Duellman, 1961)
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Hylidae
Country Distribution: Mexico
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Hylid Frogs of Middle America, 2001,
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Geographic Range This species occurs above 1,600m asl on the northern slopes of the central highlands of Chiapas,
Mexico, from Jitotol to Soluschiapa.
Population This is not a rare species.
Habitat and Ecology It inhabits and breeds in cascading mountain streams in cloud forest areas.
Major Threats The main threat is deforestation and the disturbance of cloud forest remnants (at present, mountainous
cloud forests are the most impacted habitats in Mexico). Chytridiomycosis may also also pose apotential
threat to this species.
Conservation Measures The range of this species does not include any protected areas, and the protection
and restoration of forested highland areas of northern Chiapas, Mexico, is needed. Further research is required to
determine whether chytrid might pose a threat to this species. It is protected by Mexican law under the “Special
Protection” category (Pr).
Bibliography: Campbell, J.A. and Smith, E.N. (1992), Duellman, W.E. (2001)
Data Providers: Georgina Santos-Barrera, Antonio Muñoz Alonso