Near Threatened Amphibian Species - Amphibian Specialist Group

614Threatened Amphibians of the WorldColostethus machalilla Coloma, 1995This species is known from more than ten localities in the Pacific lowlands of Ecuador in the provinces of El Oro,Los Ríos, Bolívar, Guayas, Azogues, and Manabí, from 10-515m asl (Parker and Carr 1992; Coloma 1995). It is not anuncommon species. It inhabits tropical thicket and thorny scrub and very dry tropical forest (Coloma 1995). It lays itseggs on land, and the larvae are then carried to water by the adults where they develop further. The major threats tothe species are agriculture, involving cultivation of crops and rearing of livestock, and logging. Its geographic rangeoverlaps with Parque Nacional Machalilla and the Reserva Ecológica Manglares Churute.Bibliography: Benitez, M.S. and del Pino, E.M. (2003), Coloma, L.A. (1995), Parker III, T.A. and Carr, J.L. (1992)Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Ana AlmandárizColostethus mcdiarmidi Reynolds and Foster, 1992This species is known from the western slopes of the Bolivian Andes. It was known initially from the type locality,approximately 0.25km east of the San Onofre road, 3.3km north of the road to Cochabamba-Tunari Village, inChapare Province, Cochabamba Department, at 1,693m asl (Reynolds and Foster 1992). Gonzalez at al. (1999) thenextended its distribution to western Bolivia, reporting it in the Reserva de la Biósfera y Terretorio Indígena de PilónLajas, and in the Yungas forest in La Paz Department. Only four populations of this species are currently known, twoin the district of Cochabamba, and two in the northern district of La Paz. The current population trend is unknown,but it is very possibly declining. The population at the type locality is probably now extinct, and has not been seendespite several visits to the area. It is a terrestrial species that inhabits the Yungas forest of Cochabamba and LaPaz Districts (De la Riva et al. 2000). Köhler (2000a) found specimens to be common during the day in undisturbedmontane forest. The larvae were described by Reynolds and Foster (1992), and develop in streams. Major threats tothis species are agricultural development, road construction, and water pollution from agriculture. It occurs in theReserva de la Biósfera y Terretorio Indígena de Pilón Lajas and Parque Nacional Carrasco.Bibliography: De la Riva, I. et al. (2000), Gonzales, L., Lötters, S. and Reichle, S. (1999), Köhler, J. (2000a), Lötters, S., Morales, V.R.and Proy, C. (2003), Reynolds, R. and Foster, M. (1992)Data Providers: Claudia Cortez, Steffen Reichle, Ignacio De la Riva, Jörn KöhlerColostethus shuar Duellman and Simmons, 1988This species occurs on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Napo, Tungurahua, Morona Santiago and ZamoraChinchipe Provinces, Ecuador, between 1,272 and 2,370m asl. It was at least formerly abundant, judging by the largeseries collected through 1984 in the Kansas Museum. It was common in a stream near Loma El Trigal, on the roadbetween Loja y Zamora, in 1987. It lives in premontane and cloud forest (Coloma 1995) but its tolerance of disturbedhabitats is unknown. Reproduction probably occurs by females laying eggs on the ground, with the males bringingthe larvae to streams for them to complete their development. In north-eastern Ecuador it occurs in sympatry withColostethus bocagei, C. fuliginosus, C. kingsburyi, C. pulchellus and Minyobates abditus near Volcán Reventador.In south-eastern Ecuador the species occurs with C. kingsburyi, and C. pulchellus at the Pastaza trench, and furthersouth with C. exasperatus, C. mystax and C. peculiaris. The major threats to this species are habitat destruction anddegradation due to agricultural development and logging. Its range overlaps with Parque Nacional Sumaco Napo-Galeras, Parque Nacional Sangay, Parque Nacional Llanganates, the Reserva Ecológica Antisana and the ReservaEcológica Cayambe-Coca.Bibliography: Coloma, L.A. (1995), Duellman, W.E. and Simmons, J.E. (1988)Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Taran GrantDendrobates sylvaticus Funkhouser, 1956This species occurs in south-western Colombia (in Cauca and Narino Departments) and north-western Ecuador(in Pichincha, Esmeraldas, Imbabura, and Los Rios Provinces). It occurs from sea level up to 1,000m asl. It is verycommon in Colombia but has disappeared from most of its range in Ecuador, only still surviving in the north of itsrange in that country. It lives in lowland and submontane rainforest and can survive in moderately degraded areas,at least in the more humid parts of its range. The eggs are laid on the ground, and the larvae are transported tobromeliads by the female. The major threats are deforestation for agricultural development, cultivation of illegalcrops, logging, mining and human settlement, and pollution resulting from the spraying of illegal crops. It issometimes recorded in the international pet trade. It occurs in several protected areas in Colombia. In Ecuador,its range overlaps the Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas and Parque Nacional Mache-Chindul. Managementpractices that could allow a commercial, sustainable harvest of this species should be investigated. DecreeINDERENA No. 39 of 9 July, 1985, forbids the collection of Dendrobates spp. from the wild for breeding (or other)purposes. CITES Appendix II.Taxonomy: We follow Lötters et al. (1999) in recognizing Dendrobates sylvaticus as a species distinct from D. histrionicus. It is possiblethat this is a complex of several species (Lötters et al. 1999), with true D. sylvaticus occurring in Ecuador.Bibliography: Funkhouser, J.W. (1956), Lötters, S. et al. (1999), Morales, M. et al. (2002), Myers, C.W. and Daly, J.W. (1976b), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996), Stoskopf, M.K., Wisneski, A. and Pieper, L. (1985)Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Taran Grant, Stefan LöttersEpipedobates anthonyi (Noble, 1921)This species occurs in south-western Ecuador (in El Oro, Azuay and Loja Provinces) and north-western Peru (in Ancash,Piura and Tumbes Departments), west of the Andes, at 153-1,769m asl. The record from Ancash, Peru, is doubtful(E. Lehr pers. comm.). It is likely to occur a little more widely than current records suggest. In southern Ecuador thisis an abundant species. It lives in dry forest near streams and can be found in altered habitats. It lays its eggs inleaf-litter, and the males carry the larvae to running and standing water where they continue their development.This species is threatened by agrochemical pollution of waterways, and is also collected for medicinal use in Ecuador(although not currently in sufficient numbers to be a threat). It is not known with certainty if it occurs in anyprotected areas. The impact on it of collection for medicinal use and commercial trade in wild specimens should bemonitored. CITES Appendix II.Taxonomy: This species and Epipedobates tricolor were recently separated by Schulte (1999). We follow Graham et al. (2004) inrestricting the distribution of E. anthonyi to southern Ecuador and northern Peru.Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. and Wild, E.R. (1993), Graham, C.H. et al. (2004), Schulte, R. (1999), Silverstone, P.A. (1976)Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Stefan LöttersEpipedobates bassleri (Melin, 1941)PLEASING POISON FROGThis species occurs in the Amazon drainage of Peru, from the eastern foothills of the Andes east to the Río Huallaga,in the departaments of Huánuco and San Martín, from 270-1,200m asl. It can be extremely common whereit occurs. This is a diurnal species of lowland and montane tropical moist forest that can be found in both primaryand slightly degraded habitat. Eggs are deposited on the ground and the larvae are then transported to streams bythe male. There is significant habitat loss within its range due to agricultural activities (mostly coffee plantations).It is not known from any protected areas, but possibly occurs in Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul and the Bosque deProtección Alto Mayo. CITES Appendix II.Bibliography: Myers, C.W. (1987), Schulte, R. (1999), Silverstone, P.A. (1975), Silverstone, P.A. (1976), Zimmermann, H. and Zimmermann,E. (1988)Data Providers: Javier Icochea, Karl-Heinz JungferMannophryne herminae (Boettger, 1893)This species occurs in the mountains of the Venezuelan coastal range, from 30-1,610m asl. It is very common. Thisspecies is diurnal, and lives on the ground and along streams in semi-deciduous forest. Adults carry larvae on theirbacks to streams, where metamorphosis is completed. Fires are a major threat, as are agricultural encroachmentand human settlement, although it appears not to be significantly threatened by pollution from domestic wastewater.Chytridiomycosis might be a potential future threat. Its range includes Parque Nacional Henri Pittier (Rancho Grande)and Parque Nacional San Esteban where it is a common species. Further work is required to resolve the taxonomy ofthis species. This species should be monitored carefully, given the potential future threat of chytridiomycosis.Taxonomy: This form is a complex of more than one species.Bibliography: Alemán, C. (1952), Barrio Amorós, C.L. (2004), Gines, H. (1959), Hellmich, W. (1940), La Marca, E. (1994e), La Marca,E. (1995a), La Marca, E. (1995b), La Marca, E. (1997), Manzanilla, J. (2001), Manzanilla, J., García-París, M. and La Marca, E. (2002),Manzanilla, J., La Marca, E. and García-París, M. (2003), Myers, C.W., Paolillo, A. and Daly, J.W. (1991), Rivero, J.A. (1961), Sexton, O.J.(1960), Test, F.H. (1962), Test, F.H., Sexton, O.J. and Heatwole, H. (1966)Data Providers: Enrique La Marca, Jesús ManzanillaPhyllobates aurotaenia (Boulenger, 1914)KOKOE POISON FROGThis species occurs on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia, along the Río San Juan drainagesouth to the Río Raposo, in Choco and Valle del Cauca Departments, between 90 and 1,000m asl. It is a very abundantspecies. It lives on the ground in humid lowland and submontane forests, and is found in primary and secondaryforest, but not in degraded areas. The eggs are laid in leaf-litter, and the male takes the larvae to slow-flowingwater. The major threats are: deforestation due to agricultural development, cultivation of illegal crops, logging,and human settlement; introduction of alien predatory fish in streams; and pollution resulting from the spraying ofillegal crops. It sometimes occurs in very small numbers in international trade. It is not known from any protectedareas. Management practices that could allow a commercial, sustainable harvest should be investigated. DecreeINDERENA No. 39 of 9 July, 1985, forbids the collection of Phyllobates spp. from the wild in Colombia for breeding(or other) purposes. CITES Appendix II.Bibliography: Rueda-Almonacid, J.V. (1999), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996), Silverstone, P.A. (1976)Data Providers: Wilmar Bolívar, Taran Grant, Stefan Lötters, Fernando CastroPhyllobates bicolorDuméril and Bibron, 1841BLACK-LEGGED POISON FROGThis species occurs on the western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental in Colombia, in Risaralda, Choco, Valle delCauca, and Cauca Departments, between 500 and 1,500m asl. It is an abundant species. It lives in humid lowland andmontane forests, usually occurring near streams, and can survive in logged forest, but not in open areas. The eggsare laid on the ground and the male transports the larvae to streams. The major threats are: deforestation due toagricultural development, cultivation of illegal crops, logging, and human settlement; introduction of alien predatoryfi sh in streams; and pollution resulting from the spraying of illegal crops. It occurs in the international pet trade, but itis not known to what extent this poses a threat to the species. Chytridiomycosis might be a potential future threat. Itoccurs in Parque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali. Management practices that could allow a commercial, sustainableharvest of this species should be investigated. Decree INDERENA No. 39 of 9 July, 1985, forbids the collectionof Phyllobates spp. from the wild in Colombia for breeding (or other) purposes. CITES Appendix II.Bibliography: Lötters, S. et al. (1997), Myers, C.W., Daly, J.W. and Malkin, B. (1978), Rueda-Almonacid, J.V. (1999), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M.,Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996), Silverstone, P.A. (1976)Data Providers: Wilmar Bolívar, Stefan LöttersAlytes cisternasii Boscá, 1879DISCOGLOSSIDAEIBERIAN MIDWIFE TOADThis species is restricted to southern and eastern Portugal and western and central Spain, from 100-1,300m asl. Itcan be locally common in suitable habitat, and is more abundant in the western part of its range. Population declineshave been observed in Spain, potentially because of introduced predators. This species is closely associated withmeadows and open oak (Quercus) forests, most often in sandy areas. Reproduction and larval development takesplace in temporary waterbodies (most often stream habitats); larval development is relatively long in this speciesand may last more than one season. The species is not very adaptable. The main threats are the loss of suitableMediterranean forest habitat, the introduction of predatory fi shes and Louisiana Crayfi sh (Procamabrus clarkii),and the loss of suitable aquatic habitats through pollution, canal construction, dams, and urbanization. A potentialfuture threat is chytridiomycosis, which has already affected the related Alytes obstetricans in Spain. It is knownto occur in Cabañeros and Doñana National Parks, Spain, and is listed on Appendix II of the Berne Convention, andon Annex IV of the EU Natural Habitats Directive. It is protected by national legislation in Spain, and is recorded ina number of national and sub-national Red Data Books. Given the potential future threat of chytridiomycosis thisspecies should be monitored closely.Bibliography: Alvarez, A. and Martin, L. (2000), Arnold, E.N. (2003), Arntzen, J.W. and García-París, M. (1995), Bosch, J. and Márquez,R. (2001), Brown, L.E. and Crespo, E.G. (2000), Crespo, E.G. (1981), Fromhage, L., Vences, M. and Veith, M. (2004), Gasc, J.-P. et al. (eds.)(1997), Godinho, R. et al. (1999), Malkmus, R. (1996b), Malkmus, R. (2004), Márquez, R. (1995), Márquez, R. (1996), Martínez-Solano, I. etal. (2004), Martínez-Solano, I. and Bosch, J. (2001), Pleguezuelos, J.M. (1997), Pleguezuelos, J.M. and Villafranca, C. (1997), Pleguezuelos,J.M., Márquez, R. and Lizana, M. (2002), Reques, R. (2000), Rodríguez-Jiménez, A.J. (1984)Data Providers: Pedro Beja, Jaime Bosch, Miguel Tejedo, Miguel Lizana, Iñigo Martínez-Solano, Alfredo Salvador, Mario García-París,Ernesto Recuero Gil, Jan Willem Arntzen, Rafael Marquez, Carmen Diaz PaniaguaAlytes maurus (Pasteur and Bons, 1962)This species is restricted to the western and central Rif Mountains and middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It is knownonly from about twenty fragmented localities, from 200-2,050m asl. It is locally common in suitable habitat. This speciesis generally found in humid sites in montane karst and escarpment areas. Adults inhabit cracks and fissures in rocks,or live under stones close to permanent streams, pools, and other waterbodies. Surrounding vegetation may be scrub,cork oak groves, and orchards. It spawns in water, producing approximately 60 eggs at a time (with 3-4 clutches a year),which are then carried around outside the water by the male, who releases the larvae back into water at the point ofhatching. The main threat to this species is considered to be the introduction of the predatory fish Gambusia holbrooki tobreeding ponds. Domestic water pollution is also a threat to the population in Chauen, although other populations in thesurrounding area are not threatened by this contamination. Overall, the threats facing this species are currently localized,and it is not believed to be seriously threatened at present. It occurs in a number of protected areas.