Atelopus
Encyclopedia
Atelopus, commonly known as harlequin frogs, is a large genus
of true toads from Central
and South America
, ranging as far north as Costa Rica
and as far south as Bolivia
. Atelopus are small, generally brightly colored and diurnal
. Most species are associated with mid- to high-elevation stream
s. This genus has been greatly affected by amphibian declines
, and many species are now considered endangered, while others already are extinct. The cause of these declines primarily appears to be the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
.
New Atelopus species are discovered with some regularity and many new species have been described
in the last decade (see following species table). Among others, a new species, popularly dubbed the purple fluorescent frog, was discovered in 2007 by scientists Paul Ouboter and Jan Mol during a follow-up survey of the Nassau plateau in Suriname
. Leeanne Alonso from Conservation International
, the organisation that led the expedition, says that this frog may be threatened by illegal gold mining
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of true toads from Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, ranging as far north as Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and as far south as Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. Atelopus are small, generally brightly colored and diurnal
Diurnal animal
Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...
. Most species are associated with mid- to high-elevation stream
Stream
A stream is a body of water with a current, confined within a bed and stream banks. Depending on its locale or certain characteristics, a stream may be referred to as a branch, brook, beck, burn, creek, "crick", gill , kill, lick, rill, river, syke, bayou, rivulet, streamage, wash, run or...
s. This genus has been greatly affected by amphibian declines
Decline in amphibian populations
Dramatic declines in amphibian populations, including population crashes and mass localized extinctions, have been noted since the 1980s from locations all over the world...
, and many species are now considered endangered, while others already are extinct. The cause of these declines primarily appears to be the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a chytrid fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis. In the decade after it was first discovered in amphibians in 1998, the disease devastated amphibian populations around the world, in a global decline towards multiple extinctions, part of the Holocene...
.
New Atelopus species are discovered with some regularity and many new species have been described
Binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
in the last decade (see following species table). Among others, a new species, popularly dubbed the purple fluorescent frog, was discovered in 2007 by scientists Paul Ouboter and Jan Mol during a follow-up survey of the Nassau plateau in Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
. Leeanne Alonso from Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
, the organisation that led the expedition, says that this frog may be threatened by illegal gold mining
Gold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
.
Species
| Common name | Binomial name |
|---|---|
| Andes Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus andinus Atelopus andinus Atelopus andinus or Andes Stubfoot Toad is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.-Source:... |
| Atelopus angelito Atelopus angelito Atelopus angelito is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and rivers.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus arsyecue Atelopus arsyecue Atelopus arsyecue is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.... |
|
| Arthur's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus arthuri Atelopus arthuri Atelopus arthuri is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss... |
| Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus balios Atelopus balios Atelopus balios, also known as the Rio Pescado stubfoot toad is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss... |
| Azuay Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus bomolochos Atelopus bomolochos Atelopus bomolochos is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, and pastureland.... |
| Boulenger's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus boulengeri Atelopus boulengeri Atelopus boulengeri is a small species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to humid montane forest in southern Ecuador. It has not been seen since 1984, but some of the known sites have not been well surveyed, so it may still survive... |
| Rio Carauta Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus carauta |
| La Carbonera Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus carbonerensis |
| Guajira Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus carrikeri |
| Darien Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus certus Atelopus certus Atelopus certus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to the Darien Region of Eastern Panama , and its type locality is Cerro Sapo, giving it its common name of the Toad Mountain Harlequin Frog.... |
| Lewis' Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus chiriquiensis Atelopus chiriquiensis Atelopus chiriquiensis is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae.It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Chocó Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus chocoensis Atelopus chocoensis Atelopus chocoensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Atelopus chrysocorallus Atelopus chrysocorallus Atelopus chrysocorallus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Venezuela.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, rivers, and intermittent rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Rio Faisanes Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus coynei Atelopus coynei Atelopus coynei is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Veragua Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus cruciger |
| Atelopus dimorphus Atelopus dimorphus Atelopus dimorphus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.-References:* Lötters, S. 2004. . Downloaded on 21 July 2007.... |
|
| Huila Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus ebenoides Atelopus ebenoides The painted frog , a species of true toad, lives only in Colombia. It consists of two populations: the southern population lives in the southern Colombian Andes in the Cauca and Huila Departments... |
| Elegant Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus elegans |
| Atelopus epikeisthos Atelopus epikeisthos Atelopus epikeisthos is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Peru.... |
|
| Carabaya Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus erythropus Atelopus erythropus Atelopus erythropus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.-Source:... |
| Malvasa Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus eusebianus Atelopus eusebianus Atelopus eusebianus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Atelopus eusebiodiazi Atelopus eusebiodiazi Atelopus eusebiodiazi is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Peru.... |
|
| Atelopus exiguus Atelopus exiguus Atelopus exiguus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, freshwater lakes, and pastureland.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus famelicus Atelopus famelicus Atelopus famelicus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Forest Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus farci Atelopus farci Atelopus farci is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Cayenne Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus flavescens |
| Central Coast Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus franciscus |
| Antado Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus galactogaster Atelopus galactogaster Atelopus galactogaster is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-Source:* Rueda, J.V., Lötters, S. & Lynch, J. 2004. . Downloaded on 21 July 2007.... |
| Pirri Range Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus glyphus Atelopus glyphus Atelopus glyphus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is found in Colombia and Panama.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers. These species are terrestrial, and breeds in forest stream... |
| Guanujo Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus guanujo |
| La Guitarra Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus guitarraensis Atelopus guitarraensis Atelopus guitarraensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Morona-Santiago Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus halihelos Atelopus halihelos Atelopus halihelos is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Quito Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus ignescens |
| Atelopus laetissimus Atelopus laetissimus Atelopus laetissimus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Limosa Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus limosus |
| El Tambo Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus longibrachius Atelopus longibrachius Atelopus longibrachius is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:... |
| Longnose Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus longirostris Atelopus longirostris Atelopus longirostris, an arlequin frog or jambato, is a member of the family of true toads: Bufonidae. It has been recorded only in northern Ecuador... |
| Atelopus lozanoi Atelopus lozanoi Atelopus lozanoi is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Lynch's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus lynchi Atelopus lynchi Atelopus lynchi is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Atelopus mandingues Atelopus mandingues Atelopus mandingues is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.-Source:... |
|
| Mindo Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus mindoensis Atelopus mindoensis Atelopus mindoensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.... |
| Colombian Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus minutulus Atelopus minutulus Atelopus minutulus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Mittermeier's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus mittermeieri Atelopus mittermeieri Atelopus mittermeieri is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Colombia.... |
| Hernandez's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus monohernandezii |
| Mucubaji Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus mucubajiensis |
| La Arboleda Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus muisca Atelopus muisca Atelopus muisca is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.... |
| Atelopus nahumae Atelopus nahumae Atelopus nahumae is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus nanay Atelopus nanay Atelopus nanay is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Gualecenita Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus nepiozomus Atelopus nepiozomus Atelopus nepiozomus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Niceforo's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus nicefori Atelopus nicefori Atelopus nicefori is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Atelopus onorei Atelopus onorei Atelopus onorei is a small species of bright yellow and green toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. It has not been seen since 1990 and may now be extinct, but it is possible that overlooked populations remain. The reasons for its decline are likely climate changes and the disease... |
|
| Rednose Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus oxyrhynchus |
| Schmidt's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus pachydermus Atelopus pachydermus Atelopus pachydermus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is found in Ecuador and possibly Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.-Source:... |
| Andersson's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus palmatus Atelopus palmatus Atelopus palmatus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Pataz Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus patazensis Atelopus patazensis Atelopus patazensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Peru.... |
| San Isidro Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus pedimarmoratus Atelopus pedimarmoratus Atelopus pedimarmoratus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Peru Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus peruensis Atelopus peruensis Atelopus peruensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland and rivers.-Source:... |
| Peters' Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus petersi Atelopus petersi Atelopus petersi is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers at elevations of 2660–3300 m above sea level.... |
| Atelopus petriruizi Atelopus petriruizi Atelopus petriruizi is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Painted Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus pictiventris Atelopus pictiventris Atelopus pictiventris is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes, rivers, pastureland, heavily degraded former forest, and .-Source:... |
| Pinango Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus pinangoi |
| Napo Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus planispina Atelopus planispina Atelopus planispina is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Ecuador.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Atelopus pulcher Atelopus pulcher Atelopus pulcher is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus pyrodactylus Atelopus pyrodactylus Atelopus pyrodactylus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Peru.... |
|
| Atelopus quimbaya Atelopus quimbaya Atelopus quimbaya is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus reticulatus Atelopus reticulatus Atelopus reticulatus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Anori Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus sanjosei Atelopus sanjosei Atelopus sanjosei is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Upper Amazon Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus seminiferus Atelopus seminiferus Atelopus seminiferus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.-Source:... |
| Pass Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus senex Atelopus senex Atelopus senex is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Costa Rica.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.-Source:... |
| Atelopus sernai Atelopus sernai Atelopus sernai is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to the northern Andes of Colombia.Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.... |
|
| Atelopus simulatus Atelopus simulatus Atelopus simulatus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Atelopus siranus Atelopus siranus Atelopus siranus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Peru.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and rivers.-Source:... |
|
| Sonsón Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus sonsonensis Atelopus sonsonensis Atelopus sonsonensis is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Cloud Forest Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus sorianoi |
| Pebas Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus spumarius Atelopus spumarius The Pebas stubfoot toad is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru and Suriname.... |
| Condoto Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus spurrelli Atelopus spurrelli Atelopus spurrelli is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:... |
| Bogota Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus subornatus Atelopus subornatus Atelopus subornatus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Venezuela Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus tamaensis |
| Three-colored Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus tricolor |
| Veragoa Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus varius Atelopus varius The Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad , also known as the clown frog, is a neo-tropical true toad from the family Bufonidae . Once ranging from Costa Rica to Panama, A... |
| Atelopus vogli Atelopus vogli Atelopus vogli was a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It was endemic to Venezuela.It bred in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers. It has not been seen since 1933 and is considered to be extinct due to habitat loss.-Source:... |
|
| Walker's Stubfoot Toad | Atelopus walkeri Atelopus walkeri Atelopus walkeri is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family.It is endemic to Colombia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:... |
| Golden Arrow Poison Frog | Atelopus zeteki |