Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog
Encyclopedia
Habitat: During the dry seasons these amphibians choose to live near freshwater streams where there is surrounding vegetation. Streams are the perfect location for them to breed.
Their main habitat is located on the mountain slopes in Cordillera de la Costa of Venezuela. They are not just located in that general area. These frogs live in Carabobo, Distrito Federal, Yaracuy, Miranda Estadoes Aragua, and Vargas. They are also known to live in Estado Cojedes as well as in Azul. Because of where they have been found, scientists believe that the proper habitat for these frogs is along the mountains on the coast of Venezuela.
Ecological Role: The main sources of food for the Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog are ants and other small insects. With ants and other insects being their source of food, these frogs keep the rapidly growing insect population in check. Their main source of food is similar to what their relatives eat as well.
Population and Conservation Status: Searches have been conducted for this animal in 2004 and then again in 2008. Before then, in 1986, a small population of them was found, thus proving that these rare and endangered amphibians were not extinct. Both searches in 2004 and 2008 found two different populations of them in two different areas. In 2008 are located in the national parks Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, Parque Nacional Rancho Grande and Parque Nacional San Esteban. In 2004 they were found in a small population near a down flowing stream on a mountain side in Venezuela.
Why are the populations declining? Habitat loss is only a small part of it. It is suspected that these frogs are becoming more and more endangered due to prolonged droughts in that area, flooding if the rains come hard and suddenly (remember, their habitat is along streams and riverbanks), as well as climate change, and sudden harsh exposure to ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. If the climate changes suddenly, the frogs might not be able to adapt to the glare of the sun (UV rays cause sunburn and rash) and die. These are just theories. Not all of them have been proven as of yet.
The Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog or Sapito Rayado (Atelopus cruciger) is a species of toad
in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Venezuela
.
For years, this species was considered extinct because despite considerable effort, none had been found since 1986. However, in 2003 a small population was found.
Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
s, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and river
s. It is mainly threatened by chytridiomycosis
.
Their main habitat is located on the mountain slopes in Cordillera de la Costa of Venezuela. They are not just located in that general area. These frogs live in Carabobo, Distrito Federal, Yaracuy, Miranda Estadoes Aragua, and Vargas. They are also known to live in Estado Cojedes as well as in Azul. Because of where they have been found, scientists believe that the proper habitat for these frogs is along the mountains on the coast of Venezuela.
Ecological Role: The main sources of food for the Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog are ants and other small insects. With ants and other insects being their source of food, these frogs keep the rapidly growing insect population in check. Their main source of food is similar to what their relatives eat as well.
Population and Conservation Status: Searches have been conducted for this animal in 2004 and then again in 2008. Before then, in 1986, a small population of them was found, thus proving that these rare and endangered amphibians were not extinct. Both searches in 2004 and 2008 found two different populations of them in two different areas. In 2008 are located in the national parks Parque Nacional Henri Pittier, Parque Nacional Rancho Grande and Parque Nacional San Esteban. In 2004 they were found in a small population near a down flowing stream on a mountain side in Venezuela.
Why are the populations declining? Habitat loss is only a small part of it. It is suspected that these frogs are becoming more and more endangered due to prolonged droughts in that area, flooding if the rains come hard and suddenly (remember, their habitat is along streams and riverbanks), as well as climate change, and sudden harsh exposure to ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. If the climate changes suddenly, the frogs might not be able to adapt to the glare of the sun (UV rays cause sunburn and rash) and die. These are just theories. Not all of them have been proven as of yet.
The Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog or Sapito Rayado (Atelopus cruciger) is a species of toad
Toad
A toad is any of a number of species of amphibians in the order Anura characterized by dry, leathery skin , short legs, and snoat-like parotoid glands...
in the Bufonidae family. It is endemic to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
For years, this species was considered extinct because despite considerable effort, none had been found since 1986. However, in 2003 a small population was found.
Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s. It is mainly threatened by chytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease of amphibians, caused by the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a non-hyphal zoosporic fungus. Chytridiomycosis has been linked to dramatic population declines or even extinctions of amphibian species in western North America, Central America, South...
.
Source
- Manzanilla, J., La Marca, E., Heyer, R. & Fernández-Badillo, E. 2004. Atelopus cruciger. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 July 2007.