Atelopus_pulcher

<i>Atelopus pulcher</i>

Atelopus pulcher

Species of amphibian

Atelopus pulcher is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to eastern Peru where it is found in the Huallaga River drainage; its range might extend to Ecuador.[3] Its natural habitats are lowland and premontane tropical forests. It is a diurnal and terrestrial species that breeds in streams.[1]

Quick Facts Atelopus pulcher, Conservation status ...

Description

Atelopus pulcher measures about 35 mm (1.4 in) in snout–vent length. It has a slender body with quite smooth skin. It is blackish brown above, with various light green markings.[4]

Breeding might occur throughout the year. The tadpoles grow to about 6 mm (0.24 in) in body length and 14 mm (0.55 in) in total length. The tadpole is dorso-ventrally flattened and has a large ventral suction disc behind its mouth. It is similar to other Atelopus tadpoles except that its upper beak is shorter than the lower one.[5]

Conservation

Atelopus pulcher is threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss. It is relatively rare species that is declining in abundance and has disappeared from many known localities.[1] It is sometimes collected for the pet trade, and this might contribute to local declines.[6]

  • Atelopus pulcher, Tarapoto, Peru
  • Illustration by Robert Mintern.

References

  1. [1]
    IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Atelopus pulcher". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T54544A3016090. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T54544A3016090.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Atelopus pulcher". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  3. [3]
    Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Atelopus pulcher Boulenger, 1882". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  4. [4]
    Boulenger, George Albert (1882). Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum (2nd ed.). London: British Museum (Natural History). p. 154.
  5. [5]
    Gascon, Claude (1989). "The tadpole of Atelopus pulcher Boulenger (Annura, Bufonidae) from Manaus, Amazonas" (PDF). Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 6 (2): 235–239. doi:10.1590/s0101-81751989000200007.
  6. [6]
    La Marca, E.; Lips, K. R.; Lotters, S.; Puschendorf, R.; Ibanez, R.; Rueda-Almonacid, J. V.; Schulte, R.; Marty, C.; Castro, F.; Manzanilla-Puppo, J.; Garcia-Perez, J. E.; Bolanos, F.; Chaves, G.; Pounds, J. A.; Toral, E.; Young, B. E. (2005). "Catastrophic population declines and extinctions in Neotropical harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus)". Biotropica. 37 (2): 190–201. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7429.2005.00026.x. S2CID 56436484.
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