Five new (extinct?) species of Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Andean Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru

Abstract

We studied populations of frogs of the genus Atelopus from the Pasto Massif of the Andes in southern Colombia and northern Ecuador, and from the Huancabamba depression in southern Ecuador and northern Perú and conclude that they belong to six species, five of which are described as new to science. Atelopus angelito is recorded for the first time from Ecuador and its range is extended 183 km (airline) southwest of its type locality in Departamento del Cauca, Colombia. We distinguish the five new species from similar ones using features of coloration, skin texture, and morphometrics. We also include osteological data for four of the new species. A putative hybrid zone at Provincia Imbabura, Ecuador, is proposed to exist between the non-sister taxa A. ignescens and one of the new species. Because recent records of four of the new species and A. angelito are lacking despite search efforts, we hypothesize that they are possibly extinct, as are many other Andean Atelopus. Thus, we categorize these species, applying IUCN Red List criteria, as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). No search efforts have been carried out for one new species (from La Victoria, Colombia); thus, it is included under the Data Deficient category. The conservation of Atelopus is briefly discussed.

High Turnover Rates in Remnant Populations of the Harlequin FrogAtelopus cruciger(Bufonidae): Low Risk of Extinction?

“…Although a global alert has been launched concerning disappearing harlequin frogs, a few species appear to be stable (Acosta-Galvis et al 2006, Luger et al 2008, Coloma et al 2010b, Lötters et al 2011, and others could be recovering . Post-decline delisting of species protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires monitoring the species' response to threats.…”

“…In addition, many species have uncertain conservation status because they are, as yet, undescribed (Coloma et al . ), or require further systematic revision in light of recent phylogenetic analyses (Lötters et al . ).…”

“…The Neotropical harlequin frogs (Atelopus genus) are among the most endangered amphibians. Of the 92 described Atelopus species, 3 have been classified as Extinct, 70 Critically Endangered (4 Possibly Extinct), 6 Endangered, 5 Vulnerable, 4 Data Deficient, and 3 have not been evaluated yet (IUCN 2008, Coloma et al 2010b). Most of these species were moved to higher threat categories during the last 20 yrs (Lötters 2007).…”

“…Most of these species were moved to higher threat categories during the last 20 yrs (Lötters 2007). In addition, many species have uncertain conservation status because they are, as yet, undescribed (Coloma et al 2010b), or require further systematic revision in light of recent phylogenetic analyses (Lötters et al 2011). Although the causes of population declines are still a matter of debate, an emerging disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) (Berger et al 1998, Bonaccorso et al 2003, Lips et al 2006, climate change (Ron et al 2003, Pounds & Crump 1994, Pounds et al 2006 and, in few cases, habitat loss (Stuart et al 2008) have been associated with population crashes of harlequin frogs.…”

“…Moreover, most of them are known to be from very restricted distributions , Stuart et al 2008. Although captive programs are now developing in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, U.S.A., and Canada to assure the ex situ survival of some of these harlequin frogs, a captive population with sufficient founder individuals has been maintained only for Atelopus zeteki (Poole 2008, Coloma et al 2010b). The demographic data required for designing reintroduction strategies from captive population-selection of adequate life stages, minimum viable population, and time frames over which 'success' can be realistically assessed-are also lacking for all species.…”