Agua Robber Frog
CR

Agua Robber Frog

Pristimantis pugnax

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristimantis_pugnax

Overview

Pristimantis pugnax is a species of frog in the family Strabomantidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador. Its natural habitats are tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The Agua Robber Frog faces ongoing habitat loss as montane and premontane forests within its restricted range are cleared and fragmented for agriculture and infrastructure development. Its dependence on consistently humid microhabitats makes it particularly sensitive to forest-edge drying effects caused by fragmentation. Chytrid fungus poses an additional and serious risk, as it has driven severe declines in related Pristimantis species across similar elevational zones in Latin America. Combined with its naturally restricted range, these pressures have contributed to a continuing decreasing population trend.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits pristine montane cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes between 2,800 and 3,200 meters elevation, where persistent fog and high humidity create ideal conditions for dense bryophyte communities and diverse microhabitats. The frogs shelter within the humid leaf litter layer, beneath fallen logs, and among moss-covered rocks and tree bases in these perpetually moist environments.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorWetlands (inland)· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in STRABOMANTIDAE

CR

Microkayla boettgeri

Declining
CR

Barriga's Rainfrog

Pristimantis barrigai

Declining
VU

Yanayacu Robber Frog

Pristimantis bicantus

Declining
EN

Cundinamarca Robber Frog

Pristimantis affinis

Declining

Threatened in Colombia

EN

Helena's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca helenae

Stable
VU

Cavendishia macrocephala

Unknown
EN

Cavendishia sessiliflora

Unknown
VU

Macleania crassa

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Agua Robber Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Agua Robber Frog is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Agua Robber Frog faces ongoing habitat loss as montane and premontane forests within its restricted range are cleared and fragmented for agriculture and infrastructure development. Its dependence on consistently humid microhabitats makes it particularly sensitive to forest-edge drying effects caused by fragmentation. Chytrid fungus poses an additional and serious risk, as it has driven severe declines in related Pristimantis species across similar elevational zones in Latin America. Combined with its naturally restricted range, these pressures have contributed to a continuing decreasing population trend.
Where does Agua Robber Frog live?
Agua Robber Frog occurs in Colombia, and Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Agua Robber Frog?
The main threats to Agua Robber Frog are 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, and 8.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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