Atelopus epikeisthos
CR

Atelopus epikeisthos

Declining

Photo: (c) andes2amazonexpeditions, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by andes2amazonexpeditions

Overview

Atelopus epikeisthos, the Peruvian harlequin frog, is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Peru.

Atelopus epikeisthos faces severe population declines primarily due to chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis that has devastated Neotropical amphibian communities. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and human settlement development in its limited montane range compounds these pressures. Climate change may be altering the microclimatic conditions essential for this species' survival, potentially making populations more susceptible to disease outbreaks.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits cloud forests and montane humid environments in the Andes, typically found in areas with persistent moisture and cool temperatures. It occupies elevations between 2,000-3,000 meters where it depends on pristine stream systems and adjacent terrestrial microhabitats.

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

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryLegislation

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Mertensophryne howelli

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Atelopus nahumae

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Threatened in Peru

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Puya fastuosa

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Puya pratensis

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Puya ramonii

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Carcharhinus brachyurus

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Atelopus epikeisthos classified as Critically Endangered?
Atelopus epikeisthos 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. Atelopus epikeisthos faces severe population declines primarily due to chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis that has devastated Neotropical amphibian communities. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and human settlement development in its limited montane range compounds these pressures. Climate change may be altering the microclimatic conditions essential for this species' survival, potentially making populations more susceptible to disease outbreaks.
Where does Atelopus epikeisthos live?
Atelopus epikeisthos occurs in Peru. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Atelopus epikeisthos?
The main threats to Atelopus epikeisthos are 2.1, 2.3, 8.1, and 8.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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