Centrolene buckleyi
CR

Centrolene buckleyi

Local name: Buckley’s Glassfrog

Declining

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

Overview

Centrolene buckleyi is a species of frog in the family Centrolenidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and rivers.

It is a medium-sized glassfrog with a uniform green dorsum, a white upper lip that usually continues as a white line across the flanks, and adult males have a large humeral spine; the anterior venter is opaque and the posterior portion is translucent. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss. It is named for the naturalist Samuel Botsford Buckley.

Centrolene buckleyi faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in Ecuador's cloud forest regions. The species is particularly vulnerable to chytrid fungal infections, which have devastated glass frog populations throughout the Andes. Climate change compounds these threats by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions essential for this species' survival and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

Centrolene buckleyi inhabits pristine cloud forests and montane rainforests of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically found near streams and rivers at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters. This glass frog requires undisturbed forest canopy with high humidity levels and clean flowing water for breeding.

Grassland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in CENTROLENIDAE

EN

Medem's Glassfrog

Centrolene medemi

Declining
VU

Sachatamia punctulata

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Centrolene quindianumVU

Centrolene quindianum

Declining
VU

Western Cochran Frog

Rulyrana adiazeta

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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 Buckley’s Glassfrog classified as Critically Endangered?
Buckley’s Glassfrog 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. Centrolene buckleyi faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in Ecuador's cloud forest regions. The species is particularly vulnerable to chytrid fungal infections, which have devastated glass frog populations throughout the Andes. Climate change compounds these threats by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions essential for this species' survival and reproduction.
Where does Buckley’s Glassfrog live?
Buckley’s Glassfrog occurs in Colombia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Buckley’s Glassfrog?
The main threats to Buckley’s Glassfrog are 1.1, 11.1, 2.1, and 3.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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