CRCritically Endangered

Telmatobius verrucosus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Telmatobius verrucosus faces severe population declines primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated high-altitude Andean frog populations. Habitat degradation from mining activities, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in its limited montane range compounds these pressures. Climate change threatens to alter the specific temperature and moisture conditions this species requires in its high-elevation aquatic habitats.
Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits high-altitude aquatic environments in the Andes, typically found in streams, springs, and wetlands between 3,000-4,500 meters elevation. It requires cool, well-oxygenated water bodies with rocky substrates in montane grassland and scrubland ecosystems.

Grassland· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in TELMATOBIIDAE

Telmatobius brachydactylus

Declining

Amazonas Water Frog

Telmatobius atahualpai

Declining

Telmatobius rubigo

Declining

Atacama Water Frog

Telmatobius atacamensis

Declining

Threatened in Argentina

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

Declining

Achala Escuerzo-Frog

Odontophrynus achalensis

Declining

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining

Gubernatrix cristata

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Telmatobius verrucosus classified as Critically Endangered?

Telmatobius verrucosus 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. Telmatobius verrucosus faces severe population declines primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated high-altitude Andean frog populations. Habitat degradation from mining activities, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in its limited montane range compounds these pressures. Climate change threatens to alter the specific temperature and moisture conditions this species requires in its high-elevation aquatic habitats.

Where does Telmatobius verrucosus live?

Telmatobius verrucosus occurs in Argentina, and Bolivia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to Telmatobius verrucosus?

The main threats to Telmatobius verrucosus are 2.1, 3.2, 8.1, and 9.3.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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