CR

Citadel Frog

Eleutherodactylus poolei

Declining

Overview

Eleutherodactylus poolei is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to Nord, Haiti, where it is only known from the Citadelle Laferrière, and possibly from nearby Carrefour Marmelade. It was found in a moist dungeon of the Citadelle Laferrière and was last recorded in 1985. It probably occurs in the surrounding forest. Habitat loss caused by logging and agriculture is threat to this species. The fort itself is a World Heritage Site.

Eleutherodactylus poolei faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range in the Dominican Republic. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human activities. Invasive species and potential climate change impacts on montane forest ecosystems further compound the risks to this endemic frog's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane forests in the Dominican Republic, typically found in humid forest environments at higher elevations. It requires intact forest canopy and leaf litter for breeding and foraging activities.

Forest· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

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Eleutherodactylus manantlanensisCR

Eleutherodactylus manantlanensis

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Eleutherodactylus amadeusCR

Eleutherodactylus amadeus

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Reynosia cuneifolia

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Neea collina

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Neea demissa

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Plinia caricensis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Citadel Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Citadel 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. Eleutherodactylus poolei faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range in the Dominican Republic. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human activities. Invasive species and potential climate change impacts on montane forest ecosystems further compound the risks to this endemic frog's survival.
Where does Citadel Frog live?
Citadel Frog occurs in Haiti. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Citadel Frog?
The main threats to Citadel Frog are 11.1, 2.1, 5.3, and 5.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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