CR

Macaya Burrowing Frog

Eleutherodactylus parapelates

Declining

Overview

Eleutherodactylus parapelates is a species of frog in the family Eleutherodactylidae. It is endemic to the Massif de la Hotte in southwestern Haiti. Common names Casillon robber frog and Macaya burrowing frog have been proposed for it.

Eleutherodactylus parapelates 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 local environmental changes and human activities. Deforestation for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching has fragmented its montane forest habitat, while climate change poses additional risks to its specialized high-elevation ecosystem.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane forests at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters in the Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic. It is typically found in primary and secondary cloud forests with dense vegetation and high humidity levels.

Forest· majorCaves and subterranean habitats· major

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryAwareness & communications

Other threatened species in ELEUTHERODACTYLIDAE

Oriente Yellow-mottled FrogVU

Oriente Yellow-mottled Frog

Eleutherodactylus ricordii

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Eleutherodactylus manantlanensisCR

Eleutherodactylus manantlanensis

Unknown
Eleutherodactylus amadeusCR

Eleutherodactylus amadeus

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CR

Haitian Marshfrog

Eleutherodactylus caribe

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Threatened in Haiti

EN

Reynosia cuneifolia

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VU

Neea collina

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Neea demissa

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EN

Plinia caricensis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Macaya Burrowing Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Macaya Burrowing 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 parapelates 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 local environmental changes and human activities. Deforestation for coffee cultivation and cattle ranching has fragmented its montane forest habitat, while climate change poses additional risks to its specialized high-elevation ecosystem.
Where does Macaya Burrowing Frog live?
Macaya Burrowing 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 Macaya Burrowing Frog?
The main threats to Macaya Burrowing Frog are 11.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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