CR

Merida Rocket Frog

Aromobates meridensis

Declining

Overview

Aromobates meridensis is a species of frog in the family Aromobatidae. It is endemic to the Cordillera de Mérida near Chorotal, Venezuela.

Aromobates meridensis faces severe population decline due to the devastating chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has caused widespread amphibian mortality across its Venezuelan mountain range. Climate change compounds this threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude species, while habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and infrastructure development fragments its already restricted páramo ecosystem.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits the high-altitude páramo ecosystems of the Venezuelan Andes, specifically in cloud forests and grassland transitions between 2,800-3,200 meters elevation. It requires cool, consistently humid microhabitats with abundant moss cover and permanent water sources for breeding.

Wetlands (inland)· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionResource & habitat protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in AROMOBATIDAE

CR

Anomaloglossus tepequem

Unknown
EN

Orellana's Collared Frog

Mannophryne orellana

Stable
EN

Forest Rocket Frog

Aromobates saltuensis

Declining
EN

Aromobates ericksonae

Declining

Threatened in Venezuela

EN

Helena's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca helenae

Stable
VU

Ternstroemia steyermarkii

Declining
VU

Lonchocarpus crassispermus

Declining
CR

Machaerium orthocarpum

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Merida Rocket Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Merida Rocket 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. Aromobates meridensis faces severe population decline due to the devastating chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has caused widespread amphibian mortality across its Venezuelan mountain range. Climate change compounds this threat by altering the cool, humid conditions essential for this high-altitude species, while habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and infrastructure development fragments its already restricted páramo ecosystem.
Where does Merida Rocket Frog live?
Merida Rocket Frog occurs in Venezuela. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Merida Rocket Frog?
The main threats to Merida Rocket Frog are 11.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.