CR

Microkayla pinguis

Declining

Overview

Microkayla pinguis is a species of frog in the family Strabomantidae. It is endemic to Bolivia and only known from its type locality in Inquisivi Province, La Paz Department. It is known from an area consisting of a mixture of elfin forest and pastures, where it was found under stones in a humid stream bed. Smallholder agriculture and climate change are potential threats to this species.

Microkayla pinguis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human disturbance. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the specific microhabitat conditions this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits specialized microhabitats within temperate forest ecosystems, typically found in moist, shaded areas with specific soil chemistry requirements. It appears to be restricted to very localized patches of suitable habitat within its narrow geographic range.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorGrassland· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Frequently asked questions

Why is Microkayla pinguis classified as Critically Endangered?
Microkayla pinguis 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. Microkayla pinguis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to urban development and agricultural expansion in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human disturbance. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the specific microhabitat conditions this species requires.
Where does Microkayla pinguis live?
Microkayla pinguis occurs in Bolivia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Microkayla pinguis?
The main threats to Microkayla pinguis are 11.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 3.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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