CR

Petropolis River Frog

Thoropa petropolitana

Unknown

Overview

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

Thoropa petropolitana faces severe threats from urban expansion and infrastructure development in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, which has fragmented and destroyed much of its rocky stream habitat. The species is particularly vulnerable to water pollution from urban runoff and sewage discharge, which degrades the water quality essential for its aquatic larvae. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the seasonal water flows critical for breeding.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits rocky streams and seepages in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, particularly in areas with granite outcrops and cascading water. It is endemic to the mountainous regions around Rio de Janeiro, where it breeds in shallow pools and rock crevices along permanent and semi-permanent watercourses.

Forest· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in CYCLORAMPHIDAE

CR

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Cycloramphus granulosus

Unknown
VU

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Stable
CR

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Cycloramphus catarinensis

Unknown
Campo Grande Button FrogCR

Campo Grande Button Frog

Cycloramphus semipalmatus

Unknown

Threatened in Brazil

Curlew SandpiperVU

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Argentinean Horned FrogVU

Argentinean Horned Frog

Ceratophrys ornata

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Artichoke CoralCR

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Scolymia cubensis

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VU

Mussismilia hispida

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Petropolis River Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Petropolis River 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. Thoropa petropolitana faces severe threats from urban expansion and infrastructure development in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, which has fragmented and destroyed much of its rocky stream habitat. The species is particularly vulnerable to water pollution from urban runoff and sewage discharge, which degrades the water quality essential for its aquatic larvae. Climate change poses additional risks through altered precipitation patterns that could affect the seasonal water flows critical for breeding.
Where does Petropolis River Frog live?
Petropolis River Frog occurs in Brazil. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Petropolis River Frog?
The main threats to Petropolis River Frog are 8.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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