CR

Pristimantis lichenoides

Declining

Overview

Pristimantis lichenoides is a species of frogs in the family Strabomantidae. It is endemic to Colombia and is only known from the vicinity of its type locality near Samaná in the Caldas Department, on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Central. The specific name lichenoides refers to its lichen-like dorsal coloration as well as its habit of being plastered to rock surfaces, resembling lichens growing on rocks.

Pristimantis lichenoides faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat conversion in its restricted montane cloud forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, while its specialized microhabitat requirements for moss-covered surfaces and specific humidity levels are being disrupted by forest fragmentation. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture balance of cloud forest ecosystems that this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane cloud forests at elevations between 1,800-2,400 meters, where it requires moss-covered rocks, fallen logs, and vegetation in areas with consistently high humidity. It is particularly associated with primary forest environments that maintain the stable microclimate conditions essential for its survival.

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

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recovery

Other threatened species in STRABOMANTIDAE

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Microkayla boettgeri

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CR

Barriga's Rainfrog

Pristimantis barrigai

Declining
VU

Yanayacu Robber Frog

Pristimantis bicantus

Declining
EN

Cundinamarca Robber Frog

Pristimantis affinis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pristimantis lichenoides classified as Critically Endangered?
Pristimantis lichenoides 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. Pristimantis lichenoides faces severe threats from ongoing deforestation and habitat conversion in its restricted montane cloud forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes, while its specialized microhabitat requirements for moss-covered surfaces and specific humidity levels are being disrupted by forest fragmentation. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture balance of cloud forest ecosystems that this species depends upon.
Where does Pristimantis lichenoides live?
Pristimantis lichenoides occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pristimantis lichenoides?
The main threats to Pristimantis lichenoides are 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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