CR

Hyloxalus maquipucuna

Declining

Overview

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

Hyloxalus maquipucuna faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, logging, and human settlement in Ecuador's cloud forest regions. The species' extremely limited range and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and local extinctions. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required for this poison dart frog's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits cloud forests and montane humid forests on the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically at elevations between 1,400-2,000 meters. It requires areas with high humidity, dense vegetation, and permanent water sources for breeding.

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

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

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Blessed Poison FrogVU

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Ranitomeya benedicta

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CR

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Hyloxalus fallax

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EN

Colostethus ucumari

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Ameerega pepperi

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Threatened in Ecuador

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Puya fastuosa

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Diospyros esmereg

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hyloxalus maquipucuna classified as Critically Endangered?
Hyloxalus maquipucuna 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. Hyloxalus maquipucuna faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, logging, and human settlement in Ecuador's cloud forest regions. The species' extremely limited range and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and local extinctions. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions required for this poison dart frog's survival.
Where does Hyloxalus maquipucuna live?
Hyloxalus maquipucuna occurs in Ecuador. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hyloxalus maquipucuna?
The main threats to Hyloxalus maquipucuna are 8.1, 8.2, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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