CR

Sierra Rocket Frog

Aromobates serranus

Declining

Overview

Aromobates serranus is a species of frog in the family Aromobatidae. It is endemic to Venezuela where it is only known from its type locality in the Libertador Municipality, Mérida.

Aromobates serranus faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted Venezuelan range. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change effects on montane cloud forest ecosystems, which are experiencing altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the already limited suitable habitat available to this endemic poison frog.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane cloud forests and humid premontane forests in the Venezuelan Andes, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires areas with consistent moisture levels, dense vegetation cover, and suitable breeding sites near streams or temporary water bodies.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Species 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 Sierra Rocket Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Sierra 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 serranus faces severe population decline due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its restricted Venezuelan range. The species is particularly vulnerable to climate change effects on montane cloud forest ecosystems, which are experiencing altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the already limited suitable habitat available to this endemic poison frog.
Where does Sierra Rocket Frog live?
Sierra 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 Sierra Rocket Frog?
The main threats to Sierra Rocket Frog are 2.1, 2.3, 8.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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