CR

Telmatobius espadai

Declining

Overview

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

Telmatobius espadai faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its restricted high-altitude range in the Bolivian Andes. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have contaminated and destroyed critical aquatic breeding sites. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological conditions of its montane stream habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered frog inhabits high-altitude streams and wetlands in the Bolivian Andes, typically found in clear, cold mountain waters between 3,000-4,000 meters elevation. The species requires pristine aquatic environments with specific temperature and chemical conditions for breeding and larval development.

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

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

Other threatened species in TELMATOBIIDAE

EN

Telmatobius brachydactylus

Declining
Amazonas Water FrogVU

Amazonas Water Frog

Telmatobius atahualpai

Declining
VU

Telmatobius rubigo

Declining
Atacama Water FrogEN

Atacama Water Frog

Telmatobius atacamensis

Declining

Threatened in Bolivia

EN

Puya fosteriana

Unknown
VU

Acaulimalva oriastrum

Unknown
VU

Brachyotum angustifolium

Unknown
VU

Prumnopitys montana

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Telmatobius espadai classified as Critically Endangered?
Telmatobius espadai 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. Telmatobius espadai faces severe threats from habitat degradation in its restricted high-altitude range in the Bolivian Andes. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have contaminated and destroyed critical aquatic breeding sites. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate hydrological conditions of its montane stream habitats.
Where does Telmatobius espadai live?
Telmatobius espadai 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 Telmatobius espadai?
The main threats to Telmatobius espadai are 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 3.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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