Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog
VU

Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog

Epipedobates espinosai

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epipedobates_espinosai

Overview

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

The turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Ecuador's montane cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. Mining activities in its limited range pose additional threats through water contamination and direct habitat loss. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions essential for this cloud forest specialist.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes, typically found between 1,800-2,400 meters elevation. It requires the consistently humid microclimate of cloud forest understory, often near streams and in areas with dense moss and epiphyte coverage.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog classified as Vulnerable?
Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog faces severe pressure from habitat destruction as Ecuador's montane cloud forests are cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. Mining activities in its limited range pose additional threats through water contamination and direct habitat loss. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the delicate moisture and temperature conditions essential for this cloud forest specialist.
Where does Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog live?
Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog 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 Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog?
The main threats to Turquoise-bellied poison-arrow frog are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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