Carrikeri Harlequin Frog
Encyclopedia
The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog, Atelopus carrikeri, is a species of toad
in the Bufonidae family. It is approximately five centimeters (2 in) long and typically black, though some populations have orange coloration. This species is endemic to northern Colombia
. It is critically endangered because of the virulent chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
, and habitat destruction due to agriculture. Though the species had not been seen since 1994, it was rediscovered in early 2008.
s. One specimen even had the warts covering the entire body. The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog has short legs with rounded fingers and toes. While its fingers are unwebbed, its toes are broadly webbed, though its first toe is distinct. Its head is as broad as it is long.
. Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical moist montane
s, subtropical or tropical high-altitude páramo
grassland
, and river
s. In addition, it is known to survive in snow-covered areas. It is found at elevations between 2,350 and 4,800 meters (ft). However, much of this habitat has been destroyed for agricultural purposes, which has contributed to the frog's decline.
, crop fumigation
, and, most significantly, the virulent chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
. This fungus was predicted to lower the population of the species by over 80%. The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog was rediscovered after an absence of 14 years by a Project Atelopus team in early 2008 in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
mountains of Magdalena, Colombia.
Toad
A toad is any of a number of species of amphibians in the order Anura characterized by dry, leathery skin , short legs, and snoat-like parotoid glands...
in the Bufonidae family. It is approximately five centimeters (2 in) long and typically black, though some populations have orange coloration. This species is endemic to northern Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. It is critically endangered because of the virulent chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a chytrid fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis. In the decade after it was first discovered in amphibians in 1998, the disease devastated amphibian populations around the world, in a global decline towards multiple extinctions, part of the Holocene...
, and habitat destruction due to agriculture. Though the species had not been seen since 1994, it was rediscovered in early 2008.
Taxonomy
This species was initially described by Alexander G. Ruthven in 1916 from specimens collected by M. A. Carriker, Jr. in 1914. In 1994, a new species, Atelopus leoperezii, was described, only to later be determined to be the same species as the Carrikeri Harlequin Frog. Its closest relative was believed to be now-extinct Atelopus ignescens of Ecuador.Description
The frog is about five centimeters (two in) long. The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog has at least two color phases, with the rarer orange population being the one recently rediscovered. However, the frog is typically all black, although it is a slightly lighter shade on its belly. In adults the skin is smooth except for a patch of spiny warts on the side. The area that these warts cover varies, with some specimens displaying them from their eyes to their arms and others displaying it from their eyes to their femurFemur
The femur , or thigh bone, is the most proximal bone of the leg in tetrapod vertebrates capable of walking or jumping, such as most land mammals, birds, many reptiles such as lizards, and amphibians such as frogs. In vertebrates with four legs such as dogs and horses, the femur is found only in...
s. One specimen even had the warts covering the entire body. The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog has short legs with rounded fingers and toes. While its fingers are unwebbed, its toes are broadly webbed, though its first toe is distinct. Its head is as broad as it is long.
Distribution and habitat
It is endemic to about 627 km² (242.1 sq mi) in northern ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical moist montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
s, subtropical or tropical high-altitude páramo
Páramo
The term páramo can refer to a variety of ecosystems. Some ecologists describe the páramo broadly as “all high, tropical, montane vegetation above the continuous timberline”. A more narrow term classifies the páramo according to its regional placement - specifically located in “the northern Andes...
grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
, and river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s. In addition, it is known to survive in snow-covered areas. It is found at elevations between 2,350 and 4,800 meters (ft). However, much of this habitat has been destroyed for agricultural purposes, which has contributed to the frog's decline.
Ecology and behavior
This species lays its eggs in chains in freshwater mountain streams, where its tadpoles develop.Conservation
While the frog was common historically, it is currently critically endangered due to habitat loss from agriculture, climate changeClimate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
, crop fumigation
Fumigation
Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides—or fumigants—to suffocate or poison the pests within. It is utilized for control of pests in buildings , soil, grain, and produce, and is also used during processing of goods to be imported or...
, and, most significantly, the virulent chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is a chytrid fungus that causes the disease chytridiomycosis. In the decade after it was first discovered in amphibians in 1998, the disease devastated amphibian populations around the world, in a global decline towards multiple extinctions, part of the Holocene...
. This fungus was predicted to lower the population of the species by over 80%. The Carrikeri Harlequin Frog was rediscovered after an absence of 14 years by a Project Atelopus team in early 2008 in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is an isolated mountain range apart from the Andes chain that runs through Colombia. Reaching an altitude of 5,700 metres above sea level just 42 km from the Caribbean coast, the Sierra Nevada is the world's highest coastal range...
mountains of Magdalena, Colombia.