Atelopus pulcher, the Río Huallaga Stubfoot Toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to eastern Peru where it is found in the Huallaga River drainage; its range might extend to Ecuador.[3] Its natural habitats are lowland and premontane tropical forests. It is a diurnal and terrestrial species that breeds in streams.[1]
Description
Atelopus pulcher measures about 35 mm (1.4 in) in snout–vent length. It has a slender body with quite smooth skin. It is blackish brown above, with various light green markings.[4]
Breeding might occur throughout the year. The tadpoles grow to about 6 mm (0.24 in) in body length and 14 mm (0.55 in) in total length. The tadpole is dorso-ventrally flattened and has a large ventral suction disc behind its mouth. It is similar to other Atelopus tadpoles except that its upper beak is shorter than the lower one.[5]
Conservation
Atelopus pulcher is threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss. It is relatively rare species that is declining in abundance and has disappeared from many known localities.[1] It is sometimes collected for the pet trade, and this might contribute to local declines.[6]
^Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Atelopus pulcher Boulenger, 1882". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
^Boulenger, George Albert (1882). Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum (2nd ed.). London: British Museum (Natural History). p. 154.
.jpg)
