True Toads (Family Bufonidae)
This extremely diverse group of ground-dwelling amphibians is found on all continents except Antarctica. Many species have thick warty skin, but some species are smooth skinned. More reliable characteristics of this family are that they have no teeth and males often have a rudimentary ovary known as a bidder’s organ.
In Panama, Harelquin frogs of the genus Atelopus are some of the most brightly colored toads usually living in mountainous areas along streamsides in Central and South America where they lay their eggs. More than 67% of the 110 species of Atelopus are thought to be extinct primarily due to the amphibian chytrid disease. The Panamanian Golden Frog belongs to this family, is a national icon of Panama and probably extinct in the wild due to chytrid-related declines.
Atelopus certus
Conservation Score: 52 (very high priority)
Status in Wild: Endangered due to projected populations declines greater than 80% in 3 generations. Projections inferred from declines in other high altitude Atelopus species in the same region, probably due to chytridiomycosis.
Status in Captivity: Population of around 70 frogs was collected in 2010 and is now housed at the Summit Municipal Park.
Range: South-western Darién, Panama. (50-1,150m). Endemic to Panama.
Habitat: Terrestrial species occurring in montane & submontane forest.
Reproduction: Breeding and larval development in forest streams
Reference: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/54497
Atelopus glyphus
Conservation Score: 56 (very high priority)
Status in Wild: Critically Endangered due to projected populations declines greater than 80% in 3 generations. Projections inferred from declines in other high altitude Atelopus species in the same region, probably due to chytridiomycosis.
Status in Captivity: There are two color forms, the green and black upland color form and a brown lowland colorform with a yellow nose and fingertips. We currently have 8 individuals of the green and black form in the EVACC and Summit facilities, and only one female, its captive status not secure, and all known sites in the wild are now chytrid positive. The lowland colorform still persists in the wild and we have a few individuals at the Summit Municipal Park.
Range: Darien Region, Eastern Panama (884-1,500m).
Habitat: Terrestrial species occurring in montane forest.
Reproduction: Breeding and larval development in forest streams.
Reference: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/54514
Atelopus limosus
Conservation Score: 52 (very high priority)
Status in Wild: Endangered because of limited distribution less than 5,000 km2, in severely fragmented forests. As a lowland species, it is probably less vulnerable to chytridiomycosis than it’s highland counterparts where chytridiomycosis is more prevalent.
Status in Captivity: 15 individuals present in EVACC facility. Not secure.
Range: Eastern Atlantic forests of central Panama. (10-730m). Endemic to Panama.
Habitat: Terrestrial species occurring in tropical lowland forest.
Reproduction: Breeding and larval development in forest streams
Reference: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/54520
Rhamphophryne acrolopha
Conservation Score: 34 (moderate priority)
Status in Wild: Listed as data deficient, but small range makes it cause for concern.
Status in Captivity: None.
Range: Darien Region in Panama and adjacent areas in Colombia (up to 1,400 m).
Habitat: Humid lowland and lower montane forests.
Reproduction: Probably direct development.
