Atelopus exiguus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and only known from the area of its type locality in the Azuay Province of southern Ecuador, in the sub-páramo and páramo of Cordillera Occidental.[1][2][3] Common name Mazán jambato frog has been proposed for it.[3]

Atelopus exiguus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Atelopus
Species:
A. exiguus
Binomial name
Atelopus exiguus
(Boettger, 1892)
Synonyms[2]

Phryniscus laevis var. exigua Boettger, 1892
Atelopus ignescens exiguaRivero, 1963

Description edit

Adult males measure 21–27 mm (0.83–1.06 in) and females 29–35 mm (1.1–1.4 in) in snout–vent length. The body robust with short and thick legs. The snout is acuminate. The dorsum and flanks are bright yellowish-green to blackish-green, and the venter is yellow to orange. The iris is almost entirely black. The dorsal surfaces have some warts. Tympanum is absent.[3][4]

Habitat and conservation edit

Its natural habitats are sub-páramo and páramo[1] at elevations of 3,000–4,000 m (9,800–13,100 ft) above sea level,[2][3] although it has also been recorded in pastureland. This formerly abundant species is believed to have declined. Both habitat loss (from agriculture, dams, or climate change), chytridiomycosis, and invasive trout are threats. The species occurs in the Cajas National Park and Mazán Protected Forest.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2018). "Atelopus exiguus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T54508A98641331. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T54508A98641331.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Atelopus exiguus (Boettger, 1892)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Ron, S. R.; et al. (2018). Ron, S. R.; Merino-Viteri, A. & Ortiz, D. A. (eds.). "Atelopus exiguus". Anfibios del Ecuador. Version 2019.0. Museo de Zoología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (QCAZ). Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  4. ^ Coloma, Luis A.; Lötters, Stefan & Salas, Antonio W. (2000). "Taxonomy of the Atelopus ignescens complex (Anura: Bufonidae): designation of a neotype of Atelopus ignescens and recognition of Atelopus exiguus". Herpetologica. 56 (3): 303–324. JSTOR 3893408.