| Atelopus glyphus | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Atelopus |
| Species: | A. glyphus |
| Binomial name | |
| Atelopus glyphus Dunn, 1931 |
|
Atelopus glyphus is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family. It is found in Colombia and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and rivers. These species are terrestrial, and breeds in forest stream. Even though the reproduction biology of Atelous glyphus has not yet been explained, other species of Atelopus are known to attach their eggs to the undersides of rocks in swift-moving streams, during the dry seasons when water is moderately low. Their eggs are laid in strings, and their larvae develops as the wet season begins, and water flow increases. In addition, all Atelopus tadpoles have large ventral suckers, and are distinct from the mouth, allowing the tadpoles to hang to stream rocks even in torrents. The biggest threat to these species is chytridiomycosis, which is said to arrive at their locality within five years as the chytrid fungus proceeds through Panama. Chytrid has distressed many other species of Atelopus, mainly those associated with montane streams. It is also threatened by habitat loss. It is still not known if these species can survive in disturbed forests. Atelopus glyphus live in two protected areas, one in Panama and second one in Colombia. Even though this guarantees that some suitable habitat is present, it does not protect them from chytrid fungus. Other reasons for Amhibian glyphus to decline include urbanization, climate change, local pesticides, intensified agriculture or grazing. The genus Atelopus happens to be the most threatened clade of amphibians, where 60 of the 85 described Atelopus species are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. In addition, at least 30 species happen to be extinct, and have been missing from all known localities for at least 8 years. The surviving species, with enough data to evaluate population trends, 81% have population sizes that have been reduced by at least half. The higher-elevation species, those living at least 1000 m asl, have been hit the worst, with 75% having disappeared entirely.