Puneet Varma (Editor)

Atelopus senex

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Order
  
Anura

Genus
  
Atelopus

Higher classification
  
Atelopus

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Bufonidae

Scientific name
  
Atelopus senex

Rank
  
Species

Similar
  
Atelopus, Frog, Amphibians, Atelopus chiriquiensis

Atelopus senex (common name: pass stubfoot toad) is a critically endangered, possibly extinct species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Costa Rica and known from the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca at elevations of 1,100–2,200 m (3,600–7,200 ft) asl.

Contents

Description

Males measure 28–32 mm (1.1–1.3 in) and females 30–43 mm (1.2–1.7 in) in snout–vent length. Males are bluish gray, blue-green, black, or occasionally greenish, without patterning. Females may have patterning consisting of cream, lemon, or lime-coloured lighter areas.

Habitat and conservation

Its natural habitats are stream margins in premontane and lower montane rainforests. It was formerly abundant but has seen a drastic population decline. Last seen in 1986, it might already be extinct. Its decline is likely to have been caused by chytridiomycosis, although climate change, pet trade, and pollution are also possible threats.

References

Atelopus senex Wikipedia