Starry night toad
| Starry night toad | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Bufonidae |
| Genus: | Atelopus |
| Species: | A. arsyecue
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| Binomial name | |
| Atelopus arsyecue Rueda-Almonacid, 1994
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The starry night toad (Atelopus arsyecue) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.[2] Its natural habitats are sub-Andean and Andean forests, sub-páramo and páramo at 2,000–3,500 m (6,600–11,500 ft) above sea level. Reproduction takes place in fast-flowing rivers. It is named after its unique coloration, being largely black with white spots.[3]
It is threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss and was feared extinct for over 30 years.[1] However, its continued existence was known to the Arhuaco community in , who referred to the animal as gouna and considered its habitat a sacred location. In 2019, the tribe consented to collaboration with researchers and showed them the living population, marking the first sighting of this species by researchers in over 30 years.[3]
References[]
- ^ a b IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2017). "Atelopus arsyecue". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T54489A49534521. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T54489A49534521.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2014). "Atelopus arsyecue Rueda-Almonacid, 1994". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Thought extinct for 30 years, the starry night toad is rediscovered". Animals. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
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- IUCN Red List critically endangered species
- Atelopus
- Amphibians of Colombia
- Endemic fauna of Colombia
- Páramo fauna
- Amphibians described in 1994
- Bufonidae stubs