antonsrkn
On the Brink
Atelopus pulcher - San Martin Department, Peru
For any herpetologist or amphibian enthusiast an Atelopus is a noteworthy find. The story of Atelopus is rather tragic, years ago they were common and easily found but then they started to mysteriously disappear, at first researchers were baffled. Then the culprit was identified, the Chytrid fungus. The fungus continued to sweep through the range of these beautiful toads wiping out populations and entire species, now those species that are not extinct are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the IUCN. Sadly, populations of these stubfoot toads continue to decline and we are losing some species before they are even discovered. Prior to Peru, all my previous attempts at finding Atelopus have not amounted to much as I searched areas they had disappeared from years earlier. After bleaching our boots (to kill any potential fungus or other pathogens) we went searching for the charismatic toads here in Peru. Our efforts were rewarded and we managed to find several Atelopus pulcher, a critically endangered species which is endemic to Peru and perhaps a small portion of Ecuador. More photos and info about these coming soon!
On the Brink
Atelopus pulcher - San Martin Department, Peru
For any herpetologist or amphibian enthusiast an Atelopus is a noteworthy find. The story of Atelopus is rather tragic, years ago they were common and easily found but then they started to mysteriously disappear, at first researchers were baffled. Then the culprit was identified, the Chytrid fungus. The fungus continued to sweep through the range of these beautiful toads wiping out populations and entire species, now those species that are not extinct are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the IUCN. Sadly, populations of these stubfoot toads continue to decline and we are losing some species before they are even discovered. Prior to Peru, all my previous attempts at finding Atelopus have not amounted to much as I searched areas they had disappeared from years earlier. After bleaching our boots (to kill any potential fungus or other pathogens) we went searching for the charismatic toads here in Peru. Our efforts were rewarded and we managed to find several Atelopus pulcher, a critically endangered species which is endemic to Peru and perhaps a small portion of Ecuador. More photos and info about these coming soon!