Atelopus: The Harlequin Frogs


Frogs are the most widely distributed amphibians around the world with more than 6,300 species recorded. They are also the most threatened vertebrates in the world. And among the most vulnerable frogs, you will find the Harlequin frogs, name given to the small and colorful toads from the genus Atelopus. There are approximately 100 different species of Harlequin toads described by science, all closely related. Most of these species live near mountain ravines, while a few are found in low humid areas, in the Amazon basin.

Harlequin frog (Loreto - Peru).



Fourty years ago, several species of Harlequin toads were relatively common throughout their distribution range, from Costa Rica to Bolivia. However, in the past 30 years, most of the Harlequin frogs have seen their populations plummet dramatically. Most of the known populations of different Atelopus species have disappeared completely, several other have not been seen in years, and some species have already been officially declared extinct. Around 80% of the Harlequin frogs are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The main cause of this hecatomb is chytridiomycosis disease, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). More than 500 species of amphibians have been affected by this disease, 90 species might be event extinct already. The Harlequin frogs have been one of the most affected by the fungus, which, added to the degradation and destruction of their habitats, climate change, and invasive species, have caused that almost   all of the Atelopus species are nowadays threatened with extinction.

 Río Huallaga Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus pulcher), at the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area (San Martín - Peru).


«Most of the known populations of different Atelopus species have disappeared completely...»

Peru is home to almost 20 species of Harlequin frogs, and some are still waiting for a formal description by sciencists. This high diversity in Harlequin frogs ranks Peru in the  third place of countries with more Harlequin frogs in the world, after Colombia and Ecuador. However, many of the described species are known only from a few collected specimens, and many of these have not been seen for years, despite intense efforts to find them. There are some exceptions in which small populations of Atelopus have been rediscovered in recent years throughout their distribution range, giving a fragile hope about their future, in a context in which their natural habitats are rapidly degrading.


«Around 80% of the Harlequin frogs are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered...»



Chachapoyas Stubfoot Toad (Atelopus epikeisthos), critically endangered (Amazonas - Peru). Only six adults specimens have been recorded since the discovery of this species in 1989.



Several conservations efforts are undergoing in diferent countries like Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador. However, these kind of projects to protect the Harlequin frogs are still very limited in my home-country Peru. In that sense, my quest to portrait the Peruvian Harlequin frogs in their natural habitat and showing their beauty is an effort to raise awareness of the fragile future these frogs have. Involving authorities and local communities is key to ensure a sustainable future for the Harlequin frogs. 



Valle del Mayo harlequin frog (Atelopus seminiferus), an endangered species (San Martín - Peru). There are two different morphs of this species, the velvety black and the one with variable colors and motifs, like the one in the photo.




Some curious facts about the harlequin toads:

* They are diurnal animals and are particularly active on sunny days. At night, they usually rest on the surface of leaves at a very low height from the ground.

* Some species can remain weeks, and even months, in amplexus (mating in frogs). During that time, the male stops feeding and can lose up to 30% of his body mass while "hugging" the female.

* Many species have various toxins on their skin, such as Tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin. The bright colors of many species of harlequin toads could be a warning sign to potential predators about their toxicity.

* Some species make a very elaborate visual display of "greetings" with arms and legs to communicate, called "semaphoring".

* Unlike most amphibians, Atelopus are long-lived, being able to live for more than 10 years.



Atelopus pachydermus



Cutervo's harlequin frog (Atelopus pachydermus). It was thought this frog as possibly extinct and currently considered critically endangered. Its last populations survive in the Cutervo National Park, in northern Peru, which has suffered a significant loss of its natural habitat in recent years.











Harlequin frog from the Atelopus spumarius complex, at the Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area, in Loreto, Peru. 










Harlequin's gallery
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