Atelopus is a large genus of Bufonidae, commonly known as harlequin frogs or toads, from Central and South America, ranging as far north as Costa Rica and as far south as Bolivia. Atelopus species are small, generally brightly colored, and diurnal. Most species are associated with mid-to-high elevation streams.
Atelopus longirostris is a species of harlequin frog, a member of the family of true toads (Bufonidae). It has been recorded only in northern Ecuador. Records from Colombia probably represent different species. Once listed as extinct by the IUCN, it was rediscovered in 2016 after more than two decade with no sightings.
The Panamanian golden frog, also known as Cerro Campana stubfoot toad and other names, is a species of toad endemic to Panama. Panamanian golden frogs inhabit the streams along the mountainous slopes of the Cordilleran cloud forests of west-central Panama. While the IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered, it may in fact have been extinct in the wild since 2007. Individuals have been collected for breeding in captivity in a bid to preserve the species. The alternative common name, Zetek's golden frog, and the epithet zeteki both commemorate the entomologist James Zetek.
Atelopus varius, the Costa Rican variable harlequin toad or clown frog, is a small Neotropical true toad from the family Bufonidae. Once ranging from Costa Rica to Panama, A. varius is now listed as critically endangered and has been reduced to a single remnant population near Quepos, Costa Rica, and has only relict populations in western Panama. Recent variation in air temperature, precipitation, stream flow patterns, and the subsequent spread of a pathogenic chytrid fungus linked to global climate change have been the leading cause of decline for A. varius. A. zeteki has been considered a subspecies of A. varius, but is now generally considered a separate species.
The starry night harlequin toad is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. 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. It is named after its unique coloration, being largely black with white spots.
Atelopus balios, the Rio Pescado stubfoot toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to southwestern Ecuador, with records from Pacific lowlands in Azuay, Cañar, and Guayas Provinces. It is a rare species that was already suspected to be extinct, but a single specimen was discovered in 2011 by a team from Conservation International during a hunt for missing amphibians. The decline in amphibian populations is well documented. The Atelopus balios is Critically Endangered as a result of the widespread amphibian Chytridiomycosis fungus that has decimated other amphibian populations. There are only 10 known findings of the tadpole, Atelopus balios.
Atelopus chiriquiensis, the Chiriqui harlequin frog or Lewis' stubfoot toad, is an extinct species of toad in the family Bufonidae that was found in the Cordillera de Talamanca in Costa Rica and western Panama. Its natural habitats were stream margins in lower montane wet forests and rainforests. Its elevational range was 1,400–2,500 m (4,600–8,200 ft) asl.
The elegant stubfoot toad or Pacific jambato frog is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae found in lowlands and Andean slopes of northwest Ecuador to 1,140 m (3,740 ft) asl and on the Gorgona Island, off southwest coast of Colombia. It was described by George Albert Boulenger in 1882 based on a specimen collected by Edward Whymper. It is known in Spanish as rana jambato del Pacífico or simply jambato del Pacífico.
Atelopus exiguus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and only known from the area of its type locality in the Azuay Province of southern Ecuador, in the sub-páramo and páramo of Cordillera Occidental. Common name Mazán jambato frog has been proposed for it.
Atelopus halihelos, the Morona-Santiago stubfoot toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. The IUCN estimates that there’s only 0-49 individuals left in the wild.
Atelopus ignescens, the Jambato toad or Quito stubfoot toad or Jambato harlequin frog, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the northern Andes of Ecuador. This once abundant species was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2016. The specific name ignescens means "to catch fire," presumably in reference to the orange ventral color of this species.
Atelopus laetissimus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Colombia and only known from the area of its type locality in the northwestern part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in the Magdalena Department.
Atelopus limosus, the limosa harlequin frog is an endangered species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to Panama. Its natural habitats are stream banks in tropical moist lowland forests and rivers of the Chagres watershed in central Panama.
Atelopus longibrachius, the El Tambo stubfoot toad, is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Colombia and known from the region of its type locality, El Tambo, Cauca, as well as from Chocó, both on the western flanks of Cordillera Occidental. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests where it lives on the ground. Breeding is assumed to take place in streams. It is potentially threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss.
Atelopus oxyrhynchus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, rivers, and intermittent rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Atelopus palmatus is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Cordillera Oriental of eastern Ecuador and is known from the Napo and Pastaza Provinces at elevations of 1,150–1,740 m (3,770–5,710 ft) above sea level. Its type locality is "Rio Pastaza".
Atelopus senex is an extinct species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It was 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.
The scarlet harlequin toad or sapito arlequin de Soriano is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. The scarlet harlequin toad was a bright orange, with males growing up to 38-41.5mm and females growing up 42-50mm. It is threatened by habitat loss, and may already be extinct. The toad is among the 25 “most wanted lost” species that are the focus of Re:wild’s “Search for Lost Species” initiative.
Atelopus eusebiodiazi is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to north-western Peru and only known from its type locality in Huamba, near Ayabaca, Piura Region. The specific name eusebiodiazi honors Eusebio Diaz, taxidermist at the Museum of Natural History, Lima, and the collector of the holotype.
