Starry night toad

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]

Starry night toad
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Atelopus
Species:
A. arsyecue
Binomial name
Atelopus arsyecue
Rueda-Almonacid, 1994

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 Sogrome, 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
  1. Rueda, J.V.; Acosta-Galvis, A.; Ramírez Pinilla, M.P.; Osorno-Muñoz, M.; Amézquita, A & Ardila-Robayo, M.C. (2004). "Atelopus arsyecue". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. 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.
  3. "Thought extinct for 30 years, the starry night toad is rediscovered". Animals. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2020-01-06.


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