Atelopus, commonly known as harlequin frogs, is a large genus of true toads from Central and South America, ranging as far north as Costa Rica and as far south as Bolivia. Atelopus are small, generally brightly colored and diurnal. Most species are associated with mid- to high-elevation streams. This genus has been greatly affected by amphibian declines, and many species are now considered endangered, while others already are extinct. The cause of these declines primarily appears to be the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

New Atelopus species are discovered with some regularity and many new species have been described in the last decade (see following species table). Among others, a new species, popularly dubbed the purple fluorescent frog, was discovered in 2007 by scientists Paul Ouboter and Jan Mol during a follow-up survey of the Nassau plateau in Suriname.^[1] Leeanne Alonso from Conservation International, the organisation that led the expedition, says that this frog may be threatened by illegal gold mining.^[2]

Species

See also

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References

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The purple fluorescent frog (Atelopus sp.) was discovered by Suriname scientists Paul Ouboter and Jan Mol during a follow-up survey of the Nassau plateau.^{[citation needed]}

The frog was found in the South American highlands of Suriname. This new species was found when the scientists also discovered two dozen other new species of animals: six types of fishes, 12 dung beetles, and an ant species. Their discovery was made on June 4, 2007.

Leeanne Alonso from Conservation International, the organisation that led the expedition, says that the frog may be threatened by illegal gold mining. ^[1]

References

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