In 2012, Atelopus balios was included among the world's 100 most threatened species in a report by the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the Zoological Society of London.
The Rio Pescado Stubfoot or Harlequin Toad, Atelopus balios, is a brightly colored bufonid frog endemic to slow-moving streams and moist forests of sub-tropical and tropical Ecuador. Considered extinct as a result of the widespread amphibian chytrid fungus that has decimated other amphibian populations including other Atelopus species, the Rio Pescado Stubfoot toad was rediscovered during an October 2010 expedition to Southwestern Ecuador sponsored by Conservation International, the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group and Global Wildlife Conservation.Atelopus balios is thought to be restricted to four small Pacific lowland regions in Ecuador, all of which are currently unprotected areas.The IUCN has identified this species as critically endangered and along with the Zoological Society of London recently declared it as one of the world’s 100 most endangered species.It is vulnerable to pollution, agricultural runoff, and habitat destruction.
(Coloma and Lötters 1996; Conservation International 2011; Cisneros-Heredia et al. 2004; Wikipedia 2013; Baillie and Butcher 2012)
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.[1][3] It is a rare species that was already suspected to be extinct,[1] but a single specimen was discovered in 2011 by a team from Conservation International during a hunt for missing amphibians.[4][5][6][7] 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.[8] There are only 10 known findings of the tadpole, Atelopus balios.[9]
Adult males measure 27–29 mm (1.1–1.1 in)[4] and females 35–37 mm (1.4–1.5 in) in snout–vent length.[10] The snout is pointed. The limbs are long and slender. The fingers and toes are partially webbed.[2] The dorsum is olive green and is covered with rounded black spots that also extend to the limbs. The palms, soles, webbing, and perianal region are orange. The belly is almost totally cream yellow, except for the margins to which the black spots extend.[10] The tail makes up 52% of the total body length.[11]
Its natural habitats are tropical lowland rainforests at elevations of 200–460 m (660–1,510 ft)[1] or 0–900 m (0–2,953 ft)[4] above sea level, depending on the source. It is nocturnal and associated with streams.[4] It is threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss caused by agriculture, logging, and pollution. Its range does not include any protected areas.[1][4]
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.
