Atelopus varius
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[Photo] This species of harlequin toad, Atelopus varius (Critically Endangered), was once abundant in Costa Rica and western Panama. Over 100 separate populations were once known from Costa Rica. Declines began at Monteverde in 1988, and by 1996 it was believed to be extinct in Costa Rica. Serious population crashes have also taken place in Panama, though it was recorded as recently at 2002. A small population was rediscovered in Costa Rica in 2003. Photo: ?? Michael and Patricia Fogden. From: http://www.iucn.org/bookstore/html-books/red%20list%202004/completed/photo4.7.html

The Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius), also known as the clown frog, is a neo-tropical true toad from the family Bufonidae (Crump 1986). 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 (rediscovered in 2003) and is presumed to be extinct in Panama (IUCN, personal correspondence 2007). Recent variation in air temperature, precipitation, stream flow patterns, and the subsequent spread of a pathogenic chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) linked to global climate change have been the leading cause of decline for A. varius (Lips et al. 2003 and Pounds et al. 2006).

Geographic Range
The historic range of A. varius stretched from the Pacific and Atlantic slopes of the Cordilleras de Tilaran mountain range in Costa Rica into Western Panama. Suitable habitat includes both pre-montane and lower-montane zones as well as some lowland sites along rocky streams in hilly areas (ranging from 6 to 2000m in elevation) (Savage 1972). At present, A. varius is restricted to a single lowland site along a stream and small tributary on the Pacific coastal range near Quepos, Costa Rica (personal correspondence 2007).

Habitat and Ecology
A. varius is a diurnal frog often found on rocks or in crevices along streams in humid lowland and montane forests (Crump and Pounds 1985). It is primarily a terrestrial species, only entering the water during breeding season, relying on spray from streams for moisture (Pounds and Crump 1994).

The Costa Rican variable harlequin frog is slow moving and often remains in the same area for long periods of time. The conspicuous or aposematic coloration of A. varius likely serves as a warning to potential predators of the toxicity of the frog’s entugement which contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin (Crump and Pounds 1985). Its main food source is small arthropods that are most abundant during the dry season (Crump 1988). The only known predator of A. varius is a parasitic sarcophagid fly (Notochaeta bufonivora) which deposits its larvae on the surface of the frog’s thigh. The larvae then proceed to burrow inside the frog and eat it from within (Pounds and Crump 1987). In addition, large land crabs have recently been observed attempting to prey on A. varius but it is unclear what, if any, effect this has on the population (personal correspondence 2007).

Conservation Status
In recent decades A. varius has become increasingly rare throughout its geographic range. The first incidence of its disappearance was recorded after a census conducted between 1990 and 1992 near Monteverde, Costa Rica revealed zero individuals where its population had previously peaked at 751 adults (Crump and Pounds 1985 and Pounds and Crump 1994). By 1996 A. varius' was believed to be extinct throughout Costa Rica. However, subsequent surveys carried out by the rainmaker project in 2003 and 2005 rediscovered a population of the endangered frog on the Pacific coastal range near Quepos (IUCN). In Panama, mass mortality has drastically reduced populations of A. varius in recent years and it is now believed to be locally extinct (Lips 1999, personal correspondence 2007). At present only a single population of an estimated 60-95 individuals remains in an isolated location in Costa Rica (personal correspondence 2007).

Several theories related to changes in climatic patterns have been put forth to account for the rapid decline of A. varius. A trend toward rising temperatures across the tropics in the late 80’s and early 90’s has been implicated in the declines of multiple lizard and amphibian species including several Atelopus spp. (Pounds et al. 1999). More recently, an observed global decline in amphibian species richness has been linked to an outbreak of the pathogenic achytridiomycete fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) (Pounds et al. 2006). This pathogen can be transmitted between individuals through shed skin cells and is known to infect keratinized body surfaces where it can impair cutaneous respiration and osmoregulation thus resulting in mortality (Pounds et al. 2006). Current attempts to preserve A. varius include a recently initiated captive breeding program as well as continued efforts to protect vital forest habitat (IUCN).

Recent testing indicates that the remaining population of A. varius is presently free of chytrid infection. In order to avoid future transmission, monitoring is carried out twice annually by a small group of researchers following strict decontamination protocols. Additionally, the persistence of A. varius is threatened by predation, habitat alteration, and the potentially detrimental effects of inbreeding. Current conservation efforts consist of population and microclimate monitoring, genetic studies, and habitat protection. Although evidence suggests that the current population is reproductively active and relatively stable, the long-term prognosis for A. varius is uncertain (personal correspondence 2007).

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