Taxonomic notes: Section empty

This species is only known from one locality at La Victoria, Departamento Nariño, in the Andes of southern Colombia, at an elevation of approximately 2,700 m asl (Coloma et al. 2010).This single site is considered to be one threat-defined location.  

Very little is known about its ecology. Gravid females were found in 1970 (Coloma et al. 2010), but details of reproduction or preferred macro- and micro-habitats remain unknown. However, based on information from other congeners, it is probable that it may reproduce by larval development. In addition, it is possible that this species may be a montane forest dweller given the surrounding habitat of its type locality.

It is currently known only from the type series, collected in 1970 (Coloma et al. 2010). There have not been any recent targeted survey efforts at the type locality to determine the population status of this species.

There are no reports of this species being utilized.

Although this species has not been searched for recently, agricultural encroachment could constitute a threat assuming that this species may be a habitat specialist, given that the type locality is now cultivated (see Coloma et al. 2010). In addition, chytrid fungus has been reported from a nearby area in northern Ecuador (Ron and Merino 2000 in Coloma et al. 2010) and could potentially also occur here, although this needs further research.

• 8.1.2 Named species
• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming

It is not known to occur in any protected areas. Further surveys of high montane regions within southern Colombia and northern Ecuador are urgently required to determine if this species is still extant.

Listed as Critically Endangered given that, even though there is no recent information on this species, it is known from a single site and threat-defined location, estimated to have an extent of occurrence (EOO) below 100 km², and there is a continuing decline in the montane forest habitat of its type locality in southern Colombia due to agricultural practices.

• Coloma, L.A., Duellman, W.E., Almendariz, C.A., Ron, S.R., Teran-Valdez, A. and Guayasamin, J.M. 2010. Five new (extinct?) species of Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Andean Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Zootaxa 2571: 1-54.
• Ron, S.R. and Merino, A. 2000. Amphibian declines in Ecuador: overview and first report of chytridiomycosis from South America. FrogLog 42: 2-3.