Distribution, ecology, and conservation of the critically endangered frog Psychrophrynella illimani (Anura: Craugastoridae) with the description of its call

Abstract

Amphibian populations have been declining worldwide for decades with a multitude of causes having been identified. Conservationists try to reverse the situation, but for many species, important information on distribution, habitat and ecology are missing, which makes the assessment of conservation priorities problematic. Although South America holds the largest number of extant amphibian species in the world, many of them are poorly studied. This is also the case for most species of Psychrophrynella, a genus of cold-adapted frogs occurring in the high Andes, the majority of which having only recently been described. We organized an extensive field survey to study the ecology of Psychrophrynella illimani, a critically endangered species endemic to a single valley in Bolivia that has not been reported on again since its discovery in 2002. We found P. illimani to be locally common and here report new localities, extending its known distribution. Furthermore, we provide new information on its morphology, ecology, and reproductive behaviour and describe for the first time its call. We also identify and discuss several threats that might affect this species? survival.