Species of the Day: Rabb's Fringe-limbed Treefrog
© Brad Wilson
Species of the Day: Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog, Ecnomiohyla rabborum, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This recently discovered species is found only in the mountains near El Valle de Anton, in central Panama. It inhabits the forest canopy, and may leap from the trees to escape danger, using its outstretched limbs and large, webbed hands and feet to glide safely to the ground. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.amphibians.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
Already uncommon at the time of its discovery, this rare amphibian may possibly have become extinct in the wild after the fungal disease chytridiomycosis arrived in the region in 2006. In addition to disease, forest clearance for the development of luxury holiday homes threatens the species’ habitat, and its restriction to a single, small site makes any remaining population particularly vulnerable. A captive breeding programme is underway for Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog, but has yet to produce positive results. Field surveys are continuing in an attempt to locate any surviving wild individuals, but with perhaps just a single female now remaining, the species’ situation appears to be critical.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
Species of the Day: Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog, Ecnomiohyla rabborum, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. This recently discovered species is found only in the mountains near El Valle de Anton, in central Panama. It inhabits the forest canopy, and may leap from the trees to escape danger, using its outstretched limbs and large, webbed hands and feet to glide safely to the ground. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org www.amphibians.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
Already uncommon at the time of its discovery, this rare amphibian may possibly have become extinct in the wild after the fungal disease chytridiomycosis arrived in the region in 2006. In addition to disease, forest clearance for the development of luxury holiday homes threatens the species’ habitat, and its restriction to a single, small site makes any remaining population particularly vulnerable. A captive breeding programme is underway for Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Treefrog, but has yet to produce positive results. Field surveys are continuing in an attempt to locate any surviving wild individuals, but with perhaps just a single female now remaining, the species’ situation appears to be critical.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
