Let's take care of our biodiversity! These are 5 Peruvian species of amphibians

Peru is home to 622 species of amphibians. Their vivid colors fascinate visitors, who come from all over the world to photograph them. Learn more about some of Peru’s endemic amphibians.

Peru’s biodiversity is unique in the world! Our nation is home to numerous species of flora and fauna, making it a megadiverse country. Among this great biodiversity, we have 622 identified species of amphibians, both terrestrial and aquatic. The greatest variety of them is found in our Amazon, especially in the Manu National Park, a protected natural area located in the Madre de Dios region.

Amphibians in our country are distributed in 3 orders, 20 families and 80 genera. Many amphibian species are endemic (unique to the Peruvian territory), especially in the headwaters of the eastern slopes of the Andes. Eighty percent of the 235 amphibian species whose range extends above 1000 meters’ altitude are endemic to Peru.

What is the difference between a frog and a toad?

Despite belonging to the same order (Anura, meaning “tailless”), frogs and toads have morphological characteristics that distinguish them. For example, frogs tend to have soft, moist, smooth skin or skin with few granulations. Toads, on the other hand, have generally coarse and rougher skin.

Their behaviors and body shape also differentiate them. Frogs have longer legs, which makes it easier for them to jump. Toads, on the other hand, have shorter limbs and do not have long legs for jumping, since they have more terrestrial habits.

ENDEMIC AMPHIBIANS IN PERU

Despite the great variety and fascination of these creatures, which include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians, not everyone knows them. Here we present some of the most interesting amphibians that inhabit the Peruvian territory.

POISON DART FROG

Source: nationalgeographic.com

Scientific name: Ameerega silverstonei. This species has only been observed in two towns within a small area south of the Cordillera Azul, in the department of Huanuco, between 1200 and 1600 meters’ altitude. These towns are on the road from Tingo Maria to Pucallpa.

PERUVIAN DARK-COLORED HARLEQUIN FROG

Source: Jan C. Post

Scientific name: Atelopus seminiferus. It is known from only one town: between Balsa Puerto and Moyobamba, and Rioja, in San Martin. It lives between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level. Unfortunately, it is threatened by chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which adheres to the skin of amphibians, infects it and can cause death.

MARAÑON POISON FROG

Source: 4bp.blogspot.com

Scientific name: Excidobates captivus. It is known only in the valleys between the Cordillera del Condor and the Campanquiz hills in Amazonas. Its distribution is restricted to the surroundings of the mouth of the Santiago River (west side of the Marañon River and surroundings of the Campanquiz hill). It inhabits between 177 and 600 meters’ altitude.

GLASS FROG

Source: upload.wikimedia.org

Scientific name: Centrolene azulae. The bluish coloration of its belly distinguishes it perfectly and explains its common name. Its only known habitat is the town of Fundo Nuevo Mundo, in Cordillera Azul, Huanuco, at 1500 meters’ altitude.

RED AND BLACK FROG

Source: upload.wikimedia.org

Scientific name: Ranitomeya benedicta. It lives in the regions of Loreto and San Martin, between 150 and 405 meters above sea level, in the Sacramento pampas, between the Huallaga River and the Ucayali River. Its name comes from both its place of origin and the difficulty of finding them in the wild. Whoever sees it can consider themselves “blessed.”