Sad harlequin frog

About the Sad harlequin frog

Atelopus nanay, the Sad harlequin frog, is a species of toads in the family Bufonidae. Atelopus nanay is endemic to Ecuador and inhabits subtropical and tropical high-altitude grasslands, rivers, freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs. It is currently threatened by habitat loss and the Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus. The species name nanay stems from the Quechua word for "sadness", which was chosen to bring attention to the decline of Atelopus species in the Ecuadorian Andes, and to express the loss felt by the native Ecuadorian people.

Atelopus nanay is a toad species located in and around the Cajas National Park in Ecuador, occupying a roughly 85 Km2 range. Species in the genus Atelopus are also called "harlequin frogs" for their variation in color and are known for being lethargic, diurnal, and small. This genus also houses the greatest species diversity within the Bufinoid family. Atelopus nanay has distinct black skin with dark green or brown markings which is generally smooth but can be warty with small white spiculae along its sides. The underside can range from black to creamy gray to brown. Females range in length from 31.7 - 39.6mm... Wikipedia →