Did you know? Scientists believe we may be entering the sixth period of mass extinction, this time caused by humans [4].
About Atelopus varius
Atelopus is the Latin name given to the genus of the Harlequin toads, which in turn is made up of a number species. The exact number of species is unclear given the remote location of natural habitat and their cryptic nature, but was accepted to be 113 in 2005 [5]. The Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad is one of these species.
The Harlequin Toad's Habitat and Ecology
Previously present throughout much of Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, the species has been in rapid decline since the late 1980s, thought to have been made extinct in Costa Rica by 1996. However, surveys conducted in 2003 and 2005 revealed a remnant population in Costa Rica near Quepos in the Pacific Coastal Range [2]. Some limited populations also remain extant in Panama. There remains some uncertainty over the exact distribution of this species due to the small population size and remote habitat location. The map below shows the geographical range across Costa Rica (in red) and Panama (in yellow), where the Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad can survive. The Harlequin toad is a diurnal species found in lowland and montane cloud forest in Costa Rica and Panama, ranging from 16 - 2000 metres above sea level, often associated with fast-flowing streams [6].
The Harlequin Toad's Habitat and Ecology
Previously present throughout much of Costa Rica and Panama in Central America, the species has been in rapid decline since the late 1980s, thought to have been made extinct in Costa Rica by 1996. However, surveys conducted in 2003 and 2005 revealed a remnant population in Costa Rica near Quepos in the Pacific Coastal Range [2]. Some limited populations also remain extant in Panama. There remains some uncertainty over the exact distribution of this species due to the small population size and remote habitat location. The map below shows the geographical range across Costa Rica (in red) and Panama (in yellow), where the Costa Rican Variable Harlequin Toad can survive. The Harlequin toad is a diurnal species found in lowland and montane cloud forest in Costa Rica and Panama, ranging from 16 - 2000 metres above sea level, often associated with fast-flowing streams [6].
Cloud Forest Formation
Seaward winds approach the land and are forced up the steep mountain sides of Central America. This causes cooling of the air, leading to condensation and cloud formation. As a result, such areas as Costa Rica and Panama have tropical rainforest habitat enveloped by cloud, providing high humidity and moisture content [7] - a habitat that the Harlequin toad depends on.
Toxic Toads
In order to exchange respiratory gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) across the skin, amphibians keep their skin moist by secreting mucus from specialised skin glands. However, this creates the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal growth [8]. In an evolutionary attempt to deal with this, and predation, the Harlequin toad steadily secretes small volumes of the toxin ‘tetrodotoxin’ from glands beneath the skin, providing an effective defence against microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi which pose a real threat to the toads in such a humid, moist environment [8].
Seaward winds approach the land and are forced up the steep mountain sides of Central America. This causes cooling of the air, leading to condensation and cloud formation. As a result, such areas as Costa Rica and Panama have tropical rainforest habitat enveloped by cloud, providing high humidity and moisture content [7] - a habitat that the Harlequin toad depends on.
Toxic Toads
In order to exchange respiratory gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) across the skin, amphibians keep their skin moist by secreting mucus from specialised skin glands. However, this creates the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal growth [8]. In an evolutionary attempt to deal with this, and predation, the Harlequin toad steadily secretes small volumes of the toxin ‘tetrodotoxin’ from glands beneath the skin, providing an effective defence against microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi which pose a real threat to the toads in such a humid, moist environment [8].
Click here for an interactive map of the Harlequin toad's geographical range.