Churuguara Collared Frog

The Churuguara collared frog (Mannophryne caquetio) is a small terrestrial frog in the family Aromobatidae, endemic to northwestern Venezuela. It inhabits humid montane and premontane forests in the Falcón and Lara states, occupying rocky streamsides, leaf litter, and moss-covered boulders at elevations from approximately 500 to 1,500 meters. Like other members of the genus Mannophryne, this species exhibits a distinctive collar-like throat pattern used in territorial and mate-attraction displays. Males guard egg clutches deposited on moist surfaces and may transport hatched tadpoles to water. The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, reflecting its restricted geographic range, habitat specificity, and ongoing threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and illegal wildlife collection. Venezuela's montane forests harbor exceptional amphibian diversity but remain poorly protected outside a few national parks. The Churuguara collared frog is part of a broader radiation of Mannophryne species across the northern Andes and Venezuelan coastal ranges, many of which are similarly threatened. Its cryptic coloration and secretive behavior make population monitoring challenging. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) poses an additional emerging threat to this and related Neotropical amphibians. Targeted surveys and habitat protection in the Falcón highlands are critical for the species' long-term survival.