Churuguara Collared Frog vs Merida’s Collared Frog

Mannophryne caquetio compared with Mannophryne collaris

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Churuguara Collared Frog	Merida’s Collared Frog
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class same	Amphibia (สัตว์สะเทินน้ำสะเทินบก)	Amphibia (สัตว์สะเทินน้ำสะเทินบก)
Order same	Anura (อันดับกบ)	Anura (อันดับกบ)
Family same	Aromobatidae	Aromobatidae
Genus same	Mannophryne	Mannophryne
Species	Mannophryne caquetio	Mannophryne collaris

Evolutionary Relationship

Churuguara Collared Frog and Merida’s Collared Frog share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Mannophryne.

Conservation Status

Churuguara Collared Frog

EN — Endangered

Merida’s Collared Frog

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Churuguara Collared Frog	Merida’s Collared Frog
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Churuguara Collared Frog

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Merida’s Collared Frog

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Range

Found in Venezuela. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇻🇪 Venezuela