Seropédica Frog
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Tracks featuring this species:
Juan Chao, ‘Bichx’
The seropédica frog (Physalaemus soaresi) has been found in two separate locations near Rio de Janeiro. One of the sites, where the species was originally discovered, is experiencing increasing urbanization, bringing several immediate threats to the species including habitat loss.
Photo Credit: Pedro Peloso / Projeto DoTS
Climate connections
Climate change presents a serious and emerging challenge to the survival of many amphibians, which are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. While habitat loss remains a key threat, climate change is now the most common cause of declines in around 30 - 40% of species. This is mostly due to rising temperatures and increasing periods of drought, which limits the ability of amphibians to keep themselves and their offspring moist. Research also suggests that when temperatures vary unpredictably, amphibians might succumb faster to chytridiomycosis - a fungus that has been responsible for killing amphibians around the world.
Read more about the threats posed to amphibians by climate change.
