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Cainarachi poison frog
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Dendrobatidae
Genus:	Ameerega
Species:	A. cainarachi
Binomial name
	Ameerega cainarachi; (Schulte [fr], 1989)
Synonyms
	Epipedobates cainarachi Schulte, 1989; Epipedobates ardens Jungfer [fr], 1989

The Cainarachi poison frog (Ameerega cainarachi) is a species of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae. It is endemic to Amazonian Peru and found in the lowlands adjacent to the northern end of the Eastern Andes.^[4] It was named after the Rio Cainarache Valley, where it was first discovered.^[2]

Taxonomy

Ameerega cainarachi was described as Epipedobates cainarachi by Rainer Schulte [fr] in a publication that appeared in May 1989, and as Epipedobates ardens by Karl-Heinz Jungfer [fr] in a publication that appeared in July 1989.^[5] The species was placed in Ameerega in the major revision of dendrobatids in 2006.^[6]

Description

Males measure 25–26 mm (0.98–1.02 in) and females 28–31 mm (1.1–1.2 in) in snout–vent length. The back of this species is red.^[2]^[3] The sides are black.^[2]

Habitat and conservation

The species' natural habitats are lowland tropical moist forests and "rolling hills" at elevations to about 750 m (2,460 ft) to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture (e.g., coffee and livestock production) and subsistence wood collection.^[1]

The frog's known range includes one protected park, Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area, and the buffer zone of another, Cordillera Azul National Park.^[1]

Reproduction

The tadpoles have been observed swimming in streams with slow-moving water, including places with very little water.^[1]

Threats

The IUCN classifies this frog as endangered and the government of Peru classifies it as near threatened.^[1]

Habitat loss through agriculture and logging

The primary threat to the Cainarachi Poison Frog is the substantial loss of its natural forest habitat, driven by agricultural activities such as coffee, palm oil, and rice cultivation, as well as livestock production and subsistence wood collection. This loss is particularly pronounced near human settlements, where much of the frog's habitat is located.^[1]

Impact of ongoing deforestation on species

Ongoing deforestation exacerbates the vulnerability of the Cainarachi Poison Frog. As human activities continue to cause the loss of forested areas, the species faces a heightened risk of decline. Research indicates that this ongoing habitat destruction could lead to a strong negative impact on the population dynamics of the frog.^[1]

International pet trade

There is considerable demand for this animal on the internatinal pet trade, and the IUCN cites that as a threat to the population.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2020). "Ameerega cainarachi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T55219A175790147. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T55219A175790147.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Schulte, R. (1989). "Nueva especie de rana venenosa del genero Epipedobates registrada en la Cordillera Oriental, Departamento de San Martin". Boletín de Lima. 11: 41–46.
^ ^a ^b Jungfer, K.-H. (1989). "Pfeilgiftfrösche der Gattung Epipedobates mit rot granuliertem Rücken aus dem Oriente von Ecuador und Peru". Salamandra. 25: 81–98.
^ ^a ^b Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Ameerega cainarachi (Schulte, 1989)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
^ Duellman, William Edward (1993). Amphibian species of the world: Additions and corrections. Special Publication. Vol. 21. Natural History Museum, University of Kansas. p. 62. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.16179. ISBN 978-0893380458.
^ Grant, Taran; Frost, Darrel R.; Caldwell, Janalee P.; Gagliardo, Ron; Haddad, Célio F.B.; Kok, Philippe J.R.; Means, D. Bruce; Noonan, Brice P.; Schargel, Walter E.; Wheeler, Ward C. (2006). "Phylogenetic systematics of dart-poison frogs and their relatives (Amphibia: Athesphatanura: Dendrobatidae)" (PDF). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 299: 1–262. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.693.8392. doi:10.1206/0003-0090(2006)299[1:PSODFA]2.0.CO;2. hdl:2246/5803.