Natural history notes of Telmatobius dankoi (Anura, Telmatobiidae), a critically endangered species from northern Chile

ABSTRACT

Telmatobius dankoi is a species described from only one locality in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile and therefore is considered to be critically endangered. There has been no information on its biology or ecology since its original description in 1999. Here we provide information on its distribution, habitat, density, diet and threats. The habitat of this species is restricted to a single stream, where it is submitted to strong anthropic pressure. Its density suggests that it forms only a small population. The diet consisted mainly of benthic invertebrates. Telmatobius dankoi is thus one of the most threatened vertebrates of Chile.

KEYWORDS:

• Telmatobius
• ecology
• conservation
• Oasis de Calama

Acknowledgments

We especially thank Charif Tala, Roberto Villablanca and Sandra Díaz for their support in the development of this topic in the country. Cristian Perez helped with cogent criticisms. The authors deeply appreciate the critical comments of anonymous reviewers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially financed by the Ministry of the Environment of Chile as part of the Project for Recovery, Conservation and Management of Chilean Amphibians, and by the Environmental Protection Fund 2-G-022-2015 Ministry of the Environment of Chile.