Taxonomic notes: This species was previously included in the genus Eleutherodactylus (Crawford and Smith 2005).

This species is endemic to the western central cordillera of Panama. It has been recorded from altitudes of between 910 and 1,450m asl. It has not been recorded from Costa Rica, but may be present in this country.

This is a terrestrial species of humid lowland and montane forest. It breeds by direct development, with eggs deposited on the forest floor.

While there is little information available on the population status of this species, it is known to have declined in the Reserva Forestal Fortuna, Chiriquí.

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The major threat to the species is general habitat loss as a result of smallholder farming activities, logging and human settlement, although the current observed population decline is thought to be due to chytridiomycosis (Lips 1999).

• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas
• 5.3.5 Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded
• 8.1.2 Named species

The species has been recorded from the protected areas of Parque Internacional La Amistad, Bosque Protector Palo Seco, and Reserva Forestal Fortuna. In view of the threat of chytridiomycosis, the status of this species should be closely monitored, and ex-situ populations should be established.

• 5.1.2 National level
• 2.1 Site/area management

Listed as Critically Endangered because of a projected population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the next ten years, as a result of chytridiomycosis.

• Crawford, A.J. and Smith, E.N. 2005. Cenozoic biogeography and evolution in direct-developing frogs of Central America (Leptodactylidae: Eleutherodactylus) as inferred from a phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 25: 536-555.
• Ibáñez, R., Solís, F., Jaramillo, C. and Rand, S. 2000. An overview of the herpetology of Panama. In: J.D. Johnson, R.G. Webb and O.A. Flores-Villela (eds), Mesoamerican Herpetology: Systematics, Zoogeography and Conservation, pp. 159-170. The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas.
• Lips, K.R. 1999. Mass mortality and population declines of anurans at an upland site in western Panama. Conservation Biology: 117-125.
• Lynch, J.D. 1985. A new species of Eleutherodactylus from western Panama (Amphibia: Leptodactylidae). Herpetologica: 443-447.
• Young, B., Sedaghatkish, G., Roca, E. and Fuenmayor, Q. 1999. El Estatus de la Conservación de la Herpetofauna de Panamá: Resumen del Primer Taller Internacional sobre la Herpetofauna de Panamá. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia.