Atelopus vogli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atelopus vogli |
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Atelopus cruciger vogli Müller, 1934 |
Atelopus vogli was a type of harlequin frog that is now extinct. This special frog used to live only in Venezuela. Scientists found it in two main places: Las Peñas in Aragua and Montalbán in Carabobo.
It was first thought to be a kind of Atelopus cruciger. The name vogli was given to honor Cornelius Vogl, a German priest who worked in Venezuela for many years. People also called it Vogl's harlequin toad.
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What Did Atelopus vogli Look Like?
Size and Shape
Adult male Atelopus vogli frogs were about 21–29 mm (0.83–1.14 in) long. That's about the size of a large paperclip! Female frogs were a bit bigger, measuring 33–39 mm (1.3–1.5 in). Their snout, or nose, was pointed when you looked at them from above.
Special Features
These frogs did not have a visible eardrum. However, they had a clear ridge above where their eardrum would be. They also had small, round bumps, or warts, on their sides and back. These bumps were most noticeable near their arms.
Their fingers had some webbing at the bottom, like a small paddle. Their toes had a bit more webbing, which helped them move in water. They also had long back legs. The frogs that scientists kept had a plain tan color. We don't know what colors they were when they were alive.
Where Did Atelopus vogli Live?
Atelopus vogli lived in humid forests. These forests had trees that lost some of their leaves during the year. The frogs lived at an elevation of about 600–700 m (2,000–2,300 ft) above sea level. Both places where they were found were on the southern slopes of the Venezuelan Coastal Range.
Why Did Atelopus vogli Disappear?
Once Abundant
In 1933, scientists collected over 400 Atelopus vogli frogs from one area. This shows that the species was very common there. The other place where they were found only had one frog collected in 1957. This single frog was identified as Atelopus vogli much later, in 2009.
Becoming Extinct
These 1957 sightings were the last time anyone saw this frog. Sadly, scientists now believe Atelopus vogli is extinct. This means there are no more of these frogs left in the world. The main reason they disappeared was likely because their habitat was destroyed. Human activities changed the forest where they lived, making it impossible for the frogs to survive.
