Craugastor milesi

Craugastor milesi
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Craugastoridae
Genus:	Craugastor
Species:	C. milesi
Binomial name
Craugastor milesi (K. Schmidt, 1933)

Craugastor milesi is a species of frog in the family Craugastoridae. It is endemic to Honduras. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Conservation

Efforts to conserve Craugastor milesi are imperative. The species is now confined to a single threat-defined location within Parque Nacional Cusuco, and its global population is estimated to be less than 50 individuals. The extent and quality of its habitat are deteriorating, contributing to the suspected population decline. Conservation measures must be taken to protect this species from extinction. The IUCN assessed the conseevation status of the "Craugastor milesi" to be Critically Endangered.

Habitat

Craugastor milesi, previously a relatively common species, has faced a drastic decline in population. After not being seen since 1983, it was considered extinct until a few individuals were recorded in recent years. Despite surveys, no individuals have been spotted since 2013, suggesting a precarious situation. Ongoing habitat degradation continues to threaten the population of this species.

Taxonomy

Craugastor milesi is an endemic species, primarily found in the mountains of Omoa and Espiritu Santo on the Atlantic Slope in Honduras. Its altitudinal range spans from 1,050 to 1,841 meters above sea level. This species is also present in Parque Nacional Cusuco within the Cortés Department. The lack of records and suitable habitats outside of these locations indicates that it is unlikely to occur more widely. The species is considered possibly extinct beyond these known localities, highlighting its vulnerability.

Threats

Craugastor milesi, faces several significant threats that have contributed to its population decline. These threats can be categorized into three main categories: disease-related declines, habitat alteration and destruction, and the impact of climate change

Disease-Related Declines

Craugastor milesi has experienced population declines, and the exact cause remains uncertain. The Craugastor subgenus Campbellius, found in Honduras, underwent severe declines in the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, even in undisturbed habitats, indicating a potential chytrid-related decline, which may also affect Craugastor milesi. Additionally, the presence of chytrid infection was tested in individual plants in 2008 and 2013, yielding negative results. This suggests the possibility of a small population of resistant individuals in Parque Nacional Cusuco, but the species' existence remains at risk.

Habitat Alteration and Destruction

Changes in land use and agricultural practices, including legislative changes promoting coffee cultivation in protected areas, are significant threats to Craugastor milesi. The cultivation of cardamom, coffee, and flowers in Parque Nacional Cusuco has led to pollution from herbicides and pesticides, as well as water pollution during coffee harvesting. Furthermore, human-induced fires, road construction, increasing human settlements, selective logging, and tourism activities are causing habitat loss and disturbance within the park, further endangering the species.