El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog
Phyllodytes auratus
Phyllodytes auratus is a species of frog in the Hylidae family. It is endemic to the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Its natural habitat of tropical montane forest and elfin woodland at elevations between 800 metres and 940 metres is often shrouded in cool misty cloud cover. Commonly referred to as the El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog, its presence has been confirmed only at the summits of two mountains; El Cerro del Aripo and El Tucuche, (the two highest peaks in Trinidad). Phyllodytes auratus is closely associated with the giant bromeliad Glomeropitcairnia erectiflora. Water collects in between the bracts of these plants and the frogs lay their eggs and the tadpoles develop entirely within the subsequently formed pools.
The Golden tree frog, Phyllodytes auratus, is critically endangered (IUCN, 2004). Organisms with a conservation status of critically endangered have an extremely high risk of becoming extinct. It is threatened by habitat loss.