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IUCN 2008: T57291A79813410

Pleurodema thaul, Chile Four-eyed Frog

Assessment by: IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2015. Pleurodema thaul. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2015: e.T57291A79813410. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-
4.RLTS.T57291A79813410.en

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Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Amphibia Anura Leptodactylidae

Taxon Name:  Pleurodema thaul (Lesson, 1826)

Synonym(s):
• Bufo thaul Lesson, 1826

Common Name(s):
• English: Chile Four-eyed Frog
• Spanish: Sapito de Cuatro Ojos
Taxonomic Source(s):
Frost, D.R. 2015. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. New York, USA.
Available at: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.

Taxonomic Notes:
This form might be a complex of more than one species, and further taxonomic study is required.

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published: 2015

Date Assessed: July 10, 2015

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats and
presumed large population.

Previously Published Red List Assessments

2010 – Least Concern (LC) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T57291A11602831.en

2004 – Least Concern (LC)

Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species is widely distributed in Chile from the northern arid territories to the southern Nothofagus
forest and from sea level to the vegetation line in the Andes range western slopes of Central Chile. In
Argentina, it is widely distributed from the western shore of Laguna Superior de Epulafquen,
Departamento Minas (Neuquén) south to the area between La Plata and La Chico lakes, Departamento
Río Senguer (Chubut). Its origin is uncertain in Antofagasta, where it has probably been introduced but
has not been mapped for this species. It has been introduced in Isla Robinson Crusoe, Archipelago Juan

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 1
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Fernandez. It has an altitudinal range of 0-3,100 m asl.

Country Occurrence:
Native: Argentina (Chubut, Neuquén, Rio Negro); Chile (Aisén, Antofagasta - Present - Origin Uncertain,
Atacama, Biobío, Coquimbo, Juan Fernández Is. - Introduced, La Araucania, Los Lagos, Maule, O'Higgins,
Santiago, Valparaíso)

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 2
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Distribution Map

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 3
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Population
It is a very abundant species within its preferred habitat. This is the most common frog in Chile.
Current Population Trend:  Stable

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

It is typically found in Nothofagus forest, but may also be found in steppe, grassland and transitional
zones. It may also be found in urban areas, and in other altered habitats. Adults occur terrestrially in
vegetation, below logs and below rocks. It reproduces in all types of waterbodies (although the species
generally prefers shallow ponds). Free-swimming larvae characterize it.

Systems:  Terrestrial, Freshwater

Use and Trade

There are no records of this species being utilized.

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

There are no major threats to this adaptable species, though a number of sub-populations are impacted
by fires, water pollution (by both agriculture and industry) and habitat desiccation due to droughts or
land use change.

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)

It occurs in many protected areas.

Credits
Assessor(s): IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

Reviewer(s): Luedtke, J.

Contributor(s): Veloso, A., Charrier, A., Blotto, B., Úbeda, C., Correa, C., Soto, C., Velez, C., Lavilla,
E., Nunez, H., Mendez, M. & Díaz, S.

Facilitators(s) and Hobin, L. & Superina, M.

Compiler(s):

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 4
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Bibliography
Cei, J.M. 1962. Batracios de Chile. Ediciones de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.

Cei, J.M. 1980. Amphibians of Argentina. Monitore Zoologico Italiano N.S. Monografia.

Díaz-Páez, H. and Ortiz, J.C. 2001. The reproductive cycle of Pleurodema thaul (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
in central Chile. Amphibia-Reptilia: 431-446.

Díaz-Páez, H. and Ortiz, J.C. 2003. Evaluación del estado de conservación de los anfibios en Chile.
Assessment of the conservation status of amphibians in Chile. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 76:
509-525.

Duellman, W.E. and Veloso, A.M. 1977. Phylogeny of Pleurodema (Anura: Leptodactylidae): a
biogeographic model. Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Kansas:
1-46.

Formas, J.R. 1995. Anfibios. In: Simonetti, J.M., Arroyo, T.K., Spotorno, A. and Loz, E. (eds), Diversidad
Biológica de Chile, Comisión nacional de ciencia y tecnología (CONICYT), Santiago-Chile.

Glade, A. 1993. Red List of Chilean Terrestrial vertebrates. Corporación nacional forestal (CONAF),
Santiago-Chile.

IUCN. 2015. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015-4. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 19 November 2015).

Lavilla, E.O., Ponssa, M.L., Baldo, D., Basso, N., Bosso, A., Céspedez, J., Chebez, J.C., Faivovich, J., Ferrari,
L., Lajmanovich, R., Langone, J.A., Peltzer, P., Úbeda, C., Vaira, M. and Vera Candioti, F. 2000.
Categorización de los Anfibios de Argentina. Categorización de los Anfibios y Reptiles de la República
Argentina: 11-34.

Servicio Agrícola Ganadero. 1998. Cartilla de caza. Imp. I. Flores, Santiago de Chile.

Ubeda, C.A. 2001. Geographic Distribution. Pleuroderma thaul. Herpetological Review: 272.

Veloso, A. and Navarro, J. 1988. Lista Sistemática y distribución geográfica de anfibios y reptiles de Chile.
Bollettino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali - Torino: 481-539.

Citation
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2015. Pleurodema thaul. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2015: e.T57291A79813410. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T57291A79813410.en

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External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 5
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T57291A79813410.en
 Appendix

Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

1. Forest -> 1.3. Forest - Subantarctic Resident Suitable Yes

1. Forest -> 1.4. Forest - Temperate Resident Suitable Yes

3. Shrubland -> 3.4. Shrubland - Temperate Resident Suitable Yes

4. Grassland -> 4.4. Grassland - Temperate Resident Suitable Yes

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Resident Suitable Yes
Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.2. Wetlands (inland) - Resident Suitable Yes

Seasonal/Intermittent/Irregular Rivers/Streams/Creeks

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.4. Wetlands (inland) - Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Resident Suitable Yes
Fens, Peatlands

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.5. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Freshwater Resident Suitable Yes
Lakes (over 8ha)

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.6. Wetlands (inland) - Seasonal/Intermittent Resident Suitable Yes
Freshwater Lakes (over 8ha)

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.7. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Freshwater Resident Suitable Yes
Marshes/Pools (under 8ha)

5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.8. Wetlands (inland) - Seasonal/Intermittent Resident Suitable Yes
Freshwater Marshes/Pools (under 8ha)

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.2. Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland Resident Suitable -

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations Resident Suitable -

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens Resident Marginal -

14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.5. Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas Resident Marginal -

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.1. Artificial/Aquatic - Water Storage Resident Suitable -
Areas (over 8ha)

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.2. Artificial/Aquatic - Ponds (below Resident Suitable -
8ha)

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.5. Artificial/Aquatic - Excavations Resident Suitable -
(open)

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.6. Artificial/Aquatic - Wastewater Resident Suitable -
Treatment Areas

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.7. Artificial/Aquatic - Irrigated Land Resident Suitable -
(includes irrigation channels)

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 6
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 Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

15. Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -> 15.8. Artificial/Aquatic - Seasonally Resident Suitable -
Flooded Agricultural Land

0. Root -> 16. Introduced vegetation Resident Suitable -

Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual & Ongoing Minority (50%) - -
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.3. Agro-industry
farming

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire Ongoing - - -

suppression -> 7.1.3. Trend Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

9. Pollution -> 9.2. Industrial & military effluents -> Ongoing - - -

9.2.3. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents -> Ongoing - - -

9.3.4. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.2. Ongoing - - -

Droughts
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

Conservation Actions in Place

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions in Place

In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management

Occur in at least one PA: Yes

Additional Data Fields

Distribution
Lower elevation limit (m): 0

Upper elevation limit (m): 3100

Population
Population severely fragmented: No

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 7
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 Habitats and Ecology
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Pleurodema thaul – published in 2015. 8
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The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.

The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International;
Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of
Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™