The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

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IUCN 2022: T55202A198636123
Scope(s): Global
Language: English

Minyobates steyermarki
Amendment version
Assessment by: Señaris, J.C.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Señaris, J.C. 2022. Minyobates steyermarki (amended version of 2020 assessment). The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T55202A198636123.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T55202A198636123.en

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Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Amphibia Anura Dendrobatidae

Scientific Name: Minyobates steyermarki (Rivero, 1971)

Synonym(s):
• Adelphobates steyermarki Twomey & Brown, 2008
• Dendrobates steyermarki Rivero, 1971

Common Name(s):
• English: Demonic Poison-arrow Frog, Little Red Frog of Yapacana, Steyermark´s Poison
Frog, Yapacana’s Little Red Frog
• Spanish; Castilian: Rana de punta de flecha de Steyermark, Sapito Rojo Del Yapacana
Taxonomic Source(s):
Frost, D.R. 2020. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum
of Natural History, New York, USA Available at:
http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.

Taxonomic Notes:
This species is recovered in various places throughout the dendrobatine phylogeny, either as sister to
the genus Adelphobates or to all other dendrobatines aside from Phyllobates and C. ruthveni (see Frost
2020 for a complete review of the systematic of this taxon). Currently, Minyobates is a monotypic genus,
but additional phylogenetic research is needed (La Marca 2016).

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Published: 2022

Date Assessed: February 17, 2020

Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered (CR) because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is only 10 km2, it is known
from only a single threat-defined location, Cerro Yapacana, where forests are rapidly being lost and
habitats degraded due to illegal mining, fires, and deforestation.

Previously Published Red List Assessments

2020 – Critically Endangered (CR)
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T55202A109533981.en

2004 – Critically Endangered (CR)

https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T55202A11264562.en

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Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species is only known from Cerro Yapacana, a small isolated tepui in the Venezuelan Amazonas
state, between 600 and 1,300 m asl (Rivero 1971, Gorzula and Señaris 1999, La Marca 2016, Señaris and
Rojas-Runjaic 2019). Cerro Yapacana is a small isolated sandstone mountain in the Western Guiana
Shield, located at 40 km on the confluence of Orinoco and Ventuari rivers, with a summit area of 10.5
km2 and 38 km2 of slope area (Huber 1995a, Rull et al. 2019).

Country Occurrence:
Native, Extant (resident): Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of (Venezuela (mainland))

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Distribution Map

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Population
Until the early 1980s, this frog was common in bromeliads on the summit of Cerro Yapacana; it was
possible to collect hundreds of specimens in a few hours (Gorzula and Señaris, 1999). There is no
additional information on current population sizes or trends, but due to ongoing decline in the extent
and quality of its habitat, it is likely that its population is decreasing.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

The species is found in terrestrial bromeliads in forests on the slopes and the summit of the Cerro
Yapacana. The base and lower slopes of this mountain are covered by tall and dense evergreen
submontane forest (200–800 m asl). Above 1,000 m asl, the vegetation changes to a short (up to 15 m),
dense and very humid cloud forest dominated by the endemics Tepuianthus yapacanensis
(Tepuianthaceae), Bonnetia tristyla (Theaceae), Symplocos yapacanensis (Symplocaceae) and
Gongylolepis yapacana (Asteraceae) (Huber 1995b).

The call of this species has been described as a well-spaced sequence of soft notes or “a soft wheep"
(Myers and Daly 1980, Myers 1987), but also as “a fledgling bird, rather than a frog´s croaking” (Lötters
et al. 2007). The amplexus is cephalic (Myers 1987). In captivity, females lay 3–9 eggs in humid hiding
places or artificial phytotelmata and males protect them. After hatching, males carry the tadpoles to
water-filled leaf axils of bromeliads, where they spend the rest of their time as larvae (La Marca 2016).
Additional captive information in https://citizen-conservation.org/arten/tafelberg-
baumsteiger/?lang=en and https://www.dendrobase.de/html/D_minyobates_steyermarki.html
https://www.tropical-hobbies.com/vivariumsminyobates.

Systems: Terrestrial

Use and Trade

Barrio and Fuentes (1999) mentioned an illegal collection and exportation of some 150 individuals to
Germany (no date was informed), and another official exportation between CODESUR and the American
Museum of Natural History of a series (undetermined) for behaviour and dermic toxins studies. Thus, it
can be assumed that in the past this species was harvested for scientific and pharmaceutical research
(analyzing biological activity of alkaloids in the frogs' skin), and for the international pet trade. There is
no recent information about its current use or trade.

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

The habitat of this species is threatened by illegal gold and diamond mining, and by fires that have
altered the surrounding lowlands and slopes of Cerro Yapacana (Barrio and Fuentes 1999, Barrio-
Amorós and Torres 2010, La Marca 2016). The illegal mining in the area began in the mid-1980s, when
thousands of gold miners invaded the lowlands between Caño Cotua and the base of Cerro Yapacana
(Gorzula and Señaris 1999). This activity involves soil removal, river flow deflection, and solid waste
accumulation - including mercury- that, combined with the deforestation, has triggered contamination,
erosion and desertification of the area (Castillo and Salas 2007). Mining has rapidly increased over the
years with the protection of illegal armed groups that control the mines and the surrounding territories

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(SOS Orinoco 2019). Satellite imagery revealed the presence of an illegal mine atop the Yapacana (SOS
Orinoco 2019).

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)

Conservation Actions
Its geographic distribution is entirely enclosed in the Yapacana National Park. Along with other members
of the Family Dendrobatidae, this species is included in the Appendix II of CITES, and in the 338/97
regulation of the European Union. This species is listed as CR in the most recent Venezuelan Fauna Red
List (Señaris et al. 2018, http://wikieva.org.ve/index.php/Minyobates_steyermarki).

Conservation Needed
Effective forest preservation, continued management, and compliance with the national laws of existing
protected area is essential for the survival of this species. It is urgent to completely stop mining activities
in the Yapacana national park, and enforce environmental vigilance in this protected area. We also
recommend this species for ex-situ conservation.

Research Needed
Further research into the systematics, ecology, life history, population status and threats of this species
is needed. Also, its habitat must be closely monitored in light of the increasing levels of illegal mining
activities in the area. A conservation action plan is needed for this species. Protocols used in the past for
captive breeding of this species should be researched.

Credits
Assessor(s): Señaris, J.C.

Reviewer(s): Chanson, J.S.

Contributor(s): Lampo, M. & La Marca, E.

Facilitator(s) and Lampo, M., Señaris, J.C., Rojas-Runjaic, F.J.M., Márquez Molina, I. &
Compiler(s): Velasquez, G.

Authority/Authorities: IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Minyobates steyermarki – published in 2022. 5
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Bibliography
Barrio-Amorós, C.L. and Torres, D.A. 2010. Conservation priorities for the most threatened amphibians
in Venezuela, a preliminary approach. Revista Ecologia en Latin America 15(1): 21-31.

Barrio, C.L. and Fuentes, O. 1999. Sinopsis de la familia Dendrobatidae (Amphibia: Anura) de Venezuela.
Acta Biologica Venezuelica: 1-10.

Castillo, R. and Salas, V. 2007. Conservation Status of Yapacana National Park. Special Report.
BioParques: Parkswatch Program.

Frost, D.R. 2020. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum
of Natural History, New York, USA Available at:
http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.

Gorzula, S. and Señaris, J.C. 1998. Contribution to the herpetofauna of the Venezuelan Guayana I. A
database. Scientiae Guaianae: 1-270.

Huber, O. 1995. Geographical and physical features. In: P.E. Berry, B.K. Holst and K. Yatskievych (eds),
Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana. Volume 1. Introduction., pp. 1–61. Missouri Botanical Garden Press,
St. Louis.

Huber, O. 1995. Vegetation. In: Berry, P.E., Holst, B.K. and Yatskievych, K. (eds), Flora of the Venezuelan
Guayana, pp. 97-160. Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis, Missouri & Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.

IUCN. 2020. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 10 December 2020).

IUCN. 2022. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-1. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 21 July 2022).

La Marca, E. 2016. Yapacana’s little red frog, Minyobates steyermarki (Rivero, 1971). In: Kahn, T.R., La
Marca, E., Lotters, S., Brown, J.L., Twomey, E. and Amézquita, A (eds), Aposematic Poison Frogs
(Dendrobatidae) of the Andean Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, pp. 387-392.
Conservation International, Arlington, VA. USA.

Lötters, S., Jungfer, K-H., Henkel, H-W. and Schmitz, W. 2007. Poison Frogs: Biology, Species & Captive
Husbandry. Chimaira, Frankfurt/Main.

Myers, C.W. 1987. New generic names for some Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae). Avulsos de
Zoologia, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo 36(25): 301-306.

Myers, C.W. and Daly, J.W. 1980. Taxonomy and ecology of Dendrobates bombetes, a New Andean
Poison frog with new skin toxins. American Museum Novitates 2692: 1-23.

Rivero, J.A. 1971. Un nuevo e interesante Dendrobates (Amphibia, Salientia) del Cerro Yapacana de
Venezuela. Kasmera: 389-396.

Rull, V., Huber, O., Vegas-Vilarrúbia, T. and Señaris, C. 2019. Definition and characterization of the
Pantepui biogeographical province. In: V. Rull, T. Vegas-Vilarrúbia, O. Huber and C. Señaris (eds),
Biodiversity of Pantepui: the pristine ‘Lost World’ of the Neotropical Guiana Highlands, pp. 3-32. Elsevier,
Cambridge.

Señaris, J.C. and Rojas-Runjaic, F.J.M. 2019. Chapter 12. Amphibians and reptiles. In: V. Rull, T. Vegas-
Vilarrúbia, O. Huber and C. Señaris (eds), Biodiversity of Pantepui: the pristine ‘Lost World’ of the
Neotropical Guiana Highlands, pp. 263-297. Elsevier, Cambridge.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Minyobates steyermarki – published in 2022. 6
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T55202A198636123.en
Señaris, J.C., Rojas-Runjaic, F.J.M. and La Marca, E. 2018. Minyobates steyermarki. Caracas Available at:
http://wikieva.org.ve/index.php/Minyobates_steyermarki. (Accessed: February, 2020).

SOS Orinoco. 2019. La Minería Aurífera en el Parque Nacional Yapacana Amazonas Venezolano: Un caso
de extrema urgencia ambiental y geopolítica, nacional e Internacional. Available at:
https://smugglersparadise.infoamazonia.org/SOS_Orinoco-
Gold_Mining_Activity_in_Yapacana_National_Park_Spanish-040845645b842e21cf98539b609bcc23.pdf.
(Accessed: February, 2020).

Citation
Señaris, J.C. 2022. Minyobates steyermarki (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2022: e.T55202A198636123. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-
1.RLTS.T55202A198636123.en

Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.

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

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Minyobates steyermarki – published in 2022. 7
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 Appendix

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

Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Resident Suitable Yes

1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Resident Suitable Yes

Use and Trade

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

End Use Local National International

13. Pets/display animals, horticulture No No Yes

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

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score

3. Energy production & mining -> 3.2. Mining & Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
quarrying
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping Ongoing Unknown Unknown Unknown
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
suppression -> 7.1.1. Increase in fire
frequency/intensity
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.2. Dams & water Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
management/use -> 7.2.2. Abstraction of surface
water (commercial use)
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

9. Pollution -> 9.2. Industrial & military effluents -> Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
9.2.3. Type Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

Conservation Actions in Place

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

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 Conservation Action in Place
In-place research and monitoring

Action Recovery Plan: No

Systematic monitoring scheme: No

In-place land/water protection

Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range

Percentage of population protected by PAs: 100

Area based regional management plan: No

Occurs in at least one protected area: Yes

Invasive species control or prevention: No

In-place species management

Harvest management plan: No

Successfully reintroduced or introduced benignly: No

Subject to ex-situ conservation: No

In-place education

Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No

Included in international legislation: Yes

Subject to any international management / trade controls: Yes

Conservation Actions Needed

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

Conservation Action Needed

1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection

2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management

3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation

5. Law & policy -> 5.1. Legislation -> 5.1.2. National level

5. Law & policy -> 5.4. Compliance and enforcement -> 5.4.2. National level

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

Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy

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 Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends

1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology

1. Research -> 1.4. Harvest, use & livelihoods

1. Research -> 1.5. Threats

2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan

3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends

3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends

Additional Data Fields

Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 10

Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Unknown

Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 10

Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Unknown

Number of Locations: 1

Continuing decline in number of locations: Unknown

Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: Unknown

Lower elevation limit (m): 600

Upper elevation limit (m): 1,300

Population
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Unknown

Population severely fragmented: No

Continuing decline in subpopulations: Unknown

All individuals in one subpopulation: Unknown

Habitats and Ecology

Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes

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Amendment
Amendment The Assessor and Contributor names are corrected via this amended version.
reason:

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