Its possible that this is a species complex, with the northern-most subpopulation appearing different from the subpopulation at the type locality in the Cordillera del Condor (D.F. Cisneros-Heredia and M. Ortega-Andrade pers. comm. 2021).

Listed as Critically Endangered under criterion C2a(i) in view of the apparent disappearance of the species of most of the population during the 1980–90s, possibly involving chytridiomycosis, and inferred continuing population decline caused by expanding agricultural development and logging. The species is known to survive at only two sites across its entire historical range. It is likely that the species survives in low numbers. Specifically, the total number of mature individuals in the population is likely fewer than 250, with each of the subpopulations containing no more than 50 mature individuals.

This species occurs on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Napo, Tungurahua, Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe Provinces, Ecuador, between 1,272 and 2,370 m asl (Coloma 1995, Almendáriz and Orcés 2004), as well as, Santa Rosa in Cajamarca, Peru at 1,270 m asl (Kosch et al. 2012).

It was formerly abundant, judging by the large series collected through 1984 in the Kansas Museum. Several herpetologists collected the species from various localities in the 1970s and 80s and each reported several specimens (Coloma 1995). It was common in a stream near Loma El Trigal, on the road between Loja y Zamora, in 1987 (Almendáriz and Orcés 2004). However, the population experienced serious declines and disappeared from most historical localities. Bustamante et al. (2005) report its absence in the area of the Reventador volcano and the Río Quijos-Topo depression during samplings between 1988 and 2004. Several surveys in Zamora area during June–November 2012 and January 2013 did not report this species (Sarango Tandazo 2013). Thorough survey work in the Cordillera del Condór over the last 15 years have not recorded the species again (Almendáriz et al. 2014; D.F. Cisneros-Heredia pers. comm. 2021).

The species is believed to be surviving in low numbers at just one site in northern Morona Santiago province, Ecuador (one individual collected by E.E. Tapia unpubl. data. 2008), and in Santa Rosa, Cajamarca Department, northern Peru (four individuals observed in 2007; Kosch et al. 2012). Surveys over a four year period did not find additional individuals at Santa Rosa nor elsewhere in Peru (T. Kosch pers. comm. 2021). The surviving population is thought to be small, possibly fewer than 250 mature individuals with each of the subpopulations containing no more than 50 mature individuals, and experiencing declines inferred from ongoing habitat loss and infection with the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd).

This species lives in premontane and cloud forest (Coloma 1995). Reproduction probably occurs by females laying eggs on the ground, with the males bringing the larvae to streams for them to complete their development.

The major threats to this species are habitat destruction and degradation due to agricultural development, logging and water pollution. Similar to many other stream-associated species which disappeared in the Andes during the 1980–90s, this species appeared to have suffered drastic population declines during that period. While it is reasonable to infer that disease might be one of the factors associated with the past declines and apparent disappearance of this species, this still requires confirmation. In 2007, one of four individuals tested positive for the presence of Bd (Kosch et al. 2012), but no further information is known about whether chytridiomycosis is an active threat (T. Kosch pers. comm. 2021).

There are no records of this species being utilized.

Conservation Actions In-Place
Its historical range overlaps with Parque Nacional Sumaco Napo-Galeras, Parque Nacional Sangay, Parque Nacional Llanganates, the Reserva Ecológica Antisana and the Reserva Ecológica Cayambe-Coca; however, neither of the two known extant subpopulations is currently protected.

Conservation Needed
Improved habitat protection is required at sites where this species is known to be surviving. The option of a captive-breeding programme might need to be explored for this species.

Research Needed
Further survey work is necessary to determine whether the species is still surviving in other parts of its historical range, and to better understand the status and threats (including Bd) at the two sites where it is extant.