Two new glassfrogs (Centrolenidae:<i>Hyalinobatrachium</i>) from Ecuador, with comments on the endangered biodiversity of the Andes

Resumen

Our findings are congruent with several previous studies that report a high degree of endemism in the Toisán mountain range, which appears to be isolated from the main Andean cordillera for some amphibian groups. We recommend that both <i>H. mashpi</i> sp. nov. and <i>H. nouns</i> sp. nov. be listed as Endangered, following IUCN criteria. These new species provide another example of cryptic diversity in the Andes-further evidence that the region fosters much more biodiversity than we have the resources to catalog. Threatened by mining and other exploitative industries, these glassfrogs and many other yet-to-be-discovered Andean species highlight the dire need for effective conservation measures-especially in northwestern Ecuador.