Extinct Amphibians

To the list of recently extinct amphibians

Amphibians lead a double life – and have a particularly hard time

The fact that amphibians, or amphibians, live both in water and on land makes them particularly sensitive to changing environmental conditions. As larvae, when they still breathe through their gills, amphibians are very susceptible to pollution in the water. In the later adult stage, be it as frogs, toads, salamanders or newts, they depend on clean water for their reproduction, but still need an intact habitat outside the water.

Thus, the main reason for the decline of amphibian populations lies in the destruction of their habitats through pollution or drainage of water bodies, soil sealing and the fragmentation of the landscape through urbanization. In addition, pesticides used in agriculture have negative effects.

Invasive species, such as cats or rats, also displace amphibians – especially when they have a very small distribution area, which is very common. For example, the Golden Toad, which became extinct in 1989, was detected in Costa Rica’s cloud forest in an area of only four square kilometers.

If the distribution area is small and the amphibian is rare, collecting the animals can quickly lead to the extinction of a species. This is what happened to the poisonous Granular Poison Frog from Panama; its striking red color made it extremely popular in the international exotic and pet trade. It disappeared in 1992.

Many amphibians that became extinct in the 19th century suffered from the destruction of their habitat. The Günther’s Stream Frog, which measures less than three centimeters, was discovered in Sri Lanka in 1882, scientifically described and then never seen again. It is assumed that the deforestation of most of the forests in Sri Lanka led to its disappearance. The same applies to the Leopard Bubble-Nest Frog from Sri Lanka, which has not been sighted since 1859, and the Maia Bubble-Nest Frog, which is only known from two specimens collected in 1876.

Extinct Amphibians Due to the Fungal Disease Chytridiomycosis?

Especially in the last 25 years, the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which is often discussed in connection with the global amphibian extinction, has played a major role in the population decline of amphibian species. Researchers today agree that chytridiomycosis cannot be seen as the sole cause of amphibian extinction.

There are a number of factors that can promote infection with the fungal disease. These include suboptimal climate and environmental conditions, inadequate nutrition, stress and climatic changes. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that infection with this disease ultimately leads to drastic declines or even extinction of the populations of many amphibian species. Examples include the Chiriqui Harlequin Frog, the Corquin Robber Frog and Rabbs Fringe-Limbed Treefrog – chytridiomycosis played a role in the extinction of all of them, even if other factors certainly favored the fungal disease.

Extinct Amphibians: Data & Facts (as of 10/2025)

Of the more than 8,000 amphibian species, the World Conservation Organization ICUN lists 37 species as extinct in its Red List. The number of unreported cases is much higher, because a large number of species are not yet listed or have been considered missing for decades. Thus, of the 825 “endangered” amphibian species, according to IUCN, at least 187 species are “probably extinct”.

Of the 37 officially extinct species, 18 come from Sri Lanka alone (e.g. the paddle frog Pseudophilautus temporalis or the Sri Lanka Bubble-Nest Frog). In Central America, which includes Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica, 9 species have disappeared, such as Mc Cranie’s Robber Frog. In Australia, Queensland, 5 frog species have become extinct (e.g. the Southern Gastric-Brooding Frog).

But not only frogs have disappeared, salamanders or newts are also affected, such as Ainsworth’s Salamander, which was last seen in 1964, the Jalpa False Brook Salamander that disappeared in 1976, or the Wolterstorff’s Newt from China, which has not been sighted since 1979.

The Blanco Blind Salamander, which was last seen in 1951 and is native to Texas (USA), is not even listed by the IUCN. It is considered missing; there is no evidence of its existence or its eradication. The species has no or only rudimentary eyes and is endemic to underground, groundwater-filled caves.

Detailed pages are available for the following amphibians:

• Ainsworth’s Salamander