Taxonomic notes: This species was described from specimens that were earlier provisionally assigned to Bolitoglossa nigrescens (Hanken, Wake and Savage 2005).

This species is known from a few localities in a small area near Volcán Barú on the Pacific slope of the southern Cordillera de Talamanca-Barú range, between Cerro Punta and Boquete, Chiriquí Province, Panama, at 1,250-2,450m asl. Like other species in this genus, the species is likely to have a small range.

The type series was collected in mossy oak forest with small bromeliads in the forest canopy. The species is considered unlikely to be tolerant of much habitat degradation. Individuals were found under logs and rough-hewn planks or inside rotting stumps, and under a small rock. The species is presumed to breed by direct development.

It has not been collected or observed in over 30 years. It appears to be rare, and the lack of records is perhaps not indicative of a decline.

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Chytrid fungus is a threat, and has been associated with declines of other species to the north and west. Habitat loss, due to smallholder agricultural activities and logging, is presumably also a threat; the forest connecting Volcán Barú to La Amistad consists of a network of privately owned farm properties, and has been under sporadic threat from road development and fires.

• 8.1.2 Named species
• 7.1.3 Trend Unknown/Unrecorded
• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
• 4.1 Roads & railroads
• 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
• 5.3.5 Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded

Part of the known range of this species falls within Parque Nacional Volcán Barú. There is a need for further survey work to establish the current population status of this species, particularly given the threat of chytrid.

Listed as Endangered since it is likely to have an extent of occurrence much less than 5,000 km2, an area of occupancy less than 500 km2, is essentially known from only one location, is believed to be undergoing a population decline, and its habitat is undergoing continuing declines in both extent and quality.

• Hanken, J., Wake, D.B. and Savage, J.M. 2005. A solution to the large black salamander problem (genus Bolitoglossa) in Costa Rica and Panamá. Copeia: 227–245.