Taxonomic notes: Molecular data and morphological, ecological, and demographic analyses suggest that the Panamanian golden frogs and their kin (the Atelopus varius-zeteki clade) are comprised of five distinct forms (Zippel et al. 2006). Additional analyses identify phenotypic and genetic differentiation consistent with proposed Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), and support the status of Atelopus varius and Atelopus zeteki as separate species (Richards and Knowles 2007).

This species is known from both Atlantic and Pacific versants of the cordilleras of Costa Rica and western Panama, up to 2,000 m asl. It is also present on outlying ridges and hills down to 16 m asl at a few lowland sites. The species is absent from the lowlands of the Pacific north-west (Savage 2002). Records from Colombia are in error. Drastic declines have reduced the Costa Rican range to onlytwo known localities, Fila Chonta, 10 km north-west of the city of Quepos and Las Alturas. Its extant range, taken as a proxy for extent of occurrence (EOO), is estimated at 6,186 km^2..   

This species was quite common in Costa Rica. However, drastic declines were first recorded in Monteverde in 1988 and the species was thought to have been extirpated in Costa Rica by 1996. However, after nearly eight years during which the species was thought to be extirpated, two remnant subpopulations were discovered in Costa Rica. One subpopulation was found near Quepos, on the Pacific coastal range, in 2003. Monitoring at this site has documented 23 individuals since 2004 (Twan Leenders pers. comm. 2013). A second subpopulation was found in 2009 at Las Alturas where there has been subsequent survey effort (González-Maya et al. 2011).In Panama, some populations have declined, but others persist. For example, Lips (1999) reported mass mortality in Fortuna, Provincia de Chiriquí, which affected this species in December 1996-January 1997. This site was visited again in February 1998, but the species was not found (Ibáñez 1999). Hertz et al. (2012) recorded four individuals in Parque Nacional Santa Fé, and the species has been recorded in Panama as recently as 2011 (Abel Batista pers. comm. 2013).

It is a terrestrial species of humid lowland and montane forest; specimens recorded at lowland rainforest localities were all found along high-gradient, rocky streams, in hilly areas (Savage 2002). It is associated with small fast-flowing streams and is often found along the banks and sitting out on rocks in streams; at night they sleep in crevices or low vegetation. They formerly occurred in large concentrations during the dry season, from December to May (Savage 2002). Eggs are laid in water and are probably attached to rocks.

It was collected by the thousands in the 1970s and shipped to Germany as part of the international pet trade.

The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, which has led to catastrophic population declines in many other montane species of Atelopus. Museum specimens of this species have been found to have chytrid fungi. One specimen collected in 2003 from one of the only known sites at which the species survives in Costa Rica tested positive for chytrid infection, and the disease was also confirmed in individuals in 1986, 1990, 1992 and 1997. Other threats to the species may include habitat loss due to the destruction of natural forests, and predation by introduced trout. One of the only known sites in Costa Rica is under serious threat of a landslide that could potentially destroy the entire stream section where they are presently found.

• 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
• 7.2.11 Dams (size unknown)
• 10.3 Avalanches/landslides
• 9.1.3 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 9.3.4 Type Unknown/Unrecorded
• 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
• 2.3.3 Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming
• 5.1.1 Intentional use (species is the target)
• 2.2.1 Small-holder plantations
• 2.2.2 Agro-industry plantations
• 8.1.2 Named species
• 4.1 Roads & railroads
• 2.1.3 Agro-industry farming
• 1.1 Housing & urban areas

The species is present in three protected areas in Panama, and was previously found in a number of Costa Rican protected areas. Remnant subpopulations in Costa Rica occur within private reserves. A captive-breeding program has been initiated for this species.

• 2.1 Site/area management
• 2.2 Invasive/problematic species control
• 1.2 Resource & habitat protection

Listed as Critically Endangered because of a drastic population decline documented during the 1980s and 1990s, estimated to be more than 80% inferred from the apparent disappearance of most of the population, probably due to chytridiomycosis.  While at least two extant subpopulations have been discovered in Costa Rica and the species has been recorded recently in Panama, there is currently insufficient data to conclude that declines have abated.

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