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The starry night harlequin toad (Atelopus arsyecue) is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. Its natural habitats are sub-Andean and Andean forests, sub-páramo and páramo at 2000 - 3500 m above sea level. Reproduction takes place in fast-flowing rivers. It is named after its unique coloration, being largely black with white spots.

It is primarily threatened by chytridiomycosis and habitat loss. Coupled with the inaccessibility of the area, the species was feared extinct for over 30 years. However, its continued existence was known to the Arhuaco community in Sogrome, who referred to the animal as gouna and considered its habitat a sacred location. In 2019, the tribe consented to collaboration with researchers and showed them the living population, marking the first sighting of this species by researchers in over 30 years.

Anatomy and Morphology
This diminutive toad is less than 5 cm (2 in) in length. The starry night toad's coloration consists of irregular white patches dappled across a black background. The white markings can present as separate spots or as an interconnected mosaic. Their skin texture is defined by even coverage of warts.

Distribution and Habitat
Starry night harlequin toads seek habitat comprised of montane forest, high-altitude grasslands, and inland wetlands. As documented, the toad only occurs in a single defined location. Its range is specifically limited to the Sierra Nevada de Sanata Marta National Park of Colombia, with an estimated extent of occurrence of 80 km² across the mountains.

Behavior
Though not much is known of intraspecific interactions, it has been noted that harlequin toads exist in close association with one another.

Taxonomy
The genus Atelopus houses the harlequin toads, which are considered the most threatened amphibians in the world.

Conservation Status
The starry night toad was last evaluated for the IUCN Red List in 2016. From this review, the species was listed as critically endangered. Prior to the 2019 expedition, the starry night harlequin toad was last documented in 1991; during the thirty-year interim period, it was assumed that this species would have followed the trend of other high-altitude harlequin toads in declination to the point of extinction. However, expectations were exceeded when researchers were able to document not only one individual, but a healthy population of thirty. Habitat degradation is the primary limitation to the species' existence. As a synthesis of historical Incan practices and modern innovation, Andean agriculture is largely less invasive than conventional practices, but still has managed to render portions of vital habitat unusable by this organism. While concrete evidence of infection has yet to be found, chytridiomycosis is suspect for additional declination of the already vulnerable population.