Hyloxalus awa is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It is endemic to Ecuador and known from the western Andean slopes and the western Pacific lowlands.
Description Males measure and females in snout–vent length. Dorsum is reddish brown with diffuse dark marks. Flanks are dark gray.
Etymology Scientists named this frog awa for the Awa indigenous people. They live in some of the same places as the frog. The word "Awa" means "people." Reproduction The male call is a trill of about 3–5 seconds in duration, emitted at a rate of six calls per minute. Males are territorial and aggressive towards other males. Under laboratory conditions, mating takes place in morning and clutch size is 4 to 21 eggs. Eggs are laid on leaf-litter or low vegetation; the adults carry the tadpoles on their back to nearby streams where they complete their development.
Habitat and conservation Natural habitats of Hyloxalus awa are humid sub-montane tropical forest at elevations of above sea level. It is threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture (both crops and livestock), logging, and agricultural pollution.
The frog's range includes several protected park: Reserva Ecológica Manglares Cayapas Mataje, Refugio de Vida Silvestre Manglares Estuario del Río Muisne, Reserva Ecológica Mache-Chindul, Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi-Cayapas, Refugio de Vida Silvestre El Pambilar, Reserva Ecológica Los Ilinizas.
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