Taxonomic notes: Taylor (1968) recognized two subspecies, the status of which require more research. It is likely to be a complex of more than one species.

This species is found on the Pacific slopes of the Andes in Colombia (department of Valle del Cauca) and Ecuador (provinces of Cotopaxi and El Oro), and the Amazonian slopes of the Andes in southern Ecuador (Zamora Chinchipe province) and southern Peru (regions of Junín and Cusco). It has been found at elevations of 1,750-2,000 m asl.

There is very little information, but large collections have been made on a few occasions. One individual was found during 18 person/day surveys during 2006 within Cusco region, Peru (von May et al. 2008).

It is a subterranean species living in primary cloud forests, submontane forests and foothill forests. It is associated with streams. Its ability to adapt to secondary habitats is not known. It is presumed to lay eggs on land, with the larvae developing in streams.

There are no reports of this species being utilized.

Possible threats include loss of mountain forest for livestock, agricultural activities and water pollution, but the significance of these depends on the ability of the species to adapt to change.

In Ecuador, its geographic range overlaps with Reserva Ecológica Los Illinizas and Reserva Biológica Tapichalaca. In Peru, it is present in the montane region of Parque Nacional Manu. Further research is needed into population status and trends, ecology and how well this species can tolerate human disturbance.

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution and presumed large population.

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• von May, R., Catenazzi, A., Angulo, A., Brown, J.L., Carrillo, J., Chávez, G., Córdova, J.H., Curo, A., Delgado, A., Enciso, M.A., Guttiérez, R., Lehr, E., Martínez, J.L., Martina-Müller, M., Miranda, A., Neira, D.R., Ochoa, J.A., Quiroz, A.J., Rodríguez, D.A., Rodríguez, L.O., Salas, A.W., Seimon, T., Seimon, A., Siu-Ting, K., Suárez, J., Torres, C. and Twomey, E. 2008. Current state of conservation knowledge on threatened amphibian species in Peru. Tropical Conservation Science 1(4): 376-396.
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• Yánez-Muñoz, M., Ramírez, S., Reyes P., J.P. and Meza-Ramos, P. 2007. Primer registro de Epicrionops bicolor Boulenger (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Rhinatrematidae) para los Andes surorientales de Ecuador. Boletín Técnico 7, Série Zoológica 3: 53-56.