FrogLog 103 PDF here - Amphibian Specialist Group

Hluleka Nature Reserve: Unexpected Amphibian
Diversity
By Werner Conradie 1 & Jan Venter 2
Hidden away on the coast of the former Transkei, lies the
treasure of Hluleka Nature Reserve (Fig. 1). It’s a small
reserve of only 772 hectares, but with an impressive array
of colourful frogs. During a recent biodiversity survey conducted
by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, in collaboration
with the Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), a total of 16 frog species
were recorded. Previous to this survey only nine species were
known to occur in the reserve and surrounding areas (1). This
brings the total number of species for the reserve to 18 (Table 1).
The survey significantly increased the knowledge of the biodiversity
of the reserve as well as the bigger Wild Coast area.
During the survey, a new population of the Kloof frog (Natalobatrachus
bonebergi) was discovered in all main tributaries of the
Mafusini River (Fig. 1 & 2). The Kloof frog is listed as “Endangered”
in the IUCN Red List (2), and its known distribution stretches from
southern and central KwaZulu-Natal all the way down the coast to
Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve. It is, however, threatened by habitat
fragmentation due to housing developments and expanding agriculture,
that resulted in highly fragmented populations in which
more than 50% of individuals are located in isolated patches. The
distances between subpopulations are considered to be too great
for dispersal within one generation. The Kloof frog prefers habitats
in coastal forests with healthy canopy cover over rocky stream
beds, breeding from October to May. Clutches of about 100 eggs are
laid in clear jelly masses attached to leaves, rocks or branches overhanging
water, either close to or well above the water, to keep them
1
Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P. O. Box 13147, Humewood, Port
Elizabeth, South Africa (werner@bayworld.co.za). 2 Eastern Cape Parks
and Tourism Agency, 6 St Marks Road, Southernwood, East London, South
Africa (Jan.Venter@ecpta.co.za).
ARTHROLEPTIDAE
Arthroleptis wahlbergi Bush squeaker* NRR
BREVICEPTIDAE
BUFONIDAE
Leptopelis natalensis Natal tree frog* RR
Breviceps verrucosus Plaintive rain frog RR
Amietophrynus gutturalis Guttural toad* RR
HYPEROLIIDAE
Amietophrynus rangeri Raucous toad RR
Afrixalus spinifrons spinifrons Natal leaf folding frog* NRR
Hyperolius marmoratus verrucosus Painted reed frog* RR
Hyperolius pusillus Water lily frog* RR
Hyperolius semidiscus Yellow-striped reed frog* RR
Kassina senegalensis Bubbling kassina* NRR
PHRYNOBATRACHIDAE
Phrynobatrachus natalensis Snoring puddle frog* NRR
Phrynobatrachus mababiensis
PTYCHADENIDAE
PIPIDAE
Dwarf puddle frog* a
Ptychadena oxyrhynchus Sharp-nosed grass frog* NRR
Xenopus laevis laevis Common platanna* NRR
PYXICEPHALIDAE
Cacosternum nanum nanum Bronze caco* RR
Tomopterna natalensis Natal sand frog* NRR
Amietia angolensis Common river frog* RR
Natalobatrachus bonebergi Kloof frog* NRR
Table 1: Amphibians of Hluleka Nature Reserve.
* Species collected during this survey
RR = Historical confirmed record
NRR = New confirmed record.
a
Found tadpole outside of Hluleka NR in Mtagati River gorge. Highly likely to
occur in Hluleka NR as well.
Fig. 1: Locations where the Kloof frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi) was found within Hluleka NR.
22 | FrogLog 20 (4) | Issue number 103 (July 2012)