FrogLog 103 PDF here - Amphibian Specialist Group

out of reach of predators. Tadpoles develop inside the jelly mass
and after about six days drop into the water below. The females
are normally found close to the egg masses, and in dry conditions
even urinate over the eggs to keep them moist (3). The Hluleka NR
population seems to be thriving and several egg masses, tadpoles,
metamorphs and adult frogs were recorded. The Hluleka population
will be critically important for the species’ long term survival,
especially considering the alarming decline of habitat due to inconsiderate
land use practises as well as the looming climate change
threat.
Fig. 2: Kloof frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi). Photo: Werner Conradie.
Other significant records includes a population of Natal leaf-folding
frog (Afrixalus spinifrons) (Fig. 3), listed as “Near Threatened”
by IUCN (4). The Wild Coast population of the frog has been part of
a taxonomical problem for the past few decades. Current molecular
work regarding this population is underway and will indicate its
relationship to the KwaZulu-Natal populations. Furthermore, the
Bush squeaker (Arthroleptis wahlbergi) record is the most southern
record for the species and the genus: Arthroleptis in whole (Fig.
4).
These discoveries also highlight that even small protected areas can
be critical to biodiversity conservation and that our management
of protected areas should be sound at all times. Who knows how
ones actions might affect or even destroy these protected areas thus
threatening these beautiful creatures?
Fig. 3: Natal Lead-folding Frog (Afrixalus spinifrons). Photo: Werner Conradie.
References
1. L. R. Minter et al., Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa,
Lesotho and Swaziland (2004).
2. L. Minter, A. Channing, J. Harrison, Natalobatrachus bonebergi. In: IUCN 2011
(IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2., 2004)
3. L. H. Du Preez, In: Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa,
Lesotho and Swaziland (2004).
4. South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG) & IUCN SSC Amphibian
Specialist Group, Afrixalus spinifrons. In: IUCN 2011 (IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. Version 2011.2., 2010).
Fig. 4: Bush squeaker (Arthroleptis wahlbergi). Photo: Werner Conradie.
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Robin Moore / iLCP
FrogLog 20 (4) | Issue number 103 (July 2012) | 23