Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

154
Threatened Amphibians of the World
EN Leptodactylodon stevarti Rödel and Pauwels, 2003
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Equatorial Guinea, Gabon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species was discovered in the Monts de
Cristal in north-western Gabon at 460-550m asl. Specimens assigned
to this species have also been found at Monte Alen in Equatorial
Guinea, where it might occur up to 1,000m asl.
Population It has only recently been described, and only two
specimens are known from Gabon. Its population status in Equatorial
Guinea is difficult to assess, since it is hard to locate.
Habitat and Ecology It has been found only in primary forest under
rocks along streams in deep, narrow valleys. It breeds in fast-flowing,
rocky streams.
Major Threats It is at risk from habitat loss due to smallholder
farming activities and logging.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Monte Alen National Park
in Equatorial Guinea and in the recently gazetted (2002) Monts de
Cristal National Park in Gabon.
Notes on taxonomy: We follow Rödel and Pauwels (2003) in provisionally assigning records of Leptodactylodon albiventris from
Equatorial Guinea (De la Riva 1994) to this newly described species.
Bibliography: De la Riva, I. (1994b), De la Riva, I., Bosch, J. and Marquez, R. (2003), Lasso, C.A. et al. (2002), Rödel, M.-O. and Pauwels,
O.S.G. (2003)
Data Providers: Mark-Oliver Rödel
VU Leptodactylodon ventrimarmoratus (Boulenger, 1904)
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jean-Louis Amiet
Geographic Range This species occurs in the lowlands of south-western Cameroon, south of the Sanaga River,
at 50-1,150m asl.
Population It is not uncommon in its favoured habitat, though it is less common on the coastal plain.
Habitat and Ecology It is strictly a forest species, not occurring in secondary habitats. Outside the breeding season
it can be found among dead leaves on the forest floor. During the breeding season, males call from rocky areas by
streams and springs in forest, especially in valley heads where there are boulders under which tiny currents of water
fl ow. Breeding takes place in streams.
Major Threats The major threat to the species is habitat loss as a result of forest loss and fragmentation due to
logging.
Conservation Measures It might occur in a few protected areas, though this is not confirmed. There is a need for
improved habitat protection at sites where the species is known to occur.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1970b), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. and Perret, J.-L. (1969), Amiet, J.-L. and
Schiøtz, A. (1972)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Leptodactylodon wildi Amiet and Dowsett-Lemaire, 2000
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This recently described species is known only from the vicinity of the villages of Kodmin and Edib
in the Bakossi Mountains, 1,000-1,350m asl, in western Cameroon, although it might be a bit more widespread.
Population It is generally an uncommon species.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in montane forest, often close to small streams; there is no information on its ability
to tolerate changes to its habitat. Breeding takes place in springs and rivulets.
Major Threats It is probably threatened by forest clearance for smallholder farming.
Conservation Measures It does not occur in any protected areas, and its remaining habitat in the Bakossi Mountains
requires urgent protection.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. and Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2000)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
© Chris Wild
BOMBINATORIDAE
VU Barbourula busuangensis Taylor and Noble, 1924
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bombinatoridae
Country Distribution: Philippines
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jaime Bosch
Geographic Range This species occurs on the islands of Busuanga, Culion, and Palawan, all in the western Philippines.
It probably occurs more widely than current records suggest, especially in areas between known sites on
Palawan. It is a lowland species occurring up to 300m asl, perhaps up to 500m asl.
PHILIPPINE FLAT-HEADED FROG
Population It commonly occurs in large numbers where known, though the overall distribution is patchy and
fragmented.
Habitat and Ecology This aquatic species inhabits clear, unpolluted swift-fl owing mountain streams and rivers in
lowland rainforests, where it usually floats near the surface of the water unless disturbed, when it will hide under
submerged rocks. The breeding strategy of this species remains unknown. Tadpoles have never been observed, and
eggs collected from gravid females were large, unpigmented, and few in number (Inger 1954), suggesting that it
could possibly reproduce by direct development (Brown and Alcala 1983). However to date breeding habits have not
yet been observed. It has not been found in open habitats outside forest.
Major Threats The lowland rainforest habitat of this species is generally protected on the island of Palawan.
However, some populations are threatened by habitat conversion, shifting agriculture, quarrying, large-scale mining,
and pollution of streams and rivers from agricultural effluents. The collection of frogs for the pet trade (including
internationally) is also a possible threat.
Conservation Measures There is a need for remaining intact lowland rainforest of Palawan to be designated as
protected areas. Further research is needed to establish the levels of offtake of this species from the wild for the
international pet trade; if proved to be a significant threat, then this species could also warrant listing by CITES.
Bibliography: Alcala, A.C. and Brown, W.C. (1985), Brown, R.M., Diesmos, A.C. and Alcala, A.C. (2001), Brown, W.C. and Alcala,
A.C. (1983), Frost, D.R. (1985), Infante, C.R. et al. (2002), Inger, R.F. (1954), Inger, R.F. (1999), Myers, G.S. (1943), Taylor, E.H. and Noble,
G.K. (1924)
Data Providers: Arvin Diesmos, Angel Alcala, Rafe Brown, Leticia Afuang, Genevieve Gee, Katie Hampson, Mae Leonida Diesmos,
Aldrin Mallari, Perry Ong, Dondi Ubaldo, Baldwin Gutierrez