Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

156
Threatened Amphibians of the World
BUFONIDAE
CR Adenomus dasi Manamendra-Arachchi and Pethiyagoda, 1998
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Sri Lanka
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© V.A.M.P.K. Samarawickrama
Geographic Range This species is restricted to a single locality “Moray Estate, Rajamally, near Mousakelle, alt.
1,370m asl” in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary of the Adam’s Peak area in Sri Lanka. It had previously been collected
in the late 1890s at the town Nuwara Eliya (1,710m asl), but is now considered to be extinct at this location (K.
Manamendra-Arachchi pers. comm.).
Population This is a rare species, now known only from the Moray Estate. There is no information on its current
population status.
Habitat and Ecology It is associated with hill streams in tropical moist forest. Adults can be found on mossy wet
rocks within streams, and in riparian leaf-litter. Breeding and larval development take place in streams.
Major Threats The extremely restricted distribution of this species makes it very susceptible to water pollution from
adjacent tea plantations and the possible negative impacts of tourism within the area.
Conservation Measures The species is present in the 224-km² Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. Additional survey work
is needed to determine the population status of the species.
Bibliography: Manamendra-Arachchi, K. and Pethiyagoda, R. (1998)
Data Providers: Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Anslem de Silva
EN Adenomus kelaartii (Günther, 1858)
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Sri Lanka
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Peter Janzen
Geographic Range This species is a Sri Lankan endemic, and is found over much of the south-west of the island.
It has been recorded at elevations between 30 and 1,230m asl.
Population It is fairly common where it occurs.
Habitat and Ecology It is normally terrestrial, but also sometimes semi-arboreal, and is associated with hill streams
in tropical wet forest. Adults have been observed in rock crevices, leaf-litter and decaying logs, and within tree holes.
Larvae are found in permanent pools.
Major Threats The major threat to the species is habitat loss and degradation due to the clearance (clear cutting)
of forested areas, agrochemical pollution, and expansion of cardamom plantations.
Conservation Measures The species has been recorded from several protected areas, including the Peak Wilderness
Forest Reserve, Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Kanneliya Reserve Forest, Haycock Forest Reserve, Gilimale-
Eratne Forest Reserve and Kitulgala Forest Reserve. Continued and improved management of these reserves is
recommended.
Bibliography: Dutta, S.K. and Manamendra-Arachchi, K. (1996), Haas, W., Lehr, E. and Köhler, G. (1997), Manamendra-Arachchi, K.
and Pethiyagoda, R. (1998)
Data Providers: Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Anslem de Silva, Deepthi Wickramasinghe
EN Altiphrynoides malcolmi (Grandison, 1978)
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Ethiopia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
CITES: Appendix I
© Colin Tilbury
Geographic Range This species is endemic to the Bale Mountains at 3,200-4,000m asl, in Bale Province, Ethiopia.
Population During the period 1971-1986, it was found to be common at several sites within its very limited geographical
range. The lack of recent records is due to the absence of survey work.
Habitat and Ecology This species spans the transition from Scheffl era-Hagenia-Hypericum forest to Afro-alpine
moorland. Egg strings are deposited amongst moist herbaceous vegetation where development proceeds to metamorphosis
through a terrestrial larval stage.
Major Threats The main threat is probably timber extraction from high-altitude forest, and there is some evidence
that this may already have occurred at the type locality.
Conservation Measures At least one of the sites where this toad remains common lies within the Bale Mountains
National Park, although this protected area is not formally gazetted. Nonetheless, there is a long-running conservation
programme in the Bale Mountains National Park (led by the Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme). The priority
action for the species is the protection of remaining montane forest habitats from commercial and subsistence
exploitation. It is listed in Appendix I of CITES, though it is not present in international trade.
Bibliography: Grandison, A.G.C. (1978), Largen, M.J. (2001), Wake, M.H. (1980)
Data Providers: Malcolm Largen
CR Andinophryne colomai Hoogmoed, 1985
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Ecuador
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Luis A. Coloma
Geographic Range This species is known only from the type locality (“Cabacera del Rio Baboso, cerca a Lita’, Carchi
Province, Ecuador”), and one other locality close by in the province of Carchi, in the north-western Andes of Ecuador.
It has been recorded from 1,180-1,400m asl.
Population It is a very rare species, and there have been no records since September 1984. Subsequent visits to the
type locality have failed to find any individuals.
Habitat and Ecology The holotype was collected on a branch some 50cm above the ground in the forest of a small
creek at night (Hoogmoed 1985). A male was collected at night sitting on a tree trunk in a creek, while a female was
collected in the afternoon on the forest fl oor near a creek (Hoogmoed 1989).
Major Threats The type locality has been severely impacted by habitat destruction as a result of agriculture and
logging. In addition, spraying of herbicides in Colombia to control crops is polluting the species’ habitat.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. Survey work is needed to determine the
population status of this species.
Bibliography: Hoogmoed, M.S. (1985), Hoogmoed, M.S. (1989)
Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Diego Cisneros-Heredia