Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 159
EN Ansonia platysoma Inger, 1960
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Malaysia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Indraneil Das
Geographic Range This Bornean endemic occurs at a number of sites within Kinabalu National Park and at other
sites in the Crocker Range south of Kinabalu in Sabah (Malaysia); it is also known from Gunung Mulu National Park
in Sarawak. The altitudinal range in Kinabalu is 600-950m asl (Malkmus et al. 2002), and its overall altitudinal range
is 750-1,600m asl.
Population This species is abundant at most locations where it has been reported (such as the Crocker Range).
Habitat and Ecology Adults are found on the floor of montane forests and move to clear, rocky mountain creeks to
breed. The larvae cling to rocks in torrents in these streams and presumably feed on lithophytes. It appears not to
be able to survive in modified habitats.
Major Threats Logging in the submontane and montane forests could potentially lead to siltation of the streams
needed for larval development and result in loss of the lithophytes.
Conservation Measures The species is known to be present in the Kinabalu and Gunung Mulu National parks, both
of which are reasonably well managed; however, further protection of the remaining forest habitats, and continued
management of the existing protected areas, are needed. Additional surveys of potentially suitable sites in Kalimantan
are required to establish whether this species occurs there.
Bibliography: Inger, R.F. (1960a), Inger, R.F. (1966), Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R.B. (1997), Malkmus, R. et al. (2002)
Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun
VU Ansonia rubigina Pillai and Pattabiraman, 1981
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: India
Current Population Trend: Stable
© S.D. Biju
Geographic Range This species is present only in the Silent Valley and Wayanad areas of Kerala State in the southern
Western Ghats of India (Biju 2001) where it has been recorded at elevations between 1,000 and 1,200m asl.
Population It is a rare species, though populations are generally believed to be stable within the Silent Valley
National Park.
Habitat and Ecology It is restricted to tropical evergreen forest, and is associated with torrential streams and the
forest fl oor. Breeding presumably takes place by larval development in streams.
Major Threats There are currently no major threats to this species.
Conservation Measures It is currently considered to be adequately protected within the Silent Valley National
Park. Nonetheless, the population status of this species requires careful monitoring, given that it is known only
from two locations.
Notes on taxonomy: This species might be a synonym of Ansonia ornata (S.D. Biju pers. comm.).
Bibliography: Biju, S.D. (2001), Dutta, S.K. (1997), Pillai, R.S. and Pattabiraman, R. (1981)
Data Providers: S.D. Biju, Sushil Dutta, M.S. Ravichandran
VU Ansonia siamensis Kiew, 1984
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Thailand
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Geographic Range This species is known from a single locality in
the Khao Chong Mountains of Peninsular Thailand. It presumably
occurs more widely within these mountains, as has been mapped.
The type locality is at an elevation of 300m asl.
Population It is apparently uncommon. A pair was collected in 1979,
and a further five individuals have been collected since (Kiew 1984b,
Matsui, Nabhitabhata and Panha 1998).
Habitat and Ecology It is restricted to lowland primary tropical
moist forest. It is a stream-breeding species.
Major Threats The habitat of this species appears to be reasonably
well protected at present, and there are currently no major threats.
However, given its restricted range, it is potentially at risk from
stochastic events and pollution from adjacent tourist sites.
Conservation Measures The known range is entirely within the
Khao Chong Mountains protected area. The population status of
this species requires careful monitoring, given that it is known only
from a single location.
Bibliography: Kiew, B.H. (1984b), Matsui, M., Nabhitabhata, J. and Panha, S. (1998)
Data Providers: Peter Paul van Dijk, Jeet Sukumaran, Norsham Yaakob, Leong Tzi Ming, Yodchaiy Chuaynkern
VU Ansonia tiomanica Hendrickson, 1966
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Malaysia
Current Population Trend: Stable
© Jim McGuire
Geographic Range This species is known only from two localities on Tioman Island, Malaysia, at an altitude of
300-1,000m asl.
Population The population status of this species is unknown, but it is presumed to be stable at present.
Habitat and Ecology It is associated with boulders and waterfalls in caves. Breeding is presumed to take place
in streams.
Major Threats The species’ habitat is not currently under immediate threat, but the potential clearance of habitat
for tourism infrastructure is of concern for the future.
Conservation Measures Tioman Island has been designated as a protected area; continued enforcement of this
protected status is required. Safeguarding caves and other high-altitude habitats on Tioman Island is needed. The
population status of this species requires careful monitoring, given that it is known only from a single location.
Bibliography: Hendrickson, J.R. (1966)
Data Providers: Peter Paul van Dijk, Jeet Sukumaran, Norsham Yaakob, Leong Tzi Ming