Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

146
Threatened Amphibians of the World
ANURA
ARTHROLEPTIDAE
EN Arthroleptis crusculum Angel, 1950
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Guinea
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Annika Hillers
Geographic Range This species is known only from Mount Nimba in Guinea; it presumably also occurs in the Liberian
and Ivorian parts of Mount Nimba, but this has not yet been confirmed. It has been recorded from 500-1,650m asl.
Population There is no recent information on the population status of this species, but it was formerly recorded
as being very common.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in high-altitude grassland, gallery forest, and on the edges of marshes. Like other
members of the genus, it presumably breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon water.
Major Threats The major threat to the species is habitat loss and degradation, since Mount Nimba is subject to
slash-and-burn agricultural activities and extensive iron-ore mining operations.
Conservation Measures The species occurs in the Mont Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, which was added to the
list of World Heritage Sites in 1981 (the adjacent part in Cote D’Ivoire was added in 1982). However, strengthened
and improved management of this site is needed, and further survey work is required to determine the current
population status of the species.
Notes on taxonomy: We follow Poynton (2003c) in retaining the genus Schoutedenella only for Schoutedenella xenochirus, and assign
this species to its original genus, Arthroleptis. However, this species is very distinctive and should probably be transferred to the monotypic
genus Arthroleptulus (R.C. Drewes pers. comm.).
Bibliography: Angel, F. (1950), Perret, J.-L. (1991), Poynton, J.C. (2003c)
Data Providers: Mark-Oliver Rödel, Robert Drewes
EN Arthroleptis francei Loveridge, 1953
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Malawi
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Colin Tilbury
Geographic Range This species is known only from Mount Mulanje in southern Malawi and possibly from the
nearby Zomba Mountains. It is found as low as 700m asl in the Ruo Basin, but also occurs higher up on the mountain,
including on the plateau, probably up to at least 2,500m asl.
Population It is apparently common within its restricted range, but there have been no records over the last 30
years, probably due to a lack of fieldwork.
Habitat and Ecology This species inhabits both lowland and montane forest, including high-altitude cedar forest. It
is also found, but is probably much less common, in montane grassland and pine plantations. There is little information
on its adaptability to secondary habitats, but it is believed to favour undisturbed habitats. It lives in leaf-litter in
areas of very high rainfall. They sometimes climb trees up to at least 2m from the ground. It is presumed to breed by
direct development, though the site of egg deposition is not known.
Major Threats Although somewhat protected, the forest on Mount Mulanje continues to be lost in places as a result
of small-scale farming and extraction of wood.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, and continued protection and management
of this area is essential. Further survey work is required to determine the current population status of this
species.
Bibliography: Channing, A. (2001), Poynton, J.C. and Broadley, D.G. (1985a), Stevens, R.A. (1974), Stewart, M.M. (1967)
Data Providers: Lovemore Mazibuko, John Poynton
EN Arthroleptis nikeae Poynton, 2003
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Tanzania
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Michele Menegon
Geographic Range This species is known only from the Mafwemiro Catchment Forest Reserve in the Rubeho
Mountains in eastern Tanzania, at 1,900m asl. It presumably occurs more widely, at least within the northern part
of the Rubeho Mountains.
Population It is a recently discovered species known only from two specimens collected in 2001.
Habitat and Ecology Both specimens were found on the floor of montane forest in a small valley, and one of them
was collected close to a stream. Like other members of the genus, it presumably breeds by direct development, and
is not dependent upon water.
Major Threats It is probably adversely affected by forest loss for agriculture, collection of wood and human
settlement.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Mafwemiro Catchment Forest Reserve, which affords some level of protection,
but which is not managed for biodiversity conservation. Further survey work would be useful in determining
the species’ current population status.
Bibliography: Poynton, J.C. (2003a)
Data Providers: John Poynton, Kim Howell
VU Arthroleptis tanneri Grandison, 1983
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Tanzania
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Alan Channing
Geographic Range This species is known only from the East and West Usambara Mountains, the Nguru Mountains,
and the Ukaguru Mountains in eastern and north-eastern Tanzania. It is a montane species, though its altitudinal
range is not yet fully known; the type specimen was collected at 1,530m asl.
Population It appears to be an uncommon species.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in leaf-litter on the floor of montane forests, and is generally found in moister situations
(sometimes even aggregating alongside water). It probably cannot cope well with habitat loss. Like other members
of the genus, it presumably breeds by direct development.
Major Threats This species is probably adversely affected by forest loss due to agriculture, wood extraction,
and human settlement. Its habitat in the East Usambaras has recently come under serious threat as a result of the
activities of illegal gold miners.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the University of Dar es Salaam reserve at Mazumbai in the West Usambara
Mountains.
Bibliography: Grandison, A.G.C. (1983), Howell, K.M. (1993)
Data Providers: Kim Howell, John Poynton