Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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178 Threatened Amphibians of the World CR Atelopus walkeri Rivero, 1963 Critically Endangered A3ce Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Colombia Current Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range This species is known from the northern slope of the Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the Department of Magdalena, and from the Guatapuri river basin in the department of Cesar, in northern Colombia, between 1,500 and 2,900m asl. Population This species was considered to be common when it was last recorded in 1992. There have been no further surveys within its range since then. Habitat and Ecology It occurs in sub-Andean and Andean forests. It can also adapt to some modification of its habitat. It lays egg chains in streams, where the tadpoles also develop. Major Threats The most serious risk to this species is chytridiomycosis, which has had a devastating impact on other high-altitude Atelopus species. Habitat fragmentation, primarily due to agriculture, and pollution, resulting from agricultural practices and the fumigation of crops, are also major threats. Conservation Measures The range of the species includes Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Surveys are needed to determine the current population status of this species. Disease management and captivebreeding programmes are recommended. Bibliography: Acosta-Galvis, A.R. (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lötters, S. (1996), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ruiz-Carranza, P.M., Ardila-Robayo, M.C. and Lynch, J.D. (1996) Data Providers: Martha Patricia Ramírez Pinilla, Mariela Osorno-Muñoz, Jose Vicente Rueda, Adolfo Amézquita, María Cristina Ardila-Robayo CR Atelopus zeteki Dunn, 1933 Critically Endangered A2ace Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Panama Current Population Trend: Decreasing CITES: Appendix I © Paul Crump Geographic Range This species is endemic to Panama, occurring east of the main Tabasará ridge in Provincias Coclé and Panamá at 335-1,315m asl. Population This species was reasonably common at a number of localities, and has been recorded as recently as 2005, but it is apparently less abundant north of El Copé, in comparison with observations in 1980. It is very rare or extinct on Cerro Campana. It has been extinct in the El Valle de Antón for approximately 40 years. In recent years, PANAMANIAN GOLDEN FROG populations have been declining catastrophically due to chytridiomycosis, and the well-known El Copé population collapsed and disappeared over the course of a few months in late 2004 (K. Lips pers. comm.). The chytridiomycosis epidemic is spreading from west to east through Panama, and populations in the eastern part of its range are now at severe risk of disappearing. Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species of tropical montane forest, with breeding and larval development taking place in forest streams. Major Threats The major threat is likely to be chytridiomycosis, which has led to catastrophic population declines in many other species of montane Atelopus. The deforestation of habitat for both agriculture and general infrastructure development, water pollution, and over collection for the pet trade are also threats to this species. In 2003, a road from Sorá to El Valle was opened along the ridge of the Cordillera Central, resulting in heavy sedimentation of most streams on the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, which has negatively affected a significant portion of the habitat used by this species (R. Ibañez, in litt. to E. La Marca). Conservation Measures This species is protected in Panama by national legislation (as Atelopus varius zetek) decree No. 23 of January 30, 1967. It has been recorded from the protected areas of Parque Nacional Altos de Campana and Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos Herrera. A successful captive-breeding programme involving many zoos in North America is in place, although no re-introductions will be made until existing threats can be addressed. Steps are also under way to establishing a captive colony in Panama. Bibliography: Cocroft, R.B. et al. (1990), Daly, J.W. et al. (1994), Ibáñez, R. et al. (2000), La Marca, E. et al. (2005), Lindquist, E.D. (1995), Lindquist, E.D. and Hetherington, T.E. (1996), Lindquist, E.D. and Hetherington, T.E. (1998a), Lindquist, E.D. and Hetherington, T.E. (1998b), Lindquist, E.D., Hetherington, T.E. and Badgley, D.D. (1999), Lötters, S. (1996), Pounds, J.A. et al. (2006), Ramos, C.W., Pimentel, N. and Martinez-Cortes, V. (2002), Young, B. et al. (1999), Zippel, K. (2002) Data Providers: Karen Lips, Frank Solís, Roberto Ibáñez, César Jaramillo, Querube Fuenmayor CR Bufo amabilis Pramuk and Kadivar, 2003 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Ecuador Current Population Trend: Decreasing © John D. Lynch Geographic Range This species is known only from elevations of 2,050-2,200m asl in the Loja Basin, an inter- Andean valley in Loja Province, Ecuador (Pramuk and Kadivar 2003). It is likely to have a restricted distribution, and recent surveys confi rm this. Population Past collections indicate that the species was fairly common at areas nearby creeks, even near plantations; however, surveys undertaken between 1989 and 2001 failed to fi nd the species. It appears that it has not been collected since 1968, and a serious decrease might have taken place. Habitat and Ecology The species has been collected in small pools and irrigation canals. Little is known of its habitat requirements or ecology, but breeding is presumed to take place in freshwater by larval development. Major Threats The apparent declines of this species might in part be due to the modifi cation of much of the Loja basin area for agriculture, urbanization, and other regional development. It appears that populations of this toad in the area surrounding Provincia Loja have been severely affected by human activities (Pramuk and Kadivar 2003). Disease might also be a factor but there is no evidence to confi rm this. Conservation Measures The species is not known to occur within a protected area. More exhaustive searches are needed to determine the population status of this species. Bibliography: Pramuk, J.B. and Kadivar, F. (2003) Data Providers: Luis A. Coloma EN Bufo amatolicus Hewitt, 1925 AMATOLA TOAD Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: South Africa Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Richard Boycott Geographic Range This species is known only from the Winterberg and Amatola Mountains, between Katberg and Keiskammahoek, in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, at 1,400-1,800m asl. Population It is locally moderately common, and congregates in large numbers to breed. Habitat and Ecology It breeds in shallow temporary pools and seepages in high-altitude moist grasslands, and is absent from forests and plantations. Major Threats The main threats are deforestation, overgrazing, and fires; over the last 20 years, about 20% of its habitat has been lost to plantations. Conservation Measures It occurs in the Hogsback Indigenous Forest and the Kubisi Indigenous Forest. Continued and strengthened protection of these areas, and expanded protection of other remaining forest habitat, are necessary. Bibliography: Branch, W.R. (1988), Channing, A. (2001), Minter, L.R. et al. (2004), Passmore, N.I. and Carruthers, V.C. (1995), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972), Wager, V.A. (1986) Data Providers: Leslie Minter, James Harrison
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 179 VU Bufo aucoinae O’Neill and Mendelson, 2004 Vulnerable B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Costa Rica, Panama Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Twan Leenders Geographic Range This species is known from 25-500m asl in far north-western Panama and western Costa Rica, from the Golfo Dulce area, north to the Rio Baru near Dominical. Population It is not abundant. Habitat and Ecology A nocturnal and terrestrial species that belongs to a clade of frogs considered intolerant of habitat disturbance (J. Mendelson pers. comm.). Adults are restricted to primary forest, but can migrate across degraded habitat to large streams and rivers where they breed at the end of the wet season (Mid-December to January) (Savage 2002; O’Neill and Mendelson 2004). It has not been found in forest patches < 10ha in size, but they also do not occur in all large forest patches in the region. It is hypothesized that the secondary limiting factor is proximity of appropriate breeding streams to occupied forest patch. The breeding stream requirements appear to be a wide, low-gradient, rocky stream with small isolated pools with sun exposure. Major Threats Habitat loss and fragmentation is a significant threat in western Costa Rica, due in particular to cattle ranching and plantation forestry. Loss of access to breeding streams and poisoning of rivers for the harvest of freshwater shrimp are also problems (M. Ryan pers. comm.). Conservation Measures The species is known from Corcovado, Braulio Carrillo, and Carara National Parks in Costa Rica. Notes on taxonomy: This species has recently been separated from Bufo melanochlorus (O’Neill and Mendelson 2004). Bibliography: O’Neill, E.M. and Mendelson, J.R. (2004), Savage, J.M. (2002) Data Providers: Joseph Mendelson EN Bufo beddomii Günther, 1875 Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: India Current Population Trend: Decreasing © S.U. Saravanakumar Geographic Range This species is believed to be endemic to the southern Western Ghats of India, and has been recorded from Kudremukh, Ponmudi and Kalakad. Specimens collected in Maharashtra are misidentifi cations of Bufo c.f. scaber (S.D. Biju pers. comm.). It has an altitudinal range of 1,000-1,500m asl. Population This is a rare species, and there are no estimates of population size or trends. Populations are fragmented, and the species is believed to be declining throughout much of its range. Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species primarily associated with montane tropical moist forest, and is presumed to breed in streams. Individuals have been recorded in abandoned eucalyptus plantations. It has not been recorded from agricultural areas. Major Threats The main threat is the conversion of areas of suitable habitat to intensive plantations (tea, eucalyptus and Acacia), and industrial development and urbanization around Ponmudi. Conservation Measures It has been recorded from the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) and Kudremukh National Park (Karnataka). The species has been the focus of recent studies (S.D. Biju 1998-2001). Notes on taxonomy: Many museum specimens assigned to Bufo beddomi are misidentifications (Biju 2001). Bibliography: Biju, S.D. (2001), Dutta, S.K. (1997), Krishnamurthy, S.V. and Hussain (2000), Ravichandran, M.S. (1996a), Ravichandran, M.S., and Pillai, R.S. (1990), Ravichandran, M.S., and Pillai, R.S. (1990), Vasudevan, K., Kumar, A. and Chellam, R. (2001) Data Providers: S.D. Biju, Sushil Dutta, M.S. Ravichandran Karthikeyan Vasudevan, S.P. Vijayakumar, Chelmala Srinivasulu, Gajanan Dasaramji Bhuddhe EN Bufo brauni Nieden, 1911 Endangered B1ab(iii,v) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Tanzania Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Michele Menegon Geographic Range This species occurs in the West and East Usambaras, the Ulugurus, and the Udzungwa Mountains in eastern Tanzania, from 750m asl (perhaps lower) to 1,800m asl. Population It is not an uncommon species. However, there is evidence that it is becoming more scarce. Habitat and Ecology It lives in submontane and montane forest zones, occurring in leaf-litter on the forest floor, and breeding in streams. It tolerates limited habitat disturbance, but is not found in open habitats, except when these are close to forest. Major Threats It is probably adversely affected by forest loss for agriculture, collection of wood, and human settlement, and 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 Amani Nature Reserve and Udzungwa National Park, but expanded and strengthened protection of these and other forest reserves in the Eastern Arc mountains is necessary. The species requires close population monitoring. Bibliography: Harper, E. and Vonesh, J.R. (2003), Howell, K.M. (1993), Poynton, J.C. (1998), Poynton, J.C. (2003b), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972) Data Providers: Kim Howell, John Poynton, Mills Tandy EN Bufo caeruleostictus Günther, 1859 Endangered A2c Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Ecuador Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Luis A. Coloma Geographic Range This species is known from several localities in western Ecuador in the north-western Andean montane forest and western Ecuador moist forests. It has been recorded from 40-2,000m asl. Population It is a rare species. Habitat and Ecology It is found from the lower Pacific Andean slopes up to cloud forests. In Las Pampas, the habitat of this species was described as being close to rivers/creeks in low montane cloud forest (Hoogmoed 1989). There is no information about its breeding habitats although it is presumed to be a larval developer. Major Threats The major threat to the species is habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, both for crops and livestock ranching, as well as logging and wood plantations. The invasive bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is probably also competing with this species. Conservation Measures The species is likely to be present in several protected areas. Further research is needed into the breeding biology of this species, and the possible adverse effects of competition with the invasive bullfrog. Bibliography: Günther, A.C.L.G. (1859), Hoogmoed, M.S. (1989) Data Providers: Diego Cisneros-Heredia, Ana Almandáriz, Mario Yánez-Muñoz, Luis A. Coloma, Santiago Ron
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Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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