Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

182
Threatened Amphibians of the World
CR Bufo cristatus Wiegmann, 1833
LARGE-CRESTED TOAD
Critically Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab
(i,ii,iii,iv,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Mexico
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Ronald Altig
Geographic Range This species is found in the central Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico, in the states of Puebla
and Veracruz. However, it only survives in northern Puebla at Apulco, at 1,400m asl, and Barranca de Xocoyolo, at
about 1,300m asl.
Population This species was believed to be extinct and has only recently been rediscovered at Apulco and Barranca
de Xocoyolo, where it is uncommon. There have been no recent records of the species at any of the previously known
localities in Veracruz, and it is believed to be extinct in these sites.
Habitat and Ecology It inhabits pristine cloud forests (dominated by oak) and breeding takes place in streams by
larval development.
Major Threats The disappearance and disturbance of the pine-oak forests, as well as the pollution and desiccation
of streams, are the major threats to this species. The habitat has been completely destroyed in the localities where
this species appears to have been extirpated.
Conservation Measures Protection of the original pine-oak forest and measures to avoid the pollution of streams
from anthropogenic activities are required to protect this species. This species is protected by Mexican law under
the “Special Protection” category (Pr).
Bibliography: Brandt, T. and Buschmann, H. (2004), Gleed-Owen, C. (1996), Mendelson III, J.R. (1997a), Mendelson III, J.R. (1998b),
Mendelson III, J.R. and Canseco-Márquez, L. (1998)
Data Providers: Georgina Santos-Barrera, Luis Canseco-Márquez
VU Bufo cycladen Lynch and Smith, 1966
Vulnerable A2a; B1ab(v)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Mexico
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© J.R. Mendelson
Geographic Range This species occurs in a relatively narrow altitudinal band around 750-1,000m asl on the Pacific
slope of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Guerrero and Oaxaca states, Mexico. Most specimens have been collected around
the private hacienda of Agua del Obispo, along the old highway between Tierra Colorada and Chilpancingo, Guerrero.
One other series is known from Putla de Guerrero, about 150km east on the same slope of the Sierra Madre del Sur,
Oaxaca. The distribution is presumed to be continuous between these two localities at mid elevations, and might
well continue further east or west as this region is undersampled for amphibians.
Population Field notes and collections by E.H. Taylor, H.M. Smith, and W.E. Duellman in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s
indicate that this species was common in the Agua del Obispo area. Approximately five weeks of fieldwork there during
2000 and 2003 resulted in the discovery of just a single individual, indicating a probable serious decline.
Habitat and Ecology This species is known from the ecotone of scattered small pines and brush between lower
altitude tropical deciduous forest and higher altitude pine-oak forest. The species is presumed to be a larval developer.
Major Threats Although this species is believed to be tolerant of some degree of habitat alteration, such as selective
logging, large-scale agricultural clearance and agrochemicals are likely to cause significant impacts. There is
no direct evidence that chytridiomycosis is a threat to this species, but chytrid is known from this locality (Lips et al.
2004) and the drastic population decline is consistent with such an impact.
Conservation Measures This species is not known from any protected areas, but might occur in the lower reaches
of the Omilterne Reserve. There is a need for improved habitat protection at sites where this species is known to
occur. Further research is required to investigate the potential threat posed by chytridiomycosis.
Notes on taxonomy: This species was removed from the synonymy of Bufo coccifer by Mendelson et al. (2005).
Bibliography: Lips, K.R. et al. (2004), Lynch, J.D. and Smith, H.M. (1966), Mendelson III, J.R. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Joseph Mendelson
EN Bufo djohongensis Hulselmans, 1977
Endangered B2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known only from the Adamawa
Plateau in north-central Cameroon.
Population There is very little information on its population status,
and it has only been recorded on a few occasions.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in gallery forests in a landscape of
montane grassland and wooded savannah, and has been found
breeding in streams.
Major Threats It is probably suffering from continuing degradation
of its montane habitats as a result of expanding agriculture, overgrazing
by livestock, wood extraction, fire, and human settlement.
Conservation Measures It has not been recorded from any
protected areas, and some form of protection of the remaining
habitat on the Adamawa Plateau is urgently needed. Further survey
work is necessary to determine the current population status of
this species.
Notes on taxonomy: The taxonomic status of this species is uncertain. It was described as a subspecies of Bufo funereus (Hulselmans
1977), and was considered a distinct species by Joger (1982) and Böhme and Schneider (1987). J.-L. Amiet (pers. comm.) considers that
it is a junior synonym of Bufo villiersi, an opinion not shared by U. Joger (pers. comm.).
Bibliography: Böhme, W. and Schneider, B. (1987), Hulselmans, J.L.J. (1977), Joger, U. (1982)
Data Providers: Ulrich Joger, Mills Tandy, Jean-Louis Amiet
VU Bufo empusus (Cope, 1862)
CUBAN SMALL-EARED TOAD
Vulnerable B2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cuba
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species has a wide but patchy distribution
in lowland Cuba and the Isla de Juventud. It ranges from sea
level up to 70m asl.
Population It is abundant during breeding, but otherwise burrows
underground and is rarely seen.
Habitat and Ecology It inhabits xeric and mesic lowland forests
and savannahs. The males call from flooded ditches and large temporary
pools of rainwater, and the eggs are laid in still water. It is
an explosive breeder, though outside the breeding season it remains
in burrows below ground.
Major Threats The major threats to this species are habitat loss
and degradation, due to agriculture (it occurs in an area of intense
agricultural production), and pollution from agricultural pesticides.
The spread of the invasive plant species Dichrostachys cinerea is
also threatening this species’ native habitat.
Conservation Measures It occurs in several protected areas. There is a need to control the spread of invasive
species within these existing protected areas.
Bibliography: Hedges, S.B. (1993), Hedges, S.B. (1999), Hedges, S.B. (2001), Henderson, R.W. and Powell, R (1999), Henderson, R.W.
and Powell, R. (2001), Schwartz, A. and Henderson, R.W. (1991)
Data Providers: Blair Hedges, Luis Díaz