Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

148
Threatened Amphibians of the World
EN Cardioglossa melanogaster Amiet, 1972
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© David C. Blackburn
Geographic Range This species is known from the mountains of eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon at
1,200-2,000m asl. In Nigeria, it has been recorded from the Obudu Plateau, and in Cameroon it is known from
Mount Manenguba, the southern fringe of the Bamileke Plateau (at Foto and Mount Bana), Mount Nlonako, and the
Bamenda Highlands (in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve). At Mwakoumel on Mount Manenguba, it co-exists with
Cardioglossa pulchra and C. venusta.
Population It is common on Mount Manenguba at about 1,600-1,700m asl.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in submontane and montane areas in forest and in dense secondary growth. Males
call from shady situations along streams. It is a stream-breeding species.
Major Threats It is at risk because of forest loss as a result of expanding human settlements, agricultural encroachment,
and removal of wood.
Conservation Measures It does occur in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, but additional habitat protection of the
remaining highland forests in Cameroon, particularly Mount Manenguba, and in Nigeria, is needed.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Amiet, J.-L. (1973b), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1975), Amiet, J.-L.
(1981), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Arne Schiøtz
EN Cardioglossa oreas Amiet, 1972
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Václav Gvoždík
Geographic Range This species is endemic to the mountains of western Cameroon at 1,900-2,650m asl, occurring
on Mount Manenguba, and on the Bamenda Highlands at the Bamboutos Mountains, the Bafut-Ngemba Forest
Reserve, and Mount Oku.
Population It is common within its small range.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in montane forest, often in bamboo forest, and in degraded habitats with trees. They
are associated with areas around fast-fl owing streams, where they sit on leaves, or hide in holes or under stones
and breed in streams.
Major Threats This species is seriously threatened by forest loss due to agricultural expansion and extraction of
wood, as well as by overgrazing and expansion of human settlements.
Conservation Measures The species occurs in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, but is largely unprotected
elsewhere in its range. A conservation project has been conducted on Mount Oku for several years by BirdLife International,
involving community management of the area by the local villages; this project needs to take into account
the conservation needs of this species.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Gartshore, M.E. (1986)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Arne Schiøtz
EN Cardioglossa pulchra Schiøtz, 1963
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© David C. Blackburn
Geographic Range This species is known from the mountains of eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon at
900-1,800m asl. In Nigeria, it has been recorded from the Obudu Plateau, and in Cameroon it is known from Mount
Manenguba, Mount Ngokham, the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, Batie, and Fongo-Tongo. At Mwakoumel on Mount
Manenguba, it co-exists with C. melanogaster and C. venusta.
Population It is known to be common in the breeding season.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in submontane and montane forest along fast-fl owing streams and also at high elevations
along forest edges. It can survive with some deforestation and it breeds in streams.
Major Threats It is probably threatened by ongoing forest loss caused by agricultural encroachment, extraction of
wood, and expanding human settlements.
Conservation Measures It is found in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve in Cameroon and the Cross River National
Park in Nigeria. Continued protection of these areas, and further habitat protection of the remaining highland forests
in Cameroon, particularly Mount Manenguba, and in Nigeria, is needed.
Notes on taxonomy: Records of this species from Tchabal Mbabo refer to Cardioglossa alsco.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1975), Schiøtz, A.
(1963)
Data Providers: Arne Schiøtz, Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Cardioglossa schioetzi Amiet, 1981
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mary E. Gartshore
Geographic Range This species is endemic to the Oshie-Obudu Ridge in Cameroon and Nigeria. It is found from Acha
Tugi on Mount Oshie in Cameroon and from the Obudu Plateau in Nigeria. Its altitudinal range is 1,640-1,800m asl.
Population There is no information available on its population status, and the species is generally poorly known.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in and around relict patches of montane forest, which are now fragmented, and also in
secondary vegetation in which no trees remain. It has been found on steep slopes of scree, boulders and clay, overgrown
with a dense cover of high grass and trees. It has also been found around streams, where it presumably breeds.
Major Threats It is threatened by habitat loss due to expanding agricultural activities and human settlements,
and overgrazing.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Cross River National Park in Nigeria, but further measures are urgently
needed to protect the remaining patches of habitat in its very small range. Additional survey work would be useful
to determine the current population status of this species.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1981), Gartshore, M.E. (1986)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Arne Schiøtz