Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 187
EN Bufo kumquat Das and Lim, 2001
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Malaysia
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jeet Sukumaran
Geographic Range This newly described species was found on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is known
only from the type locality, Sabak Bernam, and from the North Selangor Peat Swamp, though it possibly occurs
more widely.
Population It is locally abundant, but it is possibly hard to find when not breeding (which may be one explanation
for its recent discovery).
Habitat and Ecology It is a peat swamp specialist. It is thought be be an explosive breeder, and presumably breeds
by larval development.
Major Threats The major threat is drainage and reclamation of peat swamps for agricultural purposes, and part of
its type locality has already been destroyed.
Conservation Measures This species has not been recorded from any protected areas, making habitat protection
an urgent priority.
Bibliography: Das, I. and Lim, K.P.P. (2001)
Data Providers: Indraneil Das, Jeet Sukumaran, Norsham Yaakob
CR Bufo lemur (Cope, 1868)
PUERTO RICAN CRESTED TOAD
Critically Endangered A2a; B1ab(v)+2ab(v);
C2a(ii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Virgin Islands (British),
Puerto Rico
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Alejandro Sanchez
Geographic Range This species has a very restricted range, and is known from only a handful of localities along
the north and south coasts of Puerto Rico and Virgin Gorda Island. In recent years it has been recorded from only one
location on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It has been recorded from sea level up to 50m asl.
Population The north coast population has not been recorded since 1992, and it is most likely extirpated in this area. It
was last recorded on Virgin Gorda Island in 1964, and other surveys since then have not located any individuals. Since
1992, there has only been one known population remaining. In 1984, there were 900 mature individuals recorded in
this population; subsequently, in 1998, there were only 215 mature individuals recorded (of which 34 were females),
in 2002 only 100 mature individuals, and in 2003 only 80 mature individuals were recorded (R. Joglar pers. comm.).
Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species found in semi-arid, rocky areas of seasonal evergreen forest. Eggs
are laid in permanent or temporary pools of water, streams, or small dams for livestock.
Major Threats Infrastructure development for human settlement is a major threat, particularly on the north coast. In the
south of its range some breeding pools were deliberately drained to clear parking space for visitors to the beach.
Conservation Measures The last known population occurs entirely within the Guanica National Forest, which is a
well-managed area. Captive breeding has been successful, and after many years a re-introduction program in Puerto
Rico seems to be showing some success, with re-introduced captive-bred animals now returning to the constructed
ponds where they were fi rst released (Zippel 2005).
Bibliography: Hedges, S.B. (1993), Henderson, R.W. and Powell, R (1999), Henderson, R.W. and Powell, R. (2001), Joglar, R.L. (1999),
Rivero, J.A. (1998), Rivero, J.A. and Seguí Crespo, D. (1992), Zippel, K. (2005)
Data Providers: Blair Hedges, Rafael Joglar, Richard Thomas, Luis J. Villanueva-Rivera, Neftalí Ríos-Lopez
EN Bufo leucomyos McCranie and Wilson, 2000
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Honduras
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Twan Leenders
Geographic Range Disjunct populations of this species occur on the Atlantic slope of north-central Honduras at
0-1,600m asl.
Population The population is apparently stable in appropriate habitat and the species is recorded on a regular
basis.
Habitat and Ecology It can be found in lowland moist, and premontane and lower montane wet, forest; all specimens
have been collected from broadleaf forests. The larvae apparently develop in streams.
Major Threats A major threat to this species is the impact of landslides on upper clear water streams, as a result of
strong storms and human activities taking place in the lower portions of the streams. Habitat loss due to slash-and-burn
agriculture, smallholder farming, logging, and expanding human settlements is also a signifi cant threat.
Conservation Measures Part of the range of this species is protected in La Muralla and Pico Bonito National Parks,
the Lancetilla Botanical Garden, and the Reserva de Visda Silvestre Texiguat.
Bibliography: McCranie, J.R. and Wilson, L.D. (2000a), McCranie, J.R. and Wilson, L.D. (2002b)
Data Providers: Larry David Wilson, Gustavo Cruz
EN Bufo longinasus Stejneger, 1905
CUBAN LONG-NOSED TOAD
Endangered B2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cuba
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is only known from three very small
distributional pockets (Pinar del Río Province, Sierra de Trinidad,
and Sierra del Guaso) in Cuba, and each of these may turn out to be
separate species. It has been recorded from 100-820m asl.
Population It is generally an uncommon species, although one
population in the west is known to be very abundant. However,
the eastern population has not been found again since it was first
described in the early 1900s.
Habitat and Ecology It is found in upland pinewoods and mesic
broadleaf forest, and is terrestrial by day but may be arboreal at night.
It has not been recorded outside forest habitat, and is always found
by streams. Males call while floating on the surface of water. Eggs
are laid in streams, where the larvae also develop.
Major Threats There is ongoing habitat loss in the upland woodlands
in which it occurs from clear-cutting and subsistence logging,
charcoaling, fires, and agricultural expansion.
Conservation Measures Its range includes several protected areas, although these areas do not provide sufficient
protection for the species. Improved management of these reserves, and strengthened protection of the remaining
forest habitat, is required.
Bibliography: Centro Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CNAP) (2002), 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), Moreno, L.V. et al. (1999), Schwartz, A. and Henderson,
R.W. (1991)
Data Providers: Blair Hedges, Luis Díaz