Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1
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<strong>Globally</strong> <strong>Threatened</strong> <strong>Amphibian</strong> <strong>Species</strong> 189<br />
EN Bufo noellerti Manamendra-Arachchi and Pethiyagoda, 1998<br />
Endangered B1ab(iii)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Sri Lanka<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
© Madhava Meegaskumbura<br />
Geographic Range This species has a restricted distribution in south-west Sri Lanka, and has been recorded at<br />
elevations of between 150 and 460m asl.<br />
Population It is not a common species, and populations may be declining proportionately with a loss in forest<br />
habitat.<br />
Habitat and Ecology It is a terrestrial species found in, and around, tropical lowland moist forest. Adults have been<br />
recorded from rubber plantations, tea estates, and domestic gardens close to the forest edge only. The breeding<br />
habitat is not known.<br />
Major Threats The main threats to the species are habitat loss, due to selective logging, and agrochemical pollution.<br />
Conservation Measures It has been recorded from the Kanneliya Forest Reserve, Gilimale-Eratne Forest Reserve and<br />
the Sinharaja World Heritage Site; the continued management of these for biodiversity conservation is important.<br />
Bibliography: Dubois, A. and Ohler, A. (1999), Dutta, S.K. and Manamendra-Arachchi, K. (1996), Manamendra-Arachchi, K. and<br />
Pethiyagoda, R. (1998)<br />
Data Providers: Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Anslem de Silva<br />
VU Bufo nyikae Loveridge, 1953<br />
Vulnerable D2<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Malawi, Zambia<br />
Current Population Trend: Stable<br />
© David C. Blackburn<br />
Geographic Range This species is known only from the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi and north-eastern Zambia.<br />
It is a high-altitude species, although its precise altitudinal range is not known.<br />
Population It is probably reasonably common within its small range.<br />
Habitat and Ecology It is apparently associated mainly with montane forest, and with wet, boggy places in grassland,<br />
and is never far from trees. It breeds in small, shallow pools.<br />
Major Threats Most, if not all, of the range of this species is in a protected area, and so it is probably not seriously<br />
threatened at present.<br />
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Nyika National Park. This species requires close population monintoring<br />
given that it is known from only a single location.<br />
Notes on taxonomy: This species was removed from the synonymy of Bufo lonnbergi by Poynton (1997), where it had been placed<br />
by Grandison (1972).<br />
Bibliography: Broadley, D.G. (1971), Channing, A. (2001), Grandison, A.G.C. (1972b), Poynton, J.C. (1964a), Poynton, J.C. (1997), Poynton,<br />
J.C. and Broadley, D.G. (1988), Stewart, M.M. (1967), Stewart, M.M. and Wilson, V.J. (1966), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972)<br />
Data Providers: Mills Tandy, Lovemore Mazibuko, Alan Channing, John Poynton<br />
EN Bufo pantherinus Smith, 1828<br />
WESTERN LEOPARD TOAD<br />
Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: South Africa<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
© Andrew Turner<br />
Geographic Range This species is known only from a very small area of the Western Cape Province in South<br />
Africa, ranging from the Cape Peninsula eastward to beyond Gansbaai in the Pearly Beach area. It occurs only at low<br />
elevations, within 10km of the sea.<br />
Population It is a locally common species.<br />
Habitat and Ecology It occurs in large wetlands, vleis, dams, and sluggish water in lowland fynbos heathland, as<br />
well as in altered habitats, such as farmland, suburban gardens, and urban open areas, although always in close<br />
proximity to freshwater habitats. It breeds in permanent waterbodies, and occasionally temporary waterbodies that<br />
retain water well into summer, and has a preference for deep water, with fl oating plants.<br />
Major Threats Although it is tolerant of a degree of habitat alteration, it is probably being negatively impacted by<br />
increased urbanization and agricultural expansion. Road kills may also be an important factor.<br />
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Agulhas National Park and in the northern limits of Cape of Good Hope<br />
Nature Reserve, as well as in various local reserves, However, much of its habitat remains unprotected, such that<br />
improved protection of this habitat is necessary.<br />
Bibliography: Channing, A. (2001), Cherry, M.I. (1992), Cunningham, M. and Cherry, M.I. (2000), Eick, B.N., Harley, E.H. and Cherry,<br />
M.I. (2001), Minter, L.R. et al. (2004), Passmore, N.I. and Carruthers, V.C. (1995), Poynton, J.C. and Lambiris, A.J.L. (1988), Tandy, M.<br />
and Keith, R. (1972)<br />
Data Providers: Leslie Minter, James Harrison<br />
CR Bufo peripatetes Savage, 1972<br />
Critically Endangered A3ce<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Panama<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
Geographic Range This species is known only from two sites:<br />
Parque Internacional La Amistad, a transboundary protected area between<br />
Costa Rica and Panama, and Cerro Bollo, in the western central<br />
cordillera of Panama. It has been recorded at 1,500-1,856m asl.<br />
Population There is no information available on the population size<br />
or abundance of this species. It can still be found above Boquete on<br />
the trail to Almirante and Cerro Bollo on the border between Chiriquí<br />
and Bocas del Toro Provinces.<br />
Habitat and Ecology This is a largely unknown terrestrial species<br />
of tropical montane forest. There is no information available<br />
on reproduction or breeding habitats, though it presumably takes<br />
place in water. Assuming that it is similar to Bufo fastidiosus and<br />
B. holdridgei, it is likely to emerge unpredictably to breed, and is<br />
probably very hard to find.<br />
Major Threats The closely related species Bufo fastidiosus and B.<br />
holdridgei have both declined dramatically, probably due to chytridiomycosis,<br />
and are now possibly extinct. This disease must be considered a very serious threat to B. peripatetes as<br />
well, and the disease has already passed through the range of this species. Destruction of available forest habitat<br />
(generally caused by the driving of cattle through La Amistad) is a threat to the species.<br />
Conservation Measures There are no specific conservation measures currently in place, but further research is<br />
needed into the range, ecology, and population status of this species. In view of the threat of chytridiomycosis, the<br />
status of this species should be closely monitored, and an ex-situ population should be established.<br />
Bibliography: Ibáñez, R. et al. (2000), Savage, J.M. (1972b), Savage, J.M. and Donnelly, M.A. (1992), Young, B. et al. (1999)<br />
Data Providers: Frank Solís, Roberto Ibáñez, César Jaramillo, Querube Fuenmayor, Karen Lips