Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

More documents

Recommendations

Info

192 Threatened Amphibians of the World CR Bufo sumatranus Peters, 1871 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Indonesia Current Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range This species is known only from a tiny area on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The type locality is unspecified. It is apparently confined to Lubuk Selasi, at the head of the Terusan River at about 1,000m asl, on the borders of three districts, Padang Pariaman, Solok and Pesisir Selatan. Despite searches, it has not been found above 1,260m, or below 800m asl. Surveys in several other parts of Sumatra have failed to find this species, and it is likely to have a very restricted distribution. Population This species was rediscovered in 2001 after a gap of 141 years. At present, it is only known from one area, but is relatively abundant within its tiny range. Habitat and Ecology It has been found along a small, clear stream with a width of 15m in secondary forest. No evidence of breeding has been found, but it presumably breeds by larval development in streams. It is not known whether or not the species is dependent on forest, though this is likely. Major Threats Since its rediscovery, there has been extensive and very rapid habitat destruction for rice paddies in its only known locality, leading to the siltation of streams, which might affect its ability to breed. Conservation Measures The species is not known from any protected area (it has not been recorded from a conservation forest about 10km from the only known locality). A community-based initiative involving local NGOs and communities is urgently needed to save the only known population of this species. Bibliography: Dubois, A. and Ohler, A. (1999), Iskandar, D.T. and Colijn, E. (2000) Data Providers: Djoko Iskandar, Mumpuni EN Bufo tacanensis Smith, 1952 Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Guatemala, Mexico Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Sean M. Rovito Geographic Range This species occurs at intermediate elevations along the Pacific versant of eastern Chiapas (Unión de Juarez), Mexico to western Guatemala, at elevations of 1,500-1,700m asl. Population This is a rare species throughout its range, and there are no recent records of it in either Mexico or Guatemala, despite searches. Habitat and Ecology This species has been recorded in foothills in premontane tropical forest. It is probably a stream breeder. Major Threats The alteration of the original forested areas by local people has severely impacted the only known habitat for this species. Furthermore, as a montane stream-breeding bufonid, it is possible that the species may be at risk of chytridiomycosis. Conservation Measures Conservation of the forested areas along the foothills of the Tacana volcano is necessary to ensure the preservation of this species. Fortunately, some programs of protection and restoration of the forests in the area have been implemented. In view of the severe risk of chytridiomycosis, the status of this species should be closely monitored, and ex-situ populations should be established if chytrid is shown to be a threat. Bibliography: Smith, W.P. (1952) Data Providers: Georgina Santos-Barrera, Oscar Flores-Villela, Manuel Acevedo, Antonio Muñoz Alonso CR Bufo taiensis Rödel and Ernst, 2000 Critically Endangered B2ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Côte d’Ivoire Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Mark-Oliver Rödel Geographic Range This species in known only from south-western Côte d’Ivoire. It possibly occurs in adjacent Liberia. Population It is clearly a very rare species, and is known from only four specimens in an area that has been thoroughly surveyed. Habitat and Ecology It is known only from primary rainforest. There is no information on its breeding, but if like B. tuberosus, then breeding is likely to take place in small forest streams. Major Threats There is ongoing forest loss in south-western Côte d’Ivoire, due to agriculture, timber extraction, and human settlement. Conservation Measures This species has been recorded from Taï National Park. Further survey work is required to determine the biology and population status and trends of this species, as well as the limits of its distribution range. Bibliography: Rödel, M.-O. (2000b), Rödel, M.-O. and Ernst, R. (2000), Tandy, M. and Perret, J.-L. (2000) Data Providers: Mark-Oliver Rödel, Jean-Luc Perret, Mills Tandy VU Bufo taladai Schwartz, 1960 CUBAN SPOTTED TOAD Vulnerable B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cuba Current Population Trend: Decreasing © David Ortiz Martinez Geographic Range This species is found in central and eastern Cuba from sea level up to 560m asl. Population It is very common in suitable habitat. Habitat and Ecology It is found in lowland mesic broadleaf forests and cultivated fields (providing farming is not too intensive). Males call in streams and shallow creeks, and eggs are laid in permanent water. Major Threats The major threat to this species is habitat loss due to intensive agriculture (livestock, sugarcane), charcoaling, and nickel mining. Pollution from agricultural pesticides is also a threat. Conservation Measures This species occurs in many protected areas. 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), Schwartz, A. (1960b), Schwartz, A. and Henderson, R.W. (1991) Data Providers: Blair Hedges, Luis Díaz
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 193 EN Bufo tutelarius Mendelson, 1997 Endangered B1ab(iii,v) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Guatemala, Mexico Current Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range This species occurs on the Pacific versant of Mexico from the Chimalapas region in south-eastern Oaxaca south through Chiapas to extreme western Guatemala, at elevations of 1,000-2,000m asl. Population It is uncommon but still present in one Oaxaca locality, with no evidence of a decline. In Chiapas, it has declined and is now rare, though it still persists. Apparently, it is rare in Guatemala, as recent expeditions within its range have not recorded this species, indicating a decline there also. Habitat and Ecology This species is closely associated with streams, which provide breeding habitat, in cloud forest; it also occurs in pine-oak (broadleaf) forest, and does tolerate moderate forest disturbance. Major Threats The major threat to this species has been the loss and fragmentation of suitable forest habitat as a result of livestock ranching and agricultural activities, and wood extraction. Since this is a montane, stream-breeding bufonid, it is possible that it may be affected by chytridiomycosis. Conservation Measures It occurs in Reserva de la Biósfera La Sepultura and Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo, but further protection of the remaining habitat in the range of this species is needed. In view of the severe risk of chytridiomycosis, the status of this species should be closely monitored and ex-situ populations should be established if chytrid is shown to be a threat. Bibliography: Campbell, J.A. (2001), Mendelson III, J.R. (1997b), Mendelson III, J.R., Ustach, P.C. and Montes de-Oca, A.N. (1999) Data Providers: Manuel Acevedo, Luis Canseco-Márquez, Antonio Muñoz Alonso VU Bufo uzunguensis Loveridge, 1932 Vulnerable B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Tanzania Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Michele Menegon Geographic Range This species occurs in the Udzungwa Mountains and Southern Highlands of Tanzania, from Dabaga south-west to Nyamwanga. It is found above 1,800m asl. Population It appears to be locally abundant in suitable habitat. Habitat and Ecology It is a species of swampy montane grassland. Its ability to adapt to habitat modification is unknown, though most records are from pristine grassland. It breeds in wet areas in the bottom of gentle valleys on high plateaus. Major Threats The montane grasslands of southern Tanzania are being destroyed and fragmented as a result of afforestation, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and human settlement, which is a major threat to this species. Conservation Measures It has not been recorded in any protected areas, and there is a need for improved protection of sites where the species is known to occur. It might be present in the Udzungwa National Park, but it is not clear whether it ranges that far north. Bibliography: Grandison, A.G.C. (1972b), Howell, K.M. (1993), Loveridge, A. (1932a), Poynton, J.C. (1998), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972) Data Providers: Kim Howell, John Poynton, Mills Tandy, Michele Menegon EN Bufo villiersi Angel, 1940 Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cameroon Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Jean-Louis Amiet Geographic Range This species is known from the mountains of western Cameroon at 1,200-2,500m asl, where it occurs on Mount Manenguba, the Bamileke Plateau (at Djuttitsa, Batie and Bangwa), the Bamboutos Mountains, and Riboa (between the Adamawa and Mambilla Plateaus). It might occur more widely, and if Bufo djohongensis proves to be a synonym, then its range will extend to the east of the Adamawa Plateau. Population It is not a well-known species, though it is probably moderately common in suitable habitats. Habitat and Ecology It lives along fast-flowing streams in montane grassland, sometimes with forest strips, and hides in holes during the day. It breeds in slow-fl owing streams bordered with trees. Major Threats Although it can probably cope with some disruption to its habitat, it is probably suffering from continuing degradation of its montane habitats as a result of smallholder farming activities, livestock ranching, wood extraction, and human settlement. Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. Protection of the remaining highland forests in Cameroon, particularly Mount Manenguba, is urgently needed. Notes on taxonomy: It is possible that Bufo djohongensis is a synonym of this species (J.-L. Amiet pers. comm.). Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1973b), Amiet, J.-L. (1976c), Perret, J.-L. (1971b), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Mills Tandy EN Bufoides meghalayanus (Yazdani and Chanda, 1971) Endangered B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: India Current Population Trend: Decreasing Geographic Range This species is known only from two sites, the type locality “Mawblang, ca. 5km. southeast of Cherrapunji town (Khasi-Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya), latitude 25° 15’N and longitude 91° 44’E, altitude above mean sea-level 4,369 ft. or ca. 1,330 meters”, India, and a second, recently discovered site in Mizoram, Bangladesh. It probably occurs at least a little more widely than current records suggest, especially in areas between the two known sites. Population Little is known about this species other than the original description, but it is considered to be rare. Habitat and Ecology The habitat is primarily wet forest fl oor, although adjacent scrubland and grassland are also used. The adults are to some degree arboreal. Breeding occurs on both pandanas and the ground. Larvae are found in water holes, presumably in both trees and on the ground. Major Threats The main threat is clear-cutting of the species’ forest habitat. Conservation Measures It has been reported from the Mizoram Wildlife Sanctuary, but additional habitat protection is necessary. Bibliography: Chanda, S.K. (1994), Chanda, S.K. (2002), Dutta, S.K. (1997), Pillai, R.S. and Yazdani, G.M. (1973) Data Providers: Sushil Dutta, Mohammed Firoz Ahmed
Page 1 and 2: Globally Threatened Amphibian Speci
Page 47: Globally Threatened Amphibian Speci
Page 99 and 100:
Globally Threatened Amphibian Speci
show all

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?