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> 193<br />
EN Bufo tutelarius Mendelson, 1997<br />
Endangered B1ab(iii,v)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Guatemala, Mexico<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
Geographic Range This species occurs on the Pacific versant of<br />
Mexico from the Chimalapas region in south-eastern Oaxaca south<br />
through Chiapas to extreme western Guatemala, at elevations of<br />
1,000-2,000m asl.<br />
Population It is uncommon but still present in one Oaxaca locality,<br />
with no evidence of a decline. In Chiapas, it has declined and is now<br />
rare, though it still persists. Apparently, it is rare in Guatemala, as<br />
recent expeditions within its range have not recorded this species,<br />
indicating a decline there also.<br />
Habitat and Ecology This species is closely associated with<br />
streams, which provide breeding habitat, in cloud forest; it also<br />
occurs in pine-oak (broadleaf) forest, and does tolerate moderate<br />
forest disturbance.<br />
Major Threats The major threat to this species has been the loss<br />
and fragmentation of suitable forest habitat as a result of livestock<br />
ranching and agricultural activities, and wood extraction. Since this<br />
is a montane, stream-breeding bufonid, it is possible that it may be affected by chytridiomycosis.<br />
Conservation Measures It occurs in Reserva de la Biósfera La Sepultura and Reserva de la Biósfera El Triunfo,<br />
but further protection of the remaining habitat in the range of this species is needed. In view of the severe risk of<br />
chytridiomycosis, the status of this species should be closely monitored and ex-situ populations should be established<br />
if chytrid is shown to be a threat.<br />
Bibliography: Campbell, J.A. (2001), Mendelson III, J.R. (1997b), Mendelson III, J.R., Ustach, P.C. and Montes de-Oca, A.N. (1999)<br />
Data Providers: Manuel Acevedo, Luis Canseco-Márquez, Antonio Muñoz Alonso<br />
VU Bufo uzunguensis Loveridge, 1932<br />
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Tanzania<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
© Michele Menegon<br />
Geographic Range This species occurs in the Udzungwa Mountains and Southern Highlands of Tanzania, from<br />
Dabaga south-west to Nyamwanga. It is found above 1,800m asl.<br />
Population It appears to be locally abundant in suitable habitat.<br />
Habitat and Ecology It is a species of swampy montane grassland. Its ability to adapt to habitat modification is<br />
unknown, though most records are from pristine grassland. It breeds in wet areas in the bottom of gentle valleys<br />
on high plateaus.<br />
Major Threats The montane grasslands of southern Tanzania are being destroyed and fragmented as a result of<br />
afforestation, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and human settlement, which is a major threat to this species.<br />
Conservation Measures It has not been recorded in any protected areas, and there is a need for improved protection<br />
of sites where the species is known to occur. It might be present in the Udzungwa National Park, but it is not<br />
clear whether it ranges that far north.<br />
Bibliography: Grandison, A.G.C. (1972b), Howell, K.M. (1993), Loveridge, A. (1932a), Poynton, J.C. (1998), Tandy, M. and Keith, R.<br />
(1972)<br />
Data Providers: Kim Howell, John Poynton, Mills Tandy, Michele Menegon<br />
EN Bufo villiersi Angel, 1940<br />
Endangered B1ab(iii)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: Cameroon<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
© Jean-Louis Amiet<br />
Geographic Range This species is known from the mountains of western Cameroon at 1,200-2,500m asl, where<br />
it occurs on Mount Manenguba, the Bamileke Plateau (at Djuttitsa, Batie and Bangwa), the Bamboutos Mountains,<br />
and Riboa (between the Adamawa and Mambilla Plateaus). It might occur more widely, and if Bufo djohongensis<br />
proves to be a synonym, then its range will extend to the east of the Adamawa Plateau.<br />
Population It is not a well-known species, though it is probably moderately common in suitable habitats.<br />
Habitat and Ecology It lives along fast-flowing streams in montane grassland, sometimes with forest strips, and<br />
hides in holes during the day. It breeds in slow-fl owing streams bordered with trees.<br />
Major Threats Although it can probably cope with some disruption to its habitat, it is probably suffering from<br />
continuing degradation of its montane habitats as a result of smallholder farming activities, livestock ranching, wood<br />
extraction, and human settlement.<br />
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. Protection of the remaining highland forests<br />
in Cameroon, particularly Mount Manenguba, is urgently needed.<br />
Notes on taxonomy: It is possible that Bufo djohongensis is a synonym of this species (J.-L. Amiet pers. comm.).<br />
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1973b), Amiet, J.-L. (1976c), Perret, J.-L. (1971b), Tandy, M. and Keith, R. (1972)<br />
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Mills Tandy<br />
EN Bufoides meghalayanus (Yazdani and Chanda, 1971)<br />
Endangered B1ab(iii)<br />
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae<br />
Country Distribution: India<br />
Current Population Trend: Decreasing<br />
Geographic Range This species is known only from two sites,<br />
the type locality “Mawblang, ca. 5km. southeast of Cherrapunji<br />
town (Khasi-Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya), latitude 25° 15’N<br />
and longitude 91° 44’E, altitude above mean sea-level 4,369 ft.<br />
or ca. 1,330 meters”, India, and a second, recently discovered site<br />
in Mizoram, Bangladesh. It probably occurs at least a little more<br />
widely than current records suggest, especially in areas between<br />
the two known sites.<br />
Population Little is known about this species other than the original<br />
description, but it is considered to be rare.<br />
Habitat and Ecology The habitat is primarily wet forest fl oor,<br />
although adjacent scrubland and grassland are also used. The adults<br />
are to some degree arboreal. Breeding occurs on both pandanas and<br />
the ground. Larvae are found in water holes, presumably in both<br />
trees and on the ground.<br />
Major Threats The main threat is clear-cutting of the species’ forest habitat.<br />
Conservation Measures It has been reported from the Mizoram Wildlife Sanctuary, but additional habitat protection<br />
is necessary.<br />
Bibliography: Chanda, S.K. (1994), Chanda, S.K. (2002), Dutta, S.K. (1997), Pillai, R.S. and Yazdani, G.M. (1973)<br />
Data Providers: Sushil Dutta, Mohammed Firoz Ahmed