Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 149
CR Cardioglossa trifasciata Amiet, 1972
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jean-Louis Amiet
Geographic Range This species is known only from the southern slopes of Mount Manenguba at 1,750-1,800m
asl in western Cameroon.
Population There is no information available on its current population status.
Habitat and Ecology It has been found in and around a small stream running through dense secondary bush and
montane forest; it has not been recorded from primary forest, although it might well occur. The animals hide under
large rocks and small stones, and presumably breed in streams.
Major Threats Although the habitat of this species is not especially threatened, it is at severe risk given its small
range and vulnerability to agricultural encroachment, wood extraction, and expanding human settlements.
Conservation Measures The species is not known from any protected areas, and the remaining habitat in the
area needs to be protected as a matter of urgency. There is a need for further survey work to determine the current
population status of this species.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1975)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Arne Schiøtz
EN Cardioglossa venusta Amiet, 1972
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Arthroleptidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Andreas Schmitz
Geographic Range This species is known only from a small area of the mountains of western Cameroon at 950-1,350m
asl at Mount Manenguba, the Bamileke Plateau (at Fotabong, Fontem, and the Mbos Cliffs), Mount Nlonako, and the
Rumpi Hills. At Mwakoumel on Mount Manenguba, it co-exists with Cardioglossa pulchra and C. melanogaster.
Population The species is largely unknown, and there is no information on its current population status.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in submontane forests near fast-flowing streams in hilly country with high rainfall. It
can survive in degraded, secondary habitat close to more mature forest and it breeds in streams.
Major Threats It is at risk due to forest loss caused by agricultural encroachment, extraction of wood, and expanding
human settlements.
Conservation Measures It may occur in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve, but this reserve is not well managed for
biodiversity conservation; improved and expanded habitat protection is urgently needed to ensure the survival of
this species.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1975), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Arne Schiøtz, Jean-Louis Amiet
ASTYLOSTERNIDAE
VU Astylosternus diadematus Werner, 1898
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mary E. Gartshore
Geographic Range This species is known only from western and south-western Cameroon, and possibly extreme
eastern Nigeria, in hilly country and mountains, at 250-1,100m asl. There are records from Mount Cameroon, and
other mountains in Cameroon south of the higher parts of the Bamenda Highlands. Records of Astylosternus schioetzi
from the northern part of Korup National Park, east to Nguti, and north to Mount Nta Ali (Lawson 1993) are based
on misidentifi cations and refer to this species (J.-L. Amiet pers. comm.).
Population It is abundant in suitable habitat.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in or near flowing water in lowland and submontane forest, and can survive in somewhat
degraded habitats. It breeds in streams and in small marshes criss-crossed with tiny watercourses. The tadpoles
live in clear, flowing water.
Major Threats The major threat to this species is habitat loss due to smallholder farming activities and logging.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Korup National Park.
Notes on taxonomy: It is possible that animals resembling this species on Mount Manenguba and at Buea on Mount Cameroon belong
to as yet undescribed forms (Amiet 1977).
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1977), Amiet, J.-L. (1983a), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. (1989),
Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005), Lawson, D.P. (1993)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Astylosternus fallax Amiet, 1978 “1977”
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jean-Louis Amiet
Geographic Range This species is known only from three small areas of western and south-western Cameroon:
between Yabassi and Nkongsamba, at low elevations (apparently, it is absent to the west of Nkongsamba); Mount
Yuhan in Korup National Park; and Mount Nta Ali in the Mamfe basin. It occurs mainly below 1,000m asl.
Population It is a common species, certainly more so than Astylosternus laurenti.
Habitat and Ecology It lives and breeds in and near rivers and slow-flowing streams in lowland and hilly closedcanopy
forest. Males call from among dead leaves on the banks close to water.
Major Threats It is severely threatened by loss of habitat within its very small range, primarily due to human settlement
and agricultural encroachment.
Conservation Measures It occurs in Korup National Park, but further protection of the remaining forest habitat
is required.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1977), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005), Lawson, D.P. (1993)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet