Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

206
Threatened Amphibians of the World
CR Werneria iboundji Rödel, Schmitz, Pauwels and Böhme, 2004
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Gabon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Geographic Range This species is known only from two specimens
from the type locality at 560m asl on the east flank of Mount Iboundji,
Massif du Chaillu, Offoué-Onoy Department, Ogooué-Lolo Province,
Gabon. Searches at a second waterfall on Mount Iboundji and at
many other waterfalls in Gabon, revealed no further records of this
species. However, it is possible that it occurs at other waterfalls,
particularly in the Chaillu Massif, although it must be localized.
Population Unlike most congeners, which are often locally very
abundant, this species appears to be very rare; only two individuals
could be located in 20 person-hours of searching.
Habitat and Ecology This species is known only from among rocks
at the edge of a plunge pool at the base of a large waterfall in lowland
forest. It is presumed to be a larval developer.
Major Threats The main threat to the species is logging, which
is ongoing, but has not yet reached the waterfall basin where the
species occurs. Even if logging occurs nearby, it is likely to modify
temperature, humidity, and available food, and so have serious consequences for this species which, like its congeners,
is dependent on high humidity.
Conservation Measures Mount Iboundji has been proposed as a Biodiversity Sanctuary, due to its botanical and
herpetological values, but no protection status has been granted to date.
Bibliography: Rödel, M.-O. et al. (2004)
Data Providers: Olivier Pauwels
EN Werneria mertensiana (Amiet, 1976)
Endangered B2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mary E. Gartshore
Geographic Range This species is known from Cameroon where it has been recorded from Mounts Manenguba,
Nlonako, Kupe and Nta Ali, and at Fotabong in western Cameroon, and on the mountains around Yaoundé (Kala and
Mbam-Minkoum) in southern Cameroon. There is also one specimen recorded from Equatorial Guinea on Monte
Alén, although this may be another species and requires confirmation. Its altitudinal range is from 800-1,050m asl.
It probably also occurs on the southern and western slopes of the Bamileke Plateau, and perhaps also on the Obudu
Plateau in eastern Nigeria.
Population It has been found to be reasonably common in suitable habitat within its small range.
Habitat and Ecology It is associated with rocks in streams and waterfalls in forest and degraded secondary habitats
at the lower limit of the submontane zone, although it has also been found in leaf-litter away from water. On
Mount Manenguba it occurs at a lower altitude than Werneria tandyi, although their ranges might overlap slightly.
It breeds in streams.
Major Threats This species is presumably affected by habitat loss due to agricultural encroachment and human
settlement.
Conservation Measures In Cameroon, the species occurs in a few forest reserves, such as Nta Ali Forest Reserve;
however, the higher elevation forest habitats in western Cameroon, particularly Mount Manenguba, are in urgent
need of improved protection. The specimen recorded from Equatorial Guinea was found in Monte Alén National Park
in Equatorial Guinea, although confi rmation of the taxonomic identity of this population is needed.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972b), Amiet, J.-L. (1976b), De la Riva, I. (1994b), Gartshore, M.E. (1986), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005),
Lasso, C.A. et al. (2002), Lawson, D.P. (1993), Rödel, M.-O. et al. (2004)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Werneria preussi (Matschie, 1893)
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Togo
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Wolfgang Böhme
Geographic Range This species is known from the lower slopes of Mount Cameroon at 700-1,200m asl, from Mount
Kupe around 900m asl, as well as a highly disjunct population from the highlands of west-central Togo (“Bismarkberg”),
although this record may be in error. There have been no records from Togo for more than 100 years.It possibly has
a wider range across the Cameroonian highlands than is currently known.
Population It is common, perhaps even abundant, in suitable habitat on Mount Cameroon. A survey in eastern Ghana
in 2001 very close to the Togo highlands failed to recover this species.
Habitat and Ecology It is associated with rocky steams and waterfalls in submontane forest and degraded secondary
habitats. The lack of permanent streams at high elevations on Mount Cameroon probably imposes an altitudinal limit
on the species in this part of its range, since it breeds in streams and lives exclusively in and around water.
Major Threats It is presumably at risk from forest loss due to agricultural encroachment and human settlement.
Conservation Measures It does not occur in any protected areas, and protection of remaining forest habitat on
Mount Cameroon and Mount Kupe is urgently needed.An ecotourism project has been established at Mount Kupe
for some time, which aims to reduce hunting and agricultural expansion, and the area has been proposed as a Strict
Nature Reserve (Réserve Écologique Intégrale). Further survey work is needed to confirm the existence and status
of the population in Togo.
Notes on taxonomy: Studies are needed to determine whether or not specimens from Cameroon and Togo belong to the same species
(M.-O. Rödel pers. comm.).
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1972b), Amiet, J.-L. (1976b), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Grandison, A.G.C. (1981), Rödel, M.-O.
et al. (2004), Rödel, M.-O. and Agyei, A.C. (2003)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Mark-Oliver Rödel
EN Werneria submontana Rödel, Schmitz, Pauwels and Böhme, 2004
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Andreas Schmitz
Geographic Range This species is known from Nyasoso on the south-west side of Mount Kupe at 910m asl, and from
800-1,200m asl in the Bakossi Mountains (including the Mwendelengo Mountains), Cameroon. A specimen collected
in the vicinity of Nkongsamba (Maholé, 10km north-west of Tombel, Bakossi Forest Reserve, at 300-350m asl), may
also belong to this species, as may specimens from Mofako in the Rumpi Hills. However, it is not believed likely to
occur much more widely, given its specific habitat preferences and lack of habitat in the general area.
Population This species is often locally abundant.
Habitat and Ecology On Mount Kupe, this species was found in a transition zone between good quality secondary
forest and undisturbed primary forest. The species has been found during the day along a stream, under rocks in
a partly dried-up river basin, and on stony ground between wet, very low vegetation in the spray zone of a small,
artifi cial waterfall. It is presumed to be a larval developer.
Major Threats The habitat of this species is being steadily deforested for cultivation (particularly since human populations
in the area are growing quickly) and several logging companies hope to start large-scale logging operations
soon in the Bakossi/Mwendelengo Mountains. Even if deforestation does not eliminate the habitat of this species,
it is likely to significantly alter temperature, humidity, and available food, and so have serious consequences for this
species which, like its congeners, is dependent on high humidity. Near Nyassosso, the household use of detergents
in rivers is also a potential threat.
Conservation Measures An ecotourism project has been established at Mount Kupe for some time, and aims to
reduce hunting and agricultural expansion. In addition, a Strict Nature Reserve (Réserve Écologique Intégrale) has
been proposed for the area. A management plan has been in preparation with the aim of designating most of the
Bakossi Mountains as Protection Forest (55,000ha).
Bibliography: Rödel, M.-O. et al. (2004)
Data Providers: Mark-Oliver Rödel, Andreas Schmitz