Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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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
Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 207 EN Werneria tandyi (Amiet, 1972) Endangered B2ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cameroon Current Population Trend: Decreasing © David C. Blackburn Geographic Range This species is known only from Mount Manenguba and the Rumpi Hills in western Cameroon, though its range is not well understood. Its altitudinal range on Mount Manenguba is from 1,300-1,750m asl, and the single specimen from the Rumpi Hills was collected at 1,000m asl. Population It is common within its limited range. Habitat and Ecology It lives on the verges of fast-flowing streams in submontane forest and degraded secondary habitats, where several individuals may cluster together on rocks in the splash zone. On Mount Manenguba it lives at a higher altitude than Werneria merteniana, but at lower elevations than W. bambutensis. It breeds in streams. Major Threats It is presumably at risk from forest loss due to agricultural encroachment and human settlement. Conservation Measures It may occur in the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve, although this is not managed for biodiversity conservation; increased protection of the montane forest habitats in western Cameroon is rather urgently needed, particularly on Mount Manenguba. Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972b), Amiet, J.-L. (1976b), Gartshore, M.E. (1986), Rödel, M.-O. et al. (2004) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet CR Wolterstorffina chirioi Boistel and Amiet, 2001 Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cameroon Current Population Trend: Decreasing © David C. Blackburn Geographic Range This recently described species is known only from the summit of Mount Oku at 3,000m asl in the Bamenda Highlands in western Cameroon. In view of the absence of suitable vegetation at other localities in Cameroon, this species is probably endemic to this area. Population The population status of this species is unknown. Habitat and Ecology It lives in Afro-Alpine vegetation and grassland at the summit of Mount Oku. Its breeding habits are unknown, but since it lives above the water limit on Mount Oku, it is presumably either a live-bearer or a direct-developer laying eggs on the ground. Major Threats The habitat at the summit of Mount Oku is threatened by overgrazing and fire. Because it is a highaltitude species with a very limited range, it is potentially affected by climate change. Conservation Measures A conservation project has been conducted on Mount Oku for several years by BirdLife International, involving community management of the area by the local villages. This project needs to take into account the conservation needs of this species. A captive-breeding programme should be considered in view of possible effects of climate change. Survey work is necessary to determine the current population status and breeding habits of this species. Bibliography: Boistel, R. and Amiet, J.-L. (2001) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet EN Wolterstorffina mirei (Perret, 1971) Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cameroon Current Population Trend: Decreasing © David C. Blackburn Geographic Range This species is known from western Cameroon on Mount Oku (at 2,500m asl) and Mount Meletan at 2,200-2,700m asl in the Bamboutos Mountains. Both localities are within the Bamenda Highlands. There is some doubt as to the validity of the record from Mount Oku (J.L. Amiet pers. comm.). Population It was reported to be abundant on Mount Meletan. Habitat and Ecology This is a species of montane grassland that retreats to areas near streams and small watercourses in bamboo forest in the dry season. Its breeding habits are unknown, though it is likely to breed in streams. Major Threats This species is almost certainly at risk from fi re, overgrazing, and forest loss due to agriculture. Habitat damage is very severe in the Bamboutos Mountains. Conservation Measures A conservation project has been conducted on Mount Oku for several years by BirdLife International, involving community management of the area by the local villages. This project needs to take into account the conservation needs of this species (assuming that it occurs there). Bibliography: Boistel, R. and Amiet, J.-L. (2001), Perret, J.-L. (1971a), Perret, J.-L. (1972) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet VU Wolterstorffina parvipalmata (Werner, 1898) Vulnerable B1ab(iii) Order, Family: Anura, Bufonidae Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria Current Population Trend: Decreasing © Mary E. Gartshore Geographic Range This species is known from eastern Nigeria on the Obudu Plateau and the higher parts of the Oban Hills, and from a number of montane localities in western Cameroon, including Mount Cameroon, the Rumpi Hills, Mount Kupe, Mount Manenguba, the Mbos Cliffs, and Foto. It is also known from Mount Kala and Mount Mbam-Minkoum near Yaoundé in southern Cameroon. Its altitudinal range is 800-2,000m asl. Population It is generally uncommon. Habitat and Ecology It is confi ned to montane forest near streams and small waterfalls, and requires forest with a closed canopy. It moves further from watercourses during the rainy season. It presumably normally breeds in streams, though tadpoles have been found in a water tank. Major Threats The main threat is habitat loss, primarily due to smallholder farming activities, which is continuing over much of its range. Conservation Measures It occurs in the Cross River National Park in Nigeria, but there is a need for improved protection of other sites at which the species is known to occur. Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. and Perret, J.-L. (1969), Boistel, R. and Amiet, J.-L. (2001), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005), Perret, J.-L. (1971a), Perret, J.-L. (1972) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Mary Gartshore
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Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

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