Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 151
VU Astylosternus rheophilus Amiet, 1978 “1977”
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Václav Gvoždík
Geographic Range This species is endemic to western Cameroon at altitudes of 1,300-2,450m asl. The nominate
subspecies is recorded from Mount Manenguba, Mount Mbam, Santa, Mount Bana, Mount Ngokham, the Bamboutos
Mountains, and the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, and is likely also to occur on Mount Oku. The subspecies A. r.
tchabelensis is known only from the southern slopes of Tchabal Mbaba, at 1,700-1,900m asl, in Cameroon, and might
occur on the Mambila Plateau in eastern Nigeria.
Population It is a very common species.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in both the submontane and montane zones, and is typically associated with small
streams in forest where it breeds. However, at higher altitudes above 2,000m asl it can also be found along streams
in montane grassland, sometimes bordered with trees. It seems able to tolerate minor disturbance of its habitat. The
subspecies A. r. tchabelensis lives in relict gallery forests in a generally deforested area.
Major Threats Although it is likely that it can tolerate a degree of habitat alteration, this species is probably declining
as a result of widespread habitat loss and degradation within its restricted range, mainly due to smallholder
agricultural activities, subsistence wood extraction, and human settlement.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1977), Amiet, J.-L. (1989)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Astylosternus schioetzi Amiet, 1978 “1977”
Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© David C. Blackburn
Geographic Range This species is known only from two general areas in south-western Cameroon: Apouh and
Koupongo, near Edéa, in southern Cameroon (these two localities are 50km apart, and are separated by the Sanaga
River). Records 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 Astylosternus diadematus (J.L. Amiet pers. comm.).
Population It appears to be a rare species occurring at low densities in the southern parts of its range.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in and near flowing water in lowland forest, and can survive in tall, secondary forest.
It breeds in small streams and in marshy depressions with very small, superficial streams.
Major Threats The major threat to the species is habitat loss and degradation.
Conservation Measures It might occur in the Douala-Edea Forest Reserve and Lac Ossa Wildlife Reserve. The
remaining forest habitat in south-western Cameroon is urgently in need of improved protection.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1977), Lawson, D.P. (1993)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
VU Leptodactylodon albiventris (Boulenger, 1905)
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Ignacio De La Riva
Geographic Range This species is known only from the western edge of the southern Cameroon plateau, though it
might occur more widely than current records suggest. Its altitudinal range is 300-1,000m asl.
Population It is an uncommon species.
Habitat and Ecology This is a species of lowland rainforest in hilly country. It is not known to what extent it can
adapt to forest disturbance. It breeds in streams, and the males call from rocky areas (under rocks or in cracks) close
to small streams.
Major Threats The major threat to this species is habitat loss from smallholder farming activities and logging.
Conservation Measures It is not known from any protected areas, though it might occur in Campo-Ma’an National
Park. There is a need for improved habitat protection at sites at where the species is known to occur.
Notes on taxonomy: Following Amiet and Dowsett-Lemaire (2000), Leptodactylodon bueanus is here considered a separate species
from L. albiventris (as opposed to a subspecies of L. albiventris following Amiet (1987)). Rödel and Pauwels (2003) provisionally assigned
records of L. albiventris from Equatorial Guinea (De la Riva 1994b) to L. stevarti.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. and Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2000), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972),
De la Riva, I. (1994b), Frétey, T. and Blanc, C.P. (2000), Rödel, M.-O. and Pauwels, O.S.G. (2003)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Leptodactylodon axillaris Amiet, 1971
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© David C. Blackburn
Geographic Range This species is known from the Bamboutos Mountains in the Bamenda Highlands of western
Cameroon, at altitudes of 2,300-2,700m asl. It probably also occurs on Mount Oku in the Bamenda Highlands.
Population It is most common above 2,400-2,450m asl.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in bamboo forest and, in the rainy season, grazed montane grasslands where it hides
under rocks in seepage areas. It lives in drier areas than other members of its genus. It has never been found at its
breeding sites, but it is likely to breed in small streams in rocky areas.
Major Threats It is probably under severe threat from habitat loss and overgrazing. Like other high-altitude species,
it also could be at risk from climate change.
Conservation Measures This species is not known from any protected areas, and habitat protection is urgently
needed in the Bamboutos Mountains. In view of its tiny range and possible impacts of climate change, a captivebreeding
programme should probably be established.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971a), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet