Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

152
Threatened Amphibians of the World
VU Leptodactylodon bicolor Amiet, 1971
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mary E. Gartshore
Geographic Range This species occurs on the southern and western edge of the Cameroon mountain range (excluding
Mount Cameroon), extending to the Obudu Plateau in eastern Nigeria. In Cameroon, it is known from Mount
Manenguba, Mount Nlonako, the Mbos Cliffs, Fotabong, Petit Diboum, Mount Bana, Acha Tugi near Oshie, Bafut
near Bamenda, and the Rumpi Hills. Its altitudinal range is 950-1,750m asl.
Population It is generally common in suitable habitat.
Habitat and Ecology An inhabitant of forest in the submontane zone, usually near rocky streams and springs, or on
mossy talus slopes with fissures and caves. It avoids dry areas, living in places where there tends to be orographic
mists during the dry season. It can survive in somewhat degraded habitats. Breeding takes place in streams in rocky
areas.
Major Threats The major threat to this species is forest loss due to smallholder farming activities and subsistence
wood extraction. The tadpoles are eaten locally by villagers in the Rumpi Hills.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Cross River National Park in Nigeria. Further research is needed into the
harvest level of tadpoles of this species from the wild.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971a), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. (1983a), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972), Gartshore, M.E.
(1986)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
VU Leptodactylodon boulengeri Nieden, 1910
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Mary E. Gartshore
Geographic Range This species is known from the mountains of western Cameroon. There are records from Banyo
(near Batie), Petit Diboum, Mount Bana, Foto, Mbakang, Mount Nlonako and Bafut, with an isolated population to
the east on Mount Ngorro. It probably also occurs in the western section of the Adamawa Plateau, and perhaps also
in Nigeria. It ranges from 800-1,450m asl.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in degraded forest, dense bush and raffia palm verges along swamps bordering rocky
streams. Breeding takes place in streams.
Major Threats Although it can tolerate some habitat disturbance, it is probably threatened by habitat loss and
degradation due to smallholder farming activities and subsistence wood extraction throughout its range.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. There is a need for improved habitat
protection at sites at which this species is known to occur.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971a), Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1973b), Amiet, J.-L. (1975), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. and
Schiøtz, A. (1972), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
VU Leptodactylodon bueanus Amiet, 1981 “1980”
Vulnerable D2
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Stable
© David C. Blackburn
Geographic Range This species is known only from the eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon, and from Bimbia Hill
east of Limbe, in western Cameroon. Its altitudinal range is 200-1,000m asl.
Population It is abundant at many localities on the eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in and around streams and springs in forest, usually sheltering in rocky areas. Most of the
known localities are in degraded forest, but it requires dense vegetation in order to survive. Its absence above 1,000m
asl is probably related to the lack of streams, which it needs to breed, at high altitudes on Mount Cameroon.
Major Threats Despite its tolerance of secondary vegetation, populations are likely to be threatened by habitat loss
due to smallholder farming activities, subsistence wood extraction, and human settlement.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas. There is a need for improved habitat
protection at sites where the species is known to occur.
Notes on taxonomy: Following Amiet and Dowsett-Lemaire (2000), Leptodactylodon bueanus is here treated as a separate species
from L. albiventris (as opposed to a subspecies of L. albiventris following Amiet (1987)).
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. and Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2000)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
CR Leptodactylodon erythrogaster Amiet, 1971
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jean-Louis Amiet
Geographic Range This species is known only from the south-eastern slopes of Mount Manenguba at 1,550-1,800m
asl in western Cameroon.
Population It is reported to be abundant within its tiny range, and is most common at altitudes of 1,700-1,800m
asl.
Habitat and Ecology It is found in submontane and lower montane forest, around springs and streams, living in
holes, humus, gravel, root masses and dense undergrowth. It can survive in open, disturbed forest. It presumably
breeds in streams, and co-exists with Leptodactylodon mertensi around 1,700m asl.
Major Threats Habitat loss is taking place on Mount Manenguba due to smallholder farming activities and subsistence
wood extraction, and while this species is tolerant of a degree of habitat disturbance, it is nonetheless at
severe risk in view of its tiny range.
Conservation Measures It is not currently recorded from any protected areas. There is an urgent need for improved
protection of remaining forest habitats on Mount Manenguba.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1970a), Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1973b), Amiet, J.-L. (1975), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. and
Schiøtz, A. (1972)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet