Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

Globally Threatened Amphibian Species 153
EN Leptodactylodon mertensi Perret, 1959
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Andreas Schmitz
Geographic Range This species is known only from the southern slopes of the Bamileke Plateau (at Mount Bana and
Petit Diboum), Mount Nlonako and Mount Manenguba, western Cameroon. It occurs between 1,000 and 1,850m asl,
though only up to 1,700m asl on Mount Manenguba, above which it is replaced by Leptodactylodon erythrogaster.
Population It is reported to be abundant on the southern and south-eastern slopes of Mount Manenguba.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in dense undergrowth in submontane and lower montane forest, and in the dense
herbage of raffia palm beds along streams. It can also survive in dense secondary forest habitats. The males call
near pools and riffles in small streams, or in waterlogged humus near springs. It avoids rocky areas and breeds in
small streams.
Major Threats Although this species can tolerate a degree of habitat modification, it is probably threatened by
forest clearance for smallholder farming.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas, and protection of the remaining forest
habitat at the sites where it occurs, particularly Mount Manenguba, is urgently needed.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1970a), Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972), Herrmann, H.-W. et
al. (2005)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Leptodactylodon ornatus Amiet, 1971
Endangered B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Andreas Schmitz
Geographic Range This species comprises two subspecies, both endemic to western Cameroon: the nominate
subspecies occurs on Mount Manenguba, Mount Nlonako, Mount Kupe, the Bonandam Hills and the Ebonji Hills at
200-1,450m asl; Leptodactylodon ornatus permaculatus occurs on the southern and western slopes of the Bamileke
Plateau at Fotabong, Foto, and the Mbos Cliffs, at 1,000-1,400m asl.
Population Generally, this species is somewhat uncommon, although L. o. permaculatus is not uncommon within
its small range.
Habitat and Ecology This is not a true montane species, but occurs at low and medium altitudes in hilly areas,
usually near mountains, in areas of high rainfall. It lives in wet lowland and submontane forest and also in partially
degraded forest. It frequents rocky areas that are found less frequently at lower altitudes. It breeds in fast-fl owing
streams; the males call from fi ssures in rocks, or from under stones.
Major Threats Despite its tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, this species is probably threatened by
forest clearance for smallholder farming.
Conservation Measures It is not known to occur in any protected areas, and protection of the remaining forest
habitat at the sites where it occurs, particularly Mount Manenguba, is urgently needed.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1970a), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet
EN Leptodactylodon perreti Amiet, 1971
Endangered B2ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Wolfgang Böhme
Geographic Range This species is known only from the higher peaks of western Cameroon in the Bamenda
Highlands, and further north-east at Tchabal Mbaba. In the Bamenda Highlands it is known from the Bamboutos
Mountains, Mount Mbam, Mount Ngokham, Mount Lefo, Mount Oku, and the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve. Its
altitudinal range is 1,200-2,650m asl.
Population It is reported to be common within its restricted range.
Habitat and Ecology This is mainly a species of the montane zone, but it also occurs in smaller numbers in the
submontane zone down to 1,200m asl. It is strictly confined to forest, and the males call from secluded sites and holes
in humus close to streams. At higher altitudes, it breeds in shallow marshes in forest traversed by small, superficial
streams. At lower altitudes it breeds in streams in rocky areas.
Major Threats It is seriously threatened by extensive forest loss, mainly from smallholder farming, throughout
its range.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, but remains largely unprotected elsewhere
in its range. BirdLife International has conducted a conservation project on Mount Oku for several years; this project
involves community management of the area involving the local villages, but it also needs to take into account the
conservation needs of this species.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1971a), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. (1983a), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972)
VU Leptodactylodon polyacanthus Amiet, 1971
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Order, Family: Anura, Astylosternidae
Country Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Jean-Louis Amiet
Geographic Range This species occurs in the western Cameroonian highlands, excluding Mount Cameroon, Mount
Kupe, Mount Nlonako, Mount Manenguba and the Rumpi Hills. It also occurs on the Obdudu Plateau in eastern Nigeria.
There are two subspecies: L. p. polyacanthus occurs in the northern parts of the species’ range at 1,640-1,900m asl in
the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve, Acha Tugi on Mount Oshie, and the Obudu Plateau; and L. p. punctiventris occurs in
the southern part of the range at 1,000-1,400m asl on the wet southern and western slopes of the Bamileke Plateau
at Foto, Fotabong, Fongo-Tongo, the Mbos Cliffs, Petit Diboum and Mount Bana.
Population It is a common species.
Habitat and Ecology It lives in montane and submontane forest and degraded forest. During the breeding season
males can be found on wet clay, in rock crevices, and small streams; the females hide under stones. Breeding takes
place in streams and springs.
Major Threats Although it can tolerate degraded forest, it is likely to be threatened by ongoing forest loss due to
smallholder farming activities and subsistence wood extraction.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve.
Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1970a), Amiet, J.-L. (1971a), Amiet, J.-L. (1971b), Amiet, J.-L. (1980a), Amiet, J.-L. and Schiøtz, A. (1972),
Gartshore, M.E. (1986)
Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet