Globally Threatened Amphibian Species Part 1

238
Threatened Amphibians of the World
CR Heleophryne rosei Hewitt, 1925
Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v)
Order, Family: Anura, Heleophrynidae
Country Distribution: South Africa
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Atherton de Villiers
TABLE MOUNTAIN GHOST FROG
Geographic Range This species is endemic to the southern, eastern, and marginally western (and historically
northern), slopes of Table Mountain, in the Western Cape province, extreme south-western South Africa. It occurs
at 240-1,060m asl. Detailed information on the localities from which it has been recorded on Table Mountain are
provided by Minter et al. (2004).
Population It is a rare and elusive species that appears to be declining and survives in low population densities;
for example, it is estimated that the number of tadpoles in the Skeleton Gorge has decreased by 50% since 1980
(Minter et al. 2004).
Habitat and Ecology It lives in forest and fynbos heathland, breeding in clear perennial streams in forested gorges,
valleys and ravines on Table Mountain. Non-breeding adults have been found in damp, sheltered habitat well away
from streams, including in caves. The tadpoles require longer than 12 months to complete metamorphosis, and so it
is important that there is perennial water to allow the larvae to develop.
Major Threats The main threats are the spread of alien vegetation, frequent fi res, and construction of water storage
reservoirs on the mountain affecting the consistency of stream-fl ow. Intensive eco-tourism is also a potential
threat.
Conservation Measures The whole of this species’ range is incorporated in the Table Mountain National Park,
part of the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site. A monitoring programme by Western Cape Nature Conservation
is in place.
Bibliography: Baard, E.H.W. (1989), Boycott, R.C. and de Villiers, A.L. (1986), Branch, W.R. (1988), Channing, A. (2001), De Villiers, A.L.
(1997), McLachlan, A. (1978), Minter, L.R. et al. (2004), Passmore, N.I. and Carruthers, V.C. (1995)
Data Providers: Leslie Minter, Alan Channing, James Harrison
HEMISOTIDAE
VU Hemisus guttatus (Rapp, 1842)
SPOTTED SNOUT-BURROWER
Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,iv)
Order, Family: Anura, Hemisotidae
Country Distribution: South Africa
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Atherton de Villiers
Geographic Range This species, which is known only from South Africa, occurs in southern Mpumalanga, and
central and eastern KwaZulu-Natal, south to Durban on the coast. The northernmost coastal record is from Hluhluwe.
It ranges from sea level up to over 1,000m on the summit of the Lebombo Mountains. It has not been recorded from
Swaziland, but it presumably occurs in this country.
Population It is a rare species.
Habitat and Ecology It inhabits grassland and savannah. It breeds in seasonal pans, swampy areas, and in pools
near rivers. It nests in burrows in wet soil by temporary water, and tadpoles move to water to develop.
Major Threats The main threats include: habitat loss due to afforestation, sugar cane cultivation, and urbanization;
alien fi sh introductions; and invasive alien plants lowering the water table.
Conservation Measures It occurs in the Great St Lucia Wetlands Park, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park, and
other protected areas.
Bibliography: Alexander, G.J. (1990), Channing, A. (2001), Lambiris, A.J.L. (1989a), Laurent, R.F. (1972), Minter, L.R. et al. (2004),
Passmore, N.I. and Carruthers, V.C. (1995), Wager, V.A. (1986)
Data Providers: Leslie Minter, Alan Channing, James Harrison
HYLIDAE
EN Agalychnis annae Duellman, 1963
Endangered A2abe
Order, Family: Anura, Hylidae
Country Distribution: Costa Rica
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
© Twan Leenders
Geographic Range This species occurs in the northern Cordillera de Talamanca, Cordillera de Tilarán and Cordillera
Central, Costa Rica, at 780-1,650m. However, it has disappeared from most parts of its range, surviving mainly
around San José only.
BLUE-SIDED TREEFROG
Population Since the late 1980s, it has disappeared from pristine areas, including in protected areas such as Parque
Nacional Tapantí and the Reserva Biológica Monteverde, where it was once common. It remains common only in
highly altered habitats in metropolitan San José.
Habitat and Ecology This is a nocturnal species that lives in premontane moist and wet forests and rainforest,
and tolerates disturbance to its habitat. It remains the most abundant species in San José and suburbs near heavily
polluted streams, especially in shade-grown coffee plantations and gardens. It breeds in streams.
Major Threats Despite the apparent adaptability of this species, it is nonetheless subject to unconfi rmed factors
that have caused amphibian faunas to decline in certain locations in Central America, in particular the fungal disease,
chytridiomycosis. It is possible that this species survives only in polluted areas because the chytrid fungus is more
susceptible to pollution than the frog. The few, known remaining populations of this species are threatened by an introduced
fi sh (Xiphophorus hellerii) that preys on the larvae. This species is also found in the international pet trade.
Conservation Measures Research is needed to determine whether or not this species can survive only in polluted
areas, because of the ineffectiveness of the chytrid fungus in such environments. If this proves to be the case,
then well-meaning conservation measures to abate water pollution could unintentionally lead to the extinction of
this species. Given the nature of the threats, it may be worth considering the establishment of a captive-breeding
programme for this species.
Bibliography: Duellman, W.E. (2001), Pounds, J.A. et al. (1997), Proy, C. (1993), Proy, C. (2000), Savage, J.M. (2002), Villa, J. and
Townsend, D.S. (1983)
Data Providers: Alan Pounds, Federico Bolaños, Gerardo Chaves