Pyxicephalus adspersus byTim Halliday ISSN 1026-0269

FROGLOG Newsletter of the IUCN /SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG)

February 2007, Number 79

to cause mass mortality. Kevin but is under continuous threat from Amphibian Declines in Africa

Smith reported studies of stream a variety of factors, including water By Tim Halliday frogs in the Drakensburg extraction and climate change.

The 8th meeting of the where mortality does occur, at Because its tadpoles take more Herpetological Association of higher altitudes, in Strongylopus than a year to reach metamorpho- Africa (HAA) was held in hymenopus, but the impact of this sis, it is very dependent on Potchefstroom, South Africa from on populations is not yet clear. perennial streams. John Measey 24 to 27 November, 2006. The He also reported that chytrid- described his work on the meeting, sponsored by the DAPTF, infected tadpoles of Heleophryne landscape genetics of the Kenyan was organised by Louis du Preez. natalensis develop distinctive frog Schoutedenella xenodacty- It provided a very interesting markings around their mouthparts; loides which, surprisingly, suggests overview of work on amphibians no mass mortality in this species that this tiny frog can disperse long currently going on in southern has been observed. distances across unsuitable dry Africa, including a number of The African bullfrog savannah. projects funded by the DAPTF. Pyxicephalus adspersus is Ernst Baard reported on recent In a workshop on amphibian threatened by accelerating habitat changes in legislation and policy in declines, Les Minter reviewed the loss in many parts of its range; South Africa with regard to status of southern African while many breeding sites are protected, threatened, alien and amphibians; 20 endemic species protected, less attention has been invasive species, and was are endangered, and habitat paid to its terrestrial habitat. Using optimistic that these will open the degradation threatens more radio-telemetry, Caroline Yetman, way to more effective conservation species than any other factor. Ché has found that females disperse of amphibians. Following the Weldon summarised recent further from breeding sites than meeting, I visited the impressive information about chytridiomycosis males, suggesting that loss of new amphibian breeding facility at in Africa. The disease is terrestrial habitat may threaten Johannesburg Zoo, which is widespread in southern and east females more than males. James starting its work by developing Africa but does not appear to have Harvey, working on the techniques to keep and breed caused mass mortality events. critically endangered moss frog frogs, using five common South Kevin Smith discussed different Arthroleptella ngongoniensis, has African species.

located several new populations, methods for monitoring amphibians An update on the revealing that its habitat and suggested that determining amphibian requirements are not as occupancy over a large area richness of Gabon constrained as was previously provides more useful data than and its thought. intensive monitoring of individual representation in The endangered leopard toad sites. James Harrison presented national parks plans for the next stage in the Bufo pantherinus has a very development of the Southern restricted range that is seriously By: Olivier S.G. Pauwels and Africa Frog Atlas. threatened by human develop- Mark-Oliver Rödel During the main ment. It disperses more than 500 The Equatorial area between symposium, several talks dealt m from breeding sites and very Cameroon and Congo has long with amphibian decline issues. Ché large numbers are killed on roads. been neglected by amphibian Weldon reported a survey of frogs The long-term survival of this researchers. Nevertheless, the in Madagascar that suggests that species depends on improving amphibian fauna of Gabon greatly chytridiomycosis is absent from both town planning and public benefitted from a series of the island, but warned awareness. Atherton de Villiers intensive field studies within the that Madagascan frogs are reported on the continuing long- last decade, which provided probably highly susceptible to the term monitoring of the Table information on amphibian richness disease, should it be introduced. Mountain ghost frog Heleophryne and the description of several new Chytridiomycosis is endemic in rosei. This very restricted taxa. These recently described southern Africa, but seems rarely population is reasonably stable, species are: the astylosternids Leptodactylodon blanci (the first

1 record of this genus from Gabon) from five. Among the surveyed fauna of the Gamba Complex of and L. stevarti, the bufonid national parks, Moukalaba-Doudou Protected Areas, Gabon. Pp. 297- Werneria iboundji (the only contains 57 described species and 308 in: Alonso, A., Lee, M.E., representative of this genus from 13 species of unresolved Campbell, P., Pauwels, O.S.G. & Gabon) and the hyperoliid taxonomic status. Dallmeier, F. (eds). Gamba, Leptopelis crystallinoron (see Priority actions for amphiban Gabon: biodiversité d’une forêt Ohler, 1999; Burger et al., 2005; conservation in Gabon should équatoriale africaine / Gamba, Lötters et al., 2005; Rödel & include (1) verfiying the presence Gabon: biodiversity of an Pauwels, 2003; Rödel et al., 2004). of all species not yet recorded equatorial African rainforest. A number of other additions to (especially the three endemic Bulletin of the Biological Society of Gabon’s amphibian fauna were species) in protected areas, by Washington, Washington 12.

also made during the same period, finding them in national parks or by Frétey, T. & Blanc, C.P. 2000. Les increasing the national species list creating biodiversity sanctuaries amphibiens d’Afrique centrale. from 72 (the number given in the that contain viable populations; (2) Liste faunistique. ADIE, Libreville, first comprehensive list published inventory and explore sites of 40 pp.

for the country by Frétey & Blanc, special interest (such as Lötters, S., Rödel, M.-O. & Burger, 2000) to 88 species. However, a inselbergs, caves, waterfalls) M. 2005. A new large tree frog dozen new species records still outside the national parks to detect from north-western Gabon require taxonomic investigations populations and species of (Hyperoliidae: Leptopelis). (see details in Pauwels & Rödel, possible conservation concern; (3) Herpetological Journal 15: 149- 2006) as some of them might document possible short-term and 152. represent new taxa. The recent long-term conservation threats in Ohler, A. 1999. Une nouvelle surveys were conducted at Crystal, each of Gabon’s national parks. espèce du genre Leptodactylodon Loango, Lopé and Moukalaba- Currently, Gabon is trying (Arthroleptidae,Astylosterninae) du Doudou National Parks and to diversify its economy, Gabon. Alytes 17: 73-80. surrounding areas; Ivindo National predominantly based on oil and Park was surveyed in the logging industries, alternatives like Pauwels, O.S.G. & Rödel, M.-O. seventies. Eight national parks in ecotourism are highly encouraged, 2006. Amphibians and national Gabon remain data deficient. and good species lists for parks parks in Gabon, western Central Africa. Herpetozoa 19 (in press). Detailed lists for the surveyed and herp viewing are a possible parks were provided by Burger et ecotouristic product. Rödel, M.-O. & Pauwels, O.S.G. al. (2006) and Pauwels & Rödel For more information, please see 2003. A new Leptodactylodon (2006). the full report by Pauwels & Rödel species from Gabon (Amphibia: Of the 88 species currently (2006) or contact Olivier S.G. Anura:Astylosternidae). Salamandra 39: 139-148. recorded from Gabon, 76 (86.4%) Pauwels at [email protected]. are known from at least one Acknowledgements Rödel, M.-O., Schmitz, A., Gabonese national park, including OSGP’s research is supported Pauwels, O.S.G. & Böhme, W. all near endemics (sensu by the Smithsonian Institution / 2004. Revision of the genus Anderson, 2002), but only three Monitoring and Assessment of Werneria Poche, 1903, including (50%) of the endemics. Werneria Biodiversity Program and grants the descriptions of two iboundji (known from a single from Shell Foundation and Shell new species from Cameroon waterfall on Mount Iboundji in the Gabon. This publication is and Gabon (Amphibia: Anura: heart of the Massif du Chaillu, Bufonidae). Zootaxa 720: 1-28.

contribution 82 of the Gabon south of Lopé National Park), Biodiversity Program. The protection of Phrynobatrachus ogoensis and References threatened Hymenochirus feae are still yet to Anderson, S. 2002. Identifying amphibians be found in a national park. important plant areas. Annual In Colombia Amphibian records are also Review of Plantlife International available for only one additional 2002: 1-52. The Central Cordillera of Colombia is a 650 km-long mountain range national park, namely Pongara, Burger, M., Pauwels, O.S.G., that spurs northwards from the with a single species record Branch, W.R., Lötters, S. & Rödel, bifurcation of the northern Andes. (Arthroleptis variabilis). Thus, for M.-O. 2005. The Amphibia of Its diverse topography, broad seven of the 13 national parks of Gabon: still a time for great altitudinal span and great climatic Gabon, not a single species record discoveries. Pp. 123-124 in: variations support a wide variety of is currently available. Abstracts of the Fifth World ecosystems and associated high A huge number of Congress of Herpetology, 19-24 levels of endemism. Topographi- mountain peaks, caves, waterfalls, June 2005, Stellenbosch, South cal and ecological isolation from and possible Pleistocene refuges Africa. are yet to be explored inside the other Andean ranges by the arid Burger, M., Pauwels, O.S.G., national parks of Gabon. No Cauca and Magdalena river Branch, W.R., Tobi, E., Yoga, J.-A. species is currently known from valleys, which flank the Cordillera, & Mikolo, E.-N. 2006. An more than four parks, except has accentuated local endemism. assessment of the amphibian Silurana epitropicalis recorded Above 1000 m asl, the c.41,000

2 km2 Central Cordillera supports additional 1,300 acres to be owned Fong, A., Giró, I. B. & Viña, R. one of the highest concentrations and managed by Colombian (2001) Variación diaria y of range-restricted and threatened partner, Fundación ProAves. estacional del canto de anfibios en amphibian species in the world. For further information dos hábitats de la región oriental The Central Cordillera's rich please contact Don Church de Cuba. volcanic soils and mild climate [email protected]. ([email protected]) have attracted human colonization Gloomy future of an Iranian Bank, M. S., Crocker, J., Connery, and exploitation for many newt; Neurergus kaiseri B. & Amirbahman, A. (2007) centuries. Farming of Colombia's Mercury bioaccumulation in green most important economic By Farhang Torki frog (Rana clamitans) and bullfrog commodity, coffee, is based on the Based on a recent study (Torki, in (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles from subtropical slopes of the Central press), two Iranian newts Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. Cordillera. Today, this supports the (Neurergus kaiseri and N. Envtl. Toxicol. & Chem: 26; 118- greatest population concentration microspilotus) have shown 125. (Grant to Michael Bank et al., in the country, including major unusually high longevity for 2005.) cities such as Medellín, Ibagué, salamanders. Unfortunately, they ([email protected])

Pereira and Armenia. In addition, are receiving little conservation Barrionuevo, S. & Mangione, S. gold mining was rampant across attention from local people as th (2006) Chytridiomycosis in two the region in the early 20 century, many specimens are caught for a species of Telmatobius (Anura: with associated colonization and feast held each year. In addition, Leptodactylidae) from Argentina. deforestation resulting in virtually many are captured for pets and die Diseases of Aquatic Organisms: no intact natural vegetation in captivity due to lack of proper 73; 171-174. (Grant to Sebastián remaining in the region. care. As a result, the population Barrionuevo & María Ponssa, The plight of amphibians in the density of N. kaiseri in the wild has 2004.) region is directly related to the decreased and become scattered. ([email protected]) continued severe landscape This is very dangerous for the Hartel, T., Demeter, L., modification and lack of protected continuity of the species as it is Cogalniceanu, D. & Tulbure, M. areas. Furthermore, most of the distributed in only one type of (2006) The influence of habitat protected areas in the Central locality. This is not necessarily true characteristics on amphibian Cordillera are situated on the for N. microspilotus, as it is species richness in two river highest massifs dominated by distributed over several localities basins of Romania. In: M. páramo and snow-capped peaks and research shows that healthy Vences, J. Köhler, T. Ziegler & W. (e.g. Parque Natural National Los populations still remain. Böhme (eds.), Herpetologia Nevados), thus the subtropical Although a government Bonnensis II. Proceedings of the forests remain at considerable risk. conservation programme does 13th Congress of the Societas Less than 10% of original forest exist, it has not been successful Europaea Herpetologica. pp. 47- cover in the Central Cordillera because it lacks stability and 50. (Grant to Tibor Hartel et al., remains but recent investigations continuity. It is my opinion that 2004) estimate this figure to be closer to unless the government and local ([email protected]) 4% between 1000-2000 m communities work to conserve elevations. both of these species, then N. Hawley, T. J. (2006) Alterations in Whilst much of the region is kaiseri will become extinct in the frog assemblages after Hurricane deforested, a few isolated forest near future with N. microspilotus Iris in Belize. Herpetological Review: 37; 407-411. (Grant to patches survive. The largest of possibly following close behind. those fragments is called “La References Tanya Hawley, 2002) ([email protected]) Forzosa” (6°59'58N; 75°08'33W), Torki, F. In Press. Life-History in encompassing pristine upper the male genus Neurergus Perotti, M. G. & Diéguez, M. del C. premontane humid forest (Caudata; Salamandridae) in Iran. (2006) Effect of UV-B exposure on (1400-1820 m asl) within the Amphibian and Reptile eggs and embryos of Patagonian watershed of the Quebrada La Conservation. anurans and evidence of photo-

Soledad. CORANTIOQUIA, the For further information please protection. Chemosphere: 65; local environmental authority, contact: [email protected] 2063-2070. (Grant to María purchased 150 ha of this pristine Gabriela Perotti & María del Carmen Former DAPTF Seed Grants Diéguez, 2004) forest fragment in 1999 following

the discovery of a new bird species The following papers report work Smith, K. G., Weldon, C., Conradie, for science, the Chestnut-capped supported by previous DAPTF W. & du Preez, L. H. (in press) Piha, Lipaugus weberi. Seed Grants. Anyone wanting a Relationships among size, With the combined support of copy of a report should contact the development and Batrachochytrium Conservation International, The author in the first instance. If you dendrobatidis infection in African IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist cannot reach the author, please tadpoles. Diseases of Aquatic Group, Robert Wilson, and Robert contact Tim Halliday at: Organisms: (Grant to Kevin Smith et Giles, the American Birding [email protected]. al., 2006.) ([email protected])

Conservancy has purchased an

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PRESS RELEASE: Froglog Shorts Job Announcement Protecting the world from harmful introduced species Executive Officer, Amphibian The ASG has a new website! Specialist Group (ASG)

People around the world can access Please see our newly created The Amphibian Specialist Group information about harmful introduced website www.amphibians.org. (ASG) is seeking a conservation species easier than ever thanks to The Sabin Award for Amphibian leader who can take on the global the September 2006 launch of a new Conservation amphibian decline within the broader website for the Global Invasive Thanks to a generous donation from context of the biodiversity crisis. The Species Database (GISD). The Andrew Sabin, the ASG announces ASG, a unit of the IUCN Species world's premier source of free, a new annual award to recognize Survival Commission, strives to authoritative information about individuals and groups who have conserve biological diversity by introduced species that threaten made a significant contribution to stimulating, developing, and native biodiversity and livelihoods promoting the conservation of executing practical programs to now has improved content and globally threatened amphibians. The study, save, restore, and manage functions. award will be open to individuals or amphibians and their habitats While only a small proportion of groups from all disciplines relevant around the world. The ASG is taking the living organisms that are moved to amphibian conservation and IUCN’s Specialist Group model to around the world with human activity research anywhere in the world. the next level of effectiveness and global trade actually cause Nominations of individuals from through the establishment of a harm, those that do can be developing countries are highly Secretariat that will serve as a devastating. Such “biological encouraged. dynamic hub to coordinate a global invasions” are now considered one Individuals or groups will be web of stakeholders and to leverage of the biggest factors in biodiversity considered based on contributions in the intellectual, institutional, and loss and extinctions. However, any area. Examples include: financial capacity towards shared, fighting back is possible provided strategic amphibian conservation communities and decision makers • Habitat Protection goals. The Executive Officer will be are aware of the threats and have • Capacity Building responsible for coordinating the access to information on what they • Education / Awareness activities of the ASG to ensure a can do about it. • Policy unified, strategic and sustainable "The Global Invasive Species • Species recovery projects approach to global amphibian Database alerts people to the • Advances in understanding conservation, effecting policy change causes and consequences of threats and how they may and communicating the work of the invasive species and provides be mitigated ASG to raise the profile of amphibian practical information about effective • Improving knowledge of issues in the public arena. Please prevention and management status and distribution of see the full job announcement at options. It helps protect natural amphibians http://www.parcplace.org/2006-03- resources and livelihoods," says • Innovative approaches to 24CI.htm for details. Michael Browne from the Invasive conservation Species Specialist Group of the Instructions for Authors Species Survival Commission of The award of 25,000 USD will be FROGLOG publishes a range of IUCN-The World Conservation presented to the selected recipient at articles on any research, discoveries Union. Conservation International's New or conservation news relating to the The GISD, which has been on- York dinner in April. Award amphibian decline phenomenon. We line at www.issg.org/database since recipients and their work will be encourage authors describing 2000 and mirrored by the National featured on the ASG website original research to first make Biological Information Infrastructure (http:www.amphibians.org) submissions to a refereed journal (NBII) of the US Geological Survey Please submit nominations to: and then, if appropriate, to publish a www.invasivespecies.net/databasec [email protected] before March synopsis in Froglog. Submissions currently receives more than 900 15. Nominations should include the should be in English, less than 1,000 unique visitors per day (50,000 hits name of the individual or group and words and follow the style of past per day). a detailed description of what they FROGLOG issues (as should It is also available in CD-ROM have done and its significance for references). Due to space and format, allowing people to access amphibian conservation. A review formatting restrictions, please do not up-to-date, comprehensive invasive panel representing a broad cross- submit images, maps, figures or species information where internet section of disciplines will assess tables. Short news items and press access is restricted or non-existent. nominees. releases are also acceptable. In keeping with the philosophy that Please submit potential contributions anyone should be able to access to Jeanne McKay at: J.E.Mckay information that can help them to @kent.ac.uk Accepted submissions

protect their environment, access to

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