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Home , Amietia, Atelopus, Breviceps, Bufo, Cacosternum, Cape river frog

Atelopus exiguus © Luis Coloma

ROGLOG FNewsletter of the IUCN/SSC Specialist Group

Colorful Harlequin Re-discovered in Colombia Luis Alberto Rueda Solano Vol 86 April 2008 telopus carrikeri is a toad typically of uniform black color What’s Inside Athat inhabits the paramos (3500 – 4800 msnm) of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Ruthven 1916). This belongs to ignescens group since it has a robust body, with relatively short limbs and tubered skin (Lötters 1996). Until Cover story recently, there were no recent reports on Atelopus carrikeri, Colorful Harlequin Frog due to a lack of new explorations in the Sierra Nevada. The Re-discovered in Colombia Page 1 last report was from 1994 at El Paramo de Macostama, De- Around the World partamento de la Guajira and La Serrania de Cebolleta, De- of Pakistan Page 2 partamento de Magdalena, Colombia. Amphibian Activities in Sri Lanka Page 4 Seed Grants 2008 Projects Funded Page 5 DAPTF Seed Grants Page 5 CEPF Reports Threatened Amphibians in the suc- culent Karoo hotspot of southern Namibia Page 6 Announcements Sabin Award for Amphibian Conservation Page 8 Instructions to Authors Page 9

Atelopus carrikeri © Luis Alberto Rueda Solano

1 Atelopus carrikeri Discovered in Colombia Continued from Cover page important to note that 2 of these de Santa Marta a sanctuary for harle- In early February 2008 in La Ser- adults were sick. The re-discovery quin in Colombia in contrast to rania de Cebolleta, I discovered of Atelopus carrikeri is significant other upperland areas where Atelo- an abundance of tadpoles and because it adds to the list of Atelo- pus are apparently already extinct. six adult males of a red mor- pus species that persist in the Sierra Author email: biobetorue@hotmail. pho of Atelopus carrikeri. It is Nevada, making the Sierra Nevada com

Around the world Amphibians of Pakistan Muhammad Sharif Khan

he arid sub tropical climate Tin Pakistan places constraints on the local amphibians. Howev- er, because of riparian Indus Val- ley, torrents in the sub Himalayas and subterranean karez channels in Balochistan, twenty four amphib- ian species and subspecies belong- ing to four families Bufonidae (10 species), (1), Mi- crohylidae (2), and Ranidae (11) are known from Pakistan (Khan. melanostictus © Muhammad Sharif Khan 2006, 2008). malayan and sub-Himalayan spe- Family Megophryidae Family Bufonidae cies. The olive toad B. olivaceus is The Tibetan lazy toad Bufo stomaticus, excluding higher spottily distribution from the sub- nyingchiensis is the sole represen- mountain ranges, is the most com- Himalayas through plains to Bal- tative of this Tibetan family. It is mon toad throughout Pakistan. ochistan. However, B. surdus and known from the Himalayas be- Other species of toad: latastii, B. viridis zugmayeri are confined to tween 3000 and 3500 m and has baturae, pseudoraddei, siacheninsis, karez waters in Balochistan. been collected from Azad Kash- himalayanus and hazarensis are Hi- Bufo tadpoles are small, drab in mir, Gilgit and Dosai Plains in color, with char- the northwestern Himalayas. The acteristic bulg- tadpole has a long tail, and is a ing round body, rasper feeder. and a weak tail. They form loose Family schools along The frogs are represented by marginal waters, two species. The tiny Microhyla possess two rows ornata is widely distributed in the of denticles, with sub Himalayas and Punjab ripar- biting jaws, and ian system. The recently discov- are rasper feeders. ered larger south Indian species systoma is a burrower, Bufo stomasticus © Muhammad Sharif Khan living underground in

2 Amphibians of Pakistan Continued from previous page frogs from the Paa: P. bar- cash crops. Run-off of the chemi- and ant tunnels, and only com- moachensis and P. hazarensis are sub- cals into nearby and puddles ing to the surface to breed during Himalayan, while P. sternosignata is kills eggs, tadpoles, and adults, and heavy rains. confined to the karez subterranean deter breeding individuals. The microhylid tadpole is water channels in Balochistan. Moreover, considerable num- transparent, filter feeds, and forms The ranid tadpoles are large, with ber of amphibians are crushed daily a long, strong muscular tail, and most under passing traffic while cross- are bottom macrophagus. The oral ing roads to reach their potential disc possesses simple or multicusped breeding sites. denticles, and most are macrophagus Frogs and toads at egg, tadpole carnivores. and adult stages are used in school, college and hospital laboratories Threats and conservation of Paki- for experimentation and tests and stani amphibians demonstration of vertebrate anat- The causes of global amphibian de- omy, causing considerable damage Euphlyctis cyanophictis clines are complex and vary from to the natural populations. Consid- place to place. Some of the main erable depletion has been observed midstream schools. factors implicated include ozone in natural population of Hoploba- layer depletion, global warming, ag- trachus tigerinus around the labora- Family Ranidae ricultural chemicals and chytrid fun- tories where this species is used as a Frogs of the family Ranidae are a gus. model for demonstration of heterogeneous assemblage, widely The aridity in Pakistan restricts vertebrate anatomy. Thankfully, as distributed in Indo-Pakistan sub- the local amphibian species to those yet no amphibians are used as food continent and Southeast Asia. Eu- areas retaining water for longer peri- in Pakistani culture. What will phlyctis cyanophlyctis is the most ods of time. As soon as summer sets happen in the future can’t be pre- widely distributed species in plains in they become active and feed, well dicted, however, because fast foot and sub-Himalayas. It comprises before monsoon rains; the boom restaurants are appearing rapidly in three subspecies: E. c. cyanophlyctis period of their activity. They utilize food markets. widely distributed in plains, E. c. To ensure the persistence of microspinulata known from Bal- healthy prosperous amphibian ochistan, and E. c. seistanica which communities in Pakistan, we need occurs along Afghan/Pakistan to establish protected swamps and border. Of the two frogs as amphibian reserves limnocharis is widely throughout the plains and sub- distributed in the sub Himalayas montane areas of Pakistan. More- and upper Indus Valley, while F. over, under-road pathways (“frog- syhadrensis occurs in the lower In- ways”) need to be constructed dus Valley. The bull frog Hoploba- close to the wetlands which are trachus tigerinus is the largest and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus used as potential breeding sites by most widely distributed species in the local amphibian species to re- the plains. rains mostly for breeding and disper- duce considerably “road slaughter” The sub-Himalayan burrowing sal. of the amphibian species. frog Sphaeroteca breviceps is carried Amphibian activity is, however, by river waters in the plains, where marred by spraying of pesticide and Author email: typhlops2004@ya- it has a spotty distribution. agri-boost chemicals, since it is also hoo.com Of the three peculiar brook the peak period when pests attack

3 2008 - Year of the Frog - Activities from Sri Lanka Anslem de Silva Co-Chair, ASG Working Group, Sri Lanka.

embers of the newly formed progress under the Co-Chair (AdS) MAmphibian Specialist Group along with a few members of the of Sri Lanka are undertaking the Executive Committee of the ASG following activities: (Sri Lanka), academics, veterinar- ians and ammeter herpetologists . 1. Conducting awareness programs for schools and the general public.

2. Conducting Status survey on amphibians

Lankanectes corrugatus (Corrugated water 3. Survey to investigate the pat- frog)with ectromella © Anslem de Silva tern of malformations and para- sitic infection in amphibians of Sri The major threats posed -to am Lanka. phibians of the country are loss, alterations and degradation. 4. projects. In addition, preliminary observa- tion made on Polypedates eques, an Sphaerotheca species with a sever wound. 5.Conservation of threatened spe- endemic frog inhabiting the high- © Anslem de Silva cies est plain of the country (Horton Plains National Park, 2000-2300 The researchers hope to exchange Sri Lanka is an island of 65,610 m) showed the presence of a life their findings with others doing km2 in area. The amphibian diver- threatening Proteocephalan Cestode similar projects in other countries sity and species richness per unit infection in 19 (31%) males of the as well as applying the results to area of land is one of the highest 61 studied. Recently (2006) frogs devising management strategies, in the world. Presently, a total of were observed with ectromella, a conduct awareness programs and 106 amphibian species are known malformation condition as reported in the preparation of Conservation from Sri Lanka. However, of these, by Meteyer (2000) in addition to Action Plan for amphibians of Sri 21 species are considered extinct. frogs with large wounds (similar to Lanka. Recent observations indicate that carcinoma). amphibians of the country are fac- Author email: [email protected] ing many threats. Additionally, many malformations and parasitic Editor’s note: The ASG’s Don infections were observed in frogs. Church recently returned from Sri Sri Lanka is an agricultural coun- Lanka, where he made significant try, and presently agrochemicals progress in advancing amphibian are widely used in agriculture and conservation by facilitating an un- plantations and the runoff water precedented agreement with the from these lands and industrial government to protect some of the corrugatus (Corrugated water waste accumulate in waters inhab- frog)with ectromella © Anslem de Silva most critical amphibian habitat. A ited by some frogs as well as pollute full report will be provided in the the natural of frogs. Sever Thus, an island-wide project to in- next Froglog, along with reports of cases of parasitic infections and vestigate the pattern of malforma- conservation successes elsewhere. leech attacks of amphibians were tions, injuries and parasitic infec- also observed. tion in amphibians of Sri Lanka is in

4 Seed Grants 2008 Projects Funded est Habitat Alteration the current status and distribution Thanks to all those who submitted Phimmachak, S. and Stuart, B.L. of the critically endangered en- Seed Grant applications: this year. Field conservation of the Lao en- demic golden tree frog (Phyllodytes The quality was exceptional. We demic newt, Paramesotriton laoen- auratus). received close to 40 applications sis. encompassing an impressive range Laufer, G. Amphibian status in of of geographies and issues. The Kierluff, C. Conservation ofScinax two sites invaded by Lithobates current projects were selected for alcatraz. catesbeianus and Batrocochytridium funding: dendrobatidis in Uruguay. Torsekar,V. Impact of habitat al- Unrestricted teration on the amphibian denisty ARMI Catenazzi, A. Conservation of mon- and diversity in Central Western Richardson, J. The influence of tane forest anurans in Southeastern Ghats of habitat connectivity and local ad- Peru aptation on amphibian population Solé, M. Health status assessment persistence. de Silva, A. Investigating the in- of the amphibians of Bahia State, cidence and geographical pattern northeastern Brazil. Miles, D. Synergestic Effects of of Malformations, Abnormalities, Atrazine and Chrytrid Fungus on Injuries, Parasitic infection and Kosch, T. Study of the Prevalence Tadpole Development. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium of the Amphibian Fungal Disease dendrobatidis) of Frogs, Toads and Chytridiomycosis in Peru and the Baldwin, T. The Effect of Multi- Caecilians of Sri Lanka. Role that MHC Genes Play in Re- scale Forest Disturbance on Pool sistance. Breeding Amphibian Ecology. Weerawardhena, R. and Dr. A. P. Russell: Patterns of Recolonization Chester Zoo Harless, M. Effect of road Deicing of Tropical Anurans following For- Demplewolf, L. Determination of chemicals on larval amphibians.

DAPTF Seed Grant Reports Tim Halliday Barrionuevo, J. S. & Ponssa, M. L. Peltzer, P. M., Lajmanovich, R. C., Recipients of DAPTF Seed Grants (2008) Decline of three species of Sánchez-Hernandez, J. C., Caba- are generally expected to publish the the genus Telmatobius (Anura: Lep- gna, M. C., Attademo, A. M. & results of their projects in refereed todactylidae) from Tucumán Prov- Bassó, A. (2008) Effects of agri- journals, or as articles in Froglog. ince, Argentina. Herpetologica: 64; cultural eutrophication on The following papers report work 47-62. ([email protected]) survival and health status of Scinax supported by DAPTF Seed Grants nasicus tadpoles. Ecotoxicology & awarded to Sebastián Barrion- McLeod, D. S., Sheridan, J. A., Environmental Safety: 70; 185- uevo & María Ponssa (2004), Da- Jiraungkoorskul, W. & Khonsue, W. 197. ([email protected]) vid McLeod & Wichase Khonsue (2008) A survey for chytrid fungus (2004) and Paola Peltzer & Rafael in Thai amphibians. Raffles Bull. Lajmanovich (2005): of Zool: 56; 199-204. (dsmcleod@ ku.edu)

5 CEPF Reports Threatened Amphibians in the Suculent Karoo Hotspot of southern Namibia Alan Channing

Amietia fuscigula Tissues for later DNA analysis he Namib Desert is one of the Restricted to the Orange River val- were preserved in absolute etha- Tleast hospitable places south ley and the permanent springs in nol. of the Sahara for amphibians. The the Naukluft Mountains. meagre rainfall, shifting sand dunes, boettgeri RESULTS and gravel plains are far from ideal Peripheral, but may extend into the Tandy’s Sand Frog, habitats for frogs. Nevertheless, am- eastern margins of the area. tandyi, was widespread in riv- phibians do manage to live under Cacosternum namaquense erbeds, as was the common special conditions in this region. Known from the Orange River val- platanna Xenopus laevis. The Previous work on amphibians in ley and into southern Namibia. , fus- this area (Channing 2001) lists the adspersus cigula, was found in the springs following species (taxonomy up- Peripheral, but may extend into the on both the eastern and west- dated): northern margins of the area. ern drainages of the Naukluft grayii Mountains. Family Bufonidae Restricted to the Orange River val- The found at hoeschi ley. Naukluft (Poyntonophrynus hoe- Widespread in central Namibia. Tomopterna tandyi schi) was heard to have a long robinsoni Widespread in Namibia. buzzing advertisement call, and Restricted to the Orange River Val- was recorded. Males call from ley. The aims of this study were to iden- shallow water. Vandijkophrynus gariepensis tify and evaluate threatened am- The recording shows that Restricted to the Orange River val- phibians in the northern extremes the call consists of a rapid buzz, ley of the Succulent Karoo. Studies with about 100 notes/second, on the Desert Rain Frog, Breviceps at a dominant frequency of 2.0 Family macrops, are reported separately (see kHz. The call may continue un- Breviceps macrops Channing 2008a,b). interrupted for 10 seconds (Fig Known from the southern coastal 1). Namib Desert. METHODS The call of P. hoeschi from A field trip was made to the area in Windhoek consists of brief Family Microhylidae January, just after unusually heavy chirps, uttered at a rate of three Phrynomantis annectens rain. Temporary pools had formed per second. Each chirp consists Widespread in southern Namibia. which served as breeding areas. of about 12 notes, with a dura- Breeding males were located by tion of 0.1 seconds (Fig 2). Family their calls. Advertisement calls were Xenopus laevis recorded, as they are species-specific TAXONOMY Widespread in southern Africa. and may indicate cryptic or unrec- The advertisement call differ- ognized taxa. Tadpoles were collect- ences between the Windhoek Family ed for later identification. Toe clips and Naukluft toads indicate Amietia angolensis were taken for DNA analysis. that two species are involved. Restricted to the Orange River val- Recordings were made with a Ma- The type locality of P. hoeschi ley. rantz PMD 660 digital recorder. is Okahandja, situated 45 km

6 Threatened amphibians of the succulent karoo Continued from previous page

north of Windhoek. The name jordani was erected for then Bufo jordani, from Sa- tansplatz, by Power in 1926. Satansplatz is only 15 km from the Naukluft Moun- tains. Detailed taxonomic studies by Poynton (1964) on this group recognised slight differences from typical hoe- schi in a reduced auditory ap- paratus, and no marginal toe webbing. The dorsal colou- ration of preserved material was uniform (Poynton 1964), although in life the dorsum closely matches the colors of the local river gravel (Fig 3), with black, red and orange on a beige background. Figure 1. The advertisement call of Poyntonophrynus jordani DNA analysis is ongo- ing, to compare this form with other members of Poyn- tonophrynus. Provisionally, the Naukluft toad is assigned to P. jordani.

DISCUSSION Two amphibians in the north- ern Succulent Karoo Biome are considered threatened: Breviceps macrops and Poyn- tonophrynus jordani. Brevi- ceps macrops is threatened by diamond mining, discussed in Channing (2008a, b). P. jor- dani is presently only known from a very restricted range, within an extremely hostile environment for a small toad, considering the aridity of this Figure 2. The advertisement call of Poyntonophrynus hoeschi area. It is considered Vulner- able as it is only known to oc-

7 Threatened amphibians of the succulent karoo Continued from previous page al Research Foundation. Mike Griffin of the Ministry for the Environment and Tourism in Namibia kindly arranged per- mits and assisted in fieldwork in Nambia.

REFERENCES Channing, A. 2001. Amphib- ians of Central and Southern Africa. Cornell University Press. Channing, A. 2008a. An evaluation of the threat of dia- mond mining to the Desert Rain Frog, Breviceps macrops. Report to the University of Arizona and the CEPF. Figure 3. Dorsal color pattern of the Naukluft toad Channing, A. 2008b. Re- sults of a monitoring study of cupy an extremely small area (IUCN University, funded by the CEPF. Breviceps macrops: Population 2000). The Critical Ecosystem Partnership size, density, home ranges, The discovery of an apparent new en- Fund is a joint initiative of Con- movement, and population demic species in the northern parts servation International, the Global age structure. Report to the of the Succulent Karoo, increases the Environment Facility, the Gov- University of Arizona and the number of vertebrates restricted to ernment of Japan, the MacArthur CEPF. this biome, and emphasizes the con- Foundation and the World Bank. A IUCN, 2000. IUCN Red List servation importance of this hotspot. fundamental goal is to ensure civil Catergories. IUCN, Gland. society is engaged in Poynton, J.C. 1964. The Am- Acknowledgements conservation. Additional funding phibia of Southern Africa: a This work was funded under subcon- was provided by the University of faunal study. Annals of the tract 07-844 through Arizona State the Western Cape, and the Nation- Natal Museum 17:1-334.

Announcements

Sabin Award for Amphibian Conservation ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES hanks to a generous donation globally threatened amphibians. Individuals or groups will be Tfrom Andrew Sabin, the Am- The award is open to individu- considered based on contri- phibian Specialist Group (ASG) als or groups from all disciplines butions in any area. Examples announces a call for nominations relevant to amphibian conserva- include: for the second annual award to rec- tion and research anywhere in the ognize individuals and groups who world. Nominations of individu- • Habitat Protection have made a significant contribution als from developing countries are • Capacity Building to promoting the conservation of highly encouraged. • Education/Awareness

8 • Policy individual or group and a de- Nominees will be assessed by • Species recovery projects tailed description of what they a review panel representing a • Advances in understanding have done and its significance broad cross-section of disci- threats and how they may be for amphibian conservation. plines. mitigated • Improving knowledge of status and distribu- tion of amphibians • Innovative approaches to conservation

AWARD CEREMONY The award of 25,000 USD will be presented to the selected recipient at the 6th World Congress of in Manaus in August. Award recipi- ents and their work will be featured in Froglog.

NOMINATIONS The closing date for nom- inations is June 1 2008. Nominations should in- Rana catesbeiana © Don Church clude the name of the

Instructions to Authors

ROGLOG publishes a words and follow the style Frange of articles on any of FROGLOG Vol 83 (as FROGLOG is the bi-monthly news- research, discoveries or con- should references). You may letter of the Amphibian Specialist servation news relating to the also submit images, maps, Group (ASG). Articles on any subject amphibian decline phenom- figures or tables. We encour- relevant to the understanding of am- enon. We encourage authors age the submission of pho- phibian conservation, research and / or describing original research tographs to accompany text. assessments should be sent to: Robin to first make submissions to Short news items and press Moore, Editor, Conservation Interna- a refereed journal and then, releases are also acceptable. tional, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, if appropriate, to publish a Please submit potential con- arlington, VA 22202, USA. synopsis in Froglog. Submis- tributions to Robin Moore at E-mail: [email protected] sions should be in English, the address in the box to the normally no more than 1000 right.

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