October 2020 AMPHIBIAN SURVIVAL ALLIANCE NEWTSLETTER Got a story you want to share? Drop Candace an email today! [email protected] Stories from our partners around the world © Endangered Wildlife Trust Wildlife © Endangered Protecting the unique and threatened frogs of the Western Cape, South Africa By Jeanne Tarrant, Endangered very limited ranges in the Western tion and habitat management inter- Wildlife Trust Cape province of South Africa. Here ventions would have particularly sig- is where the highest concentrations nificant conservation benefits. These In July 2020, with the support of of threatened amphibians can be species are the Critically Endangered ASA’s small grant through Global found in the country. Rough Moss Frog (Arthroleptella Wildlife Conservation, the Endan- rugosa) and Micro Frog (Microba- gered Wildlife Trust (EWT) com- Based on a prioritization exercise trachella capensis); and the Data menced a new project focused on we conducted in 2018, we identified Deficient Moonlight Mountain Toad- some of the most threatened and three species in the Western Cape let (Capensibufo selenophos) (IUCN, endemic frogs species restricted to for which targeted habitat protec- 2017). The population trend of each of these species is decreasing, species also represent umbrella spe- tares – one site (in Kleinrivierberg, or unknown, and as such research cies for other threatened frogs, such comprising 780 hectares) is already is needed on their distributions, as the Endangered Cape Platanna committed to proclamation and this population sizes, life histories, and (Xenopus gilli), and Western Leop- site is under review. threats. While the distributions of ard Toad (Sclerophrys pantherina). these species may not be extensive, As such, the fundamental goal of Formalizing protection of these they represent important habitat securing habitat for these species is incredibly beautiful landscapes will types, often themselves threatened, critical. go a long way to conserving these comprising lowland wetland areas unique species and their associated to montane fynbos and renosterveld In July we begun with field surveys threatened habitats into the future. habitats. Very little is known about in the Overberg for these range- the Moonlight Mountain Toadlet, limited species, threat assessments, having been described as recently and engaging with landowners to as 2017 (Channing et. al. 2017) and assess willingness to participate in more knowledge about this species securing areas for conservation. is crucial to assess its conservation The latter is a crucial aspect of the status and guide habitat protection process and good relationships and management efforts. The Rough with these landowners are critical Moss Frog (IUCN, 2016) does not oc- to long-term project success. We cur in any formally protected areas have had great success so far in that and is threatened by massive en- already eight new localities have croachment of alien vegetation at its been confirmed for two target spe- known site. The distribution of the cies (six for Capensibufo selenophos Micro Frog – occurring at just four and two for Xenopus gilli) and three localities across a total of 7 km2 – is landowners have already expressed highly fragmented and impacted by interest in taking part in Biodiversity urbanization, agricultural expansion, Stewardship processes to formally the spread of alien vegetation, and protect habitat on their properties, drainage of breeding habitats. These representing a total of 1,775 hec- Editorial By Candace Hansen-Hendrikx, facing as a result of the pandemic, understanding of the makeup of Amphibian Survival Alliance we are all pivoting and adapting to the partnership and how best we the new normal, with what almost can support your work. The survey As the world continues to strug- seems to be a renewed sense of period has now ended, and we are gle with the ongoing pandemic it is purpose and enthusiasm. We are currently analyzing and compiling inspiring to see that amphibian con- finding new ways to connect with the results. You provided us with servation efforts have not ground to and support each other. We are extremely helpful insights and sug- a halt. That is not to say that there finding new ways to approach old gestions, and you will start to see have not been significant struggles problems. And ASA partners, such many of these ideas rolling out in along the way, nor are the struggles as yourselves, are the embodiment the upcoming months! We will also over quite yet. Fieldwork and many of this! be in touch shortly with those that community programs have had have expressed an interest in being to be put on hold because of the And as the amphibian community involved with the development of lockdowns. Funding opportunities in general adapts, so does the ASA. the strategic plan, ACAP, and GAA3. for organizations and projects have We are entering a new and excit- noticeably decreased. Loved ones ing phase in the evolution of the You, the partners, are the ASA. And have fallen ill or have been taken ASA, and working hard to provide this edition of Frogress Report is yet from us by this virus. The impacts the direction and support that the another opportunity to showcase are farther reaching than we could partnership has asked for. As you the incredible work of ASA part- have ever expected when all of our may recall from previous com- ners. Everything each partner does, lives changed at the beginning of munications from us, we began and every hurdle that each partner this year. our strategic planning process last overcomes, is a true testament to month by sending out a survey to the dedication and passion that is But despite the enormous struggles the entire partnership. This survey unmatched outside of the amphib- that we as a community have been was designed to give us a better ian conservation community! Bolivia and Peru working together to conserve the Titicaca Water Frog © Joel Sartore By Eliana Lizarraga Heredia, Museo to fill in the gaps in the knowledge and its state in the face of high pres- de Historia Natural Alcide d’Orbginy about this emblematic frog. sures from natural and anthropic factors. In the same way, the infor- In a coordinated effort, the Gov- The research efforts include two mation generated will be used to ernments of Bolivia and Peru, with studies within the framework of make decisions and take future joint the support of the United Nations the project “Gestión Integrada de conservation actions, which will Development Programme (UNDP) los Recursos Hídricos en el sistema ensure the continuity of the species and with funding from the Global Titicaca-Desaguadero-Poopó-Salar over time. This transnational collab- Environment Facility (GEF), have de Coipasa (GIRH TDPS)”. The first is oration is a great achievement that constituted a transnational team for oriented towards the characteriza- shows the complete union of efforts the conservation of the emblematic tion of the underwater habitat types by several institutions with the same Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius used by T. culeus and the identifica- goal: to promote the conservation of culeus). tion of the threats to these habitats the Titicaca Water Frog! to prioritize conservation areas. The The working group is made up of second study is aimed at evaluating institutions from various countries the population status of the Titicaca including ASA partner Museo de Giant Frog using snorkel transect Historia Natural Alcide d’Orbigny, techniques. and others such as Fundación para as Ciencias, Universidad Peruana The results obtained will provide Cayetano Heredia, Denver Zoo, relevant ecological information on Natural Way-Peru, and Museo de the species for Peru and Bolivia, Zoología de la Pontificia Universidad countries that share the ecosystem Católica del Ecuador. With the vision of Lake Titicaca, where T. culeus of long-term survival for the species, occur. This will allow researchers to these institutions will work together understand the reality of the species A flying leap: Conservation of the Anamalai flying frog © Renjith Hadlee © Renjith By Snehaa Sundaram and Amrit munities in the Western Ghats to Protected area networks there was Menon, Wildlife Trust of India secure wildlife corridors for Asian El- a need to identify key areas of a ephants (Elephas maximus), protect breeding population and introduce The Western Ghats in India, a global flora such as Strobilanthes kunthi- conservation measures. biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO ana, and to equip people to tackle World Heritage site, is home to a natural disasters such as forest fires, Through this project, the team miscellany of taxa including about landslides, etc. In addition to our has identified current nesting sites 170 amphibian species. New spe- work in the landscape, WTI’s exper- to monitor the species and two cies continue to be discovered every tise in Species Recovery in a wide alternative sites, where makeshift year. However, the rich biodiver- range of taxa has paved the way to a waterholes in a natural setup have sity of the Western Ghats is facing project with the local community of been designed to promote their threats of habitat fragmentation. Munnar, Kerala state, in an attempt population growth. Using a multi- to revive the declining population stakeholder approach by involving Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), a of the Anamalai Flying frog or also plantation owners and Forest de- leading Indian nature conservation known as False Malabar Gliding Frog partment authorities we plan to ad- non-profit organization, adopts a (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus). dress the threat of pesticide use and comprehensive approach to con- promote organic farming methods in serving biodiversity through long Anuran Taxa often referred to as the landscape. Through close moni- and short-term measures including ‘indicator’ species signifies their toring and community involvement, on-ground action to address emer- sensitive nature to habitat altera- we hope to witness a recovery in the gent conservation needs through its tions owing to a rapid decline in Anamalai Flying Frog population.