Near Threatened Amphibian Species 610 Threatened Amphibians of the World
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Near Threatened Amphibian Species 610 Threatened Amphibians of the World ANURA to adapt to modifi ed habitats. The major threat is forest loss and fragmentation, due to the conversion of forests ARTHROLEPTIDAE to rubber and oil palm plantations, as well as the resulting eutrophication of streams by chemical fertilisers and stream siltation (thereby depriving larvae of feeding sites). It is present in several protected areas, and the continued protection of large areas of hilly rainforests is essential. Arthroleptis pyrrhoscelis Laurent, 1952 Bibliography: Das, I. (1995b), Inger, R.F. (1960a), Inger, R.F. (1966), Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R.B. (1997) Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun This species occurs in the Itombwe and Kabobo Highlands in southern Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The type locality is at 1,900-2,000m asl. It is said to be common. It is a species of montane grasslands that presumably breeds by direct development. There is no direct information on threats to the species, but it is not likely Ansonia hanitschi Inger, 1960 to be seriously threatened. It is not known from any protected areas. Taxonomy: We follow Poynton (2003c) in retaining the genus Schoutedenella only for Schoutedenella xenochirus, and we therefore assign This Bornean endemic occurs at a number of sites within Kinabalu National Park, and the Crocker Range south of this species to its original genus, Arthroleptis. There are major taxonomic problems with the genera Arthroleptis and Schoutedenella Kinabalu in Sabah, in Gunung Mulu Park in Sarawak, and also in the montane forests of Kalimantan. It probably occurs through much of Africa. In many cases, the available names can be referred only to museum specimens, not to animals in the fi eld. This more widely than current records suggest. Its altitudinal range is from 750-1,600m asl. It is abundant at most locations is because the identifi cation of these species frequently depends more on their vocalizations than their morphology. where it has been recorded. Adults are found on the fl oor of submontane and montane forests. Breeding takes place Bibliography: Laurent, R.F. (1952), Laurent, R.F. (1954), Poynton, J.C. (2003c) in clear, rocky mountain streams. The larvae cling to rocks in the torrents of these streams. It appears to be unable to Data Providers: Robert Drewes adapt to modifi ed habitats. The main threat to the species is siltation of streams needed for larval development, as a result of logging in the submontane and montane forests, and the clearance of forests for cultivation. This species is known to be present in Kinabalu and Gunung Mulu National Parks. However, there is no well-protected reserve in Arthroleptis reichei Nieden, 1911 Kalimantan at the appropriate atltitude protecting the habitat of this species. Bibliography: Herrmann, H.J. and Ulber, T. (1992), Inger, R.F. (1960a), Inger, R.F. (1966), Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R.B. (1997), Malkmus, This species occurs in eastern and southern Tanzania (the Uluguru and Udzungwa Mountains), and the southern R. (1994), Malkmus, R. (1995), Malkmus, R. (1996a), Malkmus, R. et al. (2002) highlands (Poroto Mountains and Mount Rungwe) and extreme northern Malawi (Misuku Hills). It is a montane spe- Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun cies, occurring from 1,500 to at least 2,000m asl. There is very little information on its population status. It inhabits montane forest, perhaps ranging into montane grassland near forest. No information is available on its adaptability to secondary habitats. It lives in leaf-litter on the forest fl oor, in low shrubs, in grassy areas, and in wild bananas, and Ansonia leptopus (Günther, 1872) like other members of the genus presumably breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon water. Forest loss as a result of agricultural expansion, wood extraction, and human settlement are likely to be the key threats. It This species is known from a number of localities on Borneo. It is also present at two localities in Peninsular presumably occurs in Udzungwa National Park, but this has not yet been confi rmed. Malaysia, and at a single site in Sumatra (Indonesia). It has been recorded from lowland altitudes of 50-700m asl. Bibliography: Channing, A. (2001), Howell, K.M. (1993), Poynton, J.C. (2003b), Poynton, J.C. and Broadley, D.G. (1985a) It is abundant at a number of sites. Adults disperse widely over the fl oor and herb stratum of primary rainforest. It Data Providers: Kim Howell, John Poynton breeds explosively in small, clear, rocky-bottomed streams, and larvae are most common in shallow side pools and in submerged masses of dead leaves. It is unable to adapt to modifi ed habitats. The major threat to the species is deforestation and the resultant siltation of larval habitats. This species is present in several protected areas, and Cardioglossa nigromaculata Nieden, 1908 the continued preservation of large areas of rainforest is needed. Taxonomy: A taxonomic review of this species is urgently required, since it almost certainly comprises more than one species. This species is known only from extreme southern Nigeria and south-western Cameroon at low altitudes. It is fairly Bibliography: Dring, J.C.M. (1979), Grandison, A.C.G. (1972a), Inger, R.F. (1985), Inger, R.F. and Dring, J.C.M. (1988), Inger, R.F. and common, though it is often absent from apparently suitable habitat. It lives in lowland moist forest and in degraded Stuebing, R.B. (1997) habitats near more mature forest and can be found in small groups along forest watercourses, often in undergrowth Data Providers: Robert Inger, Peter Paul van Dijk, Robert Stuebing among dead leaves and in holes. It breeds in streams. This species is presumably affected by forest loss. It occurs in Korup National Park. Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1972a), Amiet, J.-L. (1972c), Amiet, J.-L. (1972d), Amiet, J.-L. (1973c), Amiet, J.-L. (1987), Herrmann, H.-W. Ansonia longidigita Inger, 1960 et al. (2005), Lawson, D.P. (1993) Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet, Arne Schiøtz This widespread Bornean endemic is present in relatively steep terrain from 150-1,500m asl. It is known to be abun- dant at several localities. Adults can be found on the fl oor and herb stratum of rainforests. It requires small, clear, rocky-bottomed streams to breed in, an environment that persists only where forest cover is intact. Larvae live in torrents, clinging to rocks and feeding on lithophytes. This species is unable to adapt to modifi ed habitats. The main ASTYLOSTERNIDAE threat is rampant habitat loss due to the rapid clearing of forest in Borneo, and the subsequent siltation of streams. This species is known to occur in several protected areas, including in Sabah and Sarawak. However, in Kalimantan, the existing forest preserves and parks are not well protected. Astylosternus montanus Amiet, 1978 “1977” Bibliography: Inger, R.F. (1960a), Inger, R.F. (1966), Inger, R.F. (1992), Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R.B. (1997), Malkmus, R. et al. (2002) This species has been recorded from several localities in the western Cameroon mountains from the Bamenda Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun Highlands north-east to the Adamawa Plateau, with some outlying populations at lower altitudes to the south of this range on Mount Ngorro and the Yoko (Djan) Mountains. It has also been recorded from the Obudu Plateau in eastern Nigeria. It occurs in the submontane zone from 900-1,700m asl. The distribution is discontinuous, perhaps Ansonia minuta Inger, 1960 due to forest clearance in the 17th century. It is reported to be common within its range. It lives in or near fl owing water in lower montane and submontane forest or herbaceous vegetation and gallery forests. At night it can be found This Bornean endemic is known only from a few localities in western and central Sarawak (Malaysia) and scattered in relatively dry areas along forest tracks and in agricultural areas. It can survive in deforested areas in temporary, areas of Kalimantan (Indonesia), although it probably occurs more widely than current records suggest. All known eutrophic, silted streams that are low in oxygen. Breeding takes place in fl owing water, with the males calling from localities lie between 200 and 1,000m asl. There is no information on its population status. This is a terrestrial species rock cavities or from in the water. Although this species is probably suffering from habitat loss, it appears able to of lowland moist tropical forest, which breeds in small, clear, rocky streams where the larvae also develop. It has adapt to some non-forest habitats. It is not known to occur in any protected areas. not been found in modifi ed habitats. The main threat to this species is habitat loss and fragmentation largely due Bibliography: Amiet, J.-L. (1977), Amiet, J.-L. (1983a), Gartshore, M.E. (1986), Herrmann, H.-W. et al. (2005) to the effects of extensive logging on lowland Borneo. This species is known from the Kayan Mentarang protected Data Providers: Jean-Louis Amiet area and continued protection of large areas of hilly rainforest is needed. Bibliography: Inger, R.F. (1960a), Inger, R.F. (1966), Inger, R.F. and Stuebing, R.B. (1997) Data Providers: Robert Inger, Indraneil Das, Robert Stuebing, Maklarin Lakim, Paul Yambun Leptodactylodon ovatus Andersson, 1903 This species occurs in extreme eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon, below 800m asl. Two subspecies are known: Ansonia spinulifer (Mocquard, 1890) the nominate form occurs in the westernmost part of the range (including Nigeria); L. o. orientalis occurs in the east. The ranges of the two subspecies are probably separated around Mount Kupe.