Red List of South African Species

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Critically Endangered (CR)
B1ab(i,ii,iii)c(iv)
Assessors: IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG)
Contributors: Alan Channing Alex Rebelo Andrew Turner Atherton de Villiers James Harvey Jeanne Tarrant John Measey Krystal A Tolley Leslie Minter Louis du Preez Marius Burger Michael Cunningham Sarah Davies
Facilitators: Alex Rebelo John Measey Louise Hobin
Reviewers: Ariadne Angulo

Rationale (Changed due to Same category but change in criteria)

Listed as Critically Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 22 km2, it occurs in one threat-defined location, there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of habitat, and the ongoing threats of fire and invasive vegetation are causing large population fluctuations to a very small population of adult individuals.

Distribution

This species is confined to a very small area of the Klein Swartberg near Caledon, Western Cape Province, South Africa, between 500-800 m asl. It occurs in one threat-defined location, its area of occupancy (AOO) is 14 km2, and the extent of occurrence (EOO) is 22 km2.

Decline

Reduction of the AOO is ongoing due to invasive vegetation.

Fire has sizeable effects on subpopulations which may cause fluctuations of EOO and AOO

Reduction of the EOO is ongoing due to invasive vegetation.

Fire has sizeable effects on subpopulations which may cause fluctuations of EOO and AOO.

see threats.

Population trend

Trend

Extensive survey work has been conducted and the number of mature individuals was estimated to be around 1,000 at the time of the last assessment in 2009. The three easternmost localities of this species within one subpopulation are regularly monitored by CapeNature, and population estimates are made using a standardised monitoring protocol (Measey et al. 2011, A. Turner pers. comm. August 2016). Fire and post-fire impacts on number of mature individuals cause large fluctuations in subpopulation sizes. Due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of habitat, the population is suspected to be decreasing.

Threats

The main threats to this species are fires, which cause extreme population fluctuations and have a synergistic effect on alien invasive plants which are degrading and drying seepages. Both threats are extensive and severe on the entire distribution of this species.

Uses and trade

There are no records of this species being utilized.

Conservation

Conservation Actions
This species has not been recorded in any protected areas. A monitoring programme has been put in place by CapeNature and three sites within a subpopulation are regularly monitored.

Conservation Needed
An invasive alien plant clearing plan is a priority and is being developed by CapeNature and private land owners (with all known sites of this species included - J. Measey and A. Turner pers. comm. August 2016). The plan for Klein Swartberg Mountain is still requiring to be drawn up and implemented.

Research Needed
A key area of research for the conservation of this species is the identification of the impact of threats and their subsequent management. This and other members of the genus also require more information on life history, dispersal and population size, and would benefit from population monitoring.

References 

[@electronic{63356,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-3},
 year = {2016}
}
,@book{1301,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {du Preez, L. and Carruthers, V.},
 publisher = {Struik Nature},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa},
 year = {2009}
}
,@electronic{1301,
 address = {http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html},
 author = {Frost, D.R.},
 publisher = {American Museum of Natural History},
 title = {Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0 (31 March 2016)},
 year = {2016}
}
,@article{174664,
 author = {Turner, A. and Channing, A.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 number = {1},
 pages = {1--12},
 title = {A new species of <i>Arthroleptella</i> Hewitt, 1926 (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Klein Swartberg Mountain, Caledon, South Africa},
 volume = {57},
 year = {2008}
}
,@inbook{174664,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Measey },
 booktitle = {Assessing status and trends.},
 editor = {Measey, G.J., Minter, L.G. and Turner, A.A.},
 pages = {29--36},
 publisher = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {Ensuring a future for South Africa’s frogs: a strategy for conservation research.},
 year = {2011}
}
,]
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