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Hyperolius pickersgilli

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA AMPHIBIA ANURA HYPEROLIIDAE

Scientific Name: Hyperolius pickersgilli
Species Authority: Raw, 1982
Common Name/s:
English – Pickersgill's Reed Frog

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered B2ab(ii,iii) ver 3.1
Year Published: 2010
Assessor/s: South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG), IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group,
Reviewer/s: Angulo, A. & von May, R.
Contributor/s: Channing, A., Turner, A., de Villiers, A., Harvey, J., Tarrant, J., Measey, J., Tolley, K., Minter, L., du Preez, L., Burger, M., Cunningham, M. & Davies, S.
Justification:
Listed as Critically Endangered in view of its small Area of Occupancy of 9 km2, with its distribution being severely fragmented, and a continuing decline in the quality of its habitat and Area of Occupancy.
History:
2004 – Endangered
1996 – Vulnerable
1994 – Rare (Groombridge 1994)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species is endemic to the coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, ranging from Warner Beach in the south to St Lucia village in the north. It is found within 20 km of the coast up to 380 m asl. Although the Extent of Occurrence is 2,303 km2, the Area of Occupancy has been calculated to be only 9km2.
Countries:
Native:
South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: The spatial distribution of this species is considered to be severely fragmented as >50% of individuals are in small and isolated patches and >50% of subpopulations are considered non-viable. It is secretive and so is under-recorded, but appears to be a rare species.
Population Trend: Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: It is a species of coastal mosaic bushland and grassland, breeding in stagnant, usually temporary to semi-permanent, water, rarely exceeding 50 cm in depth, surrounded by dense sedges. It is seldom found at the same breeding sites as the abundant Hyperolius marmoratus.
Systems: Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): It is confined to a small area subject to urbanization, habitat fragmentation, afforestation, and drainage for agricultural and urban development. Some breeding sites are being polluted by DDT, which is used for controlling malarial mosquitoes. The spread of alien vegetation, in particular eucalyptus, is responsible for the drying out of some breeding sites.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: Obtaining accurate information on threats was given the highest priority on conservation research for this species. Determining the status of all sites and estimating population size also receive high research priorities. Research is still required to determine population sizes, life history and ecology (in particular dispersal potential), followed by appropriate monitoring of both population and habitat. In addition, land owner agreements need to be drawn up for protection and management of all sites for conservation management. This species occurs in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the Umlalazi Nature Reserve, and the Twinstreams-Mtunzini Natural Heritage Site.
Citation: South African Frog Re-assessment Group (SA-FRoG), IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, 2010. Hyperolius pickersgilli. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 May 2013.
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