Arthroleptella lightfooti
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AMPHIBIA |
ANURA |
PYXICEPHALIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Arthroleptella lightfooti |
| Species Authority: |
(Boulenger, 1910) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Lightfoot’s Moss Frog |
|
Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Near Threatened
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. & Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. |
| 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:
Although this species qualifies for Endangered under B1ab(ii,iii,v)c(iv)+2ab(ii,iii,v)c(iv), it has been listed as Near Threatened because it is relatively abundant within its small Extent of Occurrence (134 km2) and the current threats are not considered to be severe. However, the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining a little suggesting that it may become threatened.
|
| History: |
|
Geographic Range
[top]
| Range Description: |
This species is endemic to Table Mountain and to the other mountains of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, where it occurs from sea level up to 1,000 m asl. It is very restricted with a small Extent of Occurrence (134 km2) and an Area of Occupancy estimated to be 10%. |
| Countries: |
|
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
[top]
| Population: |
This species appears to be relatively abundant on the Cape Peninsula. Fire and post-fire impacts on number of mature individuals are expected to cause large fluctuations in subpopulation sizes (as in other members of this genus) but the species as a whole should be buffered against these fluctuations by the relatively large number of locations (currently estimated to be 10).
|
| Population Trend: |
Unknown
|
Habitat and Ecology
[top]
| Habitat and Ecology: |
It is a species of fynbos heathland and forest that does not survive in developed areas. Breeding is by direct development, with 5-12 eggs being laid in moss or similar vegetation in wet mossy areas near rivers, hillside or roadside seepages, and heavily vegetated streams.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
Even though its habitat is largely protected, the major threats to this species are the spread of alien species (in particular pines) and too frequent or intense fires which cause extreme population fluctuations. Increased tourism in the area needs to be properly managed to minimise impact. There has probably been some loss of habitat in the past due to urban development and pine plantations on parts of the mountains.
|
Conservation Actions
[top]
| Conservation Actions: |
No conservation actions are currently prioritised for this species; however, monitoring programs are required to determine population trends. Most of this species' range is in Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and thus potential impacts from tourism need to be properly managed. Results from research need to be placed into a management framework for active conservation measures, inclusive of invasive species control.
|
