Breviceps sylvestris FitzSimons, 1930
B. sylvestris was not listed in earlier South African Red Data books (McLachlan 1978; Branch 1988) but was listed as Near Threatened by Harrison et al. (2001). Reassessment has placed it in the Vulnerable category based on the species’ severely fragmented and restricted distribution (area of occupancy: 501–2000 km), rate of habitat loss (>20% in the last 50 years) and predicted population decline (>20% in the next 30 years) (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
The major threats to B. sylvestris are habitat loss and fragmentation due to afforestation and other agricultural practices (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
B. sylvestris constructs an extensive network of shallow, horizontal tunnels and chambers below the soil surface and under rocks and logs. The dry winter months are spent underground, but rain at this time of year may result in surface activity and some calling. Aestivation, involving the production of a cocoon, has not been observed.
Minter (1998) notes that the granular texture and mottled markings of the skin of the abdomen, and the presence of a pair of longitudinal glandular ridges on the dorsum, distinguish both B. sylvestris and B. verrucosus from B. adspersus and B. mossambicus, which have a smooth, immaculate abdomen and lack dorsal skin ridges. In B. sylvestris, the tympanum is indistinct and, in most cases, cannot be distinguished from the surrounding granular skin, while in B. verrucosus it is usually smooth and fairly obvious. B. sylvestris is further characterized by a broad, light margin to its down-turned mouth, giving its face a clown-like appearance (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
B. sylvestris occurs in parapatry with B. adspersus throughout its range. Prey items have not been documented but probably include various invertebrates characteristic of the forest floor (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
B. sylvestris is endemic to Limpopo Province of South Africa, where it occurs on the slopes and crests of the Blouberg, Soutpansberg, Wolkberg and Drakensberg ranges (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
The breeding and non-breeding habitat is Afromontane Forest and adjacent North-eastern Mountain Grassland (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Most breeding takes place after rain in early spring, that is, September–October, but continues into early December (Minter 1998). In wet, misty weather, large choruses develop and continue, unchecked, for several consecutive days and nights. Once paired amplexus is adhesive and nests are constructed below the surface, at the base of a rock, log, or amongst tree roots. Thompson (in Wager 1965) recorded a mass of 56 eggs covered by a layer of infertile eggs; the female remained in a tunnel adjoining the egg chamber until the young were fully developed, and removed soil that fell onto the egg-mass. Jacobsen (1989) found a female with an egg-mass in November (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).