Arthroleptella lightfooti (Boulenger, 1910)  

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Habitat and Ecology:

This species is restricted to montane fynbos and Afromontane forest in the winter rainfall region, where annual rainfall is >750 mm. It inhabits seepages, both in open fynbos and kloofs, where the vegetation is thick and the substrate is sandy or rocky (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

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Rights holder/AuthorZimkus, Breda, Channing, A., African Amphibians Lifedesk
Sourcehttp://africanamphibians.lifedesks.org/pages/26931

Metamorphosis:

Development is direct and metamorphosis takes place 7–10 days after the eggs are laid (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorZimkus, Breda, Channing, A., African Amphibians Lifedesk
Sourcehttp://africanamphibians.lifedesks.org/pages/26931

Advertisement Call:

The advertisement call is a short chirp consisting of three pulses. The call is 0.1 s long and has an emphasized frequency of 3.1–3.4 kHz (Channing el al., 1994; Channing, 2001; Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

Choruses develop during the daytime and at night, between April and December, coinciding with the rainy season. Males call from concealed sites and are frequently found under moss in the vicinity of egg masses (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorZimkus, Breda, Channing, A., African Amphibians Lifedesk
Sourcehttp://africanamphibians.lifedesks.org/pages/26931

Reproduction:

Clutches of 5–12 eggs are laid on damp soil under vegetation or in more exposed positions, and are often found near waterfalls (Channing, 2001; Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorZimkus, Breda, Channing, A., African Amphibians Lifedesk
Sourcehttp://africanamphibians.lifedesks.org/pages/26931

IUCN Red List Assessment:
Red List Category

NT
Near Threatened

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

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.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

  • 2004
    Near Threatened (NT)
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58061

IUCN Red List Category and Justification of Conservation Status:

Major declines are not expected, and the species was therefore classified Near Threatened (Harrison et al. 2001). While the species is not considered to be under immediate threat, appropriate conservation management practices are necessary to ensure its continued survival (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorZimkus, Breda, Channing, A., African Amphibians Lifedesk
Sourcehttp://africanamphibians.lifedesks.org/pages/26931

Population:

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
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58061

Threats:

Major Threats

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.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58061

Conservation Actions:

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.
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorInternational Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Sourcehttp://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/58061

Lightfoot's moss frog:

The Lightfoot's moss frog (Arthroleptella lightfooti) (aka Cape Peninsula Moss Frog) is a species of frog in the Pyxicephalidae family. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Sources[edit]

Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Rights holder/AuthorWikipedia
Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lightfoot's_moss_frog&oldid=606869964
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