review of non-cites amphibia species that are known or likely to be ...

REVIEW OF NON-CITES AMPHIBIA 

SPECIES THAT ARE KNOWN OR 

LIKELY TO BE IN INTERNATIONAL 

TRADE 

(Version edited for public release) 

Prepared for the 

European Commission 

Directorate General E - Environment 

ENV.E.2. – Development and Environment 

by the 

United Nations Environment Programme 

World Conservation Monitoring Centre 

November, 2007

Prepared and produced by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK 

ABOUT UNEP WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE 

www.unep-wcmc.org 

The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is the biodiversity assessment and policy 

implementation arm of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the world’s 

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decision-makers recognize the value of biodiversity to people everywhere, and to apply this 

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programmes of action. 

UNEP-WCMC provides objective, scientifically rigorous products and services that include 

ecosystem assessments, support for implementation of environmental agreements, regional 

and global biodiversity information, research on threats and impacts, and development of 

future scenarios for the living world. 

Prepared for: The European Commission, Brussels, Belgium 

Prepared by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre 

219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK 

The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or 

contributory organisations. The designations employed and the presentations do not imply 

the expressions of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNEP, the European Commission 

or contributory organisations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area 

or its authority, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 4 

1.1. TRADE IN AMPHIBIANS .............................................................................................................. 4 

1.2. AMPHIBIANS AND THE IUCN RED LIST ................................................................................... 5 

1.3. THE IMPACT OF TRADE ON AMPHIBIANS ................................................................................... 6 

1.4. SELECTION OF SPECIES FOR REVIEW ........................................................................................... 7 

1.4.1. Current review (SRG 42) ................................................................................................... 7 

1.4.2. Potential future review ...................................................................................................... 7 

1.5. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 19 

2. SPECIES REVIEWS ................................................................................................................................ 20 

2.1. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................ 20 

SPECIES: Agalychnis annae ........................................................................................................ 22 

SPECIES: Limnonectes macrodon ................................................................................................ 25 

SPECIES: Neurergus kaiseri ........................................................................................................ 29 

SPECIES: Neurergus microspilotus ............................................................................................. 32 

SPECIES: Rana shqiperica ............................................................................................................ 34 

SPECIES: Bolitoglossa dofleini ..................................................................................................... 38 

SPECIES: Chacophrys pierottii .................................................................................................... 41 

SPECIES: Heterixalus rutenbergi ................................................................................................ 44 

SPECIES: Leptodactylus laticeps .................................................................................................. 46 

SPECIES: Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus ................................................................................ 50 

SPECIES: Pachytriton labiatus .................................................................................................... 53 

SPECIES: Paramesotriton hongkongensis .................................................................................... 55 

SPECIES: Phyllomedusa sauvagii ................................................................................................ 59 

ANNEX 1. Overview of amphibian species for which regional/international trade (threats 

3.1.3, 3.2.3, 3.3.3., 3.4.3, and 3.5.3) may pose a major threat. .......................................................... 63 

ANNEX 2. Country codes. .................................................................................................................... 67 

INDEX OF TABLES 

Table 1. Summary table of CITES and/or EC-listed amphibians. .................................................. 4 

Table 2. Overview of global exporter-reported trade in CITES Appendix II and/or EC Annex 

B amphibians between 1994-2006. ............................................................................................... 5 

Table 3. Number of amphibian species within each of the IUCN Red List categories. ............... 6 

Table 4. Non-CITES globally threatened amphibian species, with regional/international trade 

as major threat type. ...................................................................................................................... 9 

Table 5. Non-CITES-listed amphibian species that are not considered globally threatened in 

the IUCN Red List but which are possibly threatened by international trade.................... 13 

3

1. INTRODUCTION 

This report provides an analysis of amphibian species which are not listed in CITES but for 

which regional or international trade was considered to be a major threat in the 2007 IUCN 

Red List. In-depth reviews were undertaken for 13 species to see whether they meet the 

criteria for listing in any of Annexes A, B or D 1 of Council Regulation 338/97. 

1.1. TRADE IN AMPHIBIANS 

Amphibians have been traded for food, the pet trade, medicinal products, etc. (Schlaepfer et 

al., 2005; AmphibiaWeb, 2006; Carpenter et al., 2007; Tyler et al. 2007). However, trade data are 

not generally available for most species, since only a small number of them are listed in 

CITES. It was noted by one author (Schlaepfer et al., 2005) that the majority of the most 

heavily traded amphibians were not regulated by CITES (for instance, none of the 25 

amphibian species most commonly traded by the US was listed). 

Unlike most countries, the United States records the imports and exports of all amphibians 

(Schlaepfer et al., 2005). Although data are often not collected at the species level, they can, 

however, provide an overview of the trade in one market. Over two million amphibians were 

known to be imported into the US during 1970-1971; leopard frogs (Rana pipiens), fire newts 

(Cynops pyrrogaster) and marine toads (Bufo marinus) were imported in the highest numbers 

(Busack, 1974). An estimated 200 million pairs of frogs’ legs were imported annually from 

Asia to the United States before 1987 (Pough et al., 1998). During 1998-2002, the United States 

imported 14.7 million wild-caught amphibian specimens, and 5.2 million kg of wild-caught 

amphibian meat. The most frequently traded species were the American bullfrog (Rana 

catesbeiana) for the food trade and the African dwarf frog (Hymenochirus curtipes) and the 

oriental fire-bellied newt and toad (Cynops orientalis and Bombina orientalis) for the pet trade 

(Schlaepfer et al., 2005). 

A broader view of the international trade is only possible for those species listed in the CITES 

appendices. At present, 106 amphibian species are listed in CITES. A total of 16 species are 

listed in Appendix I and the remainder are listed in Appendix II, see Table 1. Recent trade 

(1994-2006) in CITES-listed amphibians is summarized in Table 3. 

Table 1. Summary table of CITES and/or EC-listed amphibians. 

Sources: Frost, 2004; EC Regulation No. 1332/2005. 

Order Family Species 

CITES 

Appendix 

EC 

Annex 

ANURA Bufonidae Altiphrynoides spp. I A 

Atelopus zeteki I A 

Bufo periglenes I A 

Bufo superciliaris I A 

Nectophrynoides spp. I A 

Nimbaphrynoides spp. I A 

Spinophrynoides spp. I A 

Dendrobatidae Allobates femoralis II B 

Allobates zaparo II B 

Dendrobates spp. II B 

Epipedobates spp. II B 

Minyobates spp. II B 

Phyllobates spp. II B 

Mantellidae Mantella spp. II B 

Microhylidae Dyscophus antongilii I A 

Scaphiophryne gottlebei II B 

Ranidae Conraua goliath - B 

Euphlyctis hexadactylus II B 

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus II B 

Rana catesbeiana - B 

1 

Annex C was not considered relevant as it includes only species listed in CITES Appendices II or III. 

4

Order Family Species 

CITES 

Appendix 

EC 

Annex 

Rheobatrachidae Rheobatrachus silus II A 

Rheobatrachus vitellinus II B 

URODELA Ambystomidae Ambystoma dumerilii II B 

Ambystoma mexicanum II B 

Cryptobranchidae Andrias spp. I A 

Table 2. Overview of global exporter-reported trade in CITES Appendix II and/or EC 

Annex B amphibians between 1994-2006. 

Proportion of wildsourced 

Taxon Volume of trade in main terms 1994-2006 

trade 

Allobates femoralis 89 live, 46 bodies 9% (live), 100% (bodies) 

Allobates zaparo 75 live (trade in 2000-2001 only) 0% 

Dendrobates spp. (25 spp.) 121,273 live (2006 excluded) 23% 

Epipedobates spp. (4 spp.) 16,448 live 52% 

Phyllobates spp. (5 spp.) 5,239 live 0.5% 

Mantella spp. (14 spp.) 237,676 live 99% 

Scaphiophryne gottlebei 1158 live (trade in 2003-2005 only) 100% 

Conraua goliath 19 live (trade in 2001 only) 100% 

Rana catesbeiana 65,000 live (single transaction in 2003) 0% 

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus 5,750,658 kg meat 2% 

Ambystoma mexicanum 59,759 live 0.13% 

In very general terms, most amphibians exploited for food and medicine are found in Asia, 

and many of the species in the pet trade occur in South America and Madagascar (Baillie et 

al., 2005; Carpenter et al., 2007). In China, for example, 32 species were recognized to be of 

medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine (Ye et al., 1993, cited in Carpenter et al., 2005). 

In Asia, exploitation for food is mainly directed towards the larger-bodied species of the 

family Ranidae, as well as, for example, the Critically Endangered Chinese Giant Salamander, 

Andrias davidianus (Baillie et al., 2005). The species in the pet trade are usually salamanders 

and the colourful small frogs, in particular of the genera Dendrobates and Epipedobates from 

Central and South America, and Mantella from Madagascar (Baillie et al., 2004; Andreone et 

al., 2006). The latter three genera are listed in the CITES appendices. 

1.2. AMPHIBIANS AND THE IUCN RED LIST 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and 

distribution information on taxa that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List 

Categories 2 and Criteria. A detailed explanation of the criteria used can be found at 

www.redlist.org. Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable species are generally 

considered to be “threatened”. 

The status of all of the world’s 5,915 known amphibian species has been evaluated by the 

Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) team (IUCN et al., 2007). The GAA estimated that 1,808 

amphibian species (31% of the total) were globally threatened (Table 3), although this number 

could be considerably higher, since a further 1,426 species were Data Deficient (IUCN, 2007). 

2 

The IUCN Red List categories are as follows: Extinct (EX); Extinct in the Wild (EW); Critically Endangered (CR); 

Endangered (EN); Vulnerable (VU); Near Threatened (NT); Least Concern (LC); Data Deficient (DD); Not Evaluated 

(NE) 

5

Table 3. Number of amphibian species within each of the IUCN Red List categories. 

Source: IUCN (2007). 

IUCN Red 

List Category 

Number of 

Amphibian species 

CR 441 

EN 737 

VU 630 

NT 369 

LC 2277 

DD 1426 

EW 1 

EX 34 

Total 5915 

The IUCN Red List also provides a classification of causes of species decline. Assessors are 

asked to indicate the threats that triggered the listing of the taxon concerned at the finest level 

possible. These threats could be in the past and/or present and/or future, using a timeframe 

of three generations or ten years, whichever is the longer (not exceeding 100 years in the 

future). 

Threats are subdivided in a hierarchical system. For the purposes of this report, threat 

number 3 (Harvesting) is the most relevant one. It is subdivided in the following way: 

3. Harvesting [hunting/gathering] 

3.1. Food 

3.1.1. Subsistence use/local trade 

3.1.2. Sub-national/national trade 

3.1.3. Regional/international trade 

3.2. Medicine 




3.3. Fuel 




3.4. Materials 




3.5. Cultural/scientific/leisure activities 




3.6. Other 

3.7. Unknown 

1.3. THE IMPACT OF TRADE ON AMPHIBIANS 

Although habitat loss and degradation, pollution and the fungal disease chytridiomycosis are 

considered to be the greatest threats to amphibians at present, over-harvesting and trade have 

also been identified as major causes of decline for a number of species (Gibbons et al., 2000, 

Young et al., 2004; Gascon et al., 2007; IUCN et al., 2007). 

6

The effect of trade on wild amphibian populations, however, is often unclear (e.g. Young et 

al., 2001; Beebee & Griffiths, 2005), both because trade levels of species are generally not 

known (Schlaepfer et al., 2005; Silvano & Segalla, 2005) and/or because there are usually 

insufficient data on wild populations and their trends (Gascon et al., 2005). In addition, 

several threats can interact in different ways, for instance there is strong evidence that the 

global trade in amphibians is driving the emergence of chytridiomycosis (Fisher & Garner, 

2007) and in some cases also resulting in the introduction into the wild of invasive species 

that may in turn impact on native ones (Gascon et al., 2005). 

The most comprehensive available data on the status of amphibian species and on the threats 

affecting them were gathered by the Global Amphibian Assessment team and used for the 

IUCN Red List. According to these data, threat 3 of the IUCN Red List (Harvesting - 

hunting/gathering-) was considered to be a major threat type for 283 amphibian species 

(IUCN, 2007). More specifically, regional/international trade (threats 3.1.3, 3.2.3, 3.3.3., 3.4.3, 

and 3.5.3) was a major threat type for 134 of those species. These species are traded for food 

(17 species), medicine (10 species), or cultural/scientific/leisure activities –mostly the pet 

trade- (114 species). 

Out of the 134 species for which regional/international trade was considered to be a major 

threat, 54 are globally threatened, and 46 are listed in CITES (Annex 1). 29 species, however, 

are globally threatened but not listed in CITES (see Section 1.4). 

1.4. SELECTION OF SPECIES FOR REVIEW 

1.4.1. Current review (SRG 42) 

This report aimed to identify species of amphibian that might be threatened by trade and 

review those species which might be most affected by the trade. Table 4 presents the globally 

threatened (CR/EN/VU) amphibian species that are not listed in CITES or the Annexes to the 

EU wildlife trade Regulations and for which regional and/or international trade has been 

identified as a major threat by the Global Amphibian Assessment team. Table 5 summarises 

those species that were not considered to be globally threatened, but for which trade was 

nonetheless considered to be a major threat. 

Species were selected from both these groups (Tables 4 and 5) for in-depth review. The 

selection was based on preliminary information on the trade in the species (giving priority to 

species for which international trade is a known ongoing threat) and on the threat status of 

species (giving higher priority to the most threatened species). 

Five globally threatened species were initially selected for review to see whether they may 

warrant listing in the annexes of the EU wildlife trade regulations. Eight additional species 

from Table 5 were also selected for review. Further details on the review methodology are 

provided in section 3.1. 

1.4.2. Potential future review 

A further 15 threatened and 25 non-threatened species were identified as species that may 

warrant future review on the basis of their threat status and nature of the trade. These have 

been highlighted in Tables 4 and 6 with a ‘?’ in the right hand column. It is suggested that a 

number of these species could be selected by the SRG for future review to assess whether 

they meet the criteria for listing in the annexes to Council Regulation 338/97. 

The species selected for this review and those flagged for potential future review are species 

considered to be threatened by international trade by IUCN et al. (2007). It has been noted 

during the preparation of this report, however, that a number of species which are not 

considered to be threatened by international trade, and which are therefore not considered 

7

here, are actually seen in trade frequently, although the impact of the trade is not clear. It is 

suggested that an Internet market survey of non-CITES amphibian species could be 

undertaken in the future in order to identify which other species are most highly traded and 

whether trade may present a threat. 

8

ANURA 

Table 4. Non-CITES globally threatened amphibian species, with regional/international trade as major threat type. 

All species are sourced from the wild (Caudiverbera caudiverbera is also captive-bred), according to GAA. Shaded species are those selected for review. A 

key to country codes can be found in Annex 2. 

Taxon 

BUFONIDAE 

Atelopus cruciger 

Common name 

Range 

states 

IUCN 

Red List 

Category 

Reason for trade 

(IUCN Red List) 

Rancho Grande 

Harlequin Frog VE CR C/S/L activities 

Type of trade 

Purpose 

Global Amphibian Assessment information on utilisation 

Time of reg./int. 

trade as a threat 

Trend in the level 

of harvest in 

relation to total 

wild population 

numbers over the 

last 5 years 

National and 

international Pets Ongoing Decreasing 

Atelopus senex CR CR C/S/L activities International Pets Past Decreasing 

Atelopus varius Harlequin Frog CR, PA CR C/S/L activities International Pets Past Unknown 

HYLIDAE 

Comments 

Overcollecting for scientific or pet trade 

purposes could be a potential threat. 

Threats might include collecting for the pet 

trade. 

It was collected by the thousands in the 1970s 

and shipped to Germany as part of the 

international pet trade. 

Agalychnis annae Blue-sided Treefrog CR EN C/S/L activities International Pets Ongoing Unknown Found in the international pet trade SRG 42 

Specimen 

Phyllodytes auratus TT CR C/S/L activities International collecting Ongoing Unknown Threatened by the over collecting of specimens No 

Plectrohyla dasypus HN CR C/S/L activities International Pets Past Decreasing No 

Plectrohyla exquisita HN CR C/S/L activities International Pets Past Decreasing No 

LEPTODACTYLIDAE 

Caudiverbera caudiverbera CL VU Food 

MICROHYLIDAE 

National and 

International Food Present and future Increasing Extraction as exotic food item is a threat. ? 

Platypelis milloti MG EN C/S/L activities - - Future - There is no known utilization of this species No 

RANIDAE 

Limnonectes macrodon 

Fanged River Frog, 

Javan Giant Frog, 

Malaya Wart Frog, 

Stone Creek Frog ID VU Food 

Subsistence, 

National and 

International Food Ongoing Increasing 

Review? 

No 

No 

No 

Exploitation is a major threat. It is highly 

exploited as food, and is eaten locally and 

nationally, and animals from eastern Java are 

exported. SRG 42 

9

Taxon 

Rana shqiperica 

CAUDATA 

HYNOBIIDAE 

Common name 

Range 

states 

IUCN 

Red List 




Albanian Water 

Frog AL, ME EN Food 

Hynobius tokyoensis Tokyo Salamander JP VU C/S/L activities 

Central Asian 

Salamander, 

Semirechensk 

Ranodon sibiricus 

Salamander CN, KZ EN 

PLETHODONTIDAE 


Purpose 









last 5 years 

National and 

International Food Ongoing Unknown 

Medicine, C/S/L 

activities Subsistence Medicine Ongoing Unknown 

Comments 

Review? 

In northern parts of its range (e.g. Lake 

Skadar) it is significantly threatened by over 

collection for commercial purposes. SRG 42 

National and 

International Pets Ongoing Unknown It is collected for pet trade ? 

Its small population and restricted range make 

this species particularly susceptible to overexploitation 

(medical, commercial and 

scientific purposes). ? 

Bolitoglossa pesrubra CR EN C/S/L activities International Pets Past Unknown No 

Plethodon petraeus 

Pigeon Mountain 

Salamander US VU C/S/L activities 

Subsistence, 

National and 

International 

Pets and 

specimen 

collection Present and future Unknown 

Over-collecting for scientific study and 

possibly the illegal pet trade may threaten 

populations. ? 

SALAMANDRIDAE 

Cynops ensicauda Sword-tailed Newt JP EN C/S/L activities 

Anderson's 

Echinotriton andersoni Crocodile Newt JP, TW EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra antalyana TR EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra atifi TR EN C/S/L activities 

Subsistence 

and National 

for medicine; 

National and 

International 

for Pets. 

National and 

Medicine 

and Pets Ongoing Unknown 

The species is in the pet trade in Japan and is 

used for medicinal purposes in Taiwan 

International Pets Ongoing Unknown It is illegally collected for the pet trade ? 

Potentially threatened by overcollection for 

National and Specimen 

scientific purposes. 

International collecting Future Unknown 

? 

National and Specimen 


International collecting Future Unknown scientific purposes. ? 

No 

10

Taxon 

Common name 

Range 

states 

IUCN 

Red List 




Lyciasalamandra billae TR CR C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra fazilae TR EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra flavimembris TR EN C/S/L activities 

Luschan's 

Salamander, Lycian 

Lyciasalamandra luschani Salamander GR, TR EN C/S/L activities 

Neurergus kaiseri IR CR C/S/L activities 

Neurergus microspilotus IR EN C/S/L activities 


National and 

International 

National and 

International 

National and 

International 

National and 

International 

National and 

International 

Purpose 









last 5 years 

Specimen 

collecting Future Unknown 

Specimen 

collecting Present and future Unknown 

Specimen 


Specimen 


Pets Ongoing Increasing 

National and 

International Pets Ongoing Increasing 

Comments 


scientific purposes. ? 





Review? 



A few animals have been observed for sale in 

the Tehran market, presumably for local use in 

aquaria (T. Papenfuss, pers. comm.). However, 

of greater concern is the current growing trade 

in the species for the international pet trade. At 

present it appears that individuals caught in 

the wild are being illegally exported out of 

Iran, and are finding their way into the pet 

trade. Some of the individuals in the trade are 

reportedly captive-bred but this requires 

confirmation. SRG 42 

It is sometimes seen in the illegal pet trade 

which is an increasing threat to the species. 

Actions need to be taken immediately to 

prevent the illegal export of this species for a 

pet as is currently taking place. This is a new 

and increasing threat that must be stopped 

before it is too late. SRG 42 

11

Taxon 

Paramesotriton deloustali 

Paramesotriton fuzhongensis 

Salamandra algira 

Tylototriton kweichowensis 

Common name 

Range 

states 

IUCN 

Red List 




Tam Dao 

Salamander, 

Vietnamese 

Salamander VN VU C/S/L activities 

Wanggao Warty 

Newt CN VU C/S/L activities 

North African Fire 

Salamander 


Subsistence 

(Food); 

Subsistence 

and National 

(Medicine); 

National and 

International 

(Pets) 

DZ, ES, 

MA VU C/S/L activities International 

Subsistence 

(medicine) 

and 

International 

(pets) 

Red-tailed Knobby 

Newt CN VU C/S/L activities 

Purpose 









last 5 years 

Food, 

Medicine 

and Pets Past Increasing 

Subsistence, 

National and 

International Pets Present and future Decreasing 

Pets and 

specimen 

collection Ongoing Unknown 

Medicine 

and Pets 

Ongoing 

Increasing 

Comments 

Harvesting for food, medicine and the pet 

trade are threats. ? 

Its restricted range makes this species 

particularly susceptible to over-exploitation 

for the pet trade. ? 

There is some collection of this species in small 

numbers for the international pet trade; 

further investigations are needed to determine 

the impact of trade on populations. 

? 

Collected by the locals as a kind of traditional 

Chinese medicine. A small number of 

individuals are also traded in the international 

pet markets. ? 

Review? 

12

Table 5. Non-CITES-listed amphibian species that are not considered globally threatened in the IUCN Red List but which are possibly threatened by 

international trade. 

ANURA 

BOMBINATORIDAE 

Taxon Common name Range States 

IUCN 

Red List 


Reason for 

regional/international 

trade 

Bombina maxima Large-webbed Bell Toad CN LC C/S/L activities 

BUFONIDAE 

Atelopus siranus PE DD C/S/L activities 

Bufo blombergi 

(Syn. Rhaeto blombergi) Colombian Giant Toad CO, EC NT Medicine 

Bufo gargarizans 

Asiatic Toad, Miyako Toad, 

Zhoushan Toad CN, JP, KP, KR, RU LC Medicine 

GAA information on utilisation (comments on trade as a 

threat) 

There is a small amount of international pet trade involving 

this species 

Both the pet trade and infection with chytridiomycosis are 

potential threats to this species, and could lead to a rapid 

population decline. However, its distribution is so isolated 

that it might be safe from these threats. 

In Ecuador, there is commercial export of animals for 

pharmacological research and the pet trade. 

The species is captured for laboratory research, and has 

been gathered for traditional medicine by Chinese and 

Korean citizens in the Primorye Region of Russia over the 

last 10 years. 

Melanophryniscus atroluteus Uruguay Redbelly Toad AR, BR, UY LC C/S/L activities It is possibly threatened in the future by the pet trade. ? 

Melanophryniscus cambaraensis Brazilian Redbelly Toad BR DD C/S/L activities 

It is potentially threatened by the international pet trade.. 

(Future threat) 

No 

Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus AR, BR, PY LC C/S/L activities 

It is threatened by the pet trade 

(Ongoing threat) SRG 42 

Melanophryniscus stelzneri Redbelly Toad AR LC C/S/L activities 

This species is harvested for the international pet trade in 

Argentina.. 

(But has no major threats) 

No 

Melanophryniscus tumifrons Swelling Redbelly Toad AR, BR LC C/S/L activities 

It is potentially threatened by the international pet trade. 

(Future threat) ? 

Pedostibes hosii Common Tree Toad BN, ID, MY, TH LC C/S/L activities No 

HYLIDAE 

Hyla chinensis Common Chinese Treefrog CN, TW, VN LC C/S/L activities No 

Hylomantis medinai Rancho Grande Leaf Frog VE DD C/S/L activities 

It was overcollected in the Henri Pittier National Park up 

until the time it was last seen. It is not known if there are 

any threats to this species at present. 

No 

Phyllomedusa iheringii Southern Walking Leaf BR, UY LC C/S/L activities Possibly threatened by pet trade. ? 

Review? 

No 

No 

No 

No 

13


Frog 

IUCN 

Red List 




trade 

Phyllomedusa sauvagii Painted-belly Leaf Frog AR, BO, BR, PY LC C/S/L activities 

HYPEROLIIDAE 

Heterixalus rutenbergi Rutenberg’s Reed Frog MG NT C/S/L activities 


Ceratophrys aurita Brazilian Horned Frog BR LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys calcarata Venezuelan Horned Frog CO, VE LC C/S/L activities 

BO, BR, CO, EC, GF, GY, 

Ceratophrys cornuta 

Amazonian Horned Frog PE, SR, VE LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys cranwelli Chacoan Horned Frog AR, BO, BR, PY LC C/S/L activities 


threat) 

(ongoing threat) 

Review? 

It is threatened by the international pet trade. 

(ongoing threat) SRG 42 

It is found in international trade, with hundreds being 

exported annually, although it is not clear that this 

constitutes a threat to the species. 

(ongoing threat) SRG 42 

The major threats are probably related to habitat loss due to 

agriculture, clear-cutting and human settlement, as well as 

harvesting for the national and international pet trade, 

which might be locally unsustainable. 

(Ongoing threat) ? 

The national and international pet trade might have a local 

impact 

No 

The species could be of interest to the pet trade, which 

might affect some populations. 

No 

It is collected for the international pet trade. Eggs are sold 

internationally for scientific research. ? 

Ceratophrys joazeirensis Caatinga Horned Frog BR DD C/S/L activities It is possibly in the national and international pet trade. No 

Ceratophrys ornata Ornate Horned Frog AR, BR, PY, UY NT C/S/L activities 

It is collected for the international pet trade and its eggs are 

sold internationally for scientific research. ? 

Chacophrys pierottii Chaco Horned Frog AR, BO, PY LC C/S/L activities 

It is collected for the international pet trade, and subject to 

heavy collecting during the breeding season. 


Leptodactylus laticeps Santa Fe Frog AR, BO, PY NT C/S/L activities 

Over-harvesting for the international pet trade is a major 

threat. It is collected in Paraguay and Argentina, and each 

adult is worth $300-$600. 

It was a rare species by 2003 in Argentina due to overharvesting 

for the international pet trade. 

(Ongoing threat). SRG 42 

MEGOPHRYIDAE 

Megophrys nasuta 

Bornean Horned Frog, 

Horned Toad, Large 

Horned Frog, Malayan BN, ID, MY, SG LC C/S/L activities 

The species is harvested for the national and international 

pet trade, which might affect local populations. 


14


Horned Frog 

IUCN 

Red List 




trade 


threat) 

Review? 

PIPIDAE 

Pipa snethlageae Utinga Surinam Toad BR, CO, PE LC C/S/L activities 

RANIDAE 

Discodeles guppyi 

Fejervarya cancrivora 

Limnonectes blythii 

Shortland Island Webbed 

Frog PG, SB LC C/S/L activities 

Asian Brackish Frog, Crab- 

Eating Frog, Mangrove CN, IN, ID, MY, PH, SG, 

Frog, Rice Field Frog 

LK, TH, VN LC Food 

Blyth's River Frog, Giant 

Asian River Frog, Giant 

Frog 

ID, LA, MY, MM, SG, TH, 

VN NT Food 

Limnonectes grunniens Amboina Wart Frog ID, PG LC Food 

Limnonectes magnus 

Limnonectes malesianus 

Giant Philippine Frog, 

Large Swamp Frog, 

Mindanao Fanged Frog PH NT Food 

Malesian Frog, Peat 

Swamp Frog ID, MY, SG, TH NT Food 

Limnonectes shompenorum Shompen Frog ID, IN LC Food 

Paa bourreti 

(Syn. Nanorana bourreti) Bourret’s Frog VN DD Food 

CN, KZ, KP, KR, KG, MN, 

Rana amurensis 

Siberian Wood Frog 

RU LC Medicine 

Forest destruction and international trade are both threats 

to this species. 

(Present and future threat). ? 

Collection for food and for export to the pet markets in 

Europe and elsewhere may be impacting some populations. 


Over harvesting is a potential threat to this species. 

(Ongoing threat; used for food) 

? 

The major threat to this species is intensive collection for 

consumption at subsistence levels, and for local, national 

and international trade. 


The main threat is exploitation for human food, since the 

animals on Sulawesi, which represent an undescribed 

species, are very large. It is also eaten in New Guinea. 

(Only subsistence level at present, International trade 

future threat). 

No 

On Sulawesi, the major threat to the populations of this 

species complex is human exploitation for both local 

consumption and international trade. In the Philippines, 

threats include harvesting for human subsistence and for 

international 

export. 

(Present and future threat; used for food). ? 

It is collected for subsistence consumption and trade but 

most collection pressure is deflected from it by the 

sympatric occurrence of the larger and more common 

Limnonectes blythii. 

No 

Animals are harvested for food and traded within 

Indonesia and are probably exported to Singapore. 

No 

Most of the species in the genus Paa are consumed locally 

to a varying degree within their range. 

No 

There is significant over harvesting of this species for food, 

especially in Russia where illegal collection has increased No 

15

Rana chensinensis 


IUCN 

Red List 




trade 

Asiatic Grass Frog, Chinese 

Brown Frog CN, MN LC Food, Medicine 

Rana dybowskii Dybowski’s Frog CN, JP, KP, KR, MN, RU LC Food, Medicine 

AT, BA, BE, BG, BY, CZ, 

DE, DK, EE, ES, FR, GB, 

HR, HU, IT, LV, LI, LT, LU, 

Rana esculenta 

MD, NL, PL, RO, RS, RU, 

(Syn. Pelophylax ridibundus) Edible Frog 

SK, SI, SE, CH, UA, GB LC Food 

Rana huanrenensis Huanren Frog CN, KP LC Food, Medicine 

Rana kurtmuelleri Balkan Water Frog AL, GR, MK, RS LC Food 

RHACOPHORIDAE 

Theloderma corticale Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog VN DD C/S/L activities 

CAUDATA 

HYNOBIIDAE 


threat) 

Review? 

since the 1990s. 

(Subsistence and National levels) 

In northeastern China, the main threat is over-exploitation 

for food and traditional Chinese medicine. 


In the 1990s, mass collecting of R. dybowskii, mainly in the 

Primorye Region of Russia, for the trade in traditional 

Asian medicine led to population declines at a number of 

sites. 

(Past threat) 

No 

The frog-leg trade and high levels of pollution are leading 

to significant declines in populations of the former 

Yugoslavia. 

No 

This species is used for food and in traditional Chinese 

medicine. 

Ongoing threat. 

No 

In northern parts of its native range (e.g., Lake Skadar) it is 

significantly threatened by over collection for commercial 

purposes. 


This is one of the few regional frog species for which there 

is a specific demand in the global pet trade. 

(Future threat) ? 

Hynobius nebulosus Clouded Salamander JP LC C/S/L activities It is collected for the pet trade. ? 


Bolitoglossa dofleini 

SALAMANDRIDAE 

Doflein’s Mushroomtongue 

Salamander BZ, GT, HN NT C/S/L activities 

This species is potentially threatened by the international 

pet trade, in which it features significantly, and since this 

species takes 10 - 12 years to mature such trade could easily 

be locally unsustainable. SRG 42 

Cynops cyanurus Chuxiong Fire-Bellied CN LC C/S/L activities Small numbers have been seen in the international pet No 

16


Newt 

IUCN 

Red List 




trade 

Cynops orientalis Oriental Fire-Bellied Newt CN LC C/S/L activities 

Notophthalmus perstriatus Striped Newt US NT C/S/L activities 

Pachytriton brevipes Black-spotted Stout Newt CN LC C/S/L activities 

Pachytriton labiatus Spotless Stout Newt CN LC C/S/L activities 

Paramesotriton hongkongensis Hong Kong Warty Newt CN NT C/S/L activities 

Paramesotriton laoensis LA DD C/S/L activities 

AL, AD, AT, BE, BA, BG, 

HR, CZ, FR, DE, GR, HU, 

IT, LI, LU, ME, MK, NL, PL, 

Common Fire Salamander, PT, RO, RS, SK, SI, SM, ES, 

Salamandra salamandra Fire Salamander 

CH, TR(?), UA LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus alpestris 

(Syn. Mesotriton alpestris) 

Triturus cristatus 

Triturus karelinii 

Alpine Newt 

Great Crested Newt, 

Northern Crested Newt, 

Warty Newt 

Southern Crested Newt 

AL, AT, BY, BE, BA, BG, 

HR, CZ, DE, DK, FR, GB, 

GR, HU, IT, LI, LU, ME, 

MK, NL, PL, RO, RS, SK, SI, 

ES, CH, UA LC C/S/L activities 

AT, BY, BE, CH, CZ, DE, 

DK, EE, FI, FR, GB, LV, LI, 

LT, LU, MD, NL, NO, PL, 

RO, RS, RU, SK, SE, UA LC C/S/L activities 

AL, AZ, BG, GE, GR, IR, 

MK, RS, RU, UA, TR LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus marmoratus Marbled Newt ES, FR, PT LC C/S/L activities 


threat) 

trade in recent years. 

Review? 

It is being traded in the domestic and international pet 

markets. 


Many potential threats, including collection for the pet 

trade. 


It is exported for the international pet trade. 


Over-exploitation for use as traditional Chinese medicine 

(subsistence level) and for the international pet trade is a 

major threat to this species. 


A particular threat to this species is the collection of 

significant numbers for the pet trade. SRG 42 

It is harvested for medicine and food locally. It will 

potentially be harvested as a pet in the future. 

No 

The principal threats include collection for commercial 

purposes (i.e., the pet trade).; 

(Ongoing threat) 

? 

In some areas there is over collection of the species for use 

in education and science (this has led to the extinction of 

the species from some Ukrainian localities). It is also 

collected in small numbers for the commercial pet trade 

(especially T. a. inexpectatus of Calabria). ? 

In some parts of the range (of the former Soviet Union) 

there is substantial commercial collecting of this species for 

the pet trade. 


In the former Soviet Union there is significant commercial 

collecting of this species for the pet trade. 


There is some illegal collection of the species for the pet 

trade. 

No 

Triturus vittatus Banded Newt GE, IQ, IL, LB, RU, SY, TR, LC C/S/L activities In the Caucasus and Israel it is threatened by collection for ? 

17


AM, JO 

IUCN 

Red List 




trade 

Tylototriton shanjing CN NT C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton taliangensis Taliang Knobby Newt CN NT C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton verrucosus 

Himalayan Salamander, 

Red Knobby Newt 

BT, CN, IN, MM, NP, TH, 

VN 

LC 

Medicine, C/S/L 

activities 


threat) 

Review? 

the pet trade. 

(Ongoing threat) 

The major threat to this species is over-collecting for 

Traditional Chinese Medicine. Small numbers are also 

exported for the international pet trade 

No 

A major threat to this species is over-collection for 

Traditional Chinese Medicine as a substitute for the 

Sichuan salamander (Batrachuperus pinchonii). Small 

numbers are also exported to supply the international pet 

trade. 

No 

It is in demand in the domestic and international pet trade. 

It is also harvested for use as a traditional medicine in 

India. 


18

1.5. REFERENCES 

AmphibiaWeb. 2006. Information on amphibian biology and conservation. Berkeley, California. 

URL: www.amphibiaweb.org Accessed September 2007. 

Andreone, F., Mercurio, V. & Mattioli, F. 2006. Between environmental degradation and 

international pet trade: conservation strategies for the threatened amphibians of 

Madagascar. Natura – Soc. it. Sci. nat. Museo civ. Stor. nat. Milano 95 (2): 81-96. 

Baillie, J.E.M., Hilton-Taylor, C. & Stuart, S.N. 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: 

A Global Species Assessment. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 

Beebee, T.J.C. & Griffiths, R.A. 2005. The amphibian decline crisis: A watershed for 

conservation biology? Biological Conservation 125: 271-285. 

Busack, S.D. 1974. Amphibians and reptiles imported into the United States. US Fish and Wildlife 

Service. 

Carpenter, A.I., Dublin, H., Lau, M., Syed, G., McKay, J.E., & Moore, R.D. 2007. Overharvesting. 

In: Gascon, C., Collins, J.P., Moore, R.D., Church, D.R., McKay, J.E. and 

Mendelson III, J.R. (Eds) 2007. Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Amphibian 

Specialist Group. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 64 pp. 

Fisher, M.C. & Garner, T.W.J. 2007. The relationship between the emergence of 

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the international trade in amphibians and introduced 

amphibian species. Fungal Biology Reviews 21: 2-9. 

Frost, D.R. 2004. Taxonomic Checklist of CITES listed amphibians. The American Museum of 

Natural History. 

Gascon, C., Collins, J.P., Moore, R.D., Church, D.R., McKay, J.E. & Mendelson III, J.R. 2007. 

Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. Gland, 

Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 64 pp. 

Gibbons, J. W., Scott, D. E., Ryan, T. J., Buhlmann, K. A., Tuberville, T. D., Metts, B. S., Greene, 

J. L., Mills, T., Leiden, Y., Poppy, S. & C. T. Winne. 2000. The Global Decline of Reptiles, 

Déjà Vu Amphibians. BioScience 50 (8): 653-666. 

Gorzula, S. 1996. The trade in dendrobatid frogs from 1987 to 1993. Herpetological Review 27 

(3). 

IUCN. 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. URL: www.iucnredlist.org Accessed 

September 2007. 

IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe. 2007. Global Amphibian Assessment. URL: 

www.globalamphibians.org Accessed September 2007. 

Pough, F.H., Andrews, R.M., Cadle, J.E., Crump, M.L., Savitzky, A.H. & Wells, K.D. 1998. 

Herpetology. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 

Schlaepfer, M.A., Hoover, C. & Dodd Jr. K.D. 2005. Challenges in evaluating the impact of the 

trade in amphibians and reptiles on wild populations. Bioscience 55 (3): 256-264. 

Silvano, D.L. & Segalla, M.V. 2005. Conservation of Brazilian Amphibians. Conservation 

Biology 19 (3): 653-658. 

Tyler, M.J., Wassersug, R. & Smith, B. 2007. How frogs and humans interact: Influences 

beyond habitat destruction, epidemics and global warming. Applied Herpetology 4: 1-18. 

Ye, C. Fei, L. & Hu, S. 1993. Rare and economic amphibians of China. Sichuan Publishing House 

of Science and Technology, Chengdu. (in Chinese). 

Young, B.E., Lips, K.R., Reaser, J.K., Ibáñez, A.W., Salas, J. Rogelio Cedeño, J., Coloma, L.A., 

Ron, S., La Marca, E., Meyer, J.R., Muñoz, A., Bolaños, F., Chaves, G. & Romos, D. 2001. 

Population declines and priorities for amphibian conservation in Latin America. 

Conservation Biology 15 (5): 1213-1223. 

Young, B.E., Stuart, S.N., Chanson, J.S., Cox, N.A. & Boucher, T.M. 2004. Disappearing jewels: 

the status of New World amphibians. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. 

19

2. SPECIES REVIEWS 

2.1. METHODOLOGY 

For this report, preliminary information on known trade from the Global Amphibian 

Assessment (IUCN et al, 2007) formed the basis of the species selection as described in section 

1.4.1. An extensive literature review was subsequently undertaken for the selected species to 

identify information on status and trade and a web survey was also conducted. 

Since records of trade in non-CITES species are often non-existent or very limited and patchy 

at best, assessing whether these species are traded internationally or not, and especially 

assessing the levels of trade, sources and countries involved, is not a straightforward process. 

In the absence of other data, surveys of trade conducted over the Internet can provide an 

important source of trade information. However, such surveys can usually only provide an 

indication of availability or demand rather than information on whether trade actually took 

place and if so in what volumes. 

For the purpose of this report, web surveys consisted of Google searches, using the species’ s 

scientific name. Use of common names was avoided, as they were ambiguous, i.e. several 

species called the same name, and different common names used for the same species, and as 

hobbyists and specialized shops often use scientific names. In addition to general web 

searches, and in order to focus more specifically on the pet trade in Europe, Google searches 

were performed limiting the search to pages from a selection of EU countries, namely France, 

Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. If no or limited evidence of trade was found for those 

countries, additional searches were performed for the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, 

Poland, Portugal and Sweden. Also, several hobbyist websites were specifically searched. 

These included: 

- www.kingsnake.com (USA) 

- www.sandfiredragonranch.com (USA) 

- www.eurofauna.com (Europe) 

- www.caudata.org (International) 

- www.amphibian.co.uk (UK) 

- www.exotic-pets.co.uk (UK) 

- www.lafermetropicale.com (France) 

- www.terrariumonline.com (Spain) 

- http://e-commerce.ysi.net/eshop/reptilmaniacom/ (Spain) 

- www.salamanderland.at (Austria) 

- www.caudata.nl (Netherlands) 

- http://members.chello.nl/a.kente/ (Netherlands) 

- www.animalfarm.cz (Czech Republic) 

The trade in frog legs was evaluated primarily through literature review and general web 

searches, but no targeted web surveys were conducted because, unlike for the pet trade, 

scientific names are seldom used when referring to frog legs; they appear to be rarely referred 

to using more accurate terms than simply frog’s legs. 

The criteria for listing in the annexes of Council Regulation 338/97are specified in Article 3 of 

the regulation as follows: 

1. Annex A shall contain: 

(a) the species listed in Appendix I to the Convention for which the Member States have not 

entered a reservation; 

(b) any species: 

(i) which is, or may be, in demand for utilization in the Community or for international trade 

and which is either threatened with extinction or so rare that any level of trade would imperil 

the survival of the species; 

or 

20

(ii) which is in a genus of which most of the species or which is a species of which most of the 

subspecies are listed in Annex A in accordance with the criteria in subparagraphs (a) or (b)(i) 

and whose listing in the Annex is essential for the effective protection of those taxa. 

2. Annex B shall contain: 

(a) the species listed in Appendix II to the Convention, other than those listed in Annex A, for 

which the Member States have not entered a reservation; 

(b) the species listed in Appendix I to the Convention for which a reservation has been entered; 

(c) any other species not listed in Appendices I or II to the Convention: 

(i) which is subject to levels of international trade that might not be compatible: 

— with its survival or with the survival of populations in certain countries, or 

— with the maintenance of the total population at a level consistent with the role of the species 

in the ecosystems in which it occurs: 

or 

(ii) whose listing in the Annex for reasons of similarity in appearance to other species listed in 

Annex A or Annex B, is essential in order to ensure the effectiveness of controls on trade in 

specimens of such species; 

(d) species in relation to which it has been established that the introduction of live specimens into 

the natural habitat of the Community would constitute an ecological threat to wild species of 

fauna and flora indigenous to the Community. 

3. Annex C shall contain: 

(a) the species listed in Appendix III to the Convention, other than those listed in Annexes A or B, 

for which the Member States have not entered a reservation; 

(b) the species listed in Appendix II to the Convention for which a reservation has been entered. 

4. Annex D shall contain: 

(a) species not listed in Annexes A to C which are imported into the Community in such numbers 

as to warrant monitoring; 

(b) the species listed in Appendix III to the Convention for which a reservation has been entered. 

5. Where the conservation status of species covered by this Regulation warrants their inclusion in 

one of the Appendices to the Convention, the Member States shall contribute to the necessary 

amendments. 

Furthermore, the following guidelines for Annex D were agreed at SRG 36 on 9 March 2006 

as follows: 

A species may be included in Annex D where: 

a) there is evidence of demand for it in the EU market and 

b) it might be threatened by trade due its unfavourable or unknown conservation 

status, distributional, ecological or reproductive potential and 

c) reliable trade data is not available from any other source. 

21

REVIEW OF NON-CITES AMPHIBIA SPECIES THAT ARE KNOWN OR LIKELY TO BE IN 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

AMPHIBIA: HYLIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Agalychnis annae 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 

IUCN RED LIST: 

PREVIOUS EC OPINIONS: 

Blue-sided Leaf Frog (English) 

Costa Rica 

Endangered 

n/a 

TRADE PATTERNS: 

The species is found in the international pet trade (IUCN et al., 2007). Elizondo (2000) reported 

that individuals of this species are very sought-after for use as pets, and they are collected from 

the wild in order to be illegally sold, mainly in Europe and the US. 

No national trade statistics were identified for this species. The following information was 

derived from the web survey (as outlined in the section on methodology): 

The species was advertised for €125 on a French website 

(http://www.lafermetropicale.com/boutique/rechercheboutik.php) as sub-adult 

specimens born in captivity in 2005, although they were not in stock at the time when the 

website was visited. 

The following websites revealed that this species is sought by some hobbyists, although 

hobbyists’ comments indicated that it was not very widely available: 

http://talkto.thefrog.org/index.php?action=vthread&forum=13&topic=5228; 

http://www.canadart.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1126; 

http://www.amphibianforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=295&sid=f7bebf4d93773acad13b69c 

9e066f15f). 

A hobbyist on one forum commented “they are fairly rare especially in Canada. I see 

them sell for $80 US/frog, but they are offered very rarely” 

(http://www.canadart.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=7419&sid=d263ced9d2a3badd2512 

6c6a04a20125). 

Another noted: 

“I plan on getting some golden-eye tree frogs (Agalychnis annae) by this summer. As far as 

I know, no one in Canada has these frogs and I would really like to start breeding them to 

make them available in Canada. I'm looking for CB adults, if possible from several 

bloodlines, and I would like to get at least 8-10 individuals, possibly more depending on 

availability and pricing. 

If you will have some of these frogs available for sale by this summer and don't mind 

exporting to Canada, please contact me either by MP or by mail.“ 

(http://www.amphibianforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=295&sid=f7bebf4d93773acad13b6 

9c9e066f15f) 

The German website http://exotic-world.de/Froesche/Agalychnis_annae.htm offered 

some captive care information for the species. 

22

CONSERVATION STATUS in range states 

COSTA RICA: The species occurs in Costa Rica (Leenders, 2001), specifically the Caribbean 

slopes and Meseta Central of the country (Frost, 2007). 

The following information has been extracted from the Global Amphibian Assessment 

website (IUCN et al., 2007): 

“Agalychnis annae occurs in the northern Cordillera de Talamanca, Cordillera de Tilarán 

and Cordillera Central, Costa Rica, at 780 - 1,650m. However, it has disappeared from 

most parts of its range, surviving mainly around San José only. 

Since the late 1980s, it has disappeared from pristine areas, including in protected areas 

such as Parque Nacional Tapantí and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, where it 

was once common. It remains common only in highly altered habitats in metropolitan 

San José. 

It remains the most abundant species in San José and suburbs near heavily polluted 

streams, especially in shade-grown coffee plantations and gardens. 

Despite the apparent adaptability of this species, it is nonetheless subject to 

unconfirmed factors that have caused amphibian faunas to decline in certain locations 

in Central America, in particular the fungal disease, chytridiomycosis. It is possible that 

this species survives only in polluted areas because the chytrid fungus is more 

susceptible to pollution than the frog. The few, known remaining populations of this 

species are threatened by an introduced fish (Xiphophorus hellerii) that preys on the 

tadpoles; it is also found in the international pet trade. 

Research is needed to determine whether or not this species can survive only in 

polluted areas, because of the ineffectiveness of the chytrid fungus in such 

environments. If this proves to be the case, then well-meaning conservation measures 

to abate water pollution could unintentionally lead to the extinction of this species. 

Given the nature of the threats, it may be worth considering the establishment of a 

captive-breeding programme for this species”. 

Pounds et al. (2004) noted that the drastic population decline was estimated to be more than 

50% since 1990, inferred from the apparent disappearance of much of the population. 

Regional/international trade is considered an ongoing major threat to this species (IUCN, 

2007). 

A. annae was not found during amphibian surveys conducted during 1990-1994 and that 

covered three zones where the species was known to occur (Pounds et al., 1997). It was listed 

as a species with reduced populations in Costa Rica (MINAE, 2006). 

The species is protected in Costa Rica by the Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre No. 

7317, and by the Ley Orgánica del Ambiente No. 7554 and decree No. 26435-MINAE 

(Elizondo, 2000). 

REFERENCES 

Elizondo, L.H. 2000. Especies de Costa Rica: Agalychnis annae. INBio (Instituto Nacional de 

Biodiversidad). URL: http://darnis.inbio.ac.cr/ubis/FMPro?-DB=UBIPUB.fp3&- 

lay=WebAll&-error=norec.html&-Format=detail.html&-Op=eq&id=4180&-Find Accessed 

September 2007. 

Frost, D. 2007. Amphibian Species of the World 5.0. An online reference. American Museum of 

Natural History. URL: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php 

Accessed October 2007. 

23

IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe 2007. Global Amphibian Assessment. URL: 

www.globalamphibians.org Accessed on September 2007. 

Leenders, T. 2001. A guide to amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica. Miami, U.S.A.: Zona Tropical, 

S.A. 

MINAE (Ministerio del Ambiente y Energía) 2006. Lista de especies con poblaciones reducidas 

para Costa Rica. Decreto Ejecutivo 32633 – MINAE. Sistema Nacional de Áreas de 

Conservación – Secretaría Ejecutiva. 

Pounds, A., Bolaños, F. & Chaves, G. 2004. Agalychnis annae. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red 

List of Threatened Species. URL: www.iucnredlist.org Accessed September 2007. 

Pounds, A., Fogden, M.P.L., Savage, J.M. & Gorman, G.C. 1997. Test of null models for 

amphibian declines on a tropical mountain. Conservation Biology 11 (6): 1307-1322. 

FURTHER READING: 

Duellman, W. E. 2001. Hylid frogs of Middle America. Society for the Study of Amphibians and 

Reptiles, Ithaca, New York, USA. Two volumes, 1,180 pp. 

Savage, J. M. 2002. The amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica. University of Chicago Press, 

Chicago, Illinois. 

24



AMPHIBIA: RANIDAE 

SPECIES: 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 




Rana macrodon 

Malayan Wart Frog (English) 

Indonesia, ?Malaysia, ?Myanmar, ?Thailand 

Vulnerable 

n/a 


Kusrini and Alford (2006) examined the frog leg trade in Indonesia based on export data 

between 1969-2002 reported in the Foreign Trade Statistical Bulletin by the Indonesian 

Statistical Bureau, and on market surveys and interviews conducted in 2001 and 2003. Their 

work indicated that it is not clear from the available statistics which species are taken for the 

frog legs trade, in part because the frogs’ legs are usually exported without their skins, 

making species identification difficult (Kusrini & Alford, 2006). In fact, biochemical analysis 

of frog legs imports from Indonesia into the European Union showed that all surveyed frog 

legs, despite their initial species declaration as Limnonectes macrodon, Fejervarya cancrivora, F. 

limnocharis and Rana catesbeiana, belonged to F. cancrivora (Veith et al., 2000). 

Iskandar (pers. comm. 2007) reported that frogs exported from Jakarta airport are labelled as 

Limnonectes macrodon (or Rana macrodon), but that most of them are sourced from several areas 

in Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi and other areas, therefore actually involving around 10 to 

14 different species. 

Kusrini & Alford (2006) found that the international market was supplied with processed and 

frozen frogs’ legs, mostly belonging to large mature individuals. Available data showed that 

exports of frogs’ legs (in general, not only of L. macrodon) from Indonesia increased – from 

under 1 million kg in the early 1970s to 5.6 million kg in 1992, and then declining to around 

3.8 million kg in 2002 (Kusrini & Alford, 2006). This was estimated to represent an average 

annual export of approximately 28 to 142 million frogs between 1999 and 2002 (Kusrini, 

2005). 

Frogs for the local market, on the other hand, were normally sold alive. Kusrini and Alford 

(2006) found that three species of native frogs were sold in local markets in Java: Fejervarya 

cancrivora, Fejervarya limnocharis, and Limnonectes macrodon. The domestic market was 

considered to be about seven times larger than the international one (Kusrini, 2005). 

Limnonectes macrodon was found to be the second-most-harvested species (for the domestic 

and international markets combined), accounting for about 19% of captured frogs in Java 

(Kusrini & Alford, 2006). 

Twenty-two companies, employing 3,596 people, were listed by the Indonesian government 

as exporting frogs’ legs in 2000 (Ministry of Fisheries, 2000, cited in Kusrini & Alford, 2006). 

According to interviewed sources from the exporting companies, exported frogs mostly came 

from East Java (Kediri, Madiun, Nganjuk, Bojonegoro, Pasuruan, Jombang, Madura), but also 

from West Java (Tasikmalaya and Cirebon), central Java (Solo, Cilacap), and locations outside 

25

Java such as Lampung (southern end of Sumatra), Bali and south Kalimantan (Banjarmasin). 

Native frogs were removed from the wild, as frog farms were reported to only raise the 

introduced Rana catesbeiana (Kusrini & Alford, 2006). 

Europe was reported to be the main importer of Indonesian frog’s legs (83.2% of the total 

exported), with Belgium and Luxembourg (combined as one entity in the statistical reports) 

the principal destination (47.6%), followed by France (27.6%) and the Netherlands (21%). 

Exports to Europe were reported to have increased since 1985. Between 1997 and 2002, 

exports to Belgium and Luxembourg fluctuated between one and two million kg of frogs’ legs 

per year. Most of the remaining exports went to Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia) 

(Kusrini & Alford, 2006). 

Indonesia was reported to be the source of the great majority of frog legs imported by 

European countries, especially after India started regulating its trade in frog legs in the 1980s, 

following species declines (Patel, 1993). 

No trade data were obtained for the other range States. 

CONSERVATION STATUS IN RANGE STATES 

The taxonomy and distribution of Limnonectes macrodon has been confused: some authors 

considered the species to be restricted to Java and Sumatra in Indonesia (Iskandar, pers. comm.; 

IUCN et al., 2007); others have reported its occurrence in Indonesia but also in Malaysia (ACB, 

2007; Frost, 2007), Myanmar (ACB, 2007; Frost, 2007; Zug et al., 2003), Thailand (ACB, 2007; 

Frost, 2007), Viet Nam (ACB, 2007) and the Riau Archipelago – regarded as part of Sumatra- 

(ACB, 2007; Frost, 2007). 

Frost (2007) noted, however, that the species has been confused with Rana malesiana, and that 

Bornean records referred to Rana ingeri. Frost (2007) also noted that, according to Berry (1975), 

there are possibly two species (perhaps including Rana malesiana) under this name in Malaysia. 

The Global Amphibian Assessment team (IUCN et al., 2007) argued that records from 

mainland southeast Asia referred to Limnonectes blythii (although they noted that L. blythii was 

undoubtedly a complex of many species), and that records of this species from the Andaman 

Islands in India referred to an undescribed species (IUCN et al., 2007). Similarly, Iskandar 

(pers. comm., 2007) suggested that reports from mainland Asia as well as from Sumatra and 

Indochina referred to either L. blythii, L. shompenorum, L. malesianus, L. leporinus, L, ingeri or 

several other recently described forms. 

INDONESIA: According to the Global Amphibian Assessment team, the species is found 

throughout Java and the Lampung Province in the south of Sumatra, Indonesia, and it occurs 

up to at least 700 m above sea level (IUCN et al., 2007). L. macrodon was recorded from the 

Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot, Sumatra, at two of the four key biodiversity areas surveyed: 

Batang Gadis and Bukit Barisan Selatan (CEPF, 2007). It has been reported to occur in Ujung 

Kulon National Park in Indonesia (IUCN et al., 2007). 

IUCN et al. (2007) reported that in Indonesia this species was more common in the past, 

however it is now considered uncommon, but not yet rare. Kusrini (2005) noted that 

L. macrodon appeared to be common in West Java, although it occurred at relatively low 

densities, with maximum densities of seven frogs found per 100 m of stream length in 2002. 

Kusrini also noted the need for long-term monitoring to detect possible future declines. 

The major threats to the species reported by IUCN et al. (2007) were exploitation, habitat 

destruction and water pollution. The species is highly exploited as food, eaten locally and 

nationally, and animals from eastern Java are exported and it was suggested that the harvest 

of this species needs to be properly managed (IUCN et al., 2007). 

26

Kusrini (2005) found low numbers of L. macrodon at one of two sites surveyed in West Java, 

but concluded that it was unclear whether this was caused by over-harvesting or by other 

factors. Because of lack of available data on the status of L. macrodon, the impact of harvesting 

on this species is unclear (Kusrini, 2005). 

Iskandar and Erdelen (2006) agreed with this view, noting that the herpetofauna in Indonesia 

is poorly understood in terms of taxonomic status, basic biological and ecological 

characteristics, and geographic distribution patterns. Studies on population changes in 

Indonesian amphibian species have not yet been carried out, and therefore there is no 

baseline information with which to compare observed trends. Moreover, there is a strong 

need for more detailed taxonomic studies; the frog leg trade, reported to consist mostly of 

Limnonectes macrodon and L. blythii, probably includes many other species, some of which 

have not even been described (Iskandar & Erdelen, 2006). 

Kusrini (2005) reported that currently no controls are in place in Indonesia to monitor trade 

levels in frog legs. Quotas have been set for trade in L. macrodon skins and in individuals 

traded as pets, however that trade is insignificant compared to the trade in legs for food, 

which is not regulated (Kusrini, 2005). 

Recommendations suggested by Kusrini (2005) regarding management of frog harvest in 

Indonesia included: 

- regular monitoring of trade, especially in islands other than Java, such as Sumatra, by 

the CITES Scientific Authority; 

- regular monitoring of the number of export companies and their middlemen; 

- development of a simple identification key to be distributed to middlemen, in order 

to ensure correct identification; 

- assessment of the possibility of farming native frogs instead of the exotic Rana 

catesbeiana; 

- ensure that harvest is limited to species that are not adversely impacted. 

Kusrini (2005) also suggested that L. macrodon may warrant inclusion in CITES Appendix II, 

noting, however, that more data were needed to further clarify whether the criteria for 

inclusion were met. In addition, identification problems may hinder trade management 

(Veith et al., 2000; Kusrini, 2005). 

Iskandar (pers. comm., 2007) reported that Limnonectes macrodon normally enters the local 

market, as they are usually small (up to 120 mm, compared to pre-world-war specimens 

measuring up to about 180 mm), the reduction in size probably having been caused by 

overharvesting. The most commonly exported specimens are Limnonectes blythii from 

Sumatra. These can reach 300 mm and weight over 1.5 kg, but are currently 150-200 mm on 

average. They are usually exported from Padang, West Sumatra, Palembang, or Medan, but 

the main source at present is the Riau Province (Iskandar, pers. comm. 2007). Iskandar (pers. 

comm., 2007) also noted that assessing the impact of trade is difficult because there is no data 

concerning the populations in the past, and because of taxonomic confusion. 

MALAYSIA: L. macrodon was not included in the list of frogs of the Malay Peninsula 

(Sukumaran, 2004), however, it was reported to occur in that country by ACB (2007) and Frost 

(2007). However, occurrence in Malaysia is unclear (see discussion above). 

MYANMAR: The species was included in the checklist of herpetofauna of Myanmar (Zug et al., 

2003), and also reported to occur by ACB (2007) and Frost (2007). However, occurrence in 

Myanmar is unclear (see discussion above). 

27

THAILAND: Reported to occur by ACB (2007) and Frost (2007). However, occurrence in 

Thailand is unclear (see discussion above). 

VIET NAM: Reported to occur by ACB (2007), however, not reported by any other author to 

occur here, and occurrence is unlikely (see discussion above). 

REFERENCES: 

AmphibiaWeb 2007. Information on amphibian biology and conservation. Berkeley, California. 


ACB (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity) 2007. Limnonectes macrodon. URL: 

http://aseanbiodiversity.org/cgi-bin/abiss.exe/spd?tx=AM&spd=260 Accessed October 

2007. 

Berry, P.Y. 1975. The Amphibian Fauna of Peninsula Malaysia. Tropical Press, Kuala Lumpur. 

CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund) 2007. Assessing five years of CEPF investment in the 

Sumatra Forest Ecosystem of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot. A Special Report. March 

2007. 




Iskandar, D.T. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Djoko T. 

Iskandar (School of Life Sciences and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology, 

Indonesia) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), dated 4 th October 2007. 

Iskandar, D.T. & Erdelen, W.R. 2006. Conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Indonesia: 

issues and problems. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 4(1): 60-87. 



Kusrini, M.D. 2005. Edible frog harvesting in Indonesia: Evaluating its impacts and ecological 

context. PhD thesis, James Cook University. 

Kusrini, M.D. & Alford, R.A. 2006. Indonesia’s exports of frogs’ legs. TRAFFIC Bulletin 21 (1): 

13-24. 

Ministry of Fisheries 2000. Profil perusahaan pengolahan dan eksportir hasil perikanan Indonesia. 

2000. Jakarta, Departemen Eksplorasi Laut dan Perikanan Direktorat Jenderal Perikanan. 

Patel, T. 1993. French may eat Indonesia out of frogs. New Scientist 1868, 10 April 1993, p. 7. 

Sukumaran, J. 2004. Frogs of the Malay Peninsula. URL: www.frogweb.org Accessed October 

2007. 

Veith, M., Kosuch, J., Feldmann, R., Martens, H. & Seitz, A. 2000. A test for correct species 

declaration of frog legs imports from Indonesia into the European Union. Biodiversity and 

Conservation 9 (3): 333-341. 

Zug, G., Slowinski, J. and Wogan, G. 2003. Checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Myanmar. 

URL: http://www.calacademy.org/research/herpetology/myanmar/checklist.html 


28



AMPHIBIA: SALAMANDRIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Neurergus kaiseri 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Luristan Newt (English), Kaiser’s spotted newt 

(English) 

Iran (Islamic Republic of) 

Critically Endangered 

n/a 


IUCN et al. (2007) noted: 

“A few animals have been observed for sale in the Tehran market, presumably for local 

use in aquaria (T. Papenfuss, pers. comm.). However, of greater concern is the current 

growing trade in the species for the international pet trade. At present it appears that 

individuals caught in the wild are being illegally exported out of Iran, and are finding 

their way into the pet trade. Some of the individuals in the trade are reportedly captivebred 

but this requires confirmation”. 

It was reported by Raffaelli (2007, cited in Amphibiaweb, 2007) that, although protected in 

Iran, it has been exported to Europe, as well as to the Russian Federation (for breeding 

purposes) via Azerbaijan. In 2005, specimens were reportedly exported from Iran to Ukraine, 

and in 2006 a further export of adults to the Russian Federation was reported to have taken 

place. 

Smugglers, pet keepers, and possibly some tourists were reported to capture Neurergus spp. 

in Iran and export them illegally (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. comm., 2007). The Iranian 

authorities have apparently been informed about the situation (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. 

comm., 2007). 



The species was advertised for sale on a French website (www.lafermetropicale.com), 

retailing at €139. 

An ad posted in the classifieds section of Kingsnake.com on 20th September 2007, 

advertised 20 Neurergus kaiseri individuals for sale retailing at $150 each 

(http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=14&de=530399). The vendor was contacted 

and indicated that they were all captive-bred. 

Pairs of N. kaiseri adults were offered for sale on another website by a Czech dealer 

(http://www.eurofauna.com/amphibians-and-reptiles/amphibians?strana=2). The 

dealer was contacted and indicated that the specimens currently available were captivebred, 

as it was not the “season” for wild-caught N. kaiseri, but he stated that he may 

receive an import of wild-caught specimens by February-March 2008. 

On the same website (www.eurofauna.com), another Czech dealer (from 

www.animalfarm.cz) also advertised N. kaiseri for sale. Three additional individuals 

posted ads expressing interest in buying the species (www.eurofauna.com, accessed 5th 

October 2007). 

29

Information on keeping the species was available on the Austrian website 

www.salamanderland.at. 

A specialized Japanese online shop (in Japanese only) also included the species on its list 

(http://www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand/3108/herpetarium.html). 

Interest in the species as a pet was apparent on some specialized websites (e.g. 

www.caudata.org), where hobbyists posted questions and advice relating to the keeping 

of the species in captivity. The forum title on this website relating to this genus reads 

“Near and Middle Eastern Newts (Neurergus) – Arguably the most beautiful newts in 

the world, this Asian genus is highly desired by many hobbyists”. Most of those already 

in possession of the newt stress its shy behavior and delicate nature, advising it is not a 

pet for beginners. Some report to have successfully bred it in captivity 

(http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39). 

TRAFFIC North America (2006) reported that: 

“In December 2004, 50 specimens of Kaiser’s spotted newt were offered for sale via an 

Internet web site. The seller was located in Canada but the specimens were offered to the 

US market […] If they were from the wild, then these specimens would have accounted 

for approximately five per cent of the known population – a devastating blow to the 

survival of the species. The demand for this species in the international amphibian pet 

trade is likely due to both its rarity and its attractive color pattern. As a result, the price 

for one Kaiser’s spotted newt, up to CA $350 per specimen, is high compared to most 

salamander species. 

It was determined that two previous (smaller) shipments had been imported to Canada 

from a dealer in Ukraine. Correspondence with this dealer in 2005 confirmed that they 

import and sell wild-caught specimens of Kaiser’s spotted newts (among other species). 

According to the dealer, in early 2005 they traded approximately 200 specimens and they 

were expecting to have approximately 250 more available by January 2006. 

Correspondence with the Iranian CITES Management Authority confirmed that trade in 

N. kaiseri is regulated under the Iranian Game and Fish Law. The Iranian authorities also 

confirmed that no permits have been issued for trade in this species in the past 10 years. 

Thus recent international trade in wild-caught specimens of N. kaiseri is based on their 

illegal export from Iran”. 


IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF): N. kaiseri was listed as Critically Endangered, because “its 

extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², its area of occupancy is less than 10 km², its 

populations are severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and 

quality of its habitat, as well as a decline in the number of mature individuals due to 

overharvesting for the illegal pet trade” (IUCN et al., 2007). 

N. kaiseri occurs within a restricted area of the southern Zagros Mountains, in the Lorestan 

(most of the population) and Khuzestan Provinces, Iran. It is endemic to three streams, but 

one of the populations has disappeared and it is now only known from two spring-fed 

streams. It has an altitudinal range of 500 to 1,430m above sea level (Rastegar-Pouyani, 2003; 

IUCN et al., 2007). The area that the species is known from is close to the Zagros Oak Forest 

protected area (IUCN et al., 2007) 

The species is “locally abundant to rare within its restricted range. The population is 

estimated to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals” (IUCN et al., 2007). The species’ 

status is critical (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. comm., 2007). 

30

Habitat loss as a result of wood extraction for small-scale subsistence use, coupled with the 

effects of recent severe droughts, were reported to be the major threats to the species 

(Rastegar-Pouyani, 2003; IUCN et al., 2007). Damming of the few known inhabited streams 

(IUCN et al., 2007) and pollution by disposal of waste (Rastegar-Pouyani, 2003) are also 

serious potential threats to the species. The growing trade in the species for the international 

pet trade was also reported to be a cause of concern by IUCN et al. (2007), who considered 

that “actions need to be taken immediately to prevent the illegal export of this species for the 

international pet trade” (IUCN et al., 2007). IUCN et al. (2007) also suggested that a captivebreeding 

programme may need to be established (IUCN et al., 2007). 

The species is protected by Iranian national legislation (IUCN et al., 2007), specifically the 

Iranian Game and Fish Law (TRAFFIC North America, 2006). 

TRAFFIC North America’s (2006) initial analysis on the trade in the species indicated that 

“efforts to protect this species in the wild from the detrimental effects of trade should be 

taken on several fronts: enforcement efforts to stop illegal collection and export from Iran 

should be introduced, countries where the species are being traded such as Ukraine and 

Canada should crack down on the traders, and regulatory approaches to reduce the impact of 

wildlife trade should be explored, including CITES listing”. 

REFERENCES: 




www.globalamphibians.org Accessed on September 2007. 

TRAFFIC North America. 2006. The Kaiser’s spotted newt – traded to the brink of extinction. 

The TRAFFIC Report. Vol 5 No. 1. 

Raffaelli, J. 2007. Les urodeles du monde. Penclen ed. 377 pp. 

Rastegar-Pouyani, N. 2003. Ecology and conservation of the genus Neurergus in the Zagros 

Mountains, Western Iran. FrogLog 56. 

Rastegar-Pouyani, N. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Nasrullah 

Rastegar-Pouyani (Razi University, Iran) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), 8th October 

2007. 

31




SPECIES: 

Neurergus microspilotus 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Kurdistan Newt (English) 

Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq?, Turkey? 

Endangered 

n/a 


Neurergus microspilotus specimens have been reportedly seen at the Teheran market bound for 

the pet trade (AmphibiaWeb, 2007). 

The species is sometimes seen in the illegal pet trade, which is an increasing threat to the 

species (IUCN et al., 2007), and considered one of the major threats by the Global Amphibian 

Assessment Group (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Smugglers, pet keepers, and possibly some tourists were reported to capture Neurergus spp. 

in Iran and export them illegally (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. comm., 2007). The Iranian 

authorities have apparently been informed about the situation (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. 

comm., 2007). 

No specific evidence of trade in this particular species was identified, except for information 

on the species and on how to keep it as a pet provided on the Austrian hobbyist website 

http://www.salamanderland.at/Artenliste/N.microspilotus/NEURERGUS.MICROSPILOT 

US.htm. 

Additionally, the title of the forum relating to this genus on the website 

http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39 reads “Near and Middle Eastern 

Newts (Neurergus) – Arguably the most beautiful newts in the world, this Asian genus is 

highly desired by many hobbyists”. 


N. microspilotus was listed as globally Endangered, because “its extent of occurrence is less 

than 5,000 km² and its area of occupancy is less than 500 km², it is known from only four 

streams, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its stream habitat, and 

in the number of subpopulations and individuals” (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Neurergus microspilotus is restricted to the Avroman Mountains on the Iraq-Iran-Turkey 

Border (Leviton et al., 1992) where it was known from five streams, but is now restricted to 

only four (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Rastegar-Pouyani (2006) noted that the species is found in Iran and also in north-eastern Iraq 

and south-eastern Turkey. Leviton et al. (1992) considered the species to occur in the Iraqi and 

Iranian Kurdistan. However, according to IUCN et al. (2007) and to Amphibiaweb (2007), the 

presence of the species in Iraq and Turkey needs confirmation. 

32

IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF): Within Iran, the species is found in the Kermenshah and 

(southern parts of) Kurdistan Provinces (IUCN et al., 2007). It has an altitudinal range of 1,300 

- 1,400m above sea level according to IUCN et al. (2007), but a wider range of 1,200-1800 was 

reported by Rastegar-Pouyani (2006) in the Zagros mountains in Kermanshah Province, 

western Iran. 

Neurergus microspilotus was reported to be a reasonably common species in suitable habitat, 

but a number of populations have recently become extirpated, presumably through recent 

severe drought or illegal harvesting for the pet trade (IUCN et al., 2007). The species’ status 

was considered to be critical (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. comm., 2007). 

Habitat destruction and water contamination close to villages and small townships (largely 

by agrochemicals) are leading to a decline in populations (Rastegar-Pouyani, 2003; Rastegar- 

Pouyani, 2006; IUCN et al., 2007). 

IUCN et al. (2007) reported that the species “occurs within the generally protected Zagrosian 

Oak Forest. Local people have been engaged in projects looking for alternative solutions to 

alleviate water pollution. It is protected by national legislation in Iran, but this requires better 

enforcement. Actions need to be taken immediately to prevent the illegal export of this 

species for a pet as is currently taking place. This is a new and increasing threat that must be 

stopped before it is too late. Captive breeding may be the only chance of saving this species”. 

IRAQ: It is possible that the species is found in the north-east of the country (Leviton et al., 1992; 

Rastegar-Pouyani, 2006), but this has not been confirmed (IUCN et al., 2007). 

TURKEY: It is possible that the species is found in the south-east of the country (Rastegar- 

Pouyani, 2006), but this has not been confirmed (IUCN et al., 2007). 

REFERENCES: 



IUCN, Conservation International, & NatureServe 2007. Global Amphibian Assessment. URL: 


Leviton A. E., Anderson S. C., Adler K. & Minton A. 1992. Handbook to Middle East Amphibians 

and Reptiles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 252 pp. 

Rastegar-Pouyani, N. 2003. Ecology and conservation of the genus Neurergus in the Zagros 

Mountains, Western Iran. Newsletter of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force 

(DAPTF) No. 56, April 2003. 

Rastegar-Pouyani, N. 2006. Conservation and distribution of Neurergus microspilotus 

(Caudata: Salamandridae) in the Zagros Mountains, Kermanshah Province, Western Iran. 

In: Vences, M., Kohler, J., Ziegler, T & Bohme, W. (Eds) Proceedings of the 13 th Congress 

of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica. Herpetologia Bonnensis II. Pp. 115-116. 

Rastegar-Pouyani, N. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between 

Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani (Razi University, Iran) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), 

8th October 2007. 

Sharifi, M. and Assadian, S. 2004. Distribution and conservation status of Neurergus 

microspilotus (Caudata: Salamandridae) in Western Iran. Asiatic Herpetological Research 

10: 224-229. 

33

REVIEW OF NON-CITES AMPHIBIA SPECIES THAT ARE KNOWN OR LIKELY TO BE 

IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE 

AMPHIBIA: RANIDAE 

SPECIES: 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 


Rana shqiperica 

Rana balcanica, Rana lessonae, Pelophylax shqipericus 

Rana schipetara (Croatian), Balkan Frog (English), 

Grenouille d'Albanie (French), Balkan-Wasserfrosch 

(German) 

Albania, Montenegro 

Endangered 


TRADE PATTERNS 

There are no available records of trade at the species level in R. shqiperica. The following figures 

represent the only compiled data (Ljubisavljevic et al., 2003), and refer to various frog species in 

particular, five Rana species, commonly known as green frogs, including R. shqiperica. 

Between 1928 and 1976, a total of 6,312 tons of live frogs (approximately 105 million specimens) 

were exported from the Former Yugoslavia. Quantities exported increased from 5 kg in 1935 to 

420 tonnes in 1976. Live frogs were exported to 17 countries, France and Italy being the main 

importers (51% and 42% of the total export, respectively) (Ljubisavljevic et al., 2003). 

Between 1953 and 1976, 136 tonnes of frog legs (involving approximately 6.8 million frogs) were 

exported to eight countries. Switzerland was the main importer (72% of total exports) 

(Ljubisavljevic et al., 2003). 

The annual quotas for frog exports from the Former Yugoslavia during 1975-1980 ranged from 

5,579 kg to 11,997 kg (Dzukic et al., 1996). 

Rastko Ajtic (pers. comm., 2007) provided trade records on green frogs from former Yugoslavia 

(R. shqiperica was legally treated by the Government as a “green frog” for trade purposes, and 

no differentiation was made between species): 

Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 

Kg 102000 2000 65000 80500 70000 10000 100000 20000 

Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 

Kg 167000 79000 30000 20000 15000 31000 3000 3000 3000 

The live frogs most appreciated by the French chefs were reported to be those coming from 

Turkey, Egypt and Albania (http://www.terrenet.fr/outils/Fiches/FicheDetail.asp?id=26793&idRub=168). 

No further specific information 

was obtained on the level of use that R. shqiperica may be subject to in the European frog’s legs 

market. 

34


R. shqiperica is restricted to western Albania and southern Montenegro (Frost, 2007; IUCN et 

al., 2007, Mazzei et al., 2007). It occurs around Lake Skadar at the border between Montenegro 

and Albania and in the Adriatic coastal region of southern Montenegro and Albania. The 

species lives along the vegetation rich shores of Lake Skadar, as well as in swamps, ditches, 

marshes, channels or gently flowing rivers situated in the plains from the Adriatic coast up to 

60 km inland (Gasc et al., 1997). It is a lowland species that probably does not reach 500m 

above sea level (IUCN et al., 2007). 

IUCN et al. (2007) considered the species to be present in the Lake Skadar protected area, on 

the border of Montenegro and Albania. 

The general abundance of this species is not known (IUCN et al., 2007). 

The Global Amphibian Assessment team (IUCN et al., 2007) considered the species to be 

threatened by the drainage of wetland habitats and aquatic pollution of many waterways 

caused by agrochemical and industrial (including mining) contaminants. In northern parts of 

its range (eg. Lake Skadar) it was reported to be significantly threatened by over collection for 

commercial purposes (IUCN et al., 2007). It is additionally threatened by accidental 

introductions of commercially transported non-native water frogs (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Rana shqiperica is listed on Appendix III of the Berne Convention, and as such, its exploitation 

must be regulated in order to keep the populations out of danger. Both Albania and 

Montenegro are Parties to the Berne Convention. 

ALBANIA: Rana shqiperica occurs along the Adriatic coastal region, from Montenegro to southwestern 

Albania (e.g. Gasc et al., 1997; Frost, 2007; IUCN, 2007). Reported from the localities of 

Shkoder and Zogaj (Skadar Lake, Albania) in 2007 (Balej & Jablonski, 2007). 

No information was obtained on the conservation status of this species in Albania. According to 

Ajtic, pers. comm. (2007) no conservations measures have been taken for R. shqiperica in 

Albania. 

MONTENEGRO: The species is reported to occur in southern Montenegro, including Lake 

Skadar (e.g. Cirovic & Haxhiu, 2001; Crnobrnja-Isailovic & Dzukic, 1995; Frost, 2007; ITSC, 

2007; IUCN et al., 2007). The species’ type locality is Virpazar (Lake Skadar, Montenegro, 

close to the Albanian border) (Hotz et al., 1987). Reported from Virpazar and Buljarica 

(Montenegro) in 2006 and 2007, respectively (Balej & Jablonski, 2007). 

R. shqiperica appears to be poorly known (Kalezic & Dzukic, 2001). According to Ajtic, pers. 

comm. (2007) no conservation measures have been taken for R. shqiperica in Montenegro. 

Green frog (several species) population density was reported to be greatest in the lowlands, an 

area which has suffered the most intensive anthropogenic pressures in the last century, 

including: drainage; regulation of rivers by canals and embankments; transformation of pools 

and marshes into fish ponds; habitat fragmentation and biocide release as a result of 

agriculture; ongoing contamination of rivers by industrial pollutants and frequent accidentrelated 

events; and extensive harvesting of green frogs for the purpose of trade (Ljubisavljevic et 

al. 2003). These factors combined caused a dramatic decline of green frog populations (Kalezic 

& Dzukic, 2001; Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). 

'Green frogs', including Rana shqiperica, were not protected by law in Yugoslavia (Kalezic & 

Dzukic, 2001; Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). The harvesting of green frogs for the purpose of trade 

was regulated under a separate law, which came into force only in 1991 (Ljubisavljevic et al. 

2003). The high annual quota and the implementation of the law were perceived to be the 

35

main weaknesses in this law (Kalezic & Dzukic, 2001) as well as confusion regarding the 

institutions in charge, and the permitted weight and length limits (Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). 

Additionally, discriminative parameters for recognizing Rana lessonae and R. shqiperica were 

reported to be non-existent in the regulations (Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). 

Referring to Serbia and Montenegro together, Ljubisavljevic et al. (2003) considered that the 

country no longer sustained sufficient population size for exploitation of green frogs, at least 

not to the previous extent. The potential area for economically profitable harvesting of green 

frogs was considered to be approximately 15% of the State’s territory (15,326 km 2 ) 

(Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). 

Frog harvesting within the Lake Skadar National Park was reported to take place, since the 

green frogs were not protected by law in Montenegro, and successive sampling over several 

years showed that excessive harvesting of green frogs in the National Park had resulted in a 

decline of the average body weight (Ljubisavljevic et al. 2003). 

“Frog hunters” had to migrate long distances from their home areas, which was considered to 

be an indirect indication that populations of green frogs were declining in Serbia and 

Montenegro (Dzukic et al., 1996). 

Dzukic et al. (1996) reported that herpetologists from the Biological Institute in Belgrade have 

suggested to the authorities that the exploitation of frogs be halted for at least five 

consecutive years. They also indicated that all information regarding the frog trade was 

unavailable to scientists”. 

REFERENCES: 

Ajtic, R. 2007. personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Rastko Ajtic (Institute 

for Nature Conservation of Serbia) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), October 2007. 

Balej, P. & Jablonski, D. 2007 Amphibians and Reptiles of the Balkans. URL: www.balcanica.cz 


Cirovic, R. & Haxhiu, R. 2001. Amphibians. In: Pulevic, V., Hadžiablahovic S., Kasom G., 

Rakocevic-Nedovic J., Nikcevic S., Pešic V., R., Cirovic R., Saveljic D., Buškovic V., 

Dhimitër D., Lefter K., Fatbrdh S., Idriz H., Taulant B., Ferdinand B., Rrok S., Marash R. 

Biodiversity database of the Shkodra/Skadar Lake – Checklist of species. The Regional 

Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe and the Swiss Agency for 

Development and Cooperation. 

Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J. & Dzukic, G. 1995. First report about conservation status of 

herpetofauna in the Skadar Lake Region (Montenegro): Current situation and 

perspectives, pp. 373-380. In: Llorente, G.A., Montori, A., Santos, X. & Carretero, M.A. 

(Eds) Scientia Herpetologica. Asociación Herpetológica Española, Barcelona. 

Dzukic, G., Kalezic, M., Aleksic, I. and Crnobrnja, J. 1996. Green frogs exploited in the former 

Yugoslavia. FrogLog 19. 




Gasc, J.-P., Cabela, A., Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J., Dolmen, D, Grossenbacher, K., Haffner, P., 

Lescure, J., Martens, H., Martínez Rica, J. P., Maurin, H. (eds.) 1997. Atlas of amphibians and 

reptiles in Europe. Societas Europaea Herpetologica & Muséum National d’Histoire 

Naturelle, Paris: 496 pp. 

Hotz, H., Uzzell, T., Günther, R., Tunner, H.G. and Heppich, S. 1987. Rana shqiperica, a new 

European water frog species from the Adriatic Balkans (Amphibia, Salientia, Ranidae). 

Notulae Naturae 468: 1-3. 

ITSC. 2007. Environmental impact assessment study on regional water supply system of Montenegrin 

coast from water source Bolje Sestre. Government of the Republic of Montenegro. 

36


www.globalamphibians.org Accessed October 2007. 

Kalezic, M. & Dzukic, G. 2001. Amphibian status in Serbia and Montenegro (FR Yugoslavia). 

FrogLog. 45. 

Ljubisavljevic, K., Dzukic, G. & Kalezic, M. 2003. Green frogs are greatly endangered in Serbia 

and Montenegro. FrogLog 58. 

Mazzei, P., Pimpinelli, I., Reggianti, D. 2007. Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe. URL: 

www.herp.it Accessed October 2007. 

37



AMPHIBIA: PLETHODONTIDAE 

SPECIES: 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 


Bolitoglossa dofleini 

Bolitoglossa schmidti 

Alta Verapaz Salamander (English) 

Belize, Guatemala, Honduras 

Near Threatened 





Suggestions were made on the forum of www.caudata.org that this species was one of 

the most commonly available tropical salamanders in the pet trade. A hobbyist reported 

that this was the only plethodontid species more or less frequently imported into Belgium. 

One hobbyist from Italy reported having five individuals of this species. Several other 

hobbyists showed interest in the species, and some reported having bought various 

individuals in North American markets. One person (possibly British) reported she 

bought two individuals for £40 each. Several hobbyists agreed that the species suffers high 

mortality in captivity, rarely surviving for more than a few months, thus making it very 

difficult to breed in captivity. It was reported that specimens sold are all wild-caught. 

Interest in the particulars of keeping the species in captivity was also shown by hobbyists 

on the German websites http://www.dghtserver.de/foren/archive/index.php?t- 

11089.html, 

http://www.agurodela.de/forum/thread.php?boardid=1&threadid=120&page=1 and 

www.feuersalamander.com. 

The species was offered for sale on the British website www.worldwidefauna.com, 

where it was stated that “this species will ship directly from our farm in Honduras”. 

Adult individuals reportedly coming from Nicaragua were offered for sale on the French 

website www.lafermetropicale.com for €49. 

The German website http://www.terraristikladen.de/produkte.php?cat_id=20 

advertised the species for €80. 

The species was offered for sale on the British website www.faunaimportuk.com, 

although it is noted that it is rarely available. 

One hobbyist noted on the Spanish website 

http://www.faunaexotica.net/foro/viajes_a_ferias/anfibios_en_expoterrariat10204.0.html 

that the species sells for €70 in Spanish shops, but that he obtained 

individuals for €30 from Germany. 

On the Italian website http://www.dendrobatesitalia.it/reportage/hamm.htm it was 

reported that the species was for sale retailing at €85 at the German fair Terraristika 

Hamm 2003. 

38


The following text was extracted from IUCN et al. (2007): 

“Listed as Near Threatened because its Extent of Occurrence is probably not much 

greater than 20,000 km 2 , it occurs in several small, widely separated sub-populations, and 

it is subject to extensive wild harvest, thus making the species close to qualifying for 

Vulnerable. 

This species ranges from extreme northern Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and Cayo District in 

southern Belize, to north-central Honduras. It occurs from 50 - 1,370m asl [above sea 

level], and probably occurs more widely. 

It is extremely common in some places within its restricted range. 

This species is potentially threatened by the international pet trade, in which it features 

significantly, and since this species takes 10 - 12 years to mature such trade could easily 

be locally unsustainable. An additional potential threat to this species is chytridiomycosis 

which has recently been reported in animals that were imported into Belgium. However, 

the origin of the infection (whether from the wild, or from other captive animals) is not 

known”. 

Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities, is also considered a 

possible reason for decline (Amphibiaweb, 2007). 

BELIZE: 

Known to occur in Cayo district in southern Belize (BBIS, 1999; BDB, 2007; IUCN et al., 2007). 

Also reported from the Toledo district (BERDSB, 2007). Reported from Chiquibul National Park 

and Caracol Archaeological Reserve (BBIS, 1999). 

It was noted that although locally common, it seemed to be generally rare in the Yucatan 

Peninsula (BBIS, 1999). Reported to be apparently very rare in Belize, and to be very much in 

the international pet trade (BERDSB, 2007). 

GUATEMALA: 

Stuart (1963) reported the species to be known from low and moderate elevations of Alta 

Verapaz, Guatemala. In Guatemala it occurs in Parque Nacional Laguna Lachua and the 

Reserva de Manantiales Montañas del Mico (IUCN et al., 2007). 

No information was identified on the conservation status of the species in Guatemala. 

HONDURAS: 

In Honduras it is known from Quebrada Grande in Copan Department, Sierra de Merendon 

west of San Pedro Sula, Cortes Department, and Portillo Grande in the Department of Yoro. 

One of the sites in Honduras where this species is found is at the edge of Parque Nacional 

Cusuco (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Wilson & McCranie (2003a) reported the species in Honduras from the Central Caribbean 

Slope, the Western Caribbean Slope and the Northwestern Highlands. Recorded from Sierra 

de Omoa, Honduras(Townsend, 2006). 

It was thought to be widespread in premontane wet forest formations, but its relative 

abundance was deemed to be “infrequent” (Wilson & McCraine, 2003a). However, it was 

considered to be highly vulnerable and declining in Honduras (Wilson & McCranie, 2003b; 

Townsend, 2006). All known populations of the species in Honduras were believed to be 

declining (Wilson & McCranie, 2003a; Wilson & McCranie, 2006). 

39

REFERENCES: 

Amphibiaweb 2007. AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. 

Berkeley, California. URL: www.amphibiaweb.org. Accessed October 2007. 

BBIS (Belize Biodiversity Information System) 1999. Belize Biodiversity Information System. 

Wildlife Conservation Society & Ministry of Natural Resources’ Land Information 

Centre. URL: http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WCS/020030.HTM Accessed October 2007. 

BDB (Biological Diversity in Belize) 2007. Biological Diversity in Belize – Amphibians. URL: 

http://biological-diversity.info/amphibians.htm Accessed October 2007. 

BERDSB (Biodiversity & Environmental Resource Data System of Belize) 2007. Species 

profile: Bolitoglossa dofleini. URL: 

http://www.biodiversity.bz/find/species/profile/profile.phtml?species_id=111 


IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe 2007. Global Amphibian Assessment. 

URL: www.globalamphibians.org Accessed October 2007. 

Stuart, L.C. 1963. A Checklist of the Herpetofauna of Guatemala. Miscellaneous publications, 

Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 122. 158 pp. 

Townsend, J.H. 2006. Inventory and conservation assessment of the herpetofauna of the sierra de 

Omoa, Honduras, with a review of the Geophis (squamata: colubridae) of eastern nuclear 

central America. MA thesis, University of Florida. 

Wilson, L.D. & McCranie, J.R. 2003a. Herpetofaunal indicator species as measures of 

environmental stability in Honduras. Caribbean Journal of Science 39 (1): 50-67. 

Wilson, L. D. & McCranie, J. R. 2003b. The conservation status of the herpetofauna of 

Honduras. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation 3 (1): 6-33. 

Wilson, L. D. & McCranie, J. R. 2006. The herpetofauna of the rainforests of Honduras. 

Caribbean Journal of Science 42(1): 88-113. 

40



AMPHIBIA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Chacophrys pierottii 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Chaco Horned Frog (English) 

Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay 

Least Concern 

n/a 


It was reported to be occasionally available in the pet trade and described as a “delightful, 

easily maintained captive” by Barlett & Barlett (2000). 

Interest in getting individuals of this species was expressed by one person on www.caudata.org 

in 2003. 

It was advertised for sale on the French website www.lafermetropicale.com, retailing at €60, 

although it was shown as “unavailable”. It was also on the list of species of the French hobbyist 

website http://gutt.sg.free.fr/galerie_amph%20gre.htm. 

CONSERVATION STATUS in range states 

IUCN et al. (2007) reported: 

“It is not well known from Bolivia and Paraguay, but the Argentinean populations 

appear to be large and widespread. This species is rarely seen except when juveniles 

leave ponds where they develop…… 

It is collected for the international pet trade, and subject to heavy collecting during the 

breeding season. It is threatened in Argentina by the destruction of Chaco habitat for 

agriculture and wood extraction, land and water pollution caused by agrochemical 

runoff”. 

Considered to be a rare species, with fragmented populations and little known in terms of its 

status and biology (TNC, 2005). 

ARGENTINA: According to Frost (2007), the species occurs in salt flats in Chaco, Córdoba, Salta, 

Santiago del Estero, San Luis, and Rioja provinces in northern Argentina. APN (2007) reported 

the species to occur in the provinces of Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, La Rioja, and salt 

flats of Córdoba It occurs in the Chancani Provincial Reserve, the Formosa Natural Reserve, 

Teuquito Multiple Use Reserve in Argentina (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Very little information is available on C. pierottii in Argentina (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). It is a 

very cryptic species that inhabits harsh and little-known habitats, which may lead to 

underestimation of its population size, although some researchers were able to collect a high 

number of individuals by being in the right place at the right time (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). 

It was considered to be “Non-Threatened” by the Argentinean Herpetological Society (Lavilla et 

al., 2000; APN, 2007). 

41

Harvesting levels are apparently unknown, which may indicate that they are not very intense 

(Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). Lavilla (2001) considered the species to be affected by habitat 

alteration in the flats of northern Argentina. 

BOLIVIA: Reported from the Nature Reserve El Corbalán, department of Tarija (Gonzales et al., 

2006), but also expected from the departments of Chuquisaca and Santa Cruz (Frost, 2007; De la 

Riva et al., 2000). TNC (2005) reported the species from the departments of Santa Cruz and 

Cordillera Arenales de Guanaco. It occurs in the protected area Kaa-Iya (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Lucindo Gonzales (pers. comm. 2007), reported that virtually nothing is known about the 

species in Bolivia, and that there is no information on the international trade in the species from 

the country. Steffen Reichle (pers. comm. 2007a) also noted the little information available on C. 

pierottii in Bolivia. Reichle (2007b) did not report trade as a known threat to the species in the 

country. 

PARAGUAY: Reported to occur in western Paraguay (Frost, 2007), specifically in the 

departments of Alto Paraguay, Boqueron, and Presidente Hayes (Brusquetti & Lavilla, 2006). It 

occurs in the protected area PN Defensores del Chaco (IUCN et al., 2007). No information on 

its status in Paraguay was identified. 

REFERENCES: 

APN (Administración de Parques Naturales) 2007. Sistema de Información de Biodiversidad. 

Administración de Parques Naturales, Argentina. URL: 

http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/fauna.aspx?id=Chacophrys%20pierottii&accion=general 


Barlett, R.D. & Barlett, P. 2000. The horned frog family and African bullfrogs – Facts and advice on 

care and breeding. Barron’s Educational Series. 48 pp. 

Brusquetti, F. & Lavilla, E.O. 2006. Lista Comentada de los Anfibios del Paraguay. Cuadernos 

de Herpetología 20(2): 3-79. 

De la Riva, I., Köhler, J. Lötters, S. & Reichle, S. 2000. Ten years of research on Bolivian 

amphibians: updated checklist, distribution, taxonomic problems, literature and 

iconography. Revista Española de Herpetología 14: 19-164. 




Gonzales, L., Muñoz, A. & Cortez, E. 2006. Primer reporte sobre la herpetofauna de la Reserva 

Natural “El Corbalán”, Tarija, Bolivia. Kempffiana 2 (1): 72-94. 

Gonzales, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucindo Gonzales 

(Natural History Museum Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP- 

WCMC), November 2007. 



Lavilla, E.O. 2001. Amenazas, declinaciones poblacionales y extinciones en anfibios 

argentinos. Cuadernos de Herpetologia, 15 (1): 59-82. 

Lavilla, E.O., Ponssa, M.L., Baldo, D., Basso, N., Bosso, A. Céspedez, J., Chebez, J.C., 

Faivovich, J., Ferrari, L., Lajmanovich, R., Langone, J.A., Peltzer, P., Úbeda, C., Vaira, M. 

& Candioti, F.V. 2000. Categorización de los anfibios de Argentina. In: Lavilla, E.O., 

Richard, E. & Scrocchi, G.J. (Eds). 2000. Categorización de los anfibios y reptiles de la república 

Argentina. Asociación Herpetológica Argentina, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. 

Reichle, S. 2007a. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Steffen Reichle (The 

Nature Conservancy Southern Andes, Bolivia) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC). 

November 2007. 

42

Reichle, S. 2007b. Distribution, diversity and conservation status of Bolivian amphibians. PhD 

thesis, University of Bonn. URL: http://hss.ulb.unibonn.de/diss_online/math_nat_fak/2007/reichle_steffen, 

Accessed November 2007. 

TNC (The Nature Conservancy). 2005. Evaluación ecorregional del Gran Chaco Americano. The 

Nature Conservancy, Fundación DeSdel Chaco, Wildlife Conservation Society, 

Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina. URL: http://www.tnc.org.br/chaco/chaco.html, 


Vaira, M. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Marcos Vaira 

(Natural Sciences Museum, National University of Salta, Argentina) and Pablo Sinovas 

(UNEP-WCMC). October 2007. 

43



AMPHIBIA: HIPEROLIIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Heterixalus rutenbergi 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Rutenberg's Reed Frog (English) 

Madagascar 


n/a 




A care sheet for the species was available on the British website 

http://www.pollywog.co.uk/rutenbergsreedcaresheet.html. 

The species was included in the list of frogs on the Czech retail website 

www.animalfarm.cz. 

The German website http://www.reptilien-import.de/zbozi.asp?id=6 advertised the 

species for €13. 

One person noted that they were importing this species to Canada in an ad posted on 

http://talkto.thefrog.org/index.php?action=vthread&forum=13&topic=5870; The asking 

price was Canadian $32 per individual. 

On the website http://dragonsdasgard.actifforum.com/ethique-terrariophile-f10/prixd-un-importateur-indonesien-t3271.htm 

there was information on the species retailing at 

US$ 6. 


MADAGASCAR: Heterixalus rutenbergi occurs widely in the central plateau of Madagascar 

from 1,200 - 1,500m above sea level (Glaw & Vences, 1994; IUCN et al., 2007), but it was 

reported to be an uncommon species (IUCN et al., 2007). Recorded from the high plateau of 

Madagascar in 1993 by Raxworthy & Nussbaum (1996). 

H. rutenbergi is known from six localities, all on the central high plateau of Madagascar: 

Ambohitantely, Mantasoa, Ambatolampy, Tsinjoarivo, Itremo and Ambatofitoharanana 

(Glaw & Vences, 1994; Raharivololoniaina et al., 2003). Vallan (2000) recorded the species 

from the Ambohitantely reserve, outside forested areas and IUCN et al. (2007) noted that it 

probably occurs in the Ambohitantely Special Reserve, and perhaps in other protected areas 

(IUCN et al., 2007). 

Raharivololoniaina et al. (2003) noted that “certainly, the species is widespread over central 

Malagasy highlands, but its populations may have low densities and be vulnerable to 

transformation of moorland into rice fields. Additional fieldwork is needed to ascertain its 

habitat requirements and conservation status” and, similarly, that “contrary to other 

Heterixalus species, H. rutenbergi seems to be restricted to highland savannahs and has so far 

not been recorded in high densities; its status should therefore be more carefully monitored”. 

44

It was listed as Near Threatened “since the species depends on a specialised breeding habitat, 

and although its has a relatively large extent of occurrence, its area of occupancy is probably 

not much greater than 2,000 km 2 , and the extent and quality of its habitat is declining, thus 

making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable” (IUCN et al., 2007). 

IUCN et al. (2007) reported that “it is found in international trade, with hundreds being 

exported annually, although it is not clear that this constitutes a threat to the species”. 

Andreone et al. (2006) noted that “little is known on the effect of collection for the international 

pet trade on the amphibians of Madagascar”. 

The transformation of bogs into rice fields may also be a threat to this species (IUCN et al., 

2007). 

REFERENCES: 

Andreone, F., Mercurio, V. & Mattioli, F. 2006. Between environmental degradation and 

international pet trade: conservation strategies for the threatened amphibians of 

Madagascar. Natura – Soc. it. Sci. nat. Museo civ. Stor. nat. Milano, 95 (2): 81-96. 




Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 1994. A Field guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. 

Second Edition. Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig. Bonn. 



Raharivololoniaina, L., Vieites, D.R., Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 2003. Larval stages, habitat and 

distribution of the hyperoliid frog Heterixalus rutenbergi (Boettger, 1881). Alytes 21 (1-2): 

59-65. 

Raxworthy, C.J. & Nussbaum, R.A. 1996. Montane amphibian and reptile communities in 

Madagascar. Conservation Biology, 10 (3): 750-756. 

Vallan, D. 2000. Influence of forest fragmentation on amphibian diversity in the nature 

reserve of Ambohitantely, highland Madagascar. Biological Conservation 96: 31-43. 

45



AMPHIBIA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Leptodactylus laticeps 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Santa Fe Frog (English), Rana coralina (Spanish) 

Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay 


n/a 


L. laticeps was reported to be harvested mostly in Argentina and Paraguay for the international 

pet trade, and later sold in pet shops for relatively high prices (IUCN et al., 2007) (see 

conservation status section). 

“Leptodactylus laticeps is exported from South America to the developed world. It can fetch 

prices of €600 in European pet shops. In some areas where it lives, in Argentina, Bolivia and 

Paraguay, people earn as little as €1,200 in a single year, giving them a real incentive to catch 

and sell it” (BBC, 2007). 



It was advertised in www.faunaclassifieds.com for US$400 each. 

The French website www.lafermetropicale.com advertised the species for €160, although 

it was shown as unavailable. 

On the Spanish hobbyist website 

http://www.faunaexotica.net/foro/galeria_fotografica_de_anfibios/leptodactylus_latice 

ps-t5453.0.html one person from Argentina noted that these frogs are difficult to get. 


The following information was reported by IUCN et al., 2007: 

“This species occurs in the Gran Chaco of Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, from 0 - 300m 

above sea level. ….It is common in parts of Paraguay and Bolivia but was a rare species by 

2003 in Argentina due to over-harvesting for the international pet trade…..Over-harvesting 

for the international pet trade is a major threat. It is collected in Paraguay and Argentina, and 

each adult is worth $300-$600. 

It does occur in several protected areas, but monitoring of its population status is needed, in 

addition to management of its harvesting. 

It was listed as Near Threatened because this species is in significant decline (but probably at 

a rate of less than 30% over ten years) because it is being over-harvested for food, thus 

making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable”. 

Reported to be uncommon but characteristic of the Gran Chaco of South America (Jansen et 

al., 2006). 

46

Considered to be threatened by trade, very sought-after for commercial purposes and also 

persecuted because of superstition (TNC, 2005). Its populations were reported to be 

fragmented and isolated, and its status unknown (TNC, 2005). 

ARGENTINA: It was reported to occur in the Chacoan region of central Argentina (Cei, 1955; 

Frost, 2007). Reported by APN (2007) to occur in the following provinces: Chaco, Entre Ríos, 

Formosa, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, Salta, and Santa Fe. Lavilla et al. (2000) cite it from the same 

provinces, except the Chaco province. Also reported from the province of Córdoba (ACA, 

2003). It is known to occur in Copo National Park (APN, 2007) and Loro Hablador Provincial 

Park (Moschione & Bishels, 2004). 

The species was considered to be “vulnerable” in Argentina by the Argentinean Herpetological 

Society (Lavilla et al., 2000). Lavilla (2001) considered the species to be affected by habitat 

alteration in the flats of northern Argentina. 

Trade was explicitly reported to be a threat to the species by Ubeda & Grigera (2003). However, 

Vaira (pers. comm., 2007) reported that harvesting levels seemed to be unknown, and 

speculated that this may indicate that they are not very intense. 

Very little information is available on L. laticeps (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). It is a very cryptic 

species that inhabits harsh and little-known habitats, which may lead to underestimation of its 

population size (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). 

BOLIVIA: De la Riva et al. (2000) reported the species from the Bolivian departments of 

Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, and Tarija, although they noted that there was no published locality in 

the country. Frost (2007) noted that no voucher specimen existed for Bolivia, but that it was 

expected to occur in the Bolivian Chaco. TNC (2005) reported its occurrence in the departments 

of Santa Cruz, Cordillera, and Cerro Cortado. 

In November 2005, Jansen et al. (2006) collected two male specimens in El Corbalán, 

Department of Tarija, constituting the first published records of the species from Bolivia. 

Lucindo Gonzales (pers. comm., 2007) reported that virtually nothing is known about the 

species in Bolivia and that there is no information relating the international trade in the 

species from the country. Steffen Reichle (pers. comm. 2007a) also noted the little information 

available on C. pierottii in Bolivia, but reported that it is locally common in at least one private 

reserve. Reichle (2007b) did not report trade as a known threat to the species in the country. 

PARAGUAY: The species was considered by Frost (2007) to occur in the Gran Chaco of 

Paraguay. Reported from the Departments of Alto Paraguay, Boquerón and Presidente Hayes 

(Brusquetti & Lavilla, 2006). 

L. laticeps was reported to be one of the most commercially important species in the 

Paraguayan Chaco, and to be collected since 1998 by local communities for the pet trade 

(Morales et al., 2004). According to Aquino (pers. comm., 2007), the export of L. laticeps for the 

pet trade has never been permitted in Paraguay due to its status of Data Deficient in the 

country. Paraguay currently prohibits the export of all CITES-listed species (Notification to 

the Parties No. 2003/058) and all fauna as a result of a voluntary suspension (Aquino, pers. 

comm. 2007). 

REFERENCES: 

ACA (Agencia Córdoba Ambiente). 2003. Base de datos “Biodiversidad de la provincia de 

Córdoba”: Anfibios. 

URL: http://www.cordobaambiente.cba.gov.ar/fuentes/pdf/Lista_de_Anfibios.pdf Accessed 

October 2007. 

47

APN (Administración de Parques Naturales). 2007. Sistema de Información de 

Biodiversidad. Administración de Parques Naturales, Argentina. URL: 

http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/fauna.aspx?id=Leptodactylus%20laticeps&accion=lugares 


Aquino, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucy Aquino 

(WWF Paraguay) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), October 2007. 

BBC. 2007. BBC News – In pictures: The over-harvesting of amphibians. URL: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/sci_nat_the_over_harvesting_of 

_amphibians/html/6.stm Accessed October 2007. 



Cei, J.M. 1955. Chacoan Batrachians in Central Argentina. Copeia 4: 291-293. 

Cortez, C., Reichle, S., Aquino, L. & di Tada, I. 2004. Leptodactylus laticeps. In: IUCN 2007. 

2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. URL: www.iucnredlist.org Accessed October 

2007. 

De la Riva, I., Köhler, J., Lötters, S. and Reichle, S. 2000. Ten years of research on Bolivian 


iconography. Revista Espanola de Herpetologia 14: 19-164. 

Gonzales, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucindo 

Gonzales (Natural History Museum Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia) and Pablo Sinovas 

(UNEP-WCMC), November 2007. 



Jansen, M., Großerichter, A. & Consul, A. 2006. Primeros especímenes de Leptodactylus 

laticeps (Anura: Leptodactylidae) procedentes de Bolivia. Kempffiana 2 (1): 63-65. 


argentinos. Cuadernos de Herpetologia 15 (1): 59-82. 




Richard, E. & Scrocchi, G.J. (Eds). 2000. Categorización de los anfibios y reptiles de la 

república Argentina. Asociación Herpetológica Argentina, San Miguel de Tucumán, 

Argentina. 

Morales, C., Motte, M., Kochalka, J., Núñez, K., Castro, V., Zarza, R. & Vogt, C. 2004. 

Monitoreo del uso de especies silvestres en comunidades ayoreo: alternativas de manejo 

en territorios indígenas del Chaco Paraguayo. In: Libro de Resúmenes: VI Congreso 

internacional sobre manejo de fauna silvestre. Lecciones aprendidas. 5-7 Septiembre 2004, 

Iquitos, Perú. 

Moschione, F. & Bishels, L. 2004. Listado de los vertebrados del parque provincial Loro Hablador, 

Provincia del Chaco. Informe técnico Proyecto Elé/DFS. Secretaría de Ambiente y 

Desarrollo Sustentable de la Nación. 








Nature Conservancy, Fundación DeSdel Chaco, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fundación 

Vida Silvestre Argentina. URL: http://www.tnc.org.br/chaco/chaco.html, Accessed 


Ubeda, C. & Grigera, D. Análisis de la evaluación más reciente del estado de conservación de 

los anfibios y reptiles de Argentina. Gayana 67 (1): 97-113. 



(UNEP-WCMC). 

48

Ziegler, T., Unger, J., Feiler, A. and Lehr, E. 2002. The First Gran Chaco Expedition of the 

Museum für Tierkunde Dresden: records of amphibians, reptiles and mammals from the 

Dry Chaco of Paraguay (Amphibia, Reptilia, Mammalia). pp. 219-238.. Faunistiche 

Abhandlungen Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden. 

49



AMPHIBIA: BUFONIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus 

SYNONYMS: - 

COMMON NAMES: - 

RANGE STATES: 



Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay 

Least Concern 

n/a 


This species was elevated to species status by Cruz & Caramaschi (2003), as it was previously 

considered to be a subspecies of Melanophryniscus stelzneri. Hence much of the trade 

information available refers to Melanophryniscus stelzneri which may or may not include M. 

fulvoguttatus. Interest in M. stelzneri, as a pet (possibly including fulvoguttatus) was apparent 

on several websites: 

Doty (2004) provided a care sheet for M. stelzneri, where information was provided on 

how to care for captive individuals. Doty (2004) noted that “these toads are an easy to care 

for species” and that “the author would be extremely interested in obtaining some of the 

other species of Melanophryniscus”. 

A French website (www.batraciens-reptiles.com) offered captive care information on 

Melanophryniscus stelzneri. 

Two hobbyists in a forum of the Spanish website www.drpez.net noted they had 

owned two individuals each. 

Interest in buying and keeping Melanophryniscus stelzneri and “subspecies” as pets was 

shown by hobbyists at www.canadart.org, while some noted on the same website that 

individuals of this species were sold for US$30. 

Interest was also shown at www.caudata.org. 

Melanophryniscus stelzneri was advertised as wanted on www.dendroboard.com and on 

www.faunaclassifieds.com (USA). Another person noted on the latter website that a 

female had been advertised for sale for US$90. 

One hobbyist claimed to own a Melanophryniscus stelzneri on www.talkto.thefrog.org. 

Melanophryniscus stelzneri, described as a “very pretty little toad”, was reported to be 

“currently available in the pet trade in the United States” (Barlett & Barlett, 1996). 


M. fulvoguttatus occurs at elevations of approximately 90-150m above sea level (IUCN et al., 

2007). Reported to be abundant where it occurs (IUCN et al., 2007). De la Riva et al. (2000) 

considered Melanophryniscus stelzneri fulvoguttatus possibly to occur in Bolivia. 

The pet trade and habitat destruction to expand soy plantations were considered major 

threats (IUCN et al., 2007). It occurs in several private reserves in Paraguay, but it is not 

protected elsewhere (IUCN et al., 2007). 

ARGENTINA: M. fulvoguttatus occurs in the Province of Formosa, Argentina (Baldo & Yanina, 

1998; Lavilla et al., 2002; Cruz & Caramaschi, 2003). Occurrence in Argentina reported also by 

50

APN (2007). M. s. fulvoguttatus was reported from the provinces of Corrientes, Chaco, 

Formosa, S. del Estero, and Santa Fe, and was not considered threatened by Lavilla et al. 

(2000). 

M. stelzneri was included in the list of threatened amphibians of Argentina, and categorized 

as “vulnerable” by the Dirección de Fauna y Flora Silvestre (the Government’s Directorate of 

Wild Fauna and Flora) (Resolution 144/83), and as “comercialmente amenazada” (threatened 

by commercial harvesting) by the Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina (Argentinean Wildlife 

Fund) (Bertonatti & González, 1993). 

M. s. fulvoguttatus was considered to be affected by habitat alteration in the plains of northern 

Argentina, and several (unspecified) Melanophryniscus subspecies were considered to be 

affected by the pet trade (Lavilla, 2001). Lavilla et al. (2002) considered M. s. fulvoguttattus to 

be Data Deficient, and recommended that further studies on the species be carried out. 

BRAZIL: The species occurs in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (Maracaju, Jardim and Bela 

Vista) (Cruz & Caramaschi, 2003; Frost, 2007; IUCN et al., 2007). No information on the 

conservation status of the species in Brazil was obtained. 

PARAGUAY: Occurs in eastern Paraguay (IUCN et al., 2007). Cruz & Caramaschi (2003) noted 

that the species occurs in the Departments of Concepción, Guairá, Paraguari and San Pedro, 

Paraguay. Brusquetti & Lavilla (2006) reported the occurrence of M. fulvoguttatus in the 

Departments of Amambay, Caaguazú, Canindeyú, Concepción, Guairá, Paraguarí and San 

Pedro, and associated to the following eco-regions: Atlantic forest, cerrado, and humid chaco. 

To date, no studies have been conducted on the conservation status or abundance of the species 

in Paraguay (Brusquetti, pers. comm. 2007). In 2006, however, a group of herpetologists from 

Paraguay undertook the categorisation of the amphibians and reptiles of Paraguay (currently 

under review) based on the IUCN categories, and M. fulvoguttatus was classified as Least 

Concern (Brusquetti, pers. comm. 2007). The species can be found in great numbers during the 

breeding season with the last autumn rains (Aquino, pers. comm., 2007). 

Paraguay currently prohibits the export of all CITES-listed species (Notification to the Parties 

No. 2003/058) and all fauna as a result of a voluntary suspension (Aquino, pers. comm. 2007). 

Before the ban was put in place, all the species in the genus Melanophryniscus were treated as M. 

stelzneri, therefore it is unclear which species the permits really referred to, and it would be very 

difficult to assess the effects that the trade had on the species (Brusquetti, per. comm. 2007). Up 

to 15,000 individuals were exported annually between 1999 and 2003 from Paraguay, reported 

as M. stelzneri, but probably involving other species as well, in particular M. klappenbachi 

(Aquino, pers. comm. 2007). 

REFERENCES: 



http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/fichas.aspx?accion=buscar&palabra=Melanophry&id=12 


Aquino, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucy Aquino (WWF 

Paraguay) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), October 2007. 

Baldo, J. L. & Yanina A. 1998. Melanophryniscus stelzneri fulvoguttatus (Anura: 

Bufonidae).Primera cita para la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina. Cuadernos de herpetología 

12 (1): 54. 

Barlett, R.D. & Barlett, P.P. 1996. Frogs, toads and treefrogs: a complete pet owner’s manual. 

Barron’s educational series. 

Bertonatti, C. & González. 1993. Lista de Vertebrados Argentinos Amenazados de Extinción. 

Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina. 35 pp. 

51

Brusquetti, F. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Francisco 

Brusquetti (Institute of Herpetology, Fundación Miguell Lillo, Argentina) and Pablo 

Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), October 2007. 



Cruz, C.A.G. & Caramaschi, U. 2003. Taxonomic status of Melanophryniscus stelzneri dorsalis 

(Mertens, 1933) and Melanophryniscus stelzneri fulvoguttatus (Mertens, 1937) (Amphibia, 

Anura, Bufonidae). Boletim do Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro 500: 1-11. 




Doty, S. 2004. Melanophryniscus stelzneri. Amphibiacare.com: A reptile and amphibian 

information resource. URL: 

http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/caresheets/bumblebeewalkingtoad01.html 








argentinos. Cuadernos de Herpetologia, 15 (1): 59-82. 






Lavilla, E.O., Barrionuevo, S. & Baldo, D. 2002. Los anfibios insuficientamente conocidos de la 

Republica Argentina. Una reevaluacion. Cuadernos de Herpetología. 16: 99-118. 

52




SPECIES: 

Pachytriton labiatus 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 


Unterstein's Newt (English) 

China 

Least Concern 





Individuals of the species, claimed to be wild-caught, were advertised for sale in 

Germany on the website www.eurofauna.com. 

The Spanish website www.reptilglobal.com offered wild-caught P. labiatus for €15 per 

individual. 

The French website www.lafermetropicale.com offered Pachytritus sp. for €18, although 

it was noted that they were unavailable. 

The German website www.e-pets.de offered P. labiatus for €9. 

A hobbyist in Finland reported on www.sammakkolampi.net that they owned the 

species. 

Another Finnish hobbyist website, www.matelijat.info, provided information on the 

species. 

One hobbyist in Spain reported having three P. labiatus individuals 

(http://iguania.com/foro/viewtopic.php?p=58807). 

A hobbyist in Italy posted an ad on 

http://www.sanguefreddo.net/SFNpro/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=printview 

&t=19845&start=0 looking for a male P. labiatus to join the female individual he owned. 

A hobbyist in Italy reported owning individuals of P. labiatus on 

http://www.terraritalia.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=12&thread_id=161. 

Captive care information for the species was provided on 

http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Pachytriton/Pachytriton.shtml, where it was also 

noted that Pachytriton labiatus is the newt most commonly sold as a “paddle tail newt”, 

and that “despite their popularity as pets, there is little hard data on these newts 

[Pachytriton spp.], and many unknown types and new species show up in the pet trade”. 

On the same website’s forum, several hobbyists (from the USA and UK) noted that they 

own individuals of the species and asked for or gave advice on how to care for it. 

Similarly, captive care information for the species was provided on 

http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/pachytriton/ 

where it was noted that “it can be presumed that the exact range of P. labiatus is poorly 

known, especially in light of the unknown types appearing in the pet trade. It is also 

assumed that the current distribution of P. labiatus has been reduced due to human 

encroachment, habitat loss, and pollution”. 

Care sheets are also available from the British website 

http://www.pollywog.co.uk/spotlessstoutnewtcaresheet.html, the German website 

http://www.agurodela.de/arten/pachytriton_labiatus.php, and the Russian website 

53

http://www.vitawater.ru/terra/caudata/pach-lab.shtml. Captive care information was 

provided for the genus Pachytriton on the Italian website 

http://www.amiciinsoliti.it/anfibi/pachytriton.html. 

A market survey carried out during 2000-2003 in the cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen 

(Southern China) found that P. labiatus was sold at one (Qingping market) of the four markets 

surveyed (Lee et al., 2004). 


CHINA: This species is found in central and southern China in Guizhou, Anhui, Zhejiang, 

Hunan, Guangxi and Guangdong Provinces, from 50 - 1,800m above sea level; a number of 

protected areas in the region support this species (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Frost (2007) reported the species to occur in two allopatric areas in southern China: one in 

Zhejiang, southern Anhui and southern Jiangsu (and likely into northern Jiangxi) and another 

in northwestern Guangdong, eastern Guangxi, eastern Guizhoua, and east of Hunan. 

Over-exploitation for use in traditional Chinese medicine and for the international pet trade 

were reported by IUCN et al. (2007) to be a major threat to this species. It is also threatened by 

habitat destruction and degradation (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Captive breeding was reported to be occurring in Europe (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Classified as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and 

because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened 

category (IUCN et al., 2007). 

REFERENCES: 






Lee, K.S., Lau, M.W.N. & Chan, B.P.L. 2004. Wild animal trade monitoring in selected markets in 

Guangzhou and Shenzhen, South China, 2000-2003. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. 43 

pp. 

54




SPECIES: 

Paramesotriton hongkongensis 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 


Hong Kong Warty Newt (English) 

China (including Hong Kong) 






A Spanish hobbyist reported having four individuals of the species on 

http://www.drpez.net/panel/showthread.php?t=158967. 

Four individuals were offered for sale on the British website 

http://www.livefoodshop.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=30050. 

The French website www.lafermetropicale.org advertised Paramesotriton sp. for ∈16, 

although the majority of individuals were reportedly P. fuzhongensis. 

The Italian website http://www.dendrobatesitalia.it/reportage/hamm.htm reported 

that P. hongkongensis was offered at the Terraristika Hamm fair 2003, in Germany, for 

between €6- €50. 

On the British website http://www.petmag.co.uk/amphibians/newts.html it was 

noted that P. hongkongensis was the predominantly imported Paramesotriton species. 

This species was reported to be sporadically important in the Italian pet trade 

(http://www.amiciinsoliti.it/anfibi/pachytriton.html). 

A Finnish (www.sammakkolampi.net) and a British 

(http://www.captivebred.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10852) hobbyist reported to 

own the species and to have bred it in captivity. 

The species as a pet was discussed on the Estonian hobbyist website 

http://foorum.akvarist.ee/viewtopic.php?t=8911&sid=57be21e0f63feb9fb5491c5f54b00d 

cb. 

The species was discussed in various other European hobbyist websites, and several 

people reported having them as pets. These included: 

- http://www.captivebred.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82742 (UK) 

- http://www.dendroworld.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=1248&p=9032&hilit= 

(UK) 

- http://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?t=105558&page=2 (UK) 

- http://urodeles.xooit.com/t12-le-mien.htm (France) 

- http://forum.doctissimo.fr/viepratique/animaux/paramesotritons-hongkongensissujet_5674_1.htm 

(France) 

- http://www.xooit.com/fr/annuaire/Nature-Evasion-6/Animaux-127/forum- 

96880.html (France) 

- http://www.sanguefreddo.net/SFNpro/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=printview 

&t=21314&start=0 (Italy) 

- http://www.feuersalamander.com/wbb2/thread.php?postid=18055 (Germany) 

- http://www.bollog.net/wbb2/thread.php?threadid=182&sid=1a36059e6972890f8febe 

8ae8041a842 (Germany) 

55

- http://www.aquarienforum.de/forum/archive/index.php/t-47027.html (Germany) 

- http://www.iguania.com/foro/viewtopic.php?p=101688 (Spain) 

Several hobbyist discussed the species in the forum 

http://www.caudata.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-34086.html. One of them reported 

that “Hong Kong newts continue to show up in pet stores across the world in huge 

numbers”. Another noted “I have two captive bred P. hongkongensis from an aquatic store in 

Hartfordshire. […] A contact of mine has many links in pet stores, and virtually every 

hongkongensis that comes into sock are captive bred subadults”. 

Information and captive care advise on P. hongkongensis were offered by Gaites (1998) and on 

the following websites: 

- http://www.agurodela.de/arten/paramesotriton_hongkongensis.php (Germany) 

- http://www.batraciens.net/paramesotriton_sp.php (France) 

- http://www.foconde.net/romain/fiche.asp?FileID=189 (France) 

- http://www.pollywog.co.uk/paramesotritonhongkongensis-caresheet.html (UK) 

- http://atlas.drpez.org/albut13 (Spain) 

- http://www.salamanderland.at/Artenliste/P.hongkongensis/PAR.HONGKONGENS 

IS.htm (Austria) 

- http://www.matelijat.info/tulilisko/lajit/suku_paramesotriton/hongkongensis.html 

(Finland) 

- http://www.vitawater.ru/terra/caudata/par-hong.shtml (Russia) 

- http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/paramesotrito 

n 


This species is known from coastal Guangdong, including Hong Kong, in China, from 30 - 

940m above sea level (IUCN et al., 2007). Its main distribution range falls within protected 

areas (IUCN et al., 2007). 

It was considered a synonym of Paramesotriton chinensis until 2005 (Frost, 2007). 

P. hongkongensis was listed as Near Threatened because “its extent of occurrence is probably 

not much greater than 20,000 km2, the extent and quality of its habitat are probably declining, 

and the species might be in decline because it is being collected for the pet trade, thus making 

the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable” (IUCN et al., 2007). 

It was regarded to be “a very common species” (IUCN et al., 2007). However, a particular 

threat to Paramesotriton hongkongensis was reported to be the collection of significant numbers 

for the pet trade (IUCN et al., 2007). 

This species was reported by IUCN et al., (2007) to have been widely bred in captivity. The 

hobbyist website www.livingunderworld.org stated that Paramesotriton species have seldom 

been bred in captivity, but that breeding successes seemed to be increasing in number. 

CHINA: The species is known from coastal Guangdong (IUCN et al., 2007; Frost, 2007). Miller 

(2004), however, considered that although once found along the Fujian-Guangdong coast 

region of China, P. hongkongensis was now restricted to Hong Kong. 

The species was recorded in Shenzhen Wutongshan National Forest Park (southern 

Guangdong Province, bordering Hong Kong) in May 2001, and considered to be of major 

conservation importance and of potential global concern due to its restricted distribution, 

despite its occurrence at a number of sites in Hong Kong (KFBG, 2002). 

56

HONG KONG, CHINA: Miller (2004) reported that one documented habitat of P. hongkongensis 

was the Tung Lung Stream, and surrounding streams in Lantau North County Park (Lantau 

Island), Hong Kong. Tai Tam was cited as the only place on Hong Kong Island where the 

species could be found (AFCD, 2006b). 

Paramesotriton hongkongensis is protected in Hong Kong by local legislation (IUCN et al., 2007), 

in particular the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cp. 170 Schedule 2 (Leung-Sze-Lun, 2002; 

AFCD, 2006a; HKRAS, 2007). It is an offence to collect or disturb them or their eggs (AFCD, 

2006a). 

WWF HK (undated) noted “the Hong Kong Newt Paramesotriton hongkongensis, a species 

endemic to Hong Kong, is under threat as it is sold for aquarium pets. This species has been 

protected under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance since May 1992”. 

Chan (2002) stated that “the ordinance specifies, for example, that only when a protected animal 

offered for sale is taken in Hong Kong, it is considered an offence. The sale of metamorphosing 

Hong Kong Newts, as an example, is difficult to regulate because the shop owner can always 

claim these animals are from outside Hong Kong so long as the species is not CITES-listed and 

requires no export/import permits”. 

REFERENCES: 

AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) 2006a. Amphibians of Hong 

Kong. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. URL: 

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/speciesgroup/species 

group_amphibians.html Accessed October 2007. 

AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department) 2006b. Tai Tam Country Park 

(Quarry Bay Extension). The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative 

Region. 

URL: 

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_tt/cou 

_vis_cou_tt.html. Accessed October 2007. 

Chan, B.P.L. 2002. Should Hong Kong’s freshwater fishes be protected by law? Porcupine! 

25. Newsletter of the Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong 

Kong. URL: http://www.hku.hk/ecology/porcupine/por25/25-vertfwfish.htm#index4 





Gaites, S. 1998. Captive breeding and rearing of Hong Kong Newts (Paramesotriton 

hongkongensis). Bulletin – British Herpetological Society 63: 13-15. 

HKRAS (Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society) HK protected wild animals. URL: 

http://www.hkras.org/eng/info/law_ch170sche2.htm Accessed October 2007. 



KFBG (Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden) 2002. Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at 

Wutongshan National Forest Park, Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, China, 16 to 17 May 

2001. South China Forest Biodiversity Survey Report Series: No. 11. KFBG, Hong Kong 

SAR, ii + 24 pp. 

Leung-Sze-Lung, A. 2002. Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis). Porcupine! 27: 

16. Newsletter of the Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong 

Kong. 

Miller, J.J. 2004. Overview of the salamandrid genus Paramesotriton. Living Underworld. URL: 

http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/paramesotriton/ 

paramesotriton.pdf Accessed October 2007. 

57

WWF HK (World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong) Undated. Factsheet No. 7. URL: 

http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/pdf/references/factsheets/factsheet7.PDF Accessed 

October 2007. 

58



AMPHIBIA: HYLIDAE 

SPECIES: 

Phyllomedusa sauvagii 

SYNONYMS: 

COMMON NAMES: 

RANGE STATES: 



Painted-belly Monkey Frog (English) 

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay 

Least Concern 

n/a 


It was stated on www.monkeyfrog.com’s introduction to the species that “we feel this 

[Phyllomedusa sauvagii] is a frog species that will undoubtedly become one of the most widely 

kept species simply based on ease of husbandry”. Similarly, Coote (1999) considered the species 

to be “the pet frog of the future”. 



The species was sought at www.faunaclassifieds.com, and also advertised for sale for 

US$70 on the same website. 

P. sauvagii individuals were advertised for US$60 each on 

www.sandfiredragonranch.com 

P. sauvagii individuals were advertised for US$75 on www.kingsnake.com. 

The British website www.thereptileroom.co.uk advertised adult individuals for £100 

each. 

The British website www.animal-paradise.co.uk advertised the species for between £79 

and £120 each. 

Offered for sale on the Italian website www.supernatura.it. 

On the British website www.dendroworld.co.uk it was stated that P. sauvagii was not 

as readily available as other Phyllomedusa species. 

An Italian hobbyist commented on www.sanguefreddo.net that it is a good terrarium 

species but that it was not easy to find it in the market. 

Two British hobbyists reported owning individuals of the species, one on the website 

http://www.captivebred.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=44434 and the other on 

http://www.livefoodshop.co.uk/forum/index.php?s=ba454dc0d0bac17e33c212175f12ef 

ac&showtopic=53038. 

A French hobbyist also reported having the species on the website 

http://www.reptilic.com/post-5816.html&sid=7633ad48bce851b2137ab468b6e9efe1. 

The species was mentioned in the Dutch website’s forum 

http://www.gifkikkerportaal.nl/Forum/tabid/96/forumid/11/postid/52478/view/to 

pic/Default.aspx. 

Several websites provided care sheets for the species including: 

www.wnyherp.org (USA) 

www.sandfiredragonranch.com (USA) 

www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/facilities/herp/caresheetpages/waxies.html 

(USA) 

http://derekb15.tripod.com/id11.html 

59

www.pollywog.co.uk (UK) 

http://talkto.thefrog.org/index.php?action=vthread&forum=14&topic=1542 (UK) 

http://lesbestioles.forumactif.com/l-aquarium-f7/un-aquarium-ou-un-aqua-terrariumd-amphibiens-t41.htm 

(France) 

http://batraciens.net/phyllomedusa_sauvagii.php (France) 

http://www.exotic-world.de/Froesche/Phyllomedusa_sauvagii.htm (Germany) 


Its population was presumed large (Aquino et al., 2004) and it occurs in many protected areas 

(IUCN et al., 2007). 

P. sauvagii was considered to be threatened by the international pet trade and, in Argentina, 

by the destruction of Chaco habitat for agriculture and wood extraction, land and water 

pollution caused by agrochemical runoff. Fires are also a threat (IUCN et al., 2007). 

Reported to be under great pressure because of the pet trade and for biochemical studies of 

its skin secretions (TNC, 2005). Also threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and legal and 

illegal trade (TNC, 2005). 

ARGENTINA: P. sauvagii was reported to occur in the provinces of Chaco (Departments 

General Guemes and Libertador General San Martín – Pampa del Indio regional park), 

Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa (Department of Pilcomayo), Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, Salta 

(Department of Anta), San Luís (Department Belgrano), Santa Fe, San Luis, and Tucumán 

(Department of Yerba Buena) (Lavilla et al., 2000a; APN, 2007). 

Occurrence reported by APN (2007) in the following National Parks: Calilegua NP (in Jujuy), 

Copo NP (in Santiago del Estero), El Rey NP (in Salta), Rio Pilcomayo NP (in Formosa), and 

Sierra de las Quijadas NP (in San Luis). Lavilla et al. (2000b) also reported its occurrence in the 

protected areas of El Rey and Calilegua as well as Horco Molle. 

It is present in the following eco-regions: Humid Chaco, Dry Chaco, “Monte de Llanuras y 

Mesetas”, and “Selva de las Yungas” (APN, 2007). 

P. sauvagii was reported from six out of eight localities explored in the Impenetrable region of 

Argentina, particularly: Loro Hablador, Fuerte Esperanza, El Torito, Lujan, Rio Muerto and 

Taco Pozo (Kacoliris et al., 2006) 

It was considered to be a very common species occurring in a variety of habitats, including 

those under high anthropogenic pressure, therefore the species was not regarded as 

threatened (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). P. sauvagii was reported to be commonly sold in pet 

shops, but the extraction of individuals from the wild was considered to probably not pose a 

real threat (Vaira, pers. comm. 2007). The species was not considered to be threatened 

according to the Argentinean Herpetological Society (Lavilla et al., 2000a; APN, 2007). 

P. sauvagii was considered to be affected by habitat alteration in the montane jungles and 

plains of northern Argentina, and also by the pet trade (Lavilla, 2001). The species was 

reported to be for sale in shops in the main cities of the country, as well as in several websites 

surveyed, which included two from North America, two from South America and two from 

Europe (Lavilla, 2001). 

BOLIVIA: P. sauvagii occurs in Bolivia, in the Departments of Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz and Tarija 

(De la Riva et al., 2000). Reported from the Nature Reserve El Corbalán, Tarija, Bolivia (Gonzales 

et al., 2006). 

60

Lucindo Gonzales (pers. comm. 2007) reported that the species was widely distributed in 

Bolivia in the Chaco and in transition areas of dry forest, but that nothing was known about 

international trade in the species from the country. Steffen Reichle (pers. comm. 2007a) reported 

that the species is very common in the Bolivian Chaco and also in some parts of the Chiquitania 

in Bolivia, being found in high numbers in most artificial ponds. Trade was not considered a 

threat to the species in Bolivia by Reichle (2007b). 

BRAZIL: Reported to occur in Mato Groso do Sul (IUCN et al., 2007). No information on its 

status in Brazil was identified. 

PARAGUAY: It occurs in the Departments of Alto Paraguay, Boquerón, Concepción and 

Presidente Hayes. It is present in the eco-regions of Cerrado (Serranía de San Luís National 

Park), Humid Chaco and Dry Chaco (Brusquetti & Lavilla, 2006). 

The population density of the species has not been studied. Some abundance surveys were 

carried out, which indicated that the species was “very abundant” in the Chaco region during 

the rainy season (October-February). After February it could not be found until the next great 

rains in October-November (Aquino, pers. comm. 2007). 

Legal exploitation of the species only occurred between 1999 and 2003. During this period, an 

average of 3,500 individuals were exported annually, with 10,000 individuals exported in 2003 

(Aquino, pers. comm. 2007). Paraguay currently prohibits the export of all CITES-listed species 

(Notification to the Parties No. 2003/058) and all fauna as a result of a voluntary suspension 

(Aquino, pers. comm. 2007). 

REFERENCES: 



http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/fichas.aspx?accion=buscar&palabra=Melanophry&id=12 


Aquino, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucy Aquino (WWF 

Paraguay) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP-WCMC), October 2007. 

Aquino, L., Colli, G., Reichle, S., Silvano, D., di Tada, I. & Lavilla, E. 2004. Phyllomedusa 

sauvagii. In: IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. URL: 

www.iucnredlist.org Accessed October 2007. 



Coote, J. 1999. Phyllomedusa sauvagii - the pet frog of the future. Reptilia 6: 64-68. 







Gonzales, L., Muñoz & Cortez, E. 2006. Primer reporte sobre la herpetofauna de la Reserva 

Natural “El Corbalán”, Tarija, Bolivia. Kempffiana 2(1): 72-94. 

Gonzales, L. 2007. Personal communication. E-mail correspondence between Lucindo Gonzales 

(Natural History Museum Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia) and Pablo Sinovas (UNEP- 

WCMC), November 2007. 



Kacoliris, F.P., Berkunsky, I. & Williams, J. 2006. Herpetofauna of the Argentinean 

Impenetrable Great Chaco. Phyllomedusa 5 (2): 149-157. 



61

& Candioti, F.V. 2000a. Categorización de los anfibios de Argentina. In: Lavilla, E.O., 



Lavilla, E.O., Vaira, M., Ponssa, M.L. & Ferrari, L. 2000b. Batracofaunas de las Yungas 

Andinas de Argentina: una sintesis. Cuadernos de Herpetologia 14(1): 5-26. 


argentinos. Cuadernos de Herpetologia 15 (1): 59-82. 









(UNEP-WCMC). October 2007. 


Nature Conservancy, Fundación DeSdel Chaco, Wildlife Conservation Society, 

Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina. URL: http://www.tnc.org.br/chaco/chaco.html, 


62

ANURA 

ANNEX 1. Overview of amphibian species for which regional/international 

trade (threats 3.1.3, 3.2.3, 3.3.3., 3.4.3, and 3.5.3) may pose a major threat. 

Source: IUCN (2007) 

Taxon 

BOMBINATORIDAE 

Common name 

Red List 


CITES/EC 

listing 


regional/international trade 3 

Bombina maxima Large-Webbed Bell Toad LC C/S/L activities 

BUFONIDAE 

Atelopus cruciger Rancho Grande Harlequin Frog CR C/S/L activities 

Atelopus senex Pass Stubfoot Toad CR C/S/L activities 

Atelopus siranus DD C/S/L activities 

Atelopus varius Harlequin Frog CR C/S/L activities 

Golden Arrow Poison Frog, Golden Frog, 

Atelopus zeteki 

Panamanian Golden Frog, Zetek's Golden Frog CR I/A C/S/L activities 

Bufo blombergi Blomberg’s Toad NT Medicine 

Bufo gargarizans Asiatic Toad, Miyako Toad, Zhoushan Toad LC Medicine 

Bufo superciliaris African Giant Toad, Congo Toad LC I/A C/S/L activities 

Melanophryniscus atroluteus Uruguay Redbelly Toad LC C/S/L activities 

Melanophryniscus cambaraensis Brazilian Redbelly Toad DD C/S/L activities 

Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus LC C/S/L activities 

Melanophryniscus stelzneri Redbelly Toad LC C/S/L activities 

Melanophryniscus tumifrons Swelling Redbelly Toad LC C/S/L activities 

Pedostibes hosii Common Tree Toad LC C/S/L activities 

DENDROBATIDAE 

Dendrobates altobueyensis Golden Poison Frog VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Green and Black Poison Frog, Green Poison 

Dendrobates auratus 

Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates azureus Blue Poison Frog VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates bombetes Cauca Poison Frog EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates castaneoticus Brazil-nut Poison Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates claudiae DD II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates galactonotus Splash-backed Posion Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates granuliferus Granular Poison Frog VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates histrionicus Harlequin Poison Frog LC II/B Medicine, C/S/L activities 

Lehmann's Poison Frog, Red-Banded Poison 

Dendrobates lehmanni 

Frog CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates opisthomelas Andean Poison Frog VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Flaming Poison Frog, Red-And-Blue Poison 

Dendrobates pumilio 

Frog, Strawberry Poison Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates speciosus Splendid Poison Frog EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates steyermarki Demonic Poison Frog CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates sylvaticus NT II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates tinctorius Dyeing Poison Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates truncatus Yellow-Striped Poison Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates vicentei Vicente's Poison Frog DD II/B C/S/L activities 

Dendrobates virolensis EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Epipedobates boulengeri Marbled Poison Frog LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Epipedobates pulchripectus Beautiful-breasted Poison Frog DD II/B C/S/L activities 

Epipedobates silverstonei Silverstone's Poison Frog DD II/B C/S/L activities 

Epipedobates trivittatus Three-stripped Poison Frog LC II/B Medicine, C/S/L activities 

3 

C/S/L activities: Cultural/scientific/leisure activities. 

63

Taxon 

Common name 

Red List 


CITES/EC 

listing 



Phyllobates bicolor Black-Legged Poison Frog NT II/B C/S/L activities 

Phyllobates terribilis Golden Poison Frog EN II/B C/S/L activities 

HYLIDAE 

Agalychnis annae Blue-Sided Treefrog EN C/S/L activities 

Hyla chinensis Common Chinese Tree Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Hylomantis medinai Rancho Grande Leaf Frog DD C/S/L activities 

Phyllodytes auratus El Tucuche Golden Frog CR C/S/L activities 

Phyllomedusa iheringii Southern Walking Leaf Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Phyllomedusa sauvagii Painted-belly Leaf Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Plectrohyla dasypus Honduras Spikethumb Frog CR C/S/L activities 

Plectrohyla exquisita CR C/S/L activities 

HYPEROLIIDAE 

Heterixalus rutenbergi Rutenberg’s Reed Frog NT C/S/L activities 


Caudiverbera caudiverbera VU Food 

Ceratophrys aurita Brazilian Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys calcarata Venezuelan Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys cornuta Amazonian Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys cranwelli Chacoan Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys joazeirensis Caatinga Horned Frog DD C/S/L activities 

Ceratophrys ornata Ornate Horned Frog NT C/S/L activities 

Chacophrys pierottii Chaco Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Leptodactylus laticeps Santa Fe Frog NT C/S/L activities 

MANTELLIDAE 

Mantella aurantiaca Golden Frog, Golden Mantella CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella bernhardi Bernhard's Mantella EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella betsileo Brown Mantella LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella cowanii Cowan's Mantella CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella crocea Yellow Mantella EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella expectata Blue-Legged Mantella CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella madagascariensis Madagascan Mantella VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella manery Marojejy Mantella DD II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella milotympanum Black-Eared Mantella CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella nigricans Guibé's Mantella LC II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella pulchra Beautiful Mantella VU II/B C/S/L activities 

Mantella viridis Green Mantella CR II/B C/S/L activities 

MEGOPHRYIDAE 

Megophrys nasuta 

MICROHYLIDAE 

Borneon Horned Frog, Horned Toad, Large 

Horned Frog, Malayan Horned Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Dyscophus antongilii Tomato Frog NT II/B C/S/L activities 

Platypelis milloti Nosy Be Giant Treefrog EN C/S/L activities 

Scaphiophryne boribory EN II/B C/S/L activities 

Scaphiophryne gottlebei Red Rain Frog CR II/B C/S/L activities 

Scaphiophryne marmorata Marbled Rain Frog VU II/B C/S/L activities 

PIPIDAE 

Pipa snethlageae LC C/S/L activities 

RANIDAE 

Conraua goliath Goliath Frog EN -/B C/S/L activities 

Discodeles guppyi Shortland Island Webbed Frog LC C/S/L activities 

Euphlyctis hexadactylus Indian Green Frog LC II/B Food 

64

Taxon 

Fejervarya cancrivora 

Common name 

Red List 


CITES/EC 

listing 



Asian Brackish Frog, Crab-Eating Frog, 

Mangrove Frog, Rice Field Frog LC Food 

Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Indian Bullfrog LC II/B Food 

Blyth's River Frog, Giant Asian River Frog, 

Limnonectes blythii 

Giant Frog NT Food 

Limnonectes grunniens Amboina Wart Frog LC Food 


Fanged River Frog, Javan Giant Frog, Malaya 

Wart Frog, Stone Creek Frog VU Food 

Limnonectes magnus 

Giant Philippine Frog, Large Swamp Frog, 

Mindanao Fanged Frog NT Food 

Limnonectes malesianus Malesian Frog, Peat Swamp Frog NT Food 

Limnonectes shompenorum Shompen Frog LC Food 

Paa bourreti Bournet’s Frog DD Food 

Rana amurensis Siberian Wood Frog LC Medicine 

Rana chensinensis Asiatic Grass Frog, Chinese Brown Frog LC Food, Medicine 

Rana dybowskii Dybowski’s Frog LC Food, Medicine 

Rana esculenta Edible Frog LC Food 

Rana huanrenensis Huanren Frog LC Food, Medicine 

Rana kurtmuelleri Balkan Water Frog LC Food 

Rana shqiperica Albanian Water Frog EN Food 

RHACOPHORIDAE 

Theloderma corticale Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog DD C/S/L activities 

CAUDATA 

AMBYSTOMATIDAE 

Ambystoma mexicanum Axolotl CR II/B C/S/L activities 

HYNOBIIDAE 

Hynobius nebulosus Clouded Salamander LC C/S/L activities 

Hynobius tokyoensis Tokyo Salamander VU C/S/L activities 

Central Asian Salamander, Semirechensk 

Ranodon sibiricus 

Salamander EN Medicine, C/S/L activities 


Bolitoglossa dofleini Doflein’s Mushroom-tongue Salamander NT C/S/L activities 

Bolitoglossa pesrubra EN C/S/L activities 

Plethodon petraeus Pigeon Mountain Salamander VU C/S/L activities 

SALAMANDRIDAE 

Cynops cyanurus Chuxiong Fire-Bellied Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Cynops ensicauda Sword-Tailed Newt EN C/S/L activities 

Cynops orientalis Oriental Fire-Bellied Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Echinotriton andersoni Anderson's Crocodile Newt EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra antalyana EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra atifi EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra billae CR C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra fazilae EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra flavimembris EN C/S/L activities 

Lyciasalamandra luschani Luschan's Salamander, Lycian Salamander EN C/S/L activities 

Neurergus kaiseri Luristan Newt CR C/S/L activities 

Neurergus microspilotus Kurdistan Newt EN C/S/L activities 

Notophthalmus perstriatus Striped Newt NT C/S/L activities 

Pachytriton brevipes Black-Spotted Stout Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Pachytriton labiatus Spotless Stout Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Paramesotriton deloustali Tam Dao Salamander, Vietnamese Salamander VU C/S/L activities 

Paramesotriton fuzhongensis Wanggao Warty Newt VU C/S/L activities 

Paramesotriton hongkongensis Hong Kong Warty Newt NT C/S/L activities 

65

Taxon 

Common name 

Red List 


CITES/EC 

listing 



Paramesotriton laoensis DD C/S/L activities 

Salamandra algira North African Fire Salamander VU C/S/L activities 

Salamandra salamandra Common Fire Salamander, Fire Salamander LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus alpestris Alpine Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Great Crested Newt, Northern Crested Newt, 

Triturus cristatus 

Warty Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus karelinii Southern Crested Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus marmoratus Marbled Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Triturus vittatus Banded Newt LC C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton kweichowensis Red-Tailed Knobby Newt VU C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton shanjing NT C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton taliangensis Taliang Knobby Newt NT C/S/L activities 

Tylototriton verrucosus Himalayan Salamander, Red Knobby Newt LC Medicine, C/S/L activities 

66

ANNEX 2. Country codes. 

AD Andorra 

AE United Arab 

Emirates 

AF Afghanistan 

AG Antigua and 

Barbuda 

AI Anguilla 

AL Albania 

AM Armenia 

AN Netherlands 

Antilles 

AO Angola 

AQ Antarctica 

AR Argentina 

AS American 

Samoa 

AT Austria 

AU Australia 

AW Aruba 

AX Åland Islands 

AZ Azerbaijan 

BA Bosnia and 

Herzegovina 

BB Barbados 

BD Bangladesh 

BE Belgium 

BF Burkina Faso 

BG Bulgaria 

BH Bahrain 

BI Burundi 

BJ Benin 

BM Bermuda 

BN Brunei 

Darussalam 

BO Bolivia 

BR Brazil 

BS Bahamas 

BT Bhutan 

BV Bouvet Island 

BW Botswana 

BY Belarus 

BZ Belize 

CA Canada 

CC Cocos 

(Keeling) Islands 

CD Congo, 

Democratic 

Republic of 

CF Central 

African Republic 

CG Congo 

CH Switzerland 

CI Côte d'Ivoire 

CK Cook Islands 

CL Chile 

CM Cameroon 

CN China 

CO Colombia 

CR Costa Rica 

CU Cuba 

CV Cape Verde 

CX Christmas 

Island 

CY Cyprus 

CZ Czech 

Republic 

DD former East 

Germany 

DE Germany 

DJ Djibouti 

DK Denmark 

DM Dominica 

DO Dominican 

Republic 

DZ Algeria 

EC Ecuador 

EE Estonia 

EG Egypt 

EH Western 

Sahara 

ER Eritrea 

ES Spain 

ET Ethiopia 

FI Finland 

FJ Fiji 

FK Falkland 

Islands (Malvinas) 

FM Micronesia, 

Federated States 

of 

FO Faroe Islands 

FR France 

FX France, 

Metropolitan 

GA Gabon 

GB United 

Kingdom 

GD Grenada 

GE Georgia 

GF French Guiana 

GH Ghana 

GI Gibraltar 

GL Greenland 

GM Gambia 

GN Guinea 

GP Guadeloupe 

GQ Equatorial 

Guinea 

GR Greece 

GS South Georgia 

and the South 

Sandwich Islands 

GT Guatemala 

GU Guam 

GW Guinea- 

Bissau 

GY Guyana 

HK Hong Kong 

HM Heard and 

McDonald Islands 

HN Honduras 

HR Croatia 

HT Haiti 

HU Hungary 

ID Indonesia 

IE Ireland 

IL Israel 

IN India 

IO British Indian 

Ocean Territory 

IQ Iraq 

IR Iran, Islamic 


IS Iceland 

IT Italy 

JM Jamaica 

JO Jordan 

JP Japan 

KE Kenya 

KG Kyrgyzstan 

KH Cambodia 

KI Kiribati 

KM Comoros 

KN Saint Kitts and 

Nevis 

KP Korea, 

Democratic 

People's Republic 


KR Korea, 


KW Kuwait 

KY Cayman 

Islands 

KZ Kazakhstan 

LA Lao People's 

Democratic 

Republic 

LB Lebanon 

LC Saint Lucia 

LI Liechtenstein 

LK Sri Lanka 

LR Liberia 

LS Lesotho 

LT Lithuania 

LU Luxembourg 

LV Latvia 

LY Libyan Arab 

Jamahiriya 

MA Morocco 

MC Monaco 

MD Moldova, 


ME Montenegro 

MG Madagascar 

MH Marshall 

Islands 

MK Macedonia 

ML Mali 

MM Myanmar 

MN Mongolia 

MO Macau 

MP Northern 

Mariana Islands 

MQ Martinique 

MR Mauritania 

MS Montserrat 

MT Malta 

MU Mauritius 

MV Maldives 

MW Malawi 

MX Mexico 

MY Malaysia 

MZ Mozambique 

NA Namibia 

NC New 

Caledonia 

NE Niger 

NF Norfolk Island 

NG Nigeria 

NI Nicaragua 

NL Netherlands 

NO Norway 

NP Nepal 

NR Nauru 

NU Niue 

NZ New Zealand 

OM Oman 

PA Panama 

PC former Pacific 

Trust Territory 

PE Peru 

PF French 

Polynesia 

PG Papua New 

Guinea 

PH Philippines 

PK Pakistan 

PL Poland 

PM St Pierre and 

Miquelon 

PN Pitcairn 

PR Puerto Rico 

PS Occupied 

Palestinian 

Territory 

PT Portugal 

PW Palau 

PY Paraguay 

QA Qatar 

RE Réunion 

RO Romania 

RS Serbia 

RU Russian 

Federation 

RW Rwanda 

SA Saudi Arabia 

SB Solomon 

Islands 

SC Seychelles 

SD Sudan 

SE Sweden 

SG Singapore 

SH St Helena and 

Dependencies 

SI Slovenia 

SJ Svalbard and 

Jan Mayen Islands 

SK Slovakia 

SL Sierra Leone 

SM San Marino 

SN Senegal 

SO Somalia 

SR Suriname 

ST Sao Tome and 

Principe 

SU former Soviet 

Union 

SV El Salvador 

SY Syrian Arab 

Republic 

SZ Swaziland 

TC Turks and 

Caicos Islands 

TD Chad 

TF French 

Southern 

Territories 

TG Togo 

TH Thailand 

TJ Tajikistan 

TK Tokelau 

TL Timor-Leste 

TM Turkmenistan 

TN Tunisia 

TO Tonga 

TR Turkey 

TT Trinidad and 

Tobago 

TV Tuvalu 

TW Taiwan, 

Province of China 

TZ Tanzania, 

United Republic 


UA Ukraine 

UG Uganda 

UM United States 

Minor Outlying 

Islands 

US United States 

of America 

UY Uruguay 

UZ Uzbekistan 

VA Vatican City 

State (Holy See) 

VC Saint Vincent 

and the 

Grenadines 

VE Venezuela 

VG Virgin Islands 

(British) 

VI Virgin Islands 

(U.S.) 

VN Viet Nam 

VU Vanuatu 

WF Wallis and 

Futuna Islands 

WS Samoa 

XA1 French 

Antilles 

XC1 Caribbean 

XE1 Europe 

XF1 Africa 

XM1 South 

America 

XS1 Asia 

XV1 Various 

XX1 Unknown 

YE Yemen 

YT Mayotte 

YU former 

Yugoslavia/ 

Serbia & 

Montenegro 

ZA South Africa 

ZC1 former 

Czechoslovakia 

ZM Zambia 

ZW Zimbabw 

67

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