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
AMPHIBIA: LEPTODACTYLIDAE
SPECIES:
Leptodactylus laticeps
SYNONYMS:
COMMON NAMES:
RANGE STATES:
IUCN RED LIST:
PREVIOUS EC OPINIONS:
Santa Fe Frog (English), Rana coralina (Spanish)
Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay
Near Threatened
n/a
TRADE PATTERNS:
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).
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):
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.
CONSERVATION STATUS IN RANGE STATES
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).
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