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: BUFONIDAE
SPECIES:
Melanophryniscus fulvoguttatus
SYNONYMS: -
COMMON NAMES: -
RANGE STATES:
IUCN RED LIST:
PREVIOUS EC OPINIONS:
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
Least Concern
n/a
TRADE PATTERNS:
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).
CONSERVATION STATUS IN RANGE STATES
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
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