IUCN Red List Category: DD (Published 2004-04-30)
2004-04-30 00:00:00 UTC
Taxonomy
| Animalia | Chordata | Vertebrata | Amphibia | Anura | Brachycephalidae | Brachycephalus | Brachycephalus nodoterga |
Taxonomic notes: This species was resurrected from the synonymy of Brachycephalus ephippium by Heyer et al. (1990). The population to which this name has been applied by Heyer et al. (1990) does not agree with the diagnosis of B. nodoterga, and so questions remain over the taxonomic validity of this species.
Comments
Geographic Range
This species is known only from the type locality in the Serra da Cantareira, in São Paulo State, Brazil. There might be other localities identified soon, but resolution of its taxonomic status is still required. It is known from around 1,000m asl.
Habitat
All specimens were collected on the forest floor of primary forest. It presumably breeds by direct development, like others in the genus, but this has not been observed.
Threats
Habitat destruction is a major threat to this species, and the Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil has suffered extensive destruction and degradation due to logging and ongoing large-scale clearance for cattle pasture, and crops such as sugar cane, coffee, and exotic trees, as well as for smallholder agriculture.
Specific Threats
- 2.1.3 Agro-industry farming
- 5.3.4 Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest]
- 2.3.3 Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming
- 2.3.2 Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
- 1.3 Tourism & recreation areas
- 2.1.2 Small-holder farming
Conservation Actions
Taxonomic research is needed as a conservation measure, in particular to confirm the existence of this species at other localities. Further maintenance and conservation of its habitat is also recommended. This species' range includes Parque Estadual da Serra da Cantareira.
Red List Rationale
Listed as Data Deficient in view of continuing uncertainties as to its taxonomic validity, extent of occurrence and ecological requirements.
See CLEMENTE-CARVALHO, R. B. G.; PEREZ, S. I.; TONHATTI, C. H.; CONDEZ, T. H.; SAWAYA, R. J.; HADDAD, C. F. B. & REIS, S. F. 2016 (in press). Boundaries of Morphological and Molecular Variation and the Distribution Range of a Miniaturized Froglet, Brachycephalus nodoterga (Anura: Brachycephalidae). Journal of Herpetology. (early view available at www.ricardosawaya.com > publications).
Three populations are presently assigned to B. nodoterga: in Serra da Cantareira (type-locality), Salesópolis (Redescribed by Heyer) and Ilha de São Sebastião (see reference above).
See CLEMENTE-CARVALHO, R. B. G.; PEREZ, S. I.; TONHATTI, C. H.; CONDEZ, T. H.; SAWAYA, R. J.; HADDAD, C. F. B. & REIS, S. F. 2016 in press. Boundaries of Morphological and Molecular Variation and the Distribution Range of a Miniaturized Froglet, Brachycephalus nodoterga (Anura: Brachycephalidae). Journal of Herpetology (early view at www.ricardosawaya.com > publications).