| Citation |
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2017. Leptolalax firthi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T48101669A113957118. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T48101669A113957118.en. Downloaded on 09 May 2019. |
Description |
Geographic Range
NATIVE
Extant (resident)
Viet Nam
Presence Uncertain
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
1
UPPER ELEVATION LIMIT
1,720 metres
LOWER ELEVATION LIMIT
860 metres
UPPER DEPTH LIMIT
LOWER DEPTH LIMIT
Geographic Range in detail
ESTIMATED AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO) (KM²)
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN AREA OF OCCUPANCY (AOO)
ESTIMATED EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO) (KM²)
3920
CONTINUING DECLINE IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE (EOO)
CONTINUING DECLINE IN NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
Unknown
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF LOCATIONS
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species has been recorded from 860–1,720 m Asl within Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum Province and Song Thanh Nature Reserve, Quang Nam Province, Viet Nam (Rowley et al. 2012). It is unlikely that the species is truly restricted to these two reserves; habitat contiguous with that of its known localities occurs around adjacent parts of the Kon Tum Plateau, including Dong Am Pham National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Lao PDR. Further surveys there may result in an expansion of the species known range (Rowley et al. 2012). This broader range is reflected in the range map, which results in an estimated EOO of 3,920 km2, which represents one threat-defined location.
Population
CURRENT POPULATION TREND
Decreasing
NUMBER OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
POPULATION SEVERELY FRAGMENTED
Unknown
CONTINUING DECLINE OF MATURE INDIVIDUALS
Population in detail
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS
NO. OF SUBPOPULATIONS
CONTINUING DECLINE IN SUBPOPULATIONS
EXTREME FLUCTUATIONS IN SUBPOPULATIONS
ALL INDIVIDUALS IN ONE SUBPOPULATION
NO. OF INDIVIDUALS IN LARGEST SUBPOPULATION
DESCRIPTION
The species relative abundance is poorly known. It was described from six individuals and has been recorded as locally abundant during breeding season, however it is difficult to detect at other times (Rowley et al. 2012). The species population is suspected to be in decline due to the effects of logging and mining activity.
Habitat and Ecology
SYSTEM
Terrestrial, Freshwater (=Inland waters)
HABITAT TYPE
Wetlands (inland), Forest
GENERATION LENGTH (YEARS)
CONGREGATORY
MOVEMENT PATTERNS
Not a Migrant
CONTINUING DECLINE IN AREA, EXTENT AND/OR QUALITY OF HABITAT
Yes
Habitat and Ecology in detail
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This species inhabits montane rainforest. Individuals have been observed in and around streams where riparian vegetation is absent as a result of storm damage, however long-term tolerance to habitat disturbance is uncertain. Males are closely associated with small, shallow rocky streams within montane evergreen forest. The species is difficult to detect in the wet season, but appears relatively easy to detect in the breeding season (March-April), when large numbers of males call along streams (Rowley et al. 2012). Eggs and larvae of this species are unknown, however it likely has a free-swimming larval stage like all other Leptolalax species for which larvae are known (J. Rowley pers. comm. February 2015).
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Habitats Suitability Major importance
1. Forest 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Suitable Yes
5. Wetlands (inland) 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls) Suitable Yes
Threats
Energy production & mining
Mining & quarrying
Biological resource use
Logging & wood harvesting
Threats in detail
THREATS
This species depends on streams within montane evergreen forest for its survival. Habitat loss and degradation are therefore its most likely threats. Illegal logging and gold mining are ongoing within the species range and are currently the major drivers of these threatening processes (T. Q. Nguyen pers. comm. February 2014). Evidence suggests that it may be tolerant of some low-level habitat disturbance, as the species was observed in high abundance and calling in habitat highly modified by recent storms (Rowley et al. 2012).
CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Threats Timing Stresses Scope Severity Impact score Invasive species Virus
3. Energy production & mining 3.2. Mining & quarrying Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1.2. Ecosystem degradation
1.3. Indirect ecosystem effects
2. Species Stresses 2.1. Species mortality
2.2. Species disturbance
2.3. Indirect species effects 2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Unknown Unknown Unknown
5. Biological resource use 5.3. Logging & wood harvesting 5.3.4. Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Ongoing
1. Ecosystem stresses 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses 2.2. Species disturbance |
