The Herpetological Journal

pp.3-6

Authors: J.C. Poynton

Abstract: The toad family Bufonidae is being studied as part of a review of Tanzanian amphibians. The current list includes 6 genera (one undescribed), and 28 described and undescribed species. This represents 40% of the bufonid genera and 31 % of the bufonid species known in sub-Saharan Africa. Two genera and fifteen species are considered to be endemic. Tanzania appears to have the richest bufonid fauna of any sub-Saharan country. Bufonid distribution conforms with the tendency in Tanzania towards marked differences between upland and lowland biotic communities. Separation of the Afromontane Nectophrynoides and the lowland Mertensophryne and Stephopaedes is particularly striking. Fifty-seven per cent of the bufonid species recorded in Tanzania appear to be associated with forest. Precise data concerning the rate and extent of forest disturbance and deforestation are lacking, and the potential for forest-associated bufonids to survive these perturbations is unknown. Effective conservation action requires more information and improved understanding of the many factors involved.