Sechellophryne gardineri — Details

Gardiner's Seychelles Frog learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Brief Summary

Biology

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This species is terrestrial and nocturnal, and feeds on small invertebrates (6). Unlike most frogs, which lay their eggs in water, this species lays its eggs in small clumps on moist ground. The young do not hatch as tadpoles, but as fully formed small adult frogs. In other Sooglossidae species, tadpoles are carried on the female's or male's back until they metamorphose (7).
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Comprehensive Description

Description

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The Gardiner's tree frog is one of the smallest frogs in the world, growing to only 11 mm in length (2). This species is endemic to the Seychelles, as its other common name (Seychelles frog) suggests (3). In colour, it is green to brown, and has a distinctive dark band extending from the mouth and below the eye to the hind legs. The fore-limbs are small, while the hind-limbs are long and muscular (3).
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Distribution

Range Description

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This species occurs on Mahé and Silhouette islands in the Seychelles.
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Range

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This family of frogs is endemic to the Seychelles, a large group of islands in the Indian Ocean (4).
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
It lives both on the ground in forest litter and on low vegetation in leaf axils, in disturbed and undisturbed rainforest. It also occurs in areas dominated by introduced trees such as cinnamon. It breeds by direct development, the eggs being laid on the ground.

Systems
  • Terrestrial
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Habitat

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Most members of the Sooglossidae family are restricted to high altitudes, but the Gardiner's tree frog is more adaptable and occurs in a wide variety of high and mid-altitude sites, favouring moist and deep littered rocky areas (2) (5).
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
VU
Vulnerable

Red List Criteria
D2

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2004

Assessor/s
Ronald Nussbaum, Justin Gerlach

Reviewer/s
Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson and Neil Cox)

Contributor/s

Justification
Listed as Vulnerable because it is known from fewer than five locations.

History
  • 1996
    Vulnerable
  • 1994
    Rare
    (Groombridge 1994)
  • 1990
    Rare
    (IUCN 1990)
  • 1988
    Rare
    (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
  • 1986
    Indeterminate
    (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
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Status

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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
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Population

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Population
It is common at many sites in both disturbed and relatively undisturbed rainforest, occurring at densities of up to 2,000 animals per hectare in the best habitat.

Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
The main threat is habitat degradation, mainly due to fire and invasive species, but it is not thought to be seriously threatened since it is somewhat adaptable to secondary habitats. It might be inherently at risk because of its small range.
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Threats

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Land clearance for agriculture, human settlement, timber and tourism are the main threats on the Seychelle Islands. The majority of the lowland forests have been disturbed or destroyed, and coconut, vanilla and cinnamon plantations now occupy most of the coastal plateaus (6). This habitat loss has contributed to the decline in numbers of this species in recent years. This species is now classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (1).
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
It occurs in the Morne Seychellois National Park, and in the site of a conservation project on Silhouette. There is a need for close monitoring of the population status of this species.
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Conservation

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The Seychelles Islands are considered as some of the most beautiful places on Earth and are extremely rich in terms of biodiversity. Many small reserves on the islands have been set up by the Seychelles Government and independent agencies to protect specific species and general habitat areas (3) (4). These efforts are important in the protection of the islands' wildlife, though many species, including the Gardiner's tree frog, still remain threatened (7) (8). Much of the range on Mahé fall within the Morne Seychellois National Park and conservation of Silhouette island is managed by the Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles (9).
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Wikipedia

Gardiner's Seychelles frog

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Gardiner's frog (Sooglossus gardineri) is a small frog of the Sooglossidae family and endemic to the Seychelles.

Physical description

Gardiner's frog is one of the smallest frogs in the world, reaching a maximum length of 11 millimetres (0.4 in). Newly hatched frogs measure only 3 millimetres (0.1 in) in length. Adult males are only 8mm long. It is brown in color, and has a dark stripe running from its mouth to its legs. A relative comparison of the world's smallest frogs

Ecology and behavior

Gardiner's frog is a terrestrial frog, feeding on small invertebrates including mites, Sciarid larvae, ants and amphipods. It is restricted to the high and mid-altitude areas of Mahé and Silhouette Islands of the Seychelles group. This is unusual among the Sooglossidae, as most are restricted to the high latitudes, which have a stable climate due to constant mist. Although Gardiner's frog is secure in the regions in which it is found, it is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List because it is restricted to only five localities.

References

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