Cameroon Slippery Frog

biology

Conraua robusta is a large frog that has a limited range in Nigeria and Cameroon, living near or breeding in rapidly flowing streams and rivers. This species is sought for its food value in the bushmeat market and is classified as Vulnerable not only from the threat of overharvesting, but from ongoing destruction of habitat.

African Amphibians

conservation

The IUCN has classified this species as Vulnerable [B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) ver 3.1], since the taxon's Extent of Occurrence is less than 20,000 km2 and its Area of Occupancy is less than 2,000 km2, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat (Amiet & Gartshore, 2004). The species is regarded as uncommon, and its population is deemed to be declining.

African Amphibians

management

C. robusta occurs in the Cross River National Park in Nigeria. According to the IUCN, there is a need to work with local communities to ensure that the harvest of this species from the wild is managed sustainably, since this anuran is taken from the wild as food for indigenous peoples (Amiet & Gartshore, 2004).

African Amphibians

threats

C. robusta is a large anuran that is harvested for food and is considered a delicacy by local peoples in Cameroon and Nigeria. Despite being somewhat adaptable, it is thought to be adversely affected by the loss of forest habitat cleared for agriculture, logging, and human settlement; the sedimentation of its breeding streams is also having a detrimental impact on the species reproduction (Amiet & Gartshore, 2004).

African Amphibians