The Herpetological Journal

pp. 5-11

Authors: Mark S. Greener, Ruth Shepherd, Paul A. Hoskisson, Hamish Asmath & J. Roger Downie

Abstract: The Trinidad stream frog Mannophryne trinitatis is a Trinidad endemic inhabiting small seasonal forest streams throughout the northern and central range hills. IUCN has assessed the species as Vulnerable, but the evidence for this remains anecdotal. We surveyed the northern range population at five sites over three consecutive years using visual encounter and audio surveys, also using removal sampling at two of the sites. We further tested for the presence of chytrid infection at six sites in one year. Removal sampling revealed densities of about 100 and 600 frogs per 100 m of stream, resulting in a conservative estimate of3.5 million frogs in the northern Range when taking the total length of suitable streams into account. None of the 116 frogs were positive for chytrid, and no frog showed skin lesions or clinical signs of disease. Along with a lack of evidence for decline in the extent and quality of Trinidad stream frog habitat, we conclude that this species should no longer be regarded as under threat. Our results combined with previous work should provide a basis for future assessments of this species.

Key words: chytrid infection, IUCN Red List, Mannophryne trinitatis, removal sampling, Trinidad stream frog