CR

Leptodactylodon axillaris

Unknown

Overview

Leptodactylodon axillaris is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae. It is endemic to Cameroon. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, freshwater springs, rocky areas, and heavily degraded former forest. It is only recorded to Mount Bamboutos, West Region, Cameroon and is threatened by habitat loss.

Leptodactylodon axillaris faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion within its extremely limited range in Cameroon's montane forests. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the remaining suitable habitat, while climate change threatens to shift the species' narrow altitudinal requirements beyond available forest zones.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered frog inhabits montane forests in the Cameroon Highlands, typically found in primary forest environments at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. The species requires intact forest canopy and specific microhabitat conditions associated with undisturbed montane ecosystems.

Forest· majorArtificial - Terrestrial· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationAwareness & communications

Other threatened species in ARTHROLEPTIDAE

Leptopelis vermiculatusEN

Leptopelis vermiculatus

Unknown
EN

Bioko Squeaker Frog

Arthroleptis bioko

Declining
EN

Wager's Bush Squeaker

Arthroleptis wageri

Unknown
Leptopelis parkeriEN

Leptopelis parkeri

Unknown

Threatened in Cameroon

VU

Justicia orbicularis

Declining
Brachystephanus kupeensisCR

Brachystephanus kupeensis

Declining
VU

Whitfieldia preussii

Declining
EN

Justicia leucoxiphus

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Leptodactylodon axillaris classified as Critically Endangered?
Leptodactylodon axillaris is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Leptodactylodon axillaris faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive deforestation and agricultural conversion within its extremely limited range in Cameroon's montane forests. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the remaining suitable habitat, while climate change threatens to shift the species' narrow altitudinal requirements beyond available forest zones.
Where does Leptodactylodon axillaris live?
Leptodactylodon axillaris occurs in Cameroon. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Leptodactylodon axillaris?
The main threats to Leptodactylodon axillaris are 11.1, 2.1, 2.3, and 5.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.