CR

Pseudo Forest Toad

Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri

Unknown

Overview

Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri is a species of toad in the family Bufonidae. It is endemic to the Uluguru Mountains in eastern Tanzania. Common names pseudo forest toad and false Tornier's viviparous toad have been proposed for it. Its specific name refers to its similarity to Nectophrynoides tornieri.

Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and human settlement in its restricted montane forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and forest fragmentation. Mining activities and charcoal production in the Uluguru Mountains pose additional pressures on remaining forest patches essential for this endemic toad's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane forests in the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania, typically found in moist forest environments at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters. It requires intact forest canopy and leaf litter for breeding and foraging, making it highly dependent on undisturbed montane forest ecosystems.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in BUFONIDAE

EN

Mertensophryne howelli

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Carchi Andes Toad

Rhaebo colomai

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EN

Rhinella cristinae

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EN

Atelopus nahumae

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Threatened in Tanzania

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Panicum pinifolium

Unknown
VU

Aidia abeidii

Unknown
EN

Meineckia stipularis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pseudo Forest Toad classified as Critically Endangered?
Pseudo Forest Toad 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. Nectophrynoides pseudotornieri faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and human settlement in its restricted montane forest range. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and forest fragmentation. Mining activities and charcoal production in the Uluguru Mountains pose additional pressures on remaining forest patches essential for this endemic toad's survival.
Where does Pseudo Forest Toad live?
Pseudo Forest Toad occurs in Tanzania. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pseudo Forest Toad?
The main threats to Pseudo Forest Toad are 2.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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