CoP17 Prop. 39

Inclusion of Burrowing Frogs Scaphiophryne marmorata, S. boribory and S. spinosa
in Appendix II
Proponent: Madagascar
Summary: Scaphiophryne boribory, S. marmorata and S. spinosa, known as burrowing frogs, are membersof a genus endemic to Madagascar in which nine species in total are currently recognised. One species,S. gottlebei, was listed in Appendix II in 2003. All three now proposed are green-brown in colour withattractive patterning. All species of the genus are assumed to be explosive breeders that only reproduce
once per rainy season after the first heavy rains1. They spend much of their time underground.
Because of their attractive colouration there is some demand in the international pet trade for these species.
However, their burrowing habits likely limit the extent of this demand, their appeal being confined mainly tospecialist hobbyists2. There is no known local use for any of the species.
Scaphiophryne boribory was described in 2003 from the Fierenana region of eastern Madagascar. Its
distribution is more extensive than had previously been thought, the species currently also being known fromBemanevika forest and Marotondrano Special Reserve3. It has been reported to be locally common but ispresumed to be in decline because of loss and degradation of habitat through conversion of land toagriculture and, locally, mining activities. The species was classified in the IUCN Red List as Endangered(2008), in part due to its limited known distribution at the time4.
There is very limited known trade in the species, which is reported to be collected for export around
Fierenana and Marotondrano. No imports into the USA are recorded in USA trade data for 2004 to 2013.
Madagascan export data for the period 2014 to 2015 record export of 40 to Japan in 2015.
Scaphiophryne marmorata occurs in east central Madagascar from Zahamena south to the region ofAndasibe. It has an extent of occurrence of around 15,000km2. Population size is unknown. The species has
been reported to be locally abundant, but the overall population is presumed to be declining as a result ofloss and degradation of habitat. The species was classified in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (2016).
Reported trade is limited, though higher than that for the other two species in the proposal. The USA
reported importing 2387 live S. marmorata from Madagascar between 2004 and 2013 all of which were wild.
Annual imports at the beginning of this time period were higher (ca.740 between 2004 and 2005, comparedwith ca. 115 between 2006 and 2013). Madagascan export data indicate export of 245 in 2015 to fivedifferent countries.
Scaphiophryne spinosa has a wide distribution in eastern Madagascar from Masoala south to the Chaines
Anosyennes in the far south5. There are no population estimates. The species can reportedly tolerate some
habitat modification and it is not regarded as under threat at present. It was classified in the IUCN Red List
as Least Concern (2016).
Very limited trade has been reported in this species. USA trade data for 2004 to 2013 indicate that the USA
imported 41 live individuals from Madagascar in 2008. Madagascan export data for 2012 to 2015 records
export of 180 to five countries in 2015.
Scaphiophryne spinosa was split from S. marmorata in 2002; the ranges of the two species overlap and they
are reportedly still sometimes confused in trade6. All three species may also be included in exports ofScaphiophryne that are not reported to species level.
All three species are nationally protected (2006-400 Category I and Class II) meaning trade is legal if there isevidence that the specimens were harvested outside of protected areas, or a permit has been obtained for
harvest within protected areas for scientific purposes7.
Other Scaphiophryne species (e.g. S. madagascariensis, and S. pustulosa) have been reported in trade. It
may be difficult for a non-expert to identify all the different species in the genus Scaphiophryne8,7, although
one expert noted it may be possible with guidance6. However, the three species subject to this proposal arerelatively distinct from the other species in the genus, and therefore with guidance should be able to be
identified from non-proposed Scaphiophryne, and S. gottlebei9.

1

CoP17 Prop. 39
Analysis: Scaphiophryne boribory, S. marmorata and S. spinosa all have relatively wide distributions ineastern Madagascar. There is no information on overall population status of any, although all three havebeen described as at least locally common. S. boribory and S. marmorata are likely to be declining overallowing to habitat loss and degradation. All three have appeared in international trade, but only S. marmorata
in any quantity; even for this species overall trade levels are relatively low. Demand for these species on theinternational market is likely to be limited. It seems unlikely that any of them meets the criteria for inclusion inAppendix II in Annex 2 a of Res. Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP16). However, given the difficulties in distinguishing
between these species, were one of them to be listed in Appendix II, then the others would meet the criteriain Annex 2b A (lookalike criteria).
The Appendix-II listed Scaphiophryne gottlebei was included in the Review of Significant Trade process in2008. The CITES Animals Committee subsequently decided that Madagascar was implementing therequirements of Article IV of the Convention for this species. It appears that none of the species proposed
here meet the criteria for inclusion in Annex 2 b of Res. Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP16).
Reviewers: M. D. Kusrini and C. Ratsimbazafy.
References:
Information not referenced in the Summary section is from the Supporting Statement.
1 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2016) Scaphiophryne marmorata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

2016.
2 Vences, M. & Glaw, F. (2008) Scaphiophryne marmorata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Accessed
18 May 2016.
3 Rabearivony, J., Raselimanana, A.P., Andriamazava, M.A., Thorstrom, R. & Rene de Roland, L. (2010) A new locality
for the endangered microhylid frog Scaphiophryne boribory from northern Madagascar and a rapid survey of otheramphibians of the Bemanevika region. Herpetology Notes 3:105-109.
4 Vences, M., Raxworthy, C.J. & Glaw, F. (2008) Scaphiophryne boribory. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2008.
5 IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2016) Scaphiophryne spinosa. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2016.
6 Vences, M. (2016) In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
7 Ratsimbazafy, C. (2016) In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
8 Andreone, F. (2016) In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.
9 Jenkins, M. (2016) In litt. to the IUCN/TRAFFIC Analyses Team, Cambridge, UK.

2