Christy’s tree frog

Globally, amphibians are experiencing catastrophic declines, with forest-dwelling species thought to be particularly sensitive to human disturbance. Forests with high amphibian species diversity, such as the Budongo forest in Uganda, are therefore of great conservation value. RZSS are working with The Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) to monitor the forest’s amphibians.

The BCFS amphibian team conduct monthly species diversity surveys based upon specialist training received from RZSS research associate Dr Thomas Doherty-Bone. Several species new to the forest have been recorded and the team are investigating the distribution of amphibian species across logged and disturbed areas of forest, comparing them to areas of pristine forest.  

This regular monitoring has been important to understanding worldwide threats to amphibians, with data collected by BCFS contributing to global efforts to understand the origin of the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), a deadly disease affecting amphibians globally.  

Christy’s tree frog, named for British Army doctor Dr Cuthbert Christy, is currently listed by the IUCN as Least Concern. However, the BCFS amphibian team (along with other researchers) have found that this species is highly forest dependent and being an endemic to the Albertine Rift, is likely more threatened than the IUCN assessment.