From the IUCN Red List Species Account:

Range Description

This species is restricted to western, southern and eastern Morocco, ranging into northern Western Sahara and north-western Algeria, from sea level to 1,600m asl.

Habitat and Ecology

It is present in semi-arid, hilly areas with Argania spinosa, Euphorbia, and graminaceous vegetation. It may be found in ploughed fields (Schleich, Kästle and Kabisch 1996), and hides beneath stones during the day. The temporary ponds that it breeds in are mostly located in rocky areas, and it has been observed in artificial waterbodies (such as dammed temporary rivers).

Population

It can be abundant in suitable habitat, but is in decline as its habitats are being lost.

Population Trend

decreasing

Major Threats

It is threatened through much of its range by increased aridity, pollution and drainage of its breeding habitats.

Conservation Actions

This species is present in Parc National de Souss-Massa but is not protected by national legislation. It can be bred successfully in captivity.

Red List Status

Near Threatened (NT)

Rationale

Listed as Near Threatened because this species is probably in significant decline (but probably at a rate of less than 30% over ten years) because of serious habitat degradation through most of its range, thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable.

Citation

Alfredo Salvador, David Donaire-Barroso, El Hassan El Mouden, Tahar Slimani, Philippe Geniez, José Mateo 2006. Barbarophryne brongersmai. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006: e.T54594A11158438. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T54594A11158438.en .Downloaded on 23 January 2019