From the IUCN Red List Species Account:

Range Description

This species is known from Marojejy National Park, Tsaratanana and Sorata at 1,326-2,000m asl in northeast Madagascar (Glaw et al. 2011; Glaw et al. in preparation). It is morphologically most similar and, according to molecular data, closely related to G. ambohitra, G. asper, and G. spinifer (Vieites et al. 2009) and is thought to occur in sympatry with G. ambohitra, which occurs in Montagne d'Ambre, Manongarivo and Tsaratanana Massif (Andreone et al. 2009; Glaw et al. 2011). Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 9,749 km².

Habitat and Ecology

It was found in a small rainforest stream, perched on leaves about 50 cm high (Vences et al., 2006). Tadpole specimens were also confirmed to be from Marojejy National Park (Glaw et al. 2011).

Population

It is a relatively common in suitable habitat. However due to ongoing decline in the extent and quality of habitat, the population is suspected to be decreasing.

Population Trend

decreasing

Major Threats

Its forest habitat is at risk of receding due to subsistence agriculture (including livestock grazing), timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, and expanding human settlements. These threats are especially severe in Sorata.

Intensive illegal wood extraction of rosewood species within Marojejy National Park that followed the 2009 political crisis of Madagascar caused concerns for the survival of rainforest–restricted species, such as this one. However, while illegal rosewood logging has probably ceased, wood extraction currently taking place in the Park seems to occur at lower elevations and is not thought to have reached elevations where this species has been recorded; along the boundaries of Marojejy deforestation is taking place to clear land for agriculture (F. Glaw pers. comm. November 2015).

Species in this genus have tested positive for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), however currently there have been no negative effects observed within amphibian populations in Madagascar suggesting the Bd strain has a low virulence level (Bletz et al. 2015).

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions
This species occurs in Marojejy National Park.

Conservation Needed
Improved protection of forests in the region is required.

Research Needed
Further research is required to clarify the species' distribution, population size and trends, and it is essential to fully understand the distribution, origin, type and virulence of Bd lineages found in Madagascar (Bletz et al. 2015).

Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Rationale

Listed as Vulnerable because its extent of occurrence is 9,749 km², it is known from fewer than 10 threat-defined locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat in northeastern Madagascar.

Taxonomic Notes

This species belong to the Gephyromantis asper group and was previously confused with Gephyromantis ambohitra (Frost 2015).

Citation

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2016. Gephyromantis tahotra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T49565720A49566197. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T49565720A49566197.en .Downloaded on 10 December 2018