1.0

The information consolidated within the project will build up a comprehensive identification guide, as well as mapping the ranges of each species.

FrogMAP continues SAFAP. After the project completion in 2003, the SAFAP database was closed and no additional records were added until it was re-opened as FrogMAp in the Virtual Museum system on 20-09-2010.

SAFAP is the Southern African Frog Atlas Project. The principal objectives of SAFAP were:

(1) Compile a comprehensive list of frogs species occuring in each quarter-degree grid cell in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.

(2) Use this information to map the distribution of all frog species in the atlas region.

(3) Assess the current conservation status of each species using the SAFAP distribution data.

(4) Create a database and publish a report to inform conservation planing and biological research on southern African frogs.

(5) Raise public awareness and appreciation for frogs and their conservation needs.

Data collection began in 1996 and continued into 2003, a period of more than seven years (the atlas period). In addition to data collected during the atlas period, data that predated 1996, some going back 100 years or more, were accessed from several institutions and from the field records and databases of individuals. Pre-1996 and post-1995 data are clearly distinguished in the distribution maps and summary statistics.

The atlas region consists of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. A quarter-degree grid, superimposed on this region, divided it into 2008 quarter-degree grid cells (QDGCs), each cell measuring 15 minutes of latitude by 15 minutes of longitude and c. 676 km2 in area, because lines of longitude converge towards the poles, the grid cells in the north of the atlas region are about 11% larger than those in the south. All data were referenced to at least the QDGC level of accuracy, but most of the commissioned data and those collected by the regional organizers were referenced to the nearest second, using a global positioning system.

Separation of the pre-1996 and post-1995 data sets (Figs 5 and 6) in the distribution maps and summary ­statistics implies that comparisons may be made between those two periods. Such comparisons are limited by differences in coverage achieved during each period. The atlas project attempted systematic coverage of all grid cells in the atlas region, whereas museum collecting has tended to concentrate on more limited areas or selected sites. Therefore, it cannot be ­assumed that differences in geographical distribution between the periods for a given species indicates actual change over time. The atlas data should generally be used only to generate hypotheses for testing. Over most of the atlas region, these data represent a benchmark for comparisons with future surveys

The book has species accounts and distribution maps for all 115 known frog species of the region as well as colour photos of the threatened species and their habitats and threats. The four introductory chapters cover project methods, conservation issues, biogeography of the region’s frogs, and causes of declines. The distribution maps reflect data collected during seven years of fieldwork (1996–2003) and earlier data compiled from museum records, private collections, the literature and conservation agencies.

Citation: Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. 2004. Edited by Minter L.R., Burger M., Harrison J.A., Braack H.H., Bishop P.J. & Kloepfer D. SI/MAB Series no. 9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Published by the Smithsonian Institution and the Avian Demography Unit (now Animal Demography Unit).

FrogMAP data sources and number of records in brackets: (as of 2018-10-31):

ADU-UCT (12386);

A. Channing (private records) (231);

A.L. de Villiers (private records) (378);

American Museum of Natural History, New York (173);

Angelo Lambiris (private collection and data base) (501);

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (259);

Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum) (4821);

Durban Natural Science Museum, Durban (500);

Eastern Cape Department of Nature Conservation (2156);

Enviro-Insight (137);

G. Alexamder (private records) (1241);

John Ellerman Museum, Stellenbosch (70);

M. Bates (private records) (264);

M. Burger (private records) (2420);

Martin Pickersgill, UK (private database) (80);

Mpumalanga Park Board (3163);

Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg (1262);

*National Museum, Bloemfontein (1041);

*Port Elizabeth Museum, Port Elizabeth (1690);

SANParks (5359);

Unknown (various collections) (11252);

Vincent Carruthers (transcription of field notes) (479);

Western Cape Nature Conservation Board, Stellenbosch (1553).

* indicates non-shareable records.

SANS 1878

FGDC-STD-001-1998