Micro Frog
(Microbatrachella capensis)
This tiny frog is one of the smallest amphibians in South Africa with an adult length of approximately 15 mm. It only occurs in certain areas between Betty's Bay and Cape Agulhas and on one site on the Cape Flats, where it survives in acidic blackwater fynbos vleis. The filling in, drainage or pollution of vleis, and alien vegetation encroachment, are major threats facing this frog species.
The Micro Frog is critically endangered and is one of the most threatened lowland amphibians in South Africa. Only four sub-populations survive and its distribution is fragmented and restricted and comprises of four sub-populations over a total area of less than 10 square kilometres.
One of these sites is in the middle of the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town. It is endemic to certain fynbos wetlands, where most of its remaining habitat is situated on unprotected private land. Although over 80% of its habitat has been destroyed through development and associated threats, at least 70% of this disappeared more than 30 years ago.
Since KRCA’s Micro frog population is the only population still in existence on the Cape Flats it is critical that a careful monitoring system be set in place to ensure its long term survival. Relatively very little is know about this species so to add to this a better understanding of the frogs inhabiting KRCA is needed as this population, over hundreds of years would have developed specific adaptations to perfectly suit it to this "micro-environment".
The reserve staff are eager to further their research and studies on the KRCA micro frogs in the years to come and hope that the knowledge that they are obtaining will give a better idea on what management recommendations can be implemented to aid in the survival of the species.