Central Asian Frog / Kyzyl Koltuk Frog / Middle Asia Wood, or Asiatic Brown, Frog
Central Asian Frog
Status: Category VUB1ab(iv). A mosaic-distributed species with a disjunct and comparatively narrow range, whose population and habitat area are decreasing. The conservation of nearly half of the known populations in Kyrgyzstan seems impossible without special measures. A natural bioindicator of water pollution [20], listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan [10].
Distribution overall and in the country. The species' range consists of several isolated parts in Southeastern Kazakhstan (from the Chui Valley in the west to Eastern Pribalhashia), Northeastern Kyrgyzstan, and Western China (Xinjiang and Gansu) [16]. The presence at the westernmost point, in the Ketmen-Tyubinskaya basin, requires confirmation [16]. In Kyrgyzstan - sporadically in the Chui Valley from Bishkek east to Tokmak, in the Issyk-Kul basin (also sporadically) along the shores and riverbeds flowing into Lake Issyk-Kul, in the Kochkor Valley along the floodplains of the Chu and Kochkor rivers, and in the floodplain of the Jumgal River in the upper and middle reaches [1, 6, 20].
Habitat. Generally - forested areas in river valleys, in steppes and deserts, at an altitude range from 350 to 3000 m above sea level [20]; in the Chu-Issyk-Kul basin - natural, unpolluted riparian biotopes in groundwater discharge zones [20].
Population. Generally low and decreasing (see [16]). In the area from the village of Ananyevo to the river Tyup (Eastern Prissykulye) in 1984-1985, the breeding population reached 400-500 individuals per hectare, while in 1986, only single individuals were recorded on monitoring routes. The average population density currently in the Kochkor Valley is 24 individuals per hectare, in the Jumgal basin - 6 individuals per hectare, in the Chui Valley - 17 individuals per hectare [17, 20].
Life style (life cycles). Spends most of its life on land, active during the day and in the evening. Hibernation ends, depending on habitat conditions, from March to May, with egg-laying occurring from May to June. Each clutch contains 600-1200 eggs. The larval development lasts about 40 days. Metamorphosis occurs from June to August. They hibernate in groups in puddles, less frequently in terrestrial depressions [16, 19]. Their diet mainly consists of insects (lepidopterans, orthopterans, coleopterans, etc.) [1, 20].
Limiting factors. Displacement by the introduced competitor, the lake frog R. ridibunda Pall. (in the Issyk-Kul basin), habitat pollution (in the Chui Valley). Natural enemies: foxes, harriers, shrikes [1, 20], water snakes, and helminths [16]. General causes of population decline include irrigation works, regulation of river flows, livestock grazing, mortality on roads, and direct persecution by humans (for traditional medicine purposes [16, etc.]).
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not conducted in Kyrgyzstan [20]. Rare species in terrariums [18].
Existing conservation measures. Currently, it is not specifically protected in Kyrgyzstan; habitats are protected under the general regime of the Issyk-Kul Nature Reserve [8, 16] and the Tokmak Wildlife Sanctuary [20]. Listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan [10].
Recommended conservation measures. The species has been recommended for inclusion in the IUCN RLTS and the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan [16]. For local populations in the Chui Valley (Karaagach Grove and the floodplain of the Chu River near Kant), as well as in the floodplain of the Jumgal River and at the confluence of the Kochkor River into the Chu River - the creation of areas of sufficient size with regulated natural resource use. Conducting awareness-raising work among the local population.
Kyzyl Koltuk Baka
Middle Asia Wood, or Asiatic Brown, Frog
Rana asiatica Bedriaga, 1898
Status: Vulnerable (category VUB1ab(iv)), mosaic distributed species with reducing stocks and territories of occupancy, natural indicator for water purity. Common inhabitancy areas are North-eastern Kyrgyzstan, South-eastern Kazakhstan, and Western China; in Kyrgyzstan it populates undisturbed wetlands in Tchu, Jumgal, Issyk-Kul, and Kochkor valleys/hollows. Larval period is about 40 days, metamorphosis is in July - August; adults are active in day- and gloaming-time and lead predominantly terrestrial life-mode. Registered number is 17 specimens per hectare in Tchu Valley, 6 - in Jumgal Valley, 24 - in Kochkor Hollow; fertility is 0.6-1.2,000 eggs per set. Limiting factors: pollution and reduction of habitats, melioration, excessive pasturage, ousting by alien species (R. ridibunda Pall.), natural enemies (foxes, harriers, shrikes, etc.) and autobahn mortality. There is no specific preservation of this species; at present time it is protected by common routine in Issyk-Kul Nature Reservation and Tokmak wildlife area only. R. asiatica is listed in the Red Book of adjacent Kazakhstan. Creation of additional protected territories for local populations in Tchu and Jumgal Valleys and awareness-building work for people are necessary to conserve the species.
