This species occurs in eastern and southern Tanzania (the Uluguru, Mahenge, and Udzungwa Mountains), and the southern highlands (Poroto Mountains, Livingstone Mountains and Mount Rungwe) and extreme northern Malawi (Misuku Hills). It is a montane species, occurring from 1,500 to at least 2,200 m asl and its extent of occurrence (EOO) has been calculated as 78,775 km².
Habitat and Ecology
This frog inhabits montane forest where it lives in leaf-litter on the forest floor. Males call from low shrubs and in wild banana plants. Like other members of the genus, it presumably breeds by direct development and is not dependent upon standing water for reproduction.
This species is relatively abundant within its known range. Due to ongoing habitat loss, the species' population is suspected to be declining.
There is ongoing decline in this frog's forest habitat as a result of agricultural activities, small-scale wood extraction, and expanding human settlements.
The species has been confirmed as occurring in several protected areas in Tanzania, including Rungwe and Uluguru Nature Reserves, Udzungwa Scarp and Salli (both proposed Nature Reserves), and Mporoto Ridge Forest Reserve. In Malawi it occurs in several of the Misuku Hills Forest Reserves. However, the remainder of its range and habitat need protection and management. Taxonomy and population size, distribution and trends are research priorities.
Red List Status
Least Concern (LC)
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution and its presence in several protected areas.
Further taxonomic investigations are required on this species as more than one taxon may be represented.
IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2015. Arthroleptis reichei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T54382A16934415. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T54382A16934415.en .Downloaded on 23 January 2019