The Diversity and Abundance of Amphibians in Meru National Park, Kenya
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Date
2003-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A study on the diversity and abundance of amphibians was conducted in Meru National
Park (Kenya) from October 2002 to January 2003. Transect sampling, drift-fence and
pitfall trapping as well as opportunistic collections were used to detect amphibians. A total
of 430 individuals of amphibians comprising eleven species and six families were
observed. Amphibian species diversity was correlated with plant species cover/abundance
in three vegetation communities. Acacia wooded grassland had the highest amphibian
species diversity (H’ = 2.071, D = 6.74). Acacia-Commiphora bushland ranked second (H’
= 1.858, D = 5.88) while Combretum wooded grassland had the least diversity (H’ =
1.581, D = 5.076). The Acacia wooded grassland had the highest abundance (173
individuals) as well as species richness (10 species). Combretum wooded grassland had
eight species (113 individuals) while the Acacia-Commiphora bushland had seven species
(144 individuals). Differences in sex ratios within and between vegetation communities
were not statistically significant (ANOVA, F = 8.3026, P = 0.6914). No differences were
detected on a species by species basis (X2 Test). There was positive linear correlation
between amphibian species diversity and plant species diversity in all vegetation
communities. Hemisus marmoratus and Phrynomantis bifasciatus were exclusively
recorded in the Acacia wooded grassland. Five plant species assemblages were identified
from DCA ordination. These closely matched the three broad vegetation communities
known for the park. There was least habitat disturbance in the Acacia wooded grassland
and a high probability of disturbance in the Combretum wooded grassland. The study
confirmed earlier reports that amphibian diversity and abundance can vary on a very small
spatial scale. Impacts of habitat disturbance were also demonstrated. The need for long
term monitoring of the amphibian population in Meru National Park, by considering
additional environmental parameters and introducing a new fire management policy for
the park is recommended.
Key words: Diversity, Abundance, Amphibians, Meru (Kenya).
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Keywords
Diversity, Abundance, Amphibians, Meru (Kenya)