Amphibian abundance and diversity in Meru National Park, Kenya

The diversity and abundance of amphibians were investigated in Meru National Park, Kenya, using transect sampling, drift-fence and pitfall trapping and opportunistic collecting. A total of 430 individuals under seven genera (Amietophrynus, Hemisus, Hyperolius, Phrynobatrachus, Phrynomantis, Ptychadena, Xenopus) comprising eleven species were sampled in three different habitats (apart from this, two additional species are known from Meru National Park): Acacia wooded grassland; Combretum wooded grassland; Acacia-Commiphora bushland. The sex ratio for almost all species was balanced (Chi-Square, X2; P > 0.5) and was not affected by habitat type (ANOVA: F = 8.3026, P = 0.6914). Shannon-Weaver Index (2.227) and Simpson’s Index (8.244) were relatively high, and most of the eleven species sampled appeared to have a relatively even distribution (Shannon Evenness Index, E = 0.927). However, Hemisus marmoratus and Phrynomantis bifasciatus were exclusively recorded in Acacia wooded grassland and in low abundances. There was a positive linear relationship of body weight against snout-vent length for two randomly selected anurans (Hyperolius glandicolor, Phrynobatrachus natalensis) among all three vegetation communities.

Keywords: Frogs, Savanna, Foraging Habitat, Community Ecology, Africa.