Natural history observations on a warty frog: callulina dawida (amphibia: brevicipitidae) in the Taita Hills, Kenya
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Date
2012
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Publisher
International Scholarly Research Network
Abstract
Amphibian populations are declining throughout the world, but most of the susceptible species possess particular biological
attributes. Understanding these traits plus the environmental factors responsible for declines greatly aids conservation
prioritization and planning. This paper examines the natural history observations and ecological characteristics of Callulina
dawida, a frog endemic to the montane forests of the Taita Hills, Kenya. Sampling was accomplished by use of standardized
pitfall trapping, transects, and time-limited searches. Mean monthly temperature and elevation significantly influenced the species
distribution and abundance but mean monthly rainfall did not. The species was rare or absent during the cold season and
its abundance increased with elevation. Breeding occurred during the long dry season (June to October) with juveniles being
abundant between January and March. Available evidence shows that this species deposits a cluster of large yolk-rich eggs on the
forest floor with maternal care and direct development. Its occurrence only within highly fragmented indigenous forests makes the
species worth listing as critically endangered. To conserve this species, all remaining indigenous forest fragments including those
communally or privately owned should be preserved and connected through planting of indigenous trees along stream valleys. In
addition, the exotic tree plantations should be replaced with indigenous trees to restore the species habitat.
Description
ISRN Zoology
Keywords
Amphibia brevicipitidae, Warty Frog, Callulina dawida, Natural history, Kenya
Citation
doi:10.5402/2012/212491