Amphibian Diversity in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya: A Comprehensive List of Specimens and Species

Bwong, Beryl A.; Nyamache, Joash; Malonza, Patrick K.; Wasonga, Domnick Victor; Ngwava, Jacob M.; Barratt, Christopher D.; Nagel, Peter; Loader, Simon P.

doi:10.2982/028.106.0104

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Further targeted sampling in underrepresented areas would help to address issues concerning robustness of our spatial estimations, especially in northern and central Mozambique and around the other major phylogeographic barriers revealed by our analyses (e.g., through Tanzania and Mozambique in the vicinity of the Pangani, Rufiji‐Great Ruaha‐Kilombero, Lukuledi‐Ruvuma and Lúrio rivers, which also occur between refugial areas). The presence of range‐restricted diversity in these areas has been documented for several taxonomic groups (Burgess & Clarke, ; Burgess et al., ), including amphibian populations (Barratt, ; Barratt et al., 2017a, 2017b; Bwong et al., ). In East Africa, such patterns are often associated with vicariant diversification through a forest refuge model of speciation (Endler, ; Haffer, , ; Mayr & O'Hara, ; Moreau, ; Moritz et al., ; Plana, ) or attributed to ecological change (Lorenzen et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous species richness and endemism studies in the CFEA have recognized the existence of a biogeographic division situated between the northern (Zanzibar) and southern (Inhambane) Zanzibar-Inhambane ecoregions (Azeria et al, 2007;Burgess et al, 1992Burgess et al, , 1998Burgess et al, , 2004 Barratt et al, 2017aBarratt et al, , 2017bBwong et al, 2017). In East Africa, such patterns are often associated with vicariant diversification through a forest refuge model of speciation (Endler, 1982;Haffer, 1969Haffer, , 1997Mayr & O'Hara, 1986;Moreau, 1954;Moritz et al, 2000;Plana, 2004) or attributed to ecological change (Lorenzen et al, 2012).…”

Section: Broad-scale Phylogeographic Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vanishing refuge? Testing the forest refuge hypothesis in coastal East Africa using genome‐wide sequence data for seven amphibians

et al. 2018

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High-throughput sequencing data have greatly improved our ability to understand the processes that contribute to current biodiversity patterns. The "vanishing refuge" diversification model is speculated for the coastal forests of eastern Africa, whereby some taxa have persisted and diversified between forest refugia, while others have switched to becoming generalists also present in non-forest habitats. Complex arrangements of geographical barriers (hydrology and topography) and ecological gradients between forest and non-forest habitats may have further influenced the region's biodiversity, but elucidation of general diversification processes has been limited by lack of suitable data. Here, we explicitly test alternative diversification modes in the coastal forests using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms, mtDNA, spatial and environmental data for three forest (Arthroleptis xenodactyloides, Leptopelis flavomaculatus and Afrixalus sylvaticus) and four generalist (Afrixalus fornasini, A. delicatus, Leptopelis concolor and Leptopelis argenteus) amphibians. Multiple analyses provide insight about divergence times, spatial population structure, dispersal barriers, environmental stability and demographic history. We reveal highly congruent intra-specific diversity and population structure across taxa, with most divergences occurring during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene. Although stability models support the existence of some forest refugia, dispersal barriers and demographic models point towards idiosyncratic diversification modes across taxa. We identify a consistent role for riverine barriers in the diversification of generalist taxa, but mechanisms of diversification are more complex for forest taxa and potentially include topographical barriers, forest refugia and ecological gradients. Our work demonstrates the complexity of diversification processes in this region, which vary between forest and generalist taxa, but also for ecologically similar species with shared population boundaries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Broad-scale Phylogeographic Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vanishing refuge? Testing the forest refuge hypothesis in coastal East Africa using genome‐wide sequence data for seven amphibians

et al. 2018

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“…The primary threat to this species is habitat loss through drainage of wetlands and afforestation (Bwong et al 2017). In several areas of prime habitat, the planting of exotic trees such as Eucalyptus sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding phenology and population dynamics of the endangered Forest Spiny Reed Frog Afrixalus sylvaticus Schiøtz, 1974 in Shimba Hills, Kenya

Koskei

Eshiamwata²,

Kirui

et al. 2022

J. Threat. Taxa

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Afrixalus sylvaticus Schiøtz, 1974 is a species of hyperoliid frog inhabiting coastal forest Kenya. It is classified as endangered under IUCN B2ab(iii) ver 3.1 and occurs in the Shimba Hills National Park and hinterlands. Habitat loss and other human activities are threatening the species. Therefore, understanding the breeding ecology and population dynamics is important for its conservation. This study assessed the breeding ecology and population dynamics of the species in the protected and community landscapes in Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kenya. Data was collected through ecological surveys conducted from June 2016 to July 2017 using a visual encounter surveys (VES) method. The results show that the species was more abundant during the wet season than dry (58% and 42%, respectively). The population estimate was 192 individuals and a density of 0.98 individuals/km2. Regarding the morphology, the mean snout-vent length (SVL) for males was 15.12 mm and females 15.96 mm, but there was no significant difference (t-test = 0.87, p = 0.390, df = 39). The mean weight of both gravid and non-gravid females was 6.05 g and males was 4.82 g. The weights were statistically different between both sexes (t-test = 3.50, p-value = 0.001, df = 39). The sex ratio was 1:2 (male: female). There was more activity in the wet season (April and May), and the breeding habitats were reeds and water lilies. The threats identified to their habitat include; human activities such as bush burning, livestock grazing, drainage, and plantation of exotic tree species (Eucalyptus sp.) that have led to habitat loss and degradation. The study recommends that the reforestation processes such as plantation of exotic species such as Eucalyptus sp. and Casuarina sp. and bush burning in the wetlands and species habitats must be discouraged among the stakeholders (community and park management). Moreover, more synchronized studies are necessary to highlight the driver(s) of imbalanced sex ratios and species habitat shifts.

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“…While colloquially called the red-legged running frog, P. maculatus excels at walking, running, hopping, climbing, and jumping (Ahn, Furrow & Biewener, 2004; Porro et al, 2017; Richards, Porro & Collings, 2017; Richards, Eberhard & Collings, 2018). With muscular hindlimbs, this species forages in the savannah, long grass, and bushland terrestrially (Bwong et al, 2017) while also escaping into the trees, climbing and jumping arboreally, making use of their well-developed toepads (Loveridge, 1976). Given their proclivity to walking, running, and climbing, we predict this species possesses a Type IIA pelvic morphotype.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital dissection of the pelvis and hindlimb of the red-legged running frog,Phlyctimantis maculatus, using Diffusible Iodine Contrast Enhanced computed microtomography (DICEμCT)

Collings

Richards

2019

PeerJ

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Background The current study applies both traditional and Diffusible Iodine Contrast Enhanced computed microtomography (DICE µCT) techniques to reveal the musculoskeletal anatomy of Phlyctimantis maculatus. DICE µCT has emerged as a powerful tool to visualise intricate musculoskeletal anatomy. By generating 3D digital models, anatomical analyses can be conducted non-destructively, preserving the in situ 3D topography of the system, therefore eliminating some of the drawbacks associated with traditional methods. We aim to describe the musculature of the spine, pelvis, and hindlimb, compare the musculoskeletal anatomy and pelvic morphology of P. maculatus with functionally diverse frogs, and produce 3D digital anatomy reference data. Method An adult frog was stained using an aqueous Lugol’s solution and scanned in a SkyScan1176 in vivo µCT scanner. Scan images were reconstructed, resampled, and digitally segmented to produce a 3D model. A further adult female frog was dissected traditionally for visualisation of tendinous insertions. Results Our work revealed three main findings: (1) P. maculatus has similar gross muscular anatomy to Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog) but is distinct from those species that exhibit ancestral traits (leopelmids) and those that are highly specialised (pipids), (2) P. maculatus’s pelvic anatomy best fits the description of Emerson’s walking/hopping pelvic morphotype IIA, and (3) a split in the semimembranosus and gracilis major muscles is consistent with the reported myology in other anuran species. Discussion While DICE µCT methods were instrumental in characterising the 3D anatomy, traditional dissection was still required to visualise important structures such as the knee aponeurosis, tendinous insertions, and fasciae. Nonetheless, the anatomical data presented here marks the first detailed digital description of an arboreal and terrestrial frog. Further, our digital model presents P. maculatus as a good frog model system and as such has formed a crucial platform for further functional analysis within the anuran pelvis and hindlimb.

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Amphibian Diversity in Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya: A Comprehensive List of Specimens and Species

Cited by 10 publications

References 19 publications

Vanishing refuge? Testing the forest refuge hypothesis in coastal East Africa using genome‐wide sequence data for seven amphibians

Vanishing refuge? Testing the forest refuge hypothesis in coastal East Africa using genome‐wide sequence data for seven amphibians

Breeding phenology and population dynamics of the endangered Forest Spiny Reed Frog Afrixalus sylvaticus Schiøtz, 1974 in Shimba Hills, Kenya

Digital dissection of the pelvis and hindlimb of the red-legged running frog,Phlyctimantis maculatus, using Diffusible Iodine Contrast Enhanced computed microtomography (DICEμCT)

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