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Distribution Status of Two Endemic Dwarf Chameleon
Nadzika mbiamlanjensis and Rampholeonplatyceps on
Mt Mulanje, Malawi
1 *YankhoChapeta, 2 Enoch Ng’oma, 1 Tiwonge I Mzumara
1 Museums of Malawi, Natural History Department, Top
Mandala, P.O Box 30360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3
2 Biology of Ageing, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena,
Germany
*Email for correspondence:
yankhochapeta@yahoo.com
Abstract
The dwarf chameleon, Nadzikambia mlanjensis
constitutes a small population strictly endemic to Mt.
Mulanje. The diminishing coverage of Montane Forest,
primarily due to logging, is suspected to impact
negatively on the population of N. mlanjensis. We
investigated the current population status of N.
mlanjensis by quantifying the frequency of encounters
during forest searches in the wet and dry seasons. We
also carried out analysis of genetic diversity in 16S and
Prlr genes. The significance of indigenous practices
towards its conservation was assessed through
structured questionnaire interviews. Out of the 57
chameleons encountered in 92 hours of search, none
was N. mlanjensis. Instead, all of them belonged to a
related dwarf chameleon, Rampholeonplatyceps which
appeared to be genetically unstructured, generally
showed high nucleotide diversity, and did not depart
from neutrality. The absence of N. mlanjensis in our
sample suggests that it is becoming very rare in the
massif likely as a result of habitat transformation. This
finding therefore calls for a quick intervention to save
the endemic Mulanje dwarf chameleon. On a positive
note, a biocultural survey indicates that although people
have a bad perception about chameleons, very few are
willing to kill them, providing a starting point towards
their conservation.
Keywords:N. mlanjensis, R. platyceps, endemic, Mt.
Mulanje, conservation status, intervention
Floristic composition, structure and species
associations of dry Miombo woodland in Tanzania
* 1,2 Ezekiel Edward Mwakalukwa, 1 Henrik Meilby and
1 Thorsten Treue
1 Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning, Faculty of
Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958
Frederiksberg C, Denmark
2 Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature
Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box
3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
*Email for correspond: Email- ezedwa@yahoo.com
Abstract
Biodiversity information for majority of forest reserves in
Tanzania is poorly documented. This study contributes
baseline data on species diversity, richness and forest
structure, and attempts to understand the relationship
between species occurrence and topographic and edaphic
factors in the dry miombo woodland of Iringa rural district,
Tanzania. The study is based on 35 nested circular plots
with radii of 5, 15 and 20 m that were distributed regularly
along transect lines across a 6,065 ha community-managed
forest area. Seedlings of all species with diameter < 1 cm
and saplings with diameter < 5 cm were identified and
counted within 5 m plots while adults with diameter ≥ 5 cm
were identified and counted within 5 m plots. The species
of felled trees was identified and the stumps were
measured 20 cm above ground within 20 m plots. Soil
samples were collected from depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30
cm and elevation measured within each of the plots. A
total of 88 woody species belonging to 29 families were
identified with family Caesalpiniaceae rank on top with 11
species; a typical characteristic of Miombo vegetation.
Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices for adults
were 3.44 and 0.05 respectively. Mean stem density, basal
area and volume were 1,521 stems/ha, 14m 2 /ha and
92m 3 /ha respectively. Elevation, soil texture, soil pH, base
saturation percentage, and C:N ratio strongly correlated
with the occurrence of the four plant communities namely
Brachystegia spiciformis – Diplorynchus condylocarpon –
Lannea schweinfurthii woodland; Dalbergia arbutifolia –
Commiphora africana – Albizia petersiana woodland;
Acacia sp. – Acacia abyssinica – Albizia amara woodland,
and Bauhinia petersiana –Shrebera trichoclada woodland.
The results indicate high level of diversity in the forest
which requires special effort in conservation and avoiding
further deforestation through preparation of the updated
and proper management plans.
Keywords: Biodiversity, deforestation, environmental
factors, NMS ordination, plant communities.
TAAG First African Student’s Conference, Nairobi. 2-4 July, 2013 27