Mgambo Forest Reserve: A biodiversity survey. - Eastern Arc ...

Mgambo Forest Reserve
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS FOR TABLE 30
Ecological (Ecol.) type:
F – Forest dependent species: Species confined to primary forest only; not including forest edge or secondary forest.
f – Forest dwelling but not forest dependent species: Species occurring in primary forest, forest edge or secondary forest.
O – Non-forest species: Species that do not occur in primary or secondary forest or forest edge.
Endemic (End.) status:
E – Endemic: Species only found in the Usambara Mountains.
N – Near endemic: Species with limited ranges usually only including coastal forest and/or East African lowland forests.
W – Widely distributed species.
IUCN status: CITES listings:
EN – Endangered I – Appendix One listed species
VU – Vulnerable II – Appendix Two listed species
LR/NT – Lower Risk/Near Threatened (Appendix Three species not included in Table)
DD – Data Deficient
By far the most commonly captured genus in pitfalls was Arthroleptis, or Squeakers, which dwell
in leaf litter (Table 30). Interestingly, their life history involves direct development of frogs in the
leaf litter without a freeswimming stage. This makes at least a partially covered wooded area to
create leaf litter an essential habitat requirement. Individuals in this genera are particularly
difficult to identify to species level and, particular care must be taken with this group to treat
identifications as tentative until taxonomic confirmation is obtained.
An interesting capture was that of Mertensophryne micranotis (Dwarf toad), as it is most
commonly known to be an Eastern Arc and coastal endemic.
In addition to these captures, one further species was observed casually but not retained (Table
31).
Table 31 Amphibians observed casually in Mgambo FR.
Species Common name Ecol. End. Threat Status Certainty of
type status IUCN UDSM CITES identification
2000 1997 2001
RANIDAE
Ptychadena anchietae Plain Grass Frog f W Certain
Figure 23 Plain grass frog (Ptychadena anchietae).
East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme Technical Paper 59
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