Browsing by Author "Mugini, Geofrey"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Distribution patterns and conservation status of anurans in Kanga forest reserve, Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania
(Universuty of LATVIA, 2026-06-22) Mugini, Geofrey; Ojija, Fredrick; Ojija, Fredrick
Understanding the ecological drivers of anuran assemblages is essential for biodiversity conservation in tropical montane ecosystems. This study assessed anuran diversity, distribution patterns, conservation status, and environmental determinants of species in Kanga Forest Reserve (KFR), an important component of the Eastern Arc Mountain Forests of Tanzania. Standardized surveys were conducted across four elevational categories and major habitat types to evaluate how habitat structure and environmental conditions influence anuran communities. A total of 455 individuals representing 22 species, 12 genera, and seven families were recorded. Species abundances were highest in lowland and sub-montane forests, whereas farmland and montane forests had fewer individuals. Similarly, diversity was highest in lowlands (H’ = 2.45) and lowest in farmland (H’ = 1.80), indicating anthropogenic impacts. Forest-restricted taxa, including Callulina kanga and Probreviceps cf. durirostris, were largely confined to structurally intact forest habitats, whereas species such as Chiromantis rufescens and Ptychadena anchietae exhibited broader ecological tolerances. Integrated analyses revealed that anuran distributions were influenced primarily by hydrological conditions and forest structural complexity. Water bodies, canopy cover, tree density, leaf litter, and mature trees emerged as the strongest predictor of species occurrence, closely associated with species persistence and community composition. The results therefore demonstrate that habitat complexity and moisture availability function as key ecological filters shaping community assembly within KFR. Conservation assessment revealed species spanning multiple IUCN Red List categories, including Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened taxa, highlighting the reserve’s importance as a refuge for threatened anurans. This study provides a robust baseline for long-term monitoring and delivers testable ecological evidence to guide conservation planning, habitat restoration, and adaptive management within KFR and the broader Eastern Arc Mountain ecosystem.