01168nas a2200133 4500008004100000245012700041210006900168260000900237300001000246490000700256520071200263100002400975856003500999 1995 eng d00aHabitat, activity, and food of Phrynobatrachus francisci in Comoe National Park, Ivory Coast, at the end of the dry season0 aHabitat activity and food of Phrynobatrachus francisci in Comoe  c1995 a79-920 v313 a

In Comoe National Park the savanna inhabiting frog Phrynobatrachus francisci (BOULENGER, 1912) changes its habitats during the dry season. While living at ponds in the wet season, it can be traced only at the border of the river in the dry season. There it is only active during nighttime and within a few centimeters from open water. Habitat selection and activity time seem to be results of higher humidity. Analysis of excrements and dissected frogs as well as selected food choise experiments indicate that P. francisci is an opportunistic feeder. Although females have fully developed eggs, at the end of the dry season, reproduction did not occur in the remaining water bodies of river Comoe.

1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV19959854416701179nas a2200121 4500008004100000245013800041210007100179300001000250490000700260520071200267100002400979856005401003 1995 eng d00aPhrynobatrachus francisci in Comoé-Nationalpark Elfenbeinküste: lebensräume, aktivität und nahrung in der ausgehenden trockenzeit0 aPhrynobatrachus francisci in ComoéNationalpark Elfenbeinküste le a79-920 v313 a

In Comoe National Park the savanna inhabiting frog Phrynobatrachus francisci (BOULENGER, 1912) changes its habitats during the dry season. While living at ponds in the wet season, it can be traced only at the border of the river in the dry season. There it is only active during nighttime and within a few centimeters from open water. Habitat selection and activity time seem to be results of higher humidity. Analysis of excrements and dissected frogs as well as selected food choise experiments indicate that P. francisci is an opportunistic feeder. Although females have fully developed eggs, at the end of the dry season, reproduction did not occur in the remaining water bodies of river Comoe.

1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/49800450nas a2200121 4500008004100000245010400041210006900145300001200214490000700226100002400233700001700257856005400274 2002 eng d00aHerpetological survey of the Haute Dod and Cavally forests, western Ivory Coast, Part I: Amphibians0 aHerpetological survey of the Haute Dod and Cavally forests weste a245-2680 v381 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aBranch, W.R. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/36200918nas a2200145 4500008004100000245009100041210006900132260001800201300001000219490000700229520045600236100002400692700002100716856003500737 2000 eng d00aPreliminary list of the snakes of the Tai National Park/Ivory Coast and adjacent areas0 aPreliminary list of the snakes of the Tai National ParkIvory Coa c31 Marz, 2000 a25-380 v363 aWe report on the faunistics, with additional biological data, of the snake fauna of the Tai National Park (TNP). 39 snake species are now known from TNP, 22 of them were found in the primary rain forest, and 17 occurred in more open habitats or at the forest border. 15 species were arboreal, 19 were epigeic, and five subterranean. We suppose that approximately two thirds of the snake fauna expected for this West African rain forest has been found.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aMahsberg, Dieter u://PREV20010033145600655nas a2200169 4500008004100000245004600041210004500087260001800132300001200150490000700162520020000169100002400369700001900393700002200412700001600434856003500450 2000 eng d00aDeath-feigning in some West African frogs0 aDeathfeigning in some West African frogs c30 Juni, 2000 a125-1300 v363 a

We report on death-feigning behaviour in Chiromantis rufescens, Kassina lamottei, K. cochranae, Leptopelis hyloides, L. occidentalis, and L. macrotis from Tai National Park, Ivory Coast.

1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aErnst, Raffael1 aLeistner, Gerhard1 aFahr, Jakob u://PREV20010033360200366nas a2200109 4500008004100000245006200041210005700103300001100160490000700171100002400178856005400202 2003 eng d00aThe amphibians of Mont Sangbé National Park, Ivory Coast0 aamphibians of Mont Sangbé National Park Ivory Coast a91-1100 v391 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/33600425nas a2200133 4500008004100000245005800041210005600099300001200155490000700167653001900174653002000193100002400213856005400237 2003 eng d00aAmphibians of the Togo-Volta highlands, eastern Ghana0 aAmphibians of the TogoVolta highlands eastern Ghana a207-2340 v3910aPetropedetidae10aPhrynobatrachus1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/33700397nas a2200109 4500008004100000245008000041210006900121300001200190490000700202100002400209856005400233 2003 eng d00aA new Leptodactylodon species from Gabon (Amphibia: Anura: Astylosternidae)0 anew Leptodactylodon species from Gabon Amphibia Anura Astyloster a139-1480 v391 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/34100535nas a2200181 4500008004100000245006400041210005900105300001200164490000700176100002400183700001200207700001600219700001800235700001500253700001700268700001400285856005400299 2005 eng d00aThe amphibians of the forested parts of south-western Ghana0 aamphibians of the forested parts of southwestern Ghana a107-1270 v411 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aGil, M.1 aAgyei, A.C.1 aLeaché, A.D.1 aDiaz, R.E.1 aFujita, M.K.1 aErnst, R. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/16902160nas a2200241 4500008004100000245012100041210006900162260001600231300001200247490000700259520141600266100002101682700002001703700002201723700002001745700002001765700002001785700002001805700001901825700002001844700001901864856003501883 2006 eng d00aWhat do we know about the amphibians from the Kenyan central and western highlands? A faunistic and taxonomic review0 aWhat do we know about the amphibians from the Kenyan central and cAug 20 2006 a165-1790 v423 aWe reviewed the pertinent faunistic and taxonomic knowledge available from literature and scientific collections OD the amphibians from the central and western highlands of Kenya. Fifty-four anuran species in 19 genera and 12 families were recognized. Higher taxa are those also found in adjacent African regions. Exceptions are some genera otherwise known from extreme East Africa which, along with the order Gymnophiona, are absent from the central and western highlands of Kenya. The species Ptychadena schillukorum, P taenioscelis and Afrixalus osorioi are reported for the first time from Kenyan territory. The taxonomy of several species is poorly resolved, underlining the need for more alpha-taxonomic effort. This should include the application of modern methods, as molecular markers to uncover cryptic species diversity. We calculated 9.04 +/- 6.11 (1-30) localities per species (n = 54) and 3.98 +/- 2.88 (1-25) species per locality (n = 127), showing that sampling for both species and localities is of different quality and apparently far from complete. Sampling bias due to accessibility may play a role, and more comprehensive field surveys are suggested. It may be considered that certain amphibians reach their geographic range limits just at the periphery of the Kenyan central and western highlands (e.g. "Congolian" forest taxa) or are restricted to a small distribution within that region.1 aLötters, Stefan1 aRotich, Damaris1 aKoester, Timo, E.1 aKosuch, Joachim1 aMuchai, Vincent1 aScheelke, Karin1 aSchick, Susanne1 aTeege, Patrick1 aWasonga, Victor1 aVeith, Michael u://PREV20060062009501711nas a2200181 4500008004100000245011700041210006900158260001600227300001200243490000700255520110300262100003101365700001701396700003601413700002101449700002401470856003501494 2008 eng d00aPrey composition of two syntopic Phrynobatrachus species in the swamp forest of Banco National Park, Ivory Coast0 aPrey composition of two syntopic Phrynobatrachus species in the  cAug 20 2008 a177-1860 v443 aWe studied the diet of two syntopic and morphologically very similar leaf litter frogs, Phrynobatrachus ghanensis and P phyllophilus, in Banco National Park, south-eastern Ivory Coast. We determined the prey composition of females of both species to understand the potential avoidance of competition for food. Insects dominated (> 80%) the general diet of both species. We determined insect prey items down to the level of the order. At this level the diet of both species differed, however not significantly. Whereas P. ghanensis preyed mainly on hymenoptera(65.6%, mostly ants); P phyllophilus mainly preyed on coleoptera (56.8%). With respect to seasons these differences were even larger, although again not statistically significant. Hence, there seem to be some differences in the food preference of the two species. However, the large overlap in prey can be taken as a hint that competition for food does not play a major role between these two frogs. The slightly different diets are more likely the result of so far undetected differences in habitat preferences and / or activity patterns.1 aKouame, N’Goran, Germain1 aTohe, Blayda1 aAssemian, N’Guessan, Emmanuel1 aGourene, Germain1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20080060564300518nas a2200121 4500008004100000245017400041210006900215300001000284490000700294100001800301700002400319856005300343 2008 eng d00aThe importance of frogs to the livelihood of the Bakossi people around Mount Manengouba, Cameroon, with special consideration of the Hairy Frog, Trichobatrachus robustus0 aimportance of frogs to the livelihood of the Bakossi people arou a23-340 v441 aGonwouo, L.N.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/8502083nas a2200193 4500008004100000245010200041210006900143260001600212300001200228490000700240520147400247100002401721700002101745700002801766700002101794700001801815700002101833856003501854 2007 eng d00aThe amphibians of the Lokoli Forest, a permanently inundated rainforest in the Dahomey Gap, Benin0 aamphibians of the Lokoli Forest a permanently inundated rainfore cNov 20 2007 a231-2380 v433 aWe present the first amphibian species list for a forest remnant, the Lokoli Forest, in the Dahomey Gap, a natural gap in West African’s coastal rainforest belt. The forest studied is of special interest due to its geographic position between the Upper and the Lower Guinean biodiversity hotspots and its peculiar forest type, being permanently inundated. From Lokoli forest we recorded eight frog species as new for Benin (Afrixalus dorsalis, Hyperolius guttulatus, H. sylvaticus, Arthroleptis sp., Leptopelis spiritusnoctis, Hydrophylax albolabris, Aubria subsigillata, Ptychadena mascareniensis-complex. Phrynobatrachus calcaratus from the neighbouring Lama forest was a new country record as well. However, with 17 recorded anurans, species diversity was relatively low compared to other West African forests. None of the recorded species is threatened or endemic to the region. All species are either widespread or have closer affinities to the Upper Guinean Forest Region than to the Lower Guinean one. Low species richness and low level of endemicity might be due to (a) particular habitat (inundated forest, excluding particular frog guilds, i.e. leaf litter species), (b) small size of the forest (500 ha; species area relation; edge effects), (c) location outside the range of presumed Pleistocene forest refugia. Nevertheless, due to the presence of the exceptional habitat type, Lokoli Forest deserves much more conservation actions than given at present.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aBrede, Christian1 aSchiefenhoevel, Philipp1 aPenner, Johannes1 aSinsin, Brice1 aNago, Gilles, A. u://PREV20080010690101169nas a2200145 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260001600217300001200233490000700245520069700252100002000949700001900969856003500988 2007 eng d00aDescription of the tadpole of Mertensophryne lonnbergi (Anura : Bufonidae) from the highlands of Kenya0 aDescription of the tadpole of Mertensophryne lonnbergi Anura Buf cNov 20 2007 a239-2440 v433 aThe tadpole of Mertensophryne lonnbergi is described from the Aberdare Mountains in Kenya. Although it resembles other African bufonid tadpoles in shape, size and color, it can be distinguished from them by the absence of a gap in the posterior oral papillae, a feature also shared by Mertensophryne anotis and M. micranotis. While the other known tadpoles in this genus (M. anotis, M. taitana, M. micranotis) all share a ’’ crowrn ’’, a ring of tissue surrounding the eyes and nostrils with a presumed respiratory function, M. lonnbergi has a faint trace of a crown, and skin folds forming transverse ripples behind the eyes, which may also serve to increase the respiratory surface.1 aWasonga, Victor1 aChanning, Alan u://PREV20080010690201348nas a2200145 4500008004100000245006900041210006400110260001600174300000900190490000700199520091700206100002001123700002401143856003501167 2007 eng d00aThe amphibians of three national forests in Liberia, West Africa0 aamphibians of three national forests in Liberia West Africa cFeb 20 2007 a1-100 v433 aWe surveyed three National Forests in north-western and south-eastern Liberia for amphibians. Forty species were found including five first national records: Afrixalus nigeriensis, Astylosternus occidentalis, Bufo superciliaris, Chiromantis rufescens and Phrynobatrachus villiersi. Following the 1UCN Red List categories and criteria, eleven species are Near Threatened, two are Vulnerable and two Endangered. Bufo superciliaris is listed under CITES. All three forests under investigation harbour an amphibian community mainly consisting of forest specialists that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest zone. All investigated sites showed a high potential for conservation, although the presence of some invasive species is a hint that alteration of natural forests has already occurred. We also provide a list of all reptiles encountered to account for the deficiency of data for these vertebrates in Liberia.1 aHillers, Annika1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20080010692001506nas a2200145 4500008004100000245009700041210006900138260001600207300001200223490000700235520104000242100001801282700002501300856003501325 2007 eng d00aThe amphibians and reptiles of Nouabale-Ndoki national park, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)0 aamphibians and reptiles of NouabaleNdoki national park Republic  cAug 20 2007 a149-1640 v433 aWe present an annotated list of 20 amphibian and 14 reptile species collected along the southern edge of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo, which comprises lowland forests that are part of the Congo River drainage basin. This study has resulted in the first definitive records of the frogs Aubria masako, Amietophrynus regularis, Cryptothylax greshoffii, Hyperolius balfouri, H. brachiofasciatus, Leptopelis brevirostris, and L. calcaratus meridionalis from the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). Comparing four sites subjected to different degrees of human disturbance, we note differences in herpetofaunal composition among these sites, which we attribute to difference in tolerance of human activity, opportunistic colonisation by non-native species, and, in some cases, a preference for proximity to human habitations. We compare the results of our study to other herpetofaunal surveys of Central and West Africa in order to gain insight into which faunae are most similar to that of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park.1 aJackson, Kate1 aBlackburn, David, C. u://PREV20080010690802046nas a2200181 4500008004100000245009800041210006900139260001600208300001000224490000700234520145900241100003601700700003101736700001701767700002101784700002401805856003501829 2006 eng d00aThe anurans of the Banco National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, a threatened West African rainforest0 aanurans of the Banco National Park Cote d Ivoire a threatened We cFeb 20 2006 a41-510 v423 aWe studied the anuran fauna of the Banco National Park (BNP) in south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire from July 2003 to February 2004. During this period we recorded 28 anuran species. Important faunistic records were: a new hyperoliid treefrog that represents a new genus, a new species of Astylosternus, and the first country record for Phrynobatrachus ghanensis. On the basis of our standardized monitoring data we estimated that 34 to 38 amphibian species live in BNP. The presence of e.g. Phrynobatrachus phyllophilus, P. ghanensis and Ptychadena aequiplicata, that are typical primary forests species, shows that BNP still comprises primary forest. However, the occurrence of several other species such as Phrynobatrachus accraensis, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena pumilio, P. mascareniensis, Bufo regularis and B. maculatus which normally inhabit secondary forest, farmbush or even savannah, indicates that BNP forests are already altered by human activities. Overall species richness of BNP was unexpectedly low compared to other known Upper Guinea forest areas, as was the proportion of species that are endemic to West Africa and the Upper Guinea forest block. The lack of numerous otherwise widespread forest frogs might be a hint that BNP already is too small (3000 ha) to assure long-term survival of particular amphibian species and thus is a pressing sign to put more emphasis on forest protection actions in south-eastern Cote d’Ivoire.1 aAssemian, N’Guessan, Emmanuel1 aKouame, N’Goran, Germain1 aTohe, Blayda1 aGourene, Germain1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20060049446801314nas a2200181 4500008004100000245008700041210006900128260001600197300000900213490000700222520074700229100002000976700002500996700002001021700001801041700001901059856005401078 2006 eng d00aThe tadpole of Tomopterna luganga Channing, Moyer & Dawood, 2004 (Anura : Ranidae)0 atadpole of Tomopterna luganga Channing Moyer Dawood 2004 Anura R cFeb 20 2006 a1-120 v423 a

The study describes for the first time the larva of the Red Sand Frog, Tomopterna luganga. The description is based on colour photographs of living specimens, preserved specimens, and SEM images of the oral field and internal oral features. Larval stages were obtained from captive breeding experiments. The identity of the species was verified by DNA matching with the holotype and paratypes. Tomopterna luganga tadpoles were very similar to other described larvae within the genus. The Labial Tooth Row Formula 4(2-4)/3(1) of T. luganga distinguishes the species from some of its congeners. However, the currently available data does not allow the development of a reliable determination key for the tadpoles of Tomopterna species.

1 aHaas, Alexander1 aMitgutsch, Christian1 aHertwig, Stefan1 aDawood, Abeda1 aChanning, Alan uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/13301398nas a2200157 4500008004100000245008900041210006900130260001600199300001200215490000700227520090700234100002001141700002001161700002401181856003501205 2008 eng d00aA preliminary assessment of the amphibians of the Fouta Djallon, Guinea, West Africa0 apreliminary assessment of the amphibians of the Fouta Djallon Gu cMay 20 2008 a113-1220 v443 aWe report oil the amphibians of three sites in the Fouta Djallon highlands in central-northern Guinea. During Our Survey we recorded at least 25 frog species, including two first country records (Kassina fusca and Leptopelis bufonides) and one species new to science (Conraua sp.). Most of the recorded frogs were typical savanna or farmbush species with a distribution range that exceeds West Africa. Only a few species were more closely connected to forest habitats. For several species our records in the Fouta Djallon represent large range extensions. Despite the generally high degradation level of forests in the Fouta Djallon, the investigated sites all still harboured typical forest frogs and thus may represent last islands of forest in a nowadays savanna dominated landscape. All sites therefore have a high potential for conservation, especially the forest surrounding the Saala Waterfalls.1 aHillers, Annika1 aLoua, Nema-Soua1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20080049053801920nas a2200145 4500008004100000245017400041210006900215260001600284300001000300490000700310520137300317100002501690700002401715856003501739 2008 eng d00aThe importance of frogs to the livelihood of the Bakossi people around Mount Manengouba, Cameroon, with special consideration of the Hairy Frog, Trichobatrachus robustus0 aimportance of frogs to the livelihood of the Bakossi people arou cFeb 20 2008 a23-340 v443 aAmphibians are harvested for various purposes around Mount Manengouba including food, international pet trade and cultural reasons. At least seven frog species are regularly collected and consumed: Conraua crassipes, C. goliath, C. robusta, Trichobatrachus robustus, Astylosternus spp., Xenopus amieti, Kassina decorata. Over-exploitation of C. robusta for food and T robustus for the international pet trade, in addition to the harvest of tadpoles for human consumption, is currently increasing and expected to have negative effects on wild populations. The males of the Hairy Frog, T robustus, locally known as "Ebod" are viewed upon by locals as being mystical. It is believed that these frogs fall from the sky, and that childless human couples can turn fertile after having eaten this frog. All interviewed locals declared to have once eaten a frog, while only 70% of them knew about the cultural significance of the Hairy Frog. Collection of any frog species is undertaken all year round but peaks in the dry seasons (both for food and pet trade). Prices for two large or three medium-sized individuals of C. robusta are US$ 2 at the local food markets, while pairs of the Hairy Frogs are sold for US$ 8 to the international pet trade. We discuss the need to set up plans for the sustainable harvest to maintain viable populations of these species in the region.1 aGonwouo, Legrand, N.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20080029743101879nas a2200145 4500008004100000245004400041210004300085260001600128300000900144490000700153520149600160100001801656700002401674856003501698 2009 eng d00aAnuran surveys in south-western Nigeria0 aAnuran surveys in southwestern Nigeria cFeb 20 2009 a1-140 v453 aWe report on the results of amphibian surveys in three south-western Nigerian states: Lagos, Ogun and Oyo. In total, we recorded between 35 and 38 species. The number of species per state ranged from 22 to 29. Most species were typical farmbush or savanna frogs. Although the overall species richness was comparatively low and only a few species were forest specialists, we observed a surprising number of frogs that could not unambiguously be assigned to described species. This was especially true of the genera Leptopelis and Phrynobatrachus. Whereas some of these taxa (Leptopelis cf. macrotis, Phrynobatrachus cf. liberiensis) seem to indicate closer relationships between south-western Nigeria and the Upper Guinea forests, other findings (the eastern variation of Phlyctimantis boulengeri, Nectophryne afra) indicate the opposite geographic relation. The position of the study sites between the diversity hotspots of Upper and Lower Guinea would suggest high anuran diversity. We failed to record such a high diversity, but possibly found species from both areas and probably undescribed taxa (Phrynobatrachus sp., Leptopelis sp.). We believe that the high amount of degraded and converted natural forests may have already resulted in an impoverished anuran fauna. Remarkable and even new species may have survived in some of the small remaining forests. Intensive surveys and sustainable conservation of the remaining forests of south-western Nigeria is therefore highly recommended.1 aOnadeko, A.B.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver u://PREV20090023341001833nas a2200181 4500008004100000245018800041210006900229260001600298300001200314490000700326520120800333100001501541700001401556700001501570700001401585700001701599856003501616 2009 eng d00aDiversity of Ridged Frogs (Ptychadenidae: Ptychadena) in the easternmost remnant of the Guineo-Congolian rain forest: an analysis using morphology, bioacoustics and molecular genetics0 aDiversity of Ridged Frogs Ptychadenidae Ptychadena in the easter cAug 20 2009 a129-1460 v453 aWe studied taxonomic diversity of Ridged Frogs, genus Ptychadena, in the Kakamega Forest, western Kenya. It is the easternmost relict of a former continuous Guineo-Congolian rain forest belt which continuously existed in the past. Based on morphometrical and non-morphometrical morphology adult characters and using information obtained from male advertisement calls as well as sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, we distinguish five syntopic species. Standardized diagnoses with 35 characters are provided for each. In the absence of a taxonomic revision of the genus Ptychadena and because we did not use comparative material from elsewhere, we only provisionally allocate species names to the taxa identified by us and discuss available names on the basis of comparisons with bioacoustic and molecular data from other regions. The power of characters defining Ptychadena species and the value of different methodical approaches are discussed, especially important for rapid and easy field identification for conservation purposes. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Ptychadena has independently colonised the Kakamega Forest from or via the Congo basin, as well as East and South Africa.1 aBwong, BA.1 aChira, R.1 aSchick, S.1 aVeith, M.1 aLötters, S. u://PREV20090057681400435nas a2200133 4500008004100000245006700041210006300108300001200171490000700183100001600190700001800206700002400224856005300248 2009 eng d00aExploitation of frogs – a review with a focus on West Africa0 aExploitation of frogs a review with a focus on West Africa a193-2020 v451 aMohneke, M.1 aOnadeko, A.B.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/5300616nas a2200157 4500008004100000245019600041210006900237300001000306490000700316100001500323700001700338700001700355700001600372700001700388856005300405 2010 eng d00aSystematics of ’Little Brown Frogs’ from East Africa: Recognition of Phrynobatrachus scheffleri and description of a new species from the Kakamega Forest, Kenya (Anura: Phrynobatrachidae)0 aSystematics of Little Brown Frogs from East Africa Recognition o a24-360 v461 aSchick, S.1 aZimkus, B.M.1 aChanning, A.1 aKoehler, J.1 aLötters, S. uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/33