01711nas 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<Go to ISI>://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/8500281nas a2200097   4500008004100000245002400041210002400065100002400089700001700113856005300130       2008                        eng d00aKassina cassinoides0 aKassina cassinoides1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver1 aSchiøtz, A.  uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/8700487nas a2200133   4500008004100000245011400041210006900155300001000224490000900234100001600243700001700259700002400276856005300300       2008                        eng d00aA new species of Phrynobatrachus (Amphibia: Anura: Phrynobatrachidae) from north-western Guinea, West Africa.0 anew species of Phrynobatrachus Amphibia Anura Phrynobatrachidae   a43-500 v18151 aHillers, A.1 aZimkus, B.M.1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver  uhttps://africanamphibians.myspecies.info/node/9201651nas a2200205   4500008004100000245010500041210006900146260001600215300001200231520099900243100002501242700002001267700002101287700001901308700002101327700001801348700002001366700002401386856003501410       2008                        eng d00aA new species of Cardioglossa (Anura : Arthroleptidae) from the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa0 anew species of Cardioglossa Anura Arthroleptidae from the Upper   cSep 10 2008  a603-6123 aWe describe a new frog species of the genus Cardioglosso from the Upper Guinean forests of West Africa. Cardioglosso occidentalis, new species, is found in primary rainforests in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. We demonstrate that this species is morphologically and genetically distinct from C. leucomystax, the species to which these populations were previously assigned. Cardioglossa occidentalis differs from similar congeners by the following combination of markings: fusion or near fusion of all three dorsal lobes (cephalic, scapular, and lumbar); prominent white line extending anteriorly from arm terminates ventral to eye; dark mask extending posteriorly from eye continues unbroken beyond posterior border of scapular lobe; lateral body covered in very few, large dark spots rimmed with thin white. Cordioglosso occidentalis appears related to C. leucomystax, C. melanoguster, and C. schioetzi. This description brings the number of Cardioglossa species to 16.1 aBlackburn, David, C.1 aKosuch, Joachim1 aSchmitz, Andreas1 aBurger, Marius1 aWagners, Philipp1 aGonwouo, Nono1 aHillers, Annika1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20080059118301398nas 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<Go to ISI>://PREV20080049053801777nas a2200157   4500008004100000245009400041210006900135260001300204300001200217490000700229520128500236100002001521700001901541700002401560856003501584       2008                        eng d00aEffects of forest fragmentation and habitat degradation on west African leaf-litter frogs0 aEffects of forest fragmentation and habitat degradation on west   cJun 2008  a762-7720 v223 aHabitat degradation alters the dynamics and composition of anuran assemblages in tropical forests. The effects of forest fragmentation on the composition of anuran assemblages are so far poorly known. We studied the joint influence of forest fragmentation and degradation on leaf-litter frogs. We specifically asked whether the processes structuring leaf-litter anuran assemblages in fragmented forests are the same as those in continuous forests. We analyzed anuran assemblages with respect to habitat characteristics, including fragmentation and degradation parameters. In comparison with continuous forests, species richness and diversity were lower and assemblage composition was altered in forest fragments. These changes seemed to be mainly caused by habitat degradation rather than forest fragmentation. Availability of aquatic sites for breeding, vegetation structure (including those variables indicating degradation), and leaf-litter cover bad the most influence on the presence of single species. The comparatively small impact of fragmentation on anurans might be due to the location of the study area; it still possessed large tracts of continuous forest. These forest blocks may stabilize the regional rainforest climate and thus weaken the effects of fragmentation.1 aHillers, Annika1 aVeith, Michael1 aRödel, Mark-Oliver  u<Go to ISI>://PREV20080044758801920nas 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<Go to ISI>://PREV200800297431