The anurans of the Banco National Park, Cote d’Ivoire, a threatened West African rainforest

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2006
Authors:N. ’G. Emmanuel Assemian, Kouame, N. ’G. Germain, Tohe, B., Gourene, G., Rödel, M. - O.
Journal:Salamandra
Volume:42
Pagination:41-51
Date Published:Feb 20 2006
Abstract:

We 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.

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