Herpetofaunal diversity and sampling efficacy in the Upper Guinean rainforest

Advances in herpetological research emanating from China.

The Komodo National Park in the Wallacea region is the komodo dragon’s primary habitats. Published report on the herpetofauna of this national park is mostly concentrated in Komodo island. To increase our knowledge of amphibian and reptile communities in Komodo National Park, we conducted a herpetofauna survey in Komodo and Rinca Island and the nearby coastal area to assess diversity and community similarity and developed a complete checklist of the herpetofauna of Komodo National Park. We conducted a Visual Encounter Survey and put glue traps from February-April 2018 at six locations on Komodo Island (Loh Liang, Loh Wau dan Komodo Village) and Rinca Island (Loh Buaya, Loh Baru, and Rinca Village); and three locations on coastal areas of Flores (Labuan Bajo and Cumbi Village) and coastal area of Sumbawa (Sape) adjacent to Komodo National Park. We found seven species of amphibians and 22 species of reptiles and, however, only two species of amphibians and 18 species of reptiles were found in Komodo and Rinca Island. The highest diversity (H’ = 2.14) is in Loh Buaya (Rinca Island), and the highest evenness (E=0.58) is in Loh Baru (Rinca Island). The highest similarity occurs between Komodo Island and Rinca Island (IS = 0.8). Using data from other research, we have compiled a list of four species of amphibians and 39 species of reptiles occurring at three main islands of Komodo National Park: Komodo island, Rinca Island and Padar Island.
 
 Keywords: Herpetofauna diversity, Komodo National Park, Lesser Sunda Islands

Beavers (Castor canadensis) create numerous scattered wetlands in the southeastern United States that alter the composition of aquatic and adjacent terrestrial communities. However, the influence of beaver ponds on communities of amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) is poorly known. We used drift fences, coverboards and aquatic traps to compare herpetofaunal communities from unimpounded streams (n = 3) with those of beaver ponds (n = 3) in the Piedmont of South Carolina during 1998 and 1999. We also characterized differences in environmental and upland habitat attributes between beaver ponds and unimpounded streams. There were no significant differences in overall herpetofaunal abundance between unimpounded streams and beaver ponds, although significantly more salamanders were captured at unimpounded streams and significantly more anurans, lizards and turtles were captured at beaver ponds. Estimates of amphibian and reptile species overlap were high for beaver ponds and unimpounded streams. However, the richness (S), diversity (H′) and evenness (J′) of amphibians were significantly higher at unimpounded streams than at beaver ponds. In contrast, the abundance, richness and diversity of reptiles were significantly higher at beaver impoundments. Differences in amphibian and reptile community attributes between beaver ponds were related to the lotic or lentic habitat requirements of individual species and the effects of beaver impoundments on surrounding terrestrial habitats. Our study indicates that natural disturbances resulting from beaver-created wetlands increase regional abundance and diversity of herpetofauna.

Abstract. Zakaria N, Allahudin MIH, Ma’ad SNS, Sulaiman AA, Abdullah NA, Zamri MIM, Mamat MA, Deraman MY. 2022. Diversity amphibians and reptiles at Sungai Kerteh mangrove forest, Terengganu, Malaysia. Biodiversitas 23: 5574-5584. Malaysia has various ecosystems, including mangrove forests, that can support a rich number of amphibians and reptiles. However, amphibians and reptiles remain understudied, especially in mangrove forests. The main objective of this study was to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the mangrove forest of Sungai Kerteh. The sampling was conducted from 19th until 21st August 2019 by using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method along 2 km2 area of Sungai Kerteh. A total of 53 individuals were recorded belonging to 12 species (5 amphibian species and 7 reptile species). For amphibians, three families were recorded, with the family Dicroglossidae being the most abundant, with 13 individuals. For reptiles, eight families were recorded with the family Agamidae being the most abundant with 18 individuals. Fejervarya cancrivora (11 individuals; Family Dicroglossidae) was the most abundant amphibian species, while Leiolepis belliana (14 individuals; Family Agamidae) was the most abundant reptile species. There was no significant difference between the diversity of reptiles (H’: 1.6975) and amphibians (H’: 1.2643) (t: -1.6835, p>0.05). This study provides the first checklist of amphibians and reptiles species that will be helpful in identifying existing herpetofauna species and possible endangered or rare species in the Sungai Kerteh mangrove forest, which will help contribute to the conservation efforts of the herpetofauna in this area.

The distribution, diversity and conservation of the Mexican herpetofauna among its biogeographic provinces

Community ecology patterns are poorly understood in Uganda, as well as in the rest of East Africa. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the patterns of diversity and distribution of reptiles and amphibians in selected wetland sites in the greater Nabugabo-Ramsar area, Uganda, with contributions to the understanding of their ecology and conservation status. A baseline survey of the herpetofauna of Lake Nabugabo and surrounding wetlands was carried out from 9-18 November 2016. We used visual encounter surveys, pitfall trapping with drift fences, dip-net sampling and opportunistic surveys to sample the herpetofauna. Twenty-seven amphibian species belonging to nine families and 12 genera were recorded. Species richness for amphibians was highest at the landing sites of Kaziru, Lambu, Bukakata and Namirembe. The most frequently encountered amphibian species were Hyperolius kivuensis, H. cinnamomeoventris, Ptychadena nilotica, P. porosissima, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Sclerophrys vittata and S. regularis. We did not detect any species threatened with extinction based on their conservation assignment in the IUCN Red List. Twenty-four reptile species belonging to eleven families and 16 genera were recorded. The most species-rich sites for reptiles were Namirembe landing site, Lake Nabugabo Wetland system, Jubiya FR, Kawoko-Bigasa in the Katonga wetland system, and Kaziru landing at the shores of Lake Victoria. The most frequently encountered reptile species were Naja melanoleuca, Trachylepis maculilabris, T. striata, Python sebae, and Varanus niloticus. For either the amphibian or reptilian fauna, there was no one particular site or habitat that we identified as very unique from the others or critical for one species or taxon.

Abstract. Setiadi AE, Rahayu HM. 2021. Reptiles in the Pontianak and Kubu Raya Residental Area, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2763-2770. The increase in population is directly proportional to housing needs. Expansion of residential areas can threaten the diversity of reptiles in West Kalimantan. This study aims to inventory and identify the diversity of reptiles in residential areas in Pontianak and Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan province, Indonesia. This research gives a better understanding of reptilian urban species to support monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity in West Kalimantan. This research uses the descriptive exploratory method. Four study areas were selected based on a proportion of impervious surfaces. Data collection used the VES (Visual Encounter Survey). Identification refers to Reptile field guides and identification books. The data were analyzed descriptively qualitatively, the level reptile diversity was analyzed using the Shannon Diversity Index, and the similarities of reptiles between the residential area in Pontianak and Kubu Raya were assessed using the Jaccard similarity coefficient. The results showed, from 50 individual reptiles found in Pontianak and Kubu Raya, there were 13 reptile species from the order Squamata and the order Testudines. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index of 2.26 and Jaccard similarity coefficient 0.384, indicating that the level of diversity of reptile species in the two study areas is classified as moderate.

Diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the Caramoan Island Group, Maqueda Channel, Southern Luzon, Philippines

Malaysia is blessed with lush tropical rainforests that harbour an exceptional diversity of amphibians and reptiles. However, compared to other animal groups, amphibians and reptiles have received limited attention in research, despite their ecological significance. With amphibians and reptile species having been declining rapidly due to anthropogenic activities, there is a pressing need to conserve these species and their habitats. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are designated regions that are beneficial due to their critical role in providing essential ecosystem services and serving as repositories of biodiversity. Nonetheless, the classification of ESAs in Malaysia lacks biological elements and only focuses on physical attributes. To enhance the current ESA classification framework by integrating biological components, there is an urgent need to obtain information on diversity and habitat in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold: to determine the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest and to conduct a comparative analysis between the herpetofauna assemblages in Gunung Belumut with other forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. The survey was carried out between March and June 2022, with additional sampling conducted in February 2023. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) and pitfall trap methods were employed to survey the herpetofauna species, focusing on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the study area. A total of 210 individuals representing 38 species of herpetofauna were recorded, comprising 18 amphibian and 20 reptile species. Amongst the observed species, Limnonectesblythii was the most frequently encountered amphibian, with 59 individuals observed, while the dominant reptile species was Cyrtodactylusconsobrinus, represented by eight individuals. This pioneering study serves as a vital baseline documentation of the amphibian and reptile assemblages in Gunung Belumut Amenity Forest. It provides valuable information for identifying extant herpetofauna species, including those of potential conservation concern or rarity. These findings contribute to ongoing conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of herpetofauna within the region. By understanding the diversity and distribution patterns of amphibians and reptiles in Gunung Belumut, effective conservation strategies can be developed to protect these species and their habitats.

Conservation of the biological diversity and sustainable use of the resources of earth are enshrined in Islamic low and principles. It is therefore fitting that in 2001 the kingdom of Saudi Arabia became a signatory to the Convention of Conservation on Biological Diversity that seeks to ensure the conservation of species and their habitats for all time. The study was carried out in Asir region, located in the southwest of the country. Topography and biotic elements of the environment were described. The study area is one of the richest regions of the Kingdom in the diversity of animals, where the region is characterized by the presence of a large group of wild animals belonging to different animal families. In this work, diversity of herpetofauna which found in the region was studied. Seven species of tailless amphibians (Anura) were recorded, belonging to three families, firstly Bufonidae which include four species, Bufo tihamicus, B. dhufarensis, B. arabicus and B. viridis, secondly Hylidae represented by only one species, a tree frog Hyla savignyi, and finally Ranidae represented by two species, Rana ridibunda and Euphlyctis ehrenbergii. The results showed that there are 38 species of reptiles; 23 species of lizards belonging to the families Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae, Agamidae, Varanidae, and Chamaeleontidae and 14 species of snakes belonging to 5 families: Typholopidae, Leptotypholopidae, Colubridae, Elapidae, and Viperidae. Only one species ofTurtles, belongs to family Testudinidae, was recorded. This work was suggested to throw light on the diversity of herpetofauna in Asir region as an important part of the ecosystem that has to be maintained, and to determine species composition of amphibian and reptile communities in different ecosystems as indicators of biodiversity in the study area. It came also to suggest strategies and techniques to determine the abundance of these species.

Remotely sensed measures of vegetation structure have been shown to explain patterns in the occurrence and diversity of several animal taxa, including birds, mammals, and invertebrates. However, very little research in this area has focused on reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna). Moreover, most remote sensing studies on animal–habitat associations have relied on airborne or satellite data that provide coverage over relatively large areas but may not have the resolution or viewing angle necessary to measure vegetation features at scales that are meaningful to herpetofauna. Here, we combined terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), unmanned aerial vehicle laser scanning (ULS), and fused (FLS) data to provide the first test of whether vegetation structural attributes can help explain variation in herpetofauna abundance, species richness, and diversity across a woodland landscape. We identified relationships between the abundance and diversity of herpetofauna and several vegetation metrics, including canopy height, skewedness, vertical complexity, volume of vegetation, and coarse woody debris. These relationships varied across species, groups, and sensors. ULS models tended to perform as well or better than TLS or FLS models based on the methods we used in this study. In open woodland landscapes, ULS data may have some benefits over TLS data for modeling relationships between herpetofauna and vegetation structure, which we discuss. However, for some species, only TLS data identified significant predictor variables among the LiDAR‐derived structural metrics. While the overall predictive power of models was relatively low (i.e., at most R2 = 0.32 for ULS overall abundance and R2 = 0.32 for abundance at the individual species level [three‐toed skink (Chalcides striatus)]), the ability to identify relationships between specific LiDAR structural metrics and the abundance and diversity of herpetofauna could be useful for understanding their habitat associations and managing reptile and amphibian populations.

Herpetofaunal and vegetational characterization of a thermally-impacted stream at the beginning of restoration

An ecosystem's functionality and stability are naturally influenced by biological diversity. Herpetofauna is the part of this biological diversity which provide support to maintenance of natural diversity. The present study was carried out at Ecopark, West Bengal, India from June 2021 to June 2022 with the objective to assess the diversity of herpetofauna in an urban park in the context of massive urbanization of the outside area called Rajarhat. Present survey revealed the richness of the urban park in its herpetofaunal diversity where 21 species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians with one Near Threatened, three Vulnerable and one endangered species were found. Colubridae family species was found highest. Influence on herpetofaunal diversity, it was determined that this park may play an important role in the conservation of those species.

Abstract. Maulidi A, Purnaningsih T, Maulina A, Gunawan YE, Rizki M. 2020. Short Communication: Herpetofauna diversity at University of Palangka Raya, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4509-4514. Research on herpetofauna at the University of Palangka Raya (UPR) is vital as there has been no official data so far and remains to be anecdotal evidence from various members of the university. The present study aimed to analyze and report the herpetofauna diversity on the Tunjung Nyaho Campus. It was conducted between October 2019 and November 2019. Herpetofauna data were collected using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method. Diurnal and nocturnal surveys were carried out between 07:00-10:00 and 19:00-22:00, respectively. The results showed that as many as 12 species of herpetofauna were present, including six species of reptiles from six families and six species of amphibians from four families. Comparative diversity analyses of these species, unburned, post-burnt, and around building, indicated that the unburned area had a relatively high diversity (2.06) compared to the other two (0.86 and 0.88, respectively). However, the evenness index (E) for the herpetofauna community in all three locations was > 0.70. The resulting species list from this study consisted of two species with threatened statuses under the IUCN Red List, i.e., Ophiophagus hannah (VU), and Cuora amboinensis (EN).

A global meta-analysis on patterns of amphibian and reptile diversity in agroforestry systems