Abstract
Although Nigeria encompasses one of the most abundant anuran faunas in the world, quantitative information on anuran ecology are limited, especially in the Southwestern region. Four study sites with different vegetation structures in southwest Nigeria were selected and monitored for anuran species. Four species (Rana asdpersa, R. aurora, R. clamitans and R. sylvatica) of the family Ranidae were identified. The study sites were located at Okitipupa, Ore, Osogbo and Ile-Ife. This study was carried in both rainy and dry season, between the years 2002 and 2007. In general, fewer number of amphibian species were observed during the dry season at the four study sites. Total number of individuals caught in the study sight was slightly higher in the rainy season (53.4%) than in the dry season (46.6%). In each of the seasons, more of R. clamitans and R. sylvatica were captured than R. aurora and R. adspersa; with R. aurora accounting for the least number of frog species caught in both dry and rainy seasons. Habitat destruction and modification are key causes of habitat loss of anuran species observed in this study. Focus should be on conservation strategies that monitor and detect changes (increase/decrease) in the diversity and abundance of the ranids and other anurans within a specified study area of interest over time.
Highlights
Recent studies have indicated the alarming rate at which anuran species are declining and disappearing
True frogs especially R. aurora, R. adspersa, R. clamitans and R. sylvatica were found to be resident in the 4 locations sampled for this study with more being found in Ondo State
The limited sampling period and number of individuals provide a preliminary estimation of the species, we believe that a general seasonal distribution pattern has been found
Summary
Recent studies have indicated the alarming rate at which anuran species are declining and disappearing. Out of the estimated 5918 known species of anurans, an estimated 1856 species are listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) endangered species list [1]. Of the 32 families under the order Anura, the family Ranidae is represented by 54 genera with 772 species [2]. Amphibians including the ranids are of tremendous ecologically significance as indicator species. In other words, their presence or absence in a particular ecosystem may be used in determining the health of such ecosystem [3]. Apart from this, amphibians are secondary consumers in the food chain and have significant roles in the nutritional cycling in the ecosystem
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