Species composition and distribution of endemic frog species of Keffa, southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was carried out to describe the species composition, diversity, distribution, and species richness of endemic frog species in the Keffa area, southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected during the wet and dry seasons from 2018 to 2021. The survey was conducted through visual encounters, opportunistic observations, and acoustic encounters. Drift fence and pitfall trap methods were employed to capture frog species. Endemic anurans were investigated in three habitat types: wetland, agricultural land (enset vegetation), and riverine forest. From a total of 3672 person field hours, 2951 individuals belonging to 13 species such as Leptopelis susanae, Leptopelis ragazzii, Leptopelis vannutellii, Hemisus microscaphus, Afrixalus clarkei, Afrixalus enseticola, Paracassina obscura, Phrynobatrachus inexpectatus, Phrynobatrachus minutus, Xenopus largeni, Ptychadena beka, Ptychadena erlangeri, and Ptychadena neumanni were captured. Among these, Leptopelis susanae and Xenopus largeni were recorded for the first time in the study area. Arthroleptidae, Hyperoliidae, and Ptychadenidae families were the most represented, with three species each. The family Pipidae represented the least number comprising only one species. Agricultural land had the highest values for Shannon index (1.401), followed by riverine forest (1.182) and wetland (1.14) although species richness is highest in the wetlands. More endemic frog species were recorded in agricultural habitats, so local communities should continue to cultivate crops like enset plantations. The Keffa area is rich in endemic frog species, accounting for 34% of the country's frog endemism. Five of the thirteen identified endemic species have been identified as threatened by IUCN Redlist status. As a result, we propose that local communities, district and regional officials, and non-governmental organizations working in and around Keffa focus on wetland and forest conservation and protection.