Distribution and feeding ecology of amphibian (anuran) species in Kimboza Forest Reserve in Morogoro District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

MSc. Dissertation

An assessment of the distribution and feeding ecology of amphibian (anuran) species of Kimboza Forest Reserve, Tanzania was conducted between March 2017 and April 2017. Visual encounter survey and capture methods were used to study the distribution of anurans. Captured animals were degutted and their gut contents were used in the study of feeding ecology. A total of 13 species of amphibian belonging to 7 families of order anuran were found to exist in Kimboza forest. The highest occurrence of anurans (70%) was recorded in areas where forest border with farms and along Kimboza forest streams. The study showed that there was no significant variation of occurrence of anurans among different habitats in Kimboza forest (Q=11; DF =6; P=0.096). On the other hand, about 462 prey items belonging to 10 food groups were found in the guts of 93 captured anurans and the most abundant food groups were Isoptera and Hymenoptera while Coleoptera were the most frequent. There were no significant differences in the anurans’ diet (composition, diversity and preferences) among different habitats of the forest (along boundaries and within the forest) but significant differences were found between the upper fragment and the lower fragment of the forest. The similarities of diets of anurans in different habitats along forest boundaries and within the forest were due to the fact that most of anurans were generalist predators. The study provides a preliminary estimation of the actual diet of anurans and establishes a general distribution pattern for these species in Kimboza forest. These findings are important for understanding and management of anurans in Kimboza Forest Reserve. Further studies focused on dry season and nocturnal species are recommended so as to come up with a complete description of the distribution and feeding ecology of anuran species of Kimboza Forest Reserve.