Browsing by Author "Boniface, Elizabeth"

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    Habitat colonization in artificial ponds by anuran amphibians at University of Dar es Salaam
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2013) Boniface, Elizabeth
    Habitat preference by anurans given a choice between natural vs artificial habitats was studied at the University of Dar es salaam between October 2006 and April 2007. Natural habitats were a wetland adjacent to the University Health Centre. Artificial Habitats were ten square ponds each 1.25m2 covered with selected vegetation, among the water fern Azolla nilotica, spinach Ipomea aquatica, Curly water weed Lagarosiphon fischeri and lettuce Pistia stratoites. Two of the ponds devoid of vegetation and served as controls. Whereas five species of anurans occured in the artificial ponds (Afrixalus fomasinii, Bufo gutturalis, Chiromantis xerampelina, Phrynobatrachus acridoides and Ptychaderia oxyrhynchus), these species plus Leptopelis flavomaculatus, Pyxicephalus edulis and Xenopus laevis were found in natural habitats. From each tank Twenty equivalent aged post-hatch tadpoles were randomly picked and monitored biometrically every ten days for two months. Result on biomass showed that Afrixalus formasinii has the largest adult biomass (101.4g) and Ptychadena oxyrhynchus has the lowest adult biomass (69.98g). Pistia stratoites was the most preferable substratum for oviposition (carried a total of 41440 eggs of various anurans) while Lagarosiphon fischeri proved to be the least preferable substratum (harbored 10,407 eggs). Systematic surveys of different anuran taxa found in the University of Dar es salaam main campus are urgently needed. ¨Such data may indicate the state of environmental impacts upon the taxa and/or what trend may be evolving.