Understanding habitat requirements for captive breeding and conservation of the Goliath frog in Cameroon.

Authors

  • nchang chrysanthus Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology,College of Technology,University of Bamenda,Cameroon
  • Simon A Tamungang Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology,College of Technology,University of Bamenda
  • Patricia Bi Asanga Fai Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering,College of Technology,University of Bamenda

Keywords:

Ecology, habitat characteristics, Biodiversity, enhanced breeding

Abstract

The Goliath frog came into prominence in the early 19th century, and till date, recent studies show that the ecology is still understudied. The aim of this study is to determine major ecological and ethological patterns and their contributions to the abundance and breeding activity of the Goliath Frog. A descriptive ecological study was used in which data was collected on the ecological variables and the outcome (presence of frogs), used to describe associations (habitat characteristics) important in conservation and breeding. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used, where villages included in the study were chosen. Information on ecological variables such as wind speed, precipitation and humidity was obtained on a daily basis using the weather App (weather.com/weather) installed on phones. Reproductive activities were estimated based on the signs of the presence of the frogs within the reproductive months such as nesting patterns. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.Findings indicate that at temperatures of 250C to 280C, the greatest numbers of frogs were seen (P < 0.001).An increase in humidity levels resulted in the least number of frogs seen (P ≤ 0.219); that wind speed is not a variable of interest for the presence of the Goliath frog (P = 0.747); that the number of frogs increased with an increase in the amount of rainfall recorded over successive days (P < 0.001). It was also seen that Goliath frogs mostly used water filled depressions encircled by rocks for nesting. The probability of finding frogs increased significantly in the thick bushes (CF = 2,6232; p < 0,001), the possibility of finding the frogs increased significantly within the dry season(CF = 2,8769; p <0,1).This indicates that Goliath frogs are nocturnal and frog species that prefer undisturbed forests. These results are expected to improve knowledge on husbandry needs important in conservation programs.

 

Author Biographies

Simon A Tamungang, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology,College of Technology,University of Bamenda

Professor Simon A. Tamungang is a wildlife and conservation specialist,my academic supervisor and former Head of Department of Forestry and Wildlife Technology.

Patricia Bi Asanga Fai, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering,College of Technology,University of Bamenda

Professor Patricia Bi Asanga Fai is my academic Co-Supervisor and head of division of academic affairs and records,and of the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering of the College of Technology,University of Bamenda,Cameroon.

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Published

2023-12-20

How to Cite

chrysanthus, nchang, Tamungang, S. A., & Asanga Fai, P. B. (2023). Understanding habitat requirements for captive breeding and conservation of the Goliath frog in Cameroon. Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation, 1(X). Retrieved from https://sustainable-biodiversity.com/index.php/pub/article/view/44

Issue

Vol. 1 No. X (2024): Articles in press

Section

Research Articles

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