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Distribution, Diversity and Population Status of Herpetofauna in Lower DISTRIBUTION, DIVERSITY AND POPULATION STATUS OF /1 HERPETOFAUNA IN LOWER TANA RIVER FORESTS, KENYA Philothamnus punctatus, a harmless snake species found in Shakababo forest, lower Tana River, Kenya. By K. Julius A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science, University of Nairobi May, 2009 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for any other degree to the best of my knowledge. Signed Date. This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors: 1. Dr. N. N. Gichuki School of Biological Sciences University of Nairobi /^0//zo/<£> Signature.................... 2. Dr. S. Kiboi School of Biological Sciences University of Nairobi Signature.................... d i i DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my wife, Esther Mbithe and my children. Joy Mutheu. Emmanuel Muthama and Juliet Mbesa. You are the inspiration that drives me on ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis was made possible by the unfailing support from various individuals and institutions whose assistance I have the pleasure to acknowledge. I extend my deep gratitude to Dr. N. N. Gichuki and Dr. S. Kiboi for their supervision, corrections and continuous encouragement they have given me in this work. Special thanks goes to Patrick Malonza, Beryl Bwong and Dr. Charles Lange who assisted from proposal development to fieldwork, identification and reading. Many thanks also goes to Jacob Mueti and Joash Nyamache for their assistance in the field, not forgetting other members of herpetology and Ichthyology sections of the National Museums of Kenya, for their moral support and company. My friends and classmates always shared their constructive ideas and encouraged me. My sincere gratitude go to my mother, wife and children for the long periods of time that they had to go through without my company, and the periods of my stress that they had to bear. Your understanding and encouragement gave me reserves of energy I never thought existed in me. I also wish to thank the National Museums of Kenya through the Manpower and Training Committee for approving my study leave and allowing me to use reference materials and collections in the institution. Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Forest Department (Witu) through their staff granted me research permission, security and entry in to their protected areas. The communities along the lower Tana River forests offered valuable assistance during the research. Finally, I thank the Critical Ecosystem and Partnership Fund (CEPF), through Nature Kenya (the Birdlife Partner in Kenya) for giving me the funds which made the project possible. 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION________ DEDICATION__________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS.... IV ABSTRACT____________ XI CHAPTER ONE. 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................1 1.2.0 Literature Review.................................................................................................4 1.2.1 Amphibians........................................................................................................ 4 1.2.2 Reptiles...............................................................................................................5 1.2.3 The importance of herpetofauna in the ecosystem..........................................7 1.2.4 Human and natural impact on herpetofauna communities................................. 7 1.2.5 Problem statement and justification of the study............................................10 1.3.0 Objectives.............................................................................................................11 1.3.1 Main objective.................................................................................................. 11 1.3.2 Specific objectives............................................................................................11 1.3.3 Research questions............................................................................................11 1.3.4 General hypothesis...........................................................................................12 CHAPTER TWO (•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••a 13 2.0 STUDY AREA 13 2.1 Location.................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Geology and Soils................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Climate..................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Flora..........................................................................................................................17 2.5 Fauna........................................................ „............................................................ 18 2.6 Human Activities and Land U se............................................................................ 19 2.7 Forest Utilization..................................................................................................... 19 2.8 Floods....................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER THREE. 22 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS...................................................................................................22 3.1 Selection o f Study Sites.......................................................................................... 22 3.2 Characteristics of Forest Fragments...................................................................... 24 3.3.0 Herpetofauna Sampling Techniques.................................................................. 26 3.3.1 Time limited searches..................................................................................... 26 3.3.2 Night belt transect sampling...........................................................................28 3.3.3 Opportunistic visual encounter survey........................................................... 29 3.3.4 Pit fall traps with drift fence..........................................................................29 3.3.5 Specimen collection, preservation and identification..................................30 3.4.0 Habitat Sampling Techniques.............................................................................31 IV 3.4.1 Tree density...................................................................................................... 31 3.4.2 Leaf litter cover................................................................................................31 3.4.3 Percent canopy cover...................................................................................... 31 3.4.4 Percent vegetation cover................................................................................. 32 3.4.5 Soil moisture....................................................................................................33 3.4.6 Ambient temperature...................................................................................... 33 3.4.7 Soil pH ............................................................................................................. 33 3.4.8 Estimation of forest disturbance.................................................................... 33 3.5 Questionnaire Survey..............................................................................................34 3.6.0 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................35 3.6.1 Habitat characteristics..................................................................................... 35 3.6.2 Herpetofauna species richness, abundance and diversity.............................35 3.6.2.1 Species richness (S)................................................................................. 35 3.6.2.2 Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index (H1).................................................36 3.6.3 Relationship between herpetofauna and habitat characteristics................... 36 3.6.4 Cultural significance and threats to amphibians and reptiles....................... 36 CHAPTER FOUR_________________________________________________________________ 37 4.0 RESULTS__________________________________________________________________ 37 4.1.0 Detailed description of the forest fragments......................................................37 4.1.1 Size....................................................................................................................37 4.1.2 Leaf litter cover................................................................................................37 4.1.3 Percent canopy cover....................................................................................... 39 4.1.4 Soil moisture content....................................................................................... 39 4.1.5 Soil pH ............................................................................................................. 39 4.1.6 Tree density......................................................................................................40 4.1.7 Temperature......................................................................................................40 4.1.8 Percent vegetation cover..................................................................................40 4.1.9 Forest disturbance...........................................................................................
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