i AN ASSESSMENT OF DIVERSITY, ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF HERPETOFAUNA IN THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA IZUMBE MGANA MSINDAI A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA. 2014 ii ABSTRACT An assessment of diversity, abundance and distribution of herpetofauna in grassland, kopjes, woodland, riverine forest and wetlands habitats of Serengeti National Park (SENAPA), Tanzania was conducted between December 2012 and March 2013. Drift fence with pitfall, wire mesh funnel traps, active search and visual encounter survey, road survey and purposive point count methods were used to obtain data for this study. Besides, focus group discussion and literature review were used to supplement the data collected in the field through the aforementioned methods. A total of 36 amphibian and 48 reptilian species were recorded to exist in SENAPA. Six amphibian species; namely Chiromantis xerampelina, Hemisus guineensis, Mentensophryne sp, Tomopterna cryptotis, Tomopterna turbeculosa and Phrynobatrachus scheffleri are reported for the first time for a handy checklist of herpetofauna in SENAPA. The most abundant amphibian species was Ptychadena mossambica while Agama mwanzae was the most dominant reptile species. The distribution of both amphibians and reptiles varied significantly among habitats. Bufo gutturalis, Ptychadena anchietae (amphibians) and Varanus niloticus (reptiles) were widely spread in all habitats. Species richness also varied among habitats. The highest species richness of amphibia was recorded in the grassland and riverine forests with thirteen and eight species respectively. The highest species richness of reptiles was recorded in woodland and kopjes with 26 and 21 species respectively. Species diversity of amphibians among habitats was highest in riverine forest (H' 1.63) and grassland (H' 1.45). Species diversity of reptilians among habitats was highest in woodland (H' 2.79) and grassland (H' 2.1). The lowest species diversity of amphibians was recorded in kopjes (H' 0.99) while that of reptiles was recorded in wetland (H' 0.69). The study recommends further herpotofauna survey for a complete description of the species within the expansive SENAPA. iii DECLARATION I, IZUMBE MGANA MSINDAI, do hereby declare to the Senate of Sokoine University of Agriculture that this dissertation is my own original work done within the period of registration and that it has neither been submitted nor is being concurrently submitted to any other institution. ______________________ _______________________ Izumbe Mgana Msindai Date (MSc. Candidate) The above declaration is confirmed ______________________ _______________________ Prof. R. P. C. Temu Date (Supervisor) ______________________ _______________________ Dr. N. E. J. Mbije Date (Supervisor) iv COPYRIGHT No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author or Sokoine University of Agriculture on that behalf. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express a vote of thanks to all individuals whose extensive support made this dissertation possible. First and foremost, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisors, Prof. R. P. C. Temu and Dr. N. E. J. Mbije, who have patiently guided me in all phases of this study. Their intellectual stimulation, professional guidance, encouragement, constructive criticisms, supervision and patience are highly appreciated. Many thanks should also go to the Director General of the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Mr. A. Kijazi, for granting me a study leave and funding this study. Special thanks should likewise go to Mr. M. G. G. Mtahiko, former Chief Park Warden of the Serengeti National Park (SENAPA) and his successor, Mr. W. Mwakilema for encouragement and facilitation. I greatly thank Mr. S. K. Msumi, Protection Warden for organising a focus group discussion and field trips to various areas in the SENAPA. I also appreciate the assistance of Cpl. B. M. Kivunja for guiding me in the field. My thanks should also go to my field assistants, J. Giesi, C. Magesa, H. Mwinyijuma and J. M. Mashau for their tireless work and tolerance during data collection. I further extend my gratitude to Dr. C. Msuya of the University of Dar es Salaam for assisting me in the identification. Sincere thanks should also go to Dr. M. I. Olotu of Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) for his constructive criticism on my research proposal and his valuable time to discuss with me data analysis and dissertation write up. vi Finally, I thank my spouse, Florentina Kideka, my son, Aaron and daughters, Ellywellu Maureen and Limma Colleen, my parents, Mgana I. Msindai and Ellywellu Izumbe and my aunt, Sarah Nyamsindai for their prayers and encouragement throughout the period of my study. vii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to: i. My lovely wife, Florentina Kideka for her patience and taking care of the family when I was away conducting this study; ii. My son, Aaron and daughters, Ellywellu Maureen and Limma Colleen for their patience during the course of this study; iii. My beloved parents, Mgana I. Msindai and Ellywellu Izumbe, who laid the foundation of my education and for their affectionate love. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... iii DECLARATION............................................................................................................. iii COPYRIGHT .................................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................v DEDICATION................................................................................................................ vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... xii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF PLATES ........................................................................................................ xiv LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................xv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER ONE ...............................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 1.1 Background Information ...........................................................................................1 1.2 Problem Statement and Justification of the study .....................................................1 1.3 Objectives of the Study .............................................................................................3 1.3.1 General objective ..........................................................................................3 1.3.2 Specific objectives ........................................................................................3 1.3.3 Research questions ........................................................................................3 CHAPTER TWO ..............................................................................................................4 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................4 2.1 Herpetofauna .............................................................................................................4 ix 2.1.1 Amphibians ...................................................................................................4 2.1.2 Reptiles ........................................................................................................5 2.2 Diversity, Distribution and Abundance of Herpetofauna ..........................................7 2.2.1 Diversity, distribution and abundance of amphibians...................................7 2.2.2 Diversity, distribution and abundance of reptiles .........................................8 2.3 Habitat Preference, Threats and Importance of Herpetofauna ..................................9 2.3.1 Habitat preference .........................................................................................9 2.3.2 Threats to herpetofauna...............................................................................10 2.3.3 The importance of herpetofauna in the ecosystem .....................................16 CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................19 3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS ..........................................................................19 3.1 Materials ..................................................................................................................19 3.1.1 Study area...................................................................................................19 3.1.1.1 Climate ........................................................................................22