Ecology of Anurans on the Lukwangule Plateau, Tanzania

Lukwangule Plateau is located on the Uluguru South Mountains, Tanzania. The Uluguru Mountains form part of the Eastern Arc Mountains which are the biodiversity hotspots. This plateau rises to about 2600 metres above sea level and is a mosaic of grassland and forest patches. Due to its altitudinal location, the plateau is characterized by relatively low temperatures which are important in shaping the behaviour of amphibians in an area. At least five species of anurans are found on the plateau. These species inhabit different habitats of the plateau such as grassland, forest and wetlands. This book provides details of the ecology of the anuran species found on the plateau including their abundance, the influence of temperature and rainfall on vocalisation, reproductive condition, clutch size and sex ratio during different seasons of the year. Information on the diet of different species and the relationship between body mass and snout-vent length is given.

Autorentext

Wilirk Ngalason is a teaching staff at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He holds a M.Sc. in Zoology and has co- authored a number of scientific papers in the field of taxonomy and reproductive biology of amphibians. He is one of a few Tanzanians with interest on amphibian biology.