Amphibian biodiversity in Taita Hills, Kenya [Elektronische Ressource] / Kinyatta P. W. Malonza

“AMPHIBIAN BIODIVERSITY IN TAITA HILLS, KENYA” Dissertation Zur Erlangung des Grades Doktor der Naturwissenschaften Am Fachbereich Biologie Der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Kinyatta P. W. Malonza geboren am 1 April 1971 in Kitui, Kenia Mainz im December 19, 2008 iiCONTENTS 1 GENERAL SUMMARY......................................................................................................... 1 2 GENERAL INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 3 2.1 Declining amphibian populations .................................................................................... 6 2.2 Habitat alteration and biodiversity loss............................................................................ 6 2.3 Effects of anthropogenic habitat disturbance on amphibians ......................................... 7 2.4 Thesis aims and structure ................................................................................................. 8 3 IS THE LOW AMPHIBIAN BIODIVERSITY IN THE EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS DUE TO FOREST LOSS?............................................................................................................ 10 3.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 10 3.2 MATERIALS AND METHODS................................................................................... 13 3.2.