home icon user icon
Welcome to International Network for Natural Sciences | INNS Pub.
Home My Account
Submit Manuscript
double_slash
breadcumb_bg

Endangered Goliath Frog Conraua goliath (Boulenger, 1906): Threats, feeding habit and changes in habitat around the Douala-Edea National Park in Cameroon

Paper Details

Research Paper 15/11/2022
Views (667) Download (62)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Endangered Goliath Frog Conraua goliath (Boulenger, 1906): Threats, feeding habit and changes in habitat around the Douala-Edea National Park in Cameroon

R. Ngueguim Jules, Judith Georgette Makombu, Tasse Taboue Geraud, Fogwan Nguedia Cedrick, Petnga Njosseu Jeanne D’arc, Tamtchap Doungue Stell, Isidore Ayissi, Nack Jacques
J. Bio. Env. Sci.21( 5), 79-89, November 2022.
Certificate: JBES 2022 [Generate Certificate]
Key: CameroonConraua goliathDouala Edea National ParkFeeding habitHabitatThreat

Abstract

Conraua goliath is the largest living frog on earth only found in restricted areas in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea; ranked by IUCN as endangered and fully protected (class A) by Cameroon’s forestry law. Knowledge on the species is still poorly documented. Using the Douala Edea National park, some ecological data at a finer scale are provided; such as: morphometric measurements taken on captured frogs, physico-chemicals parameters of rivers known as goliath frog habitat, threat identified by the survey of hunting and state of habitat, and inventory of macro invertebrate composing their diet. Length and weight were 31.13 ± 4.95cm and 225 ± 114.56 g (n=22) indicating that most captured specimen were juvenile. Giant frog preferred basic waters (8.5≤ pH ≤ 9.96) with temperatures ranging from 25.9 to 28.7°C, and rocky area with waterfall favoring high concentration of dissolved oxygen (5.3 to 8.3mg/L). Major threats were hunting and deforestation. Feeding habit is composed by 23 species of invertebrates dominated by Desmoscaris sp. There is a need to extend the geographical range of the study, to compile a strong data base needed by decision maker to develop a sustainable conservation policy and management plan for giant frog across its range.

VIEWS 128
Cover PDF

Alford RA, Richards SJ. 1999. Global amphibian declines: A problem in applied ecology. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 30, 133-165.

Amiet JL. 2004. Conraua Goliath. In: UICN 2014. UICN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. www.UICNredlist.org le 21-06-2014.

Boulenger. 1906. Descriptions for the new batrachians discovered by Mr G.L. Bates in South Cameroon. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7(17). 317-323.

Blaustein AR, Wake DB. 1995. The puzzle of declining amphibian populations. Scientific American 272(4), 52-7.

Carey C, Heyer RW, Wilkinson J, Alford RA, Arntzen JW, Halliday T, Hungerford L, Lips KR, Middleton EM, Orchard SA, Rand AS. 2001. Amphibian declines and environmental change: use of remote sensing data to identify environmental correlates. Conservation Biology 15, 903-913.

Collins, Storfer JP. 2003. Global amphibian declines: Storing the hypotheses. Diversity and Distributions [Print] 9, 89-98.

CWCS. 2006. CWCS Douala – Edea Forest project: Report of activities /Rapport d’activités 2005. Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society, Mouanko 42p.

Donfack C. 2015. Caractérisation des habitats de Conraua crassipes (buchholz Peters 1857) dans l’Arrondissment du Nord-Makombè. Master II en Gestion des Pêches et des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques. ISH Yabassi 87p.

Evaliste JR, Zapfack L, Kabelong LP, Moise TD, Corbonnois J, Tchawa P. 2016. Diversité de la flore ligneuse à la périphérie du parc de Waza (Cameroun). Université du Québec à Montréal et Éditions en environnement Vertigo, 16(1): None-None. ecology and how it has informed conservation. Molecular Ecology, 24, France. INRA Prod. Anim 17, 167-17.

Fisher GM, Schaffer HB. 1996. The decline of amphibians in California’s Great Central Valley. Conservation Biology 10(1),387-1,397.

Gewalt W. 1977. Einige Bemerkungen über Fang, Transport und Haltung des Goliathfrosches (Conraua goliath Boulenger). Zool Garten 47,161-192.

Gewalt W. 1996. Vom Goliathfrosch in Südkamerun. TI Mag 28(129), 44-47.

Gonwouo LN, Rödel M-O. 2008. The importance of frogs to the livelihood of the Bakossi people around Mount Manengouba, Cameroon, with special consideration of the Hairy Frog, Trichobatrachus robustus. Salamandra 44, 23-34.

Hardouin J. 2000. Guide technique d’élevage n°3 sur les grenouilles [On line]. Bureau pour l’échange et la distribution de l’information sur le mini-élevage (B.E.D.I.M.), éd. J.Hardouin, BEDIM. 8 p

Jongsma GFM, Emrich A. 2012. Aubria subsigillata (brown ball frog). Parental care. Herpetol Rev 43, 630-631

Jori F. 1998. Bulletin semestriel d’information sur le mini-élevage. Bulletin BEDIM 7, pp 1-32.

Klaphake E. 2009. Bacterial and parasitic diseases of amphibians. Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice 12(3), 597-608.

Nkouateu. 2015. Contribution à l’étude de la biologie de trois (03) espèces de grenouilles géantes exploitées dans l’Arrondissement du Nord-Makombé (Littoral-Cameroun). Master II en Gestion des pêches et des Ecosystèmes. ISH Yabassi 95 P.

Koumbo 2015. The World Biggest Frog. https:/ /conbio.org /groups/sections/africa/act/the-worlds-biggest-frog (consulté le 11/07/20119)

Lamotte M, Perret JL. 1968. Révision du genre Conraua Nieden. Bull l’Institut françaises d’Afrique noire 30, 1603-1644.

Lamotte M, Perret JL, Dzieduszycka S. 1959. Contribution à l’étude des batraciens de l’Ouest Africain IX. Les formes larvaires de Petropedetes palmipes, Conraua goliath et Acanthixalus spinosus. Bull l’Institut françaises d’Afrique noire 21, 762-776.

McKenzie VJ, Starks HA. 2008. Blood parasites of two Costa Rican amphibians with comments on detection and microfilaria density associated with adult filarial worm intensity. Journal of Parasitology 94(4), 824-9.

Morard & Zuberbühler, 2006. Qualité de l’eau et succès de la reproduction des amphibiens : Grenouilles rousses (Rana temporaria) et Rainettes vertes (Hyla arborea) dans des étangs créés à leur intention dans les cantons de Bâle et d’Argovie 28p.

Morin R. 2008. Élevage de la grenouille ». Document d’information DADD-10. Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation 9 p.

Moisan et Pelletier. 2008. Guide de surveillance biologique basée sur les macroinvertébrés benthiques d’eau douce du Québec – cours d’eau peu profond à substrat grossier. Direction du suivi de l’état de l’environnement, Ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs 86p.

Nguessu C. 2014. Caractérisation socio-économique et technique de l’exploitation illicite de la grenouille goliath dans les Départements du Moungo et du Nkam dans la Région du Littorale. Mémoire d’ingénieur Agronome. Université de Dschang. Faculté d’Agronomie et des Sciences Agricoles 73 p.

Nguiffo ND, Wabo PJ, Mbida M. (2015). Gastro-intestinal helminths of goliath frogs (Conraua goliath) from the localities of Loum, Yabassi and Nkondjock in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. Global Ecology and Conservation 4, 146-9.

Nguiffo ND, Wondji SC, Wabo PJ, Mpoame M. 2019. Microfilariae infestation of goliath frogs (Conraua goliath) from Cameroon. PLOS ONE 10p.

Neveu A. 2004. La raniculture est-elle une alternative à la récolte ? Etat actuel en France. Productions animales, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique 17(3), pp.167-175. ⟨hal-01453661⟩

Neuveu A. 1978. Les problèmes posés par l’étude de l’alimentation naturelle des populations sauvages de poissons Bull. Centre Et., Rech. Sci. Biarritz FRA 3, 501-512.

Sabater PiJ. 1985. Contribution to the biology of the Giand frog. Amphibia-reptilia 6, pp  143-153.

Sala OE, Chapin FSI, Armesto JJ, Berlow E, Bloomfield J, Dirzo R, Huber-Sanwald E, Huenneke LF, Jackson RB, Kinzig A, Leemans R, Lodge DM, Mooney HA, Oesterheld M, Poff NL, Sykes MT, Walker BH, Walker M, Wall DH. 2000. Global biodiversity scenarios for the year 2100. Science 287(1), 770-1,774.

Schäfer MSJ, Tsekané FAM, Tchassem S, Drakulić M, Kameni NL, Gonwouo and Rödel M.-O. 2019. Goliath frogs build nests for spawning-the reason for their gigantism? Journal of Natural History 53, 21-22, 1263-1276

Scribner KT, Arntzen JW, Cruddace N, Oldham RS, Burke T. 2001. Environmental correlates of toad abundance and population genetic diversity. Biological Conservation 98, 201-210.

Solé M, Rödder D. 2010. Amphibian ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques. Oxford University 529p

Stuart SN, Chanson JS, Cox NA, Young BE, Rodrigues ASL, Fischmann DL, Waller RW, 2004. Status and trends of amphibian declines and Extinctions worldwide. Science 306, pp. 1783-1786.

Wake DB, Vredenburg VT. 2008. Are we in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. A view from the world of amphibians. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105(11), 466-73.

Wilson EO. 2002. The future of life. Knopf, New York.Everglades Agricultural Area. Ifas extension (1463): 1-5. History Society 82, 347-375.

Yetman CA, Ferguson JWH. 2011. Spawning and non-breeding activity of adult giant bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus). Afr J. Herpetol. 60, 13-29. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2010.550324.

Submit Manuscript