CSIR-FORIG research has potentially discovered two new frog species from the genus Phrynobatrachus in Ghana, along with identifying the male of a previously described species. The study aims to improve conservation efforts as amphibians face significant threats from habitat loss. With funding from the National Geographic Society, the research highlights the dire need for focused conservation efforts amid high rates of deforestation in Ghana.
Research by the Forestry Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FORIG) has potentially identified two new frog species from the genus Phrynobatrachus, which are under consideration for formal scientific classification. This genus is part of the monogenetic family Phrynobatrachidae, found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the team identified the male of a previously known species from Ankasa, which was initially documented only from two female specimens and one juvenile, marking progress in understanding these species’ biology.
The investigation, led by three CSIR-FORIG scientists in collaboration with the NGO Herp Conservation Ghana, aimed to bolster the conservation status of Ghana’s rare and endangered amphibians to enhance their survival chances, particularly given the escalating environmental threats. The CSIR-FORIG Annual Report highlights that half of global amphibian species face imminent extinction, despite the fact that they receive minimal conservation efforts, especially in Africa.
Southern Ghana’s forests are critical habitats for numerous rare and endemic amphibian species; however, over 80% of these forests have been lost due to deforestation, posing severe risks to regional biodiversity. The alarming damage to these ecosystems is prompting research to understand amphibian responses to habitat loss. The concern is that some species may face crypto-extinction, where they may vanish before being formally identified.
Funding from the National Geographic Society supported the study of amphibian diversity across five previously understudied forest areas: Cape Three Points, Onepone Endangered Species Refuge, Ankasa Conservation Area, Kakum National Park, and the Pra-Suhien Forest Reserve. The lead researcher also visited the Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin to compare collected specimens with existing types and to draft relevant scientific manuscripts.
This research underscores the vital need to deepen understanding of Ghana’s amphibian biodiversity and stresses the urgency of enhanced conservation efforts to safeguard these vulnerable ecosystems from ongoing degradation. It highlights both the unknown diversity of amphibians in Ghana and the pressing threats they face from habitat loss.
Ghana’s amphibian research has led to the potential identification of two new frog species and the male of a previously known species, bolstering the understanding of these creatures. Concern over habitat loss due to deforestation highlights the immediate need for conservation initiatives. This study, along with its collaboration with international institutions, aims to protect Ghana’s unique amphibian biodiversity. Immediate and more focused conservation efforts are crucial to prevent the extinction of these poorly studied species, emphasizing the importance of scientific research and biodiversity preservation.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
