Current Status of the Amphibian Fauna of the Arboretum of Jean Lorougnon Guédé University of Daloa, Ivory Coast
Goly N’Guessan Simplice *
Department of Biology and Tropical Ecology, Faculty of Environment, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, B.P. 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Zingbé Gbongué Ulrich
Department of Biology and Tropical Ecology, Faculty of Environment, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, B.P. 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouadio Atta Léonard
Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Alassane Ouattara, BPV18 Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.
Keita Gaoussou
Department of Biology and Tropical Ecology, Faculty of Environment, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, B.P. 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Oussou Konan Hervé
Department of Biology and Tropical Ecology, Faculty of Environment, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, B.P. 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Gongomin Basseu Aude-Inès
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agro-industry, San Pedro Polytechnic University, B.P. 1800, San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
N’Guessan Ouétré
Department of Biology and Tropical Ecology, Faculty of Environment, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, B.P. 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Amphibians are widely recognized as sensitive bioindicators of environmental health, making them essential for monitoring ecosystem changes, particularly in tropical habitats such as those found in Ivory Coast. Despite their ecological importance and documented diversity in several protected areas across the country, there remains limited data on amphibian communities within the arboretum of Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa. In the setting of the conservation's work of the site housing the arboretum of Jean Lorougnon Guédé University in Daloa (6°54’43’’N, 6°26’20’’W) a survey of the amphibians at this site was conducted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ecological health of the arboretum through the amphibian populations in this environment. Specifically, the goal was to conduct a survey of amphibian populations and identify the various pressures these animals face there. To achieve these objectives, two amphibian sampling techniques were used from April to August 2025; i.e. 2 sampling campaigns (10 field visits). The visual sampling technique combined with catches, the acoustic sampling technique and the assessment of anthropogenic pressure were therefore used. The results obtained reveal 15 species (Afrixalus dorsalis, Amnirana galamensis, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Hyperolius concolor, Hyperolius picturatus, Kassina senegalensis, Leptopelis viridis, Phrynobatrachus francisci, Phrynobatrachus latifrons, Phrynomantis microps, Ptychadena bibroni, Ptychadena mascareniensis, Ptychadena pumilio, Sclerophrys maculata et Sclerophrys regularis)
of amphibians belonging to 8 families and 10 genera. The results obtained reveal that the area is subject to significant human pressure from agricultural activities and the use of pesticides. Restoring the habitats in the arboretum would require raising awareness among the local community about the risks of unregulated farming practices. The implementation of reforestation campaigns and monitoring the quality of the arboretum’s pond.
Keywords: Arboretum, amphibians, ecological health, Ivory Coast and pressures