Amphibian and reptile diversity in Lake Olbolosat after a prolonged dry spell

Vincent Muchai; Howard Atubwa

doi:10.15468/m9zgh9

Amphibian and reptile diversity in Lake Olbolosat after a prolonged dry spell

Citation

Muchai V, Atubwa H (2024). Amphibian and reptile diversity in Lake Olbolosat after a prolonged dry spell. Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/m9zgh9 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.

Description

Lake Olbolossat is the only high altitude alkaline Lake in Central Kenya and stands at the border of Laikipia and Nyandarua counties. It is the home to different species of amphibians and reptiles with some Kenyan endemics being found in the place. The lake is under severe threats from human activities leading to habitat modification e.g. agriculture, housing, water abstraction and pollution from sewer and plastic disposal (Wamiti et. al. 2008; Terer et al 2019, NEMA 2007). This interferes with the well-being of different species of amphibians and reptiles affecting the distribution patterns around the lake. There is little published data information except for a technical report (Terer et al 2019) on some work previously done in the area. The report followed a short survey of day in 2019. During the current study, among the species recorded during the period include Kenyan endemics like Kinangop Caco (Cacosternum kinangopensis), Kinangop puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus kinangopensis), Mahnert's ridged frog (Ptychadena mahnerti) and Lönnberg’s earless dwarf toad (Mertensophryne lonnbergi). There was a first record from the area during the survey of the Nutt’s river frog (Amietia nutti). This dataset contains results of desktop review and field survey undertaken to: (1) establish thespecies composition, abundance and distribution of amphibians and reptiles of Lake Olbolossat (II) assess the amphibians and reptiles’ conservation threats and make recommendations for informed conservation and management measures. The field data was collected in 7 days between 16th and 22nd November 2023 The dataset contains 1296 records of fishes of Lake Olbolossat. The data were formatted according to the Darwin Core Standards by Herpetology Section, National Museums of Kenya before publishing through the IPT at the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.

Purpose

Information regarding the herpetofauna of Lake Olbolossat has been scanty and scattered making it difficult to clearly understand their status. This study was conducted to assess the current status of the species in the aftermath of the recent drying of the lake.it also helps the managemnt authorities to make decisions on the steps to take in the lakes management plan.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

The survey was done in in the six administrative blocks around the entire Lake Olbolossat namely Weru, Manguo, Shamata, Rurii, Central Ward and Gatimu.

Sampling

The data was captured using standardised amphibians and reptiles namely time limited searches, Visual encounter surveys and audio encounter survey. GPS data (coordinates) for each Tine limited search (TLS) and each specimen encounter site, was determined using an eTrex 20 Garmin receiver.

Quality Control

Species identification was done on site and a few in the laboratory by the herpetology Section staff, National Museums of Kenya. 

Method steps

1. Field data transformed to conform to the Darwin Core standards. 2. Dataset cleaning and validation by taxa experts. 3. Dataset validation on https://www.gbif.org/tools/data-validator 4. Dataset and metadata publishing on GBIF using NMK's IPT.

Taxonomic Coverages

Several records from Amphibia and reptilia classes.

Amphibia
common name: Amphibians rank: class
Reptilia
common name: Reptiles rank: class

Geographic Coverages

The survey was done in in the six administrative blocks around the entire Lake Olbolossat. namely Weru, Manguo, Shamata, Rurii, Central Ward and Gatimu. Sampling was done in all amphibian and reptiles habitats and the data recorded. GPS data (coordinates) for each Tine limited search (TLS) and each specimen encounter site, was determined using an eTrex 20 Garmin receiver.

Bibliographic Citations

Crafter, S.A., Njuguna S.G. and Howard G.W. (1992) Wetlands of Kenya. Proceedings of the KWWG seminar on wetlands of Kenya, NMK, Nairobi, Kenya, 3-5 July 1991. Gland: IUCN -
Wamiti, W. Malaki, P. & Mwangi, A. (2008). Birds of Conservation Concern Upgrades Lake Ol’ Bolossat Status to Kenya’s 61st Important Bird Area. Paper presented at the 12th Pan-African Ornithological Congress, Goudin Spa Conference Centre, Cape Town, SouthAfrica, 7-12 Sept. 2008. -
Krhoda, G.O. (1992). The Hydrology and Function of Wetlands. Pp. 13-22 in Crafter, S.A., Njuguna S.G. and Howard G.W. (eds) Wetlands of Kenya. Proceedings of the KWWG seminar on wetlands of Kenya, NMK, Nairobi, Kenya, 3-5 July 1991. Gland: IUCN -
NEMA (National Environment Management Authority) (2007). Lake Ol-Bolossat Management Plan 2008-2013. Kenya Wetlands Forum. Nairobi, Kenya. -
Terer T., Odeny D., Kirika P., Mbale M., Yego R., Malonza P.K., Muchai V., Kochey J., Gathua J., Kosgei G., Muchane M.N., Waithaka K.M. Wamiti W. & Njoroge P. (2019). Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of Lake Ol’ Bolossat: Habitat characterization, water quality, fungi, plants, birds, mammals, inverterbrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles. NMK and / Birdlife International, Nairobi, Kenya. -
Okumu J. (2017). Lake Ol’Bolossat, synthesis report. East Africa Wild Life Society technical report. -

Contacts

Vincent Muchai
originator
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: vmuchaiw@gmail.com

Howard Atubwa
originator
position: Senior Research Assistant
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +2547210318140
email: hatubwa@gmail.com

Vincent Muchai
metadata author
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: vmuchaiw@gmail.com

Vincent Muchai
administrative point of contact
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +254722279090
email: vmuchaiw@gmail.com

Howard Atubwa
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Research Assistant
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
Telephone: +2547210318140
email: hatubwa@gmail.com