Morerella cyanophthalma (Anura: Hyperoliidae) in south- eastern Ivory Coast: Additional data and implications for the species’ conservation

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2019
Authors:Soro, Kouamé, Kouamé, Adepo-Gourène, Rödel
Keywords:Amphibia, Biodiversity hotspot, Côte d’Ivoire, rainforest, Upper Guinea forest
Abstract:

We report new data from a Morerella cyanophthalma population in the Tanoé-Ehy forests, south-eastern Ivory Coast. The population lives in swamp forests dominated by Raphia palms. Eye colour differed partly to the two other known populations of the species at Banco and Azagny forests. There, males have porcelain white to brownish iris and females have blue eyes. At the new locality, some females possess a grey iris, and some males’ eyes were bluish. Several parts of the Tanoé- Ehy forest are threatened by anthropogenic impacts. Ongoing habitat degradation and the extremely limited distribution of this species suggest that it is highly endangered. The implementation of an official protection status for the Tanoé-Ehy swamp forests is urgently recommended in order to avoid further devastating effects to this irreplaceable ecosystem of national and regional importance.

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