Amphibian and reptile species occurrences in the Tana River Basin, Kenya, digitized from preserved specimens at the National Museums of Kenya

Patrick Malonza

doi:10.15468/a3a7nt

Amphibian and reptile species occurrences in the Tana River Basin, Kenya, digitized from preserved specimens at the National Museums of Kenya

Citation

Malonza P, Masinde S (2019). Amphibian and reptile species occurrences in the Tana River Basin, Kenya, digitized from preserved specimens at the National Museums of Kenya. Version 1.5. National Museums of Kenya. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/a3a7nt accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-11.

Description

The dataset contains Tana River Basin species occurrence records for amphibians and reptiles digitized from the herpetological collection at the National Museums of Kenya. Label data was transcribed and collection localities were georeferenced using GeoLocate if not provided on the specimen labels. The taxonomy follows nomenclature standards by Channing & Howell (2006) and Spawls et al. (2018). The dataset comprises 58 amphibian species in 23 genera and 15 families which is about 53 percent of all known amphibians species in Kenya. With regard to reptiles, there are 136 species in 67 genera and 16 families which is about 45 percent of all known reptile species in Kenya. Among the interesting taxa are Tana River Basin endemics such as Hyperolius cystocandicans, Boulengerula denhardti, Boulengerula spawlsi, Schistometopum gregori, Atheris desaixi, Kinyongia excubitor, Trioceros schubotzi, Thrasops schmidti, Phrynobatrachus irangi, and the rare taxa such as Phrynobatrachus irangi. Tana River Basin ecosystem is therefore a critical habitat for the conservation of endemic taxa.

Purpose

The dataset was created as a contribution towards amphibian and reptile species occurrences records for the Tana River Basin Biodiversity Information System portal.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Tana River basin.

Sampling

Field collection of specimens.

Quality Control

Use of updated taxonomic names following zoological nomenclature standards (Channing & Howell, 2006; Spawls et al. 2018).

Method steps

Standard field herpetological species sampling methods and museum collection management techniques, cataloguing and digitization.

Taxonomic Coverages

Herpetofauna.

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

Geographic Coverages

Tana River Basin, south eastern Kenya

Bibliographic Citations

Baker, T.; Kiptala, J.; Olaka, L.; Oates, N.; Hussain, A.; McCartney, M. 2015. Baseline review and ecosystem services assessment of the Tana River Basin, Kenya. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 107p. (IWMI Working Paper 165). - https://dx.doi.org/10.5337/2015.223
Channing, A. and K.M. Howell, 2006. Amphibians of East Africa. Ithaca and Frankfurt: Cornell University Press and Chimaira. - https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnz.200690009
Malonza, P.K., B.A. Bwong &` V. Muchai. 2011. Kitobo Forest of Kenya, a unique hotspot of herpetofaunal diversity. Acta Herpetologica. 6: 149–160. - DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-9153
Spawls, S., K. Howell, H. Hinkel & M. Menegon 2018: Field guide to East African reptiles. 2nd Edition. 624pp. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, London. -
Van Beukering, P; De Moel, H. (eds) (2015). The Economics of Ecosystem Services of the Tana River Basin. Available at https://www.ivm.vu.nl/en/Images/R15-03_Tana_River_Basin_TEEB_report_tcm234-757604.pdf -

Contacts

Patrick Malonza
originator
position: Head, Herpetology Section
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: pkmalonza@yahoo.com
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke

Patrick Malonza
metadata author
position: Head, Herpetology Section
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: pkmalonza@yahoo.com
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke

Siro Masinde
metadata author
position: Prinicipal Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: pmasinde@museums.or.ke
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke

Esther Mwangi
processor
position: Research Scientist
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: mwangiwangui25@gmail.com
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke

Lawrence Monda
publisher
position: ICT Manager
National Museums of Kenya
Box 40658
Nairobi
00100
Nairobi
KE
email: lmonda@museums.or.ke
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke

Patrick Malonza
administrative point of contact
position: Head, Herpetology Section
National Museums of Kenya
Museum Hill Road
Nairobi
40658 - 00100
Nairobi
KE
email: pkmalonza@yahoo.com
homepage: http://www.museums.or.ke