The amphibians and reptiles of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve on the Mambilla Plateau of eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The herpetofauna of the montane forests of Taraba State in eastern Nigeria is poorly known. During the twentieth century, two short surveys of amphibian and reptile diversity were conducted on the Mambilla Plateau, but these did not generate a comprehensive list of the species. Given patterns of diversity in the mountains of neighbouring Cameroon, the mountains of Nigeria may also contain high species diversity, including both endemic and threatened species. We provide an annotated list of 22 amphibian and 15 reptile species collected on the Mambilla Plateau in or near Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve. Approximately a third of these 37 species are new records for this mountainous region of eastern Nigeria, including two vulnerable species, the frog Xenopus amieti and the viper Bitis gabonica. We document several threats to species in this region and outline near-time conservation priorities for amphibians and reptiles on the Mambilla Plateau.