Address
Museum für Naturkunde
Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity
Invalidenstrasse 43
10115 Berlin
Germany

Phone +49 (0)30 2093 7953
Fax +49 (0)30 2093 8565
E-Mail mareike.hirschfeld(at)mfn-berlin.de

Life-history traits and extinction probabilities in changing environments – montane amphibians of Cameroon as model system
Various among the threaten amphibian species; especially those in forested tropical highlands, have to cope with dramatic climate alterations and man-made habitat degradation. However, distinct properties which could predict the capability of species to survive in already altered habitats, as well as in environments that are likely to change in the future are unknown. My project aims to detect links between survival probability, species specific habitat requirements and life-history traits. The study is carried out on the Mount Manengouba in south-western Cameroon. This area comprises a variety of degradation types (pristine forest to farmbush) from around 1000 to 2400 m asl. I focus on the anuran genera Cardioglossa, Arthroleptis and Phrynobatrachus, chosen on basis of their biological and phylogenetic characteristics. Cardioglossa and Arthroleptis are closely related (family Arthroleptidae) but differ in their biology; e.g. Arthroleptis are direct developers; in contrast Phrynobatrachus (Phrynobatrachidae) and Cardioglossa have free swimming and feeding tadpoles. All three genera comprise several species along the altitudinal and habitat gradients in this particular area. Hence, allowing searching for correlations between the range of occupied habitats and particular life-history traits. Finally we hope to identify phylogenetic independent life-history traits which facilitate and / or constrain species’ adaptation capacity to current or future habitat and climate alterations. This project is conducted in the framework of AG Rödel.

Watch the documentary of Deutsche Welle TV to see how we work in this area!

Consulting herpetologist in Guinea

Benin (Pendjari Nationalpark, W-Nationalpark, Malanville), Guinea (Mount Nimba, Simandou), Cameroon (Mount Manengouba, Mount Nlonako, Ebo Forest Reserve)