Influence of waterfalls on patterns of association between trout and Natal cascade frog Hadromophryne natalensis tadpoles in two headwaterstreams of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site
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Authors
Karssing, Jeffery Robert
Issue Date
2010-06
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Amphibian , Brown Trout Salmo trutta , Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss , Alien , Invasive , Predation , Waterfall , Isolation , Fragmentation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Current literature suggests that little, if any, research has been conducted in South Africa to determine the impact of alien invasive trout on indigenous amphibian biodiversity. The primary aim of the research project was to establish whether waterfalls are seasonally important in protecting the indigenous Natal Cascade Frog Hadromophryne natalensis tadpole populations from predation by alien rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta at two sampling areas located at Injesuthi and Monk‟s Cowl Nature Reserve within the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site (UDPWHS). The dissertation argues in favour of a biotic rationale, namely trout predation, as being the primary cause for the decline of H. natalensis tadpoles below the waterfalls and systematically negates the influence of geo-physical (abiotic) environmental factors on tadpole abundance. Habitat isolation and fragmentation is identified as a latent threat to the continued persistence of H. natalensis populations in the UDPWHS.
Description
Citation
Karssing, Jeffery Robert (2010) Influence of waterfalls on patterns of association between trout and Natal cascade frog Hadromophryne natalensis tadpoles in two headwaterstreams of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/4859>