Impact of Habitat Destruction on the Population of Amphibians : Current Status of Frogs and Toads in Karachi and Thatta

The present study included the impact of habitat destruction on the population of amphibians with reference to status of frogs and toads in Karachi and Thatta districts of Sindh. Four species of frogs, Common Skittering Frog, Tiger Frog, Indian Burrowing Frog and Indian Cricket Frog, and two toad species, Marbled Toad and Common Asian Toad were recorded. On the basis of present study, it is concluded that the permanent habitat alternation, destruction of habitat, use of indiscriminate toxic material such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers and increase of human population, three species Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Tomopterna breviceps and Limnonectes limnocharis are declined and rated as threatened species in Thatta district, while two species Hoplobatrachus tigerinus and Tomopterna breviceps were rated as rare in Karachi district. The research techniques and information are helpful for graduate and research students of wildlife, National Parks managers, wildlife biologists, wildlife conservation organizations etc.