Rwanda supports a diverse amphibian fauna distributed across montane forests, wetlands, grasslands, agricultural landscapes, and freshwater ecosystems. This preliminary checklist documents 62 amphibian taxa representing 11 families and two orders, comprising 61 frogs and toads (Anura) and one caecilian (Gymnophiona), following the comprehensive assessment of Dehling and Sinsch (2023). The checklist provides a taxonomic baseline incorporating scientific names, nomenclatural authorities, and higher taxonomic classifications, intended to support biodiversity inventories, museum collections management, and conservation planning.
Particular attention is given to species associated with the Albertine Rift, including habitat specialists and taxa of conservation concern. Dehling and Sinsch (2023) also identified 22 previously reported species whose occurrence in Rwanda could not be substantiated, emphasizing the importance of verified voucher specimens and reliable distribution records.
The checklist complements the specimen-based inventory maintained by the University of Rwanda's Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management. Integration with the Rwanda Biodiversity Specimen Portal and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) will facilitate taxonomic verification, identification of collection gaps, and future assessments of amphibian diversity and conservation priorities in Rwanda.
References
Dehling, J. M., and Sinsch, U. (2023). Amphibians of Rwanda: Diversity, community features, and conservation status. Diversity, 15(4), 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040512
Dehling, J. M. (2023). A New Miniature Species of Arthroleptis (Anura: Arthroleptidae) from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Diversity, 15(10), 1104. https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101104
Mindje, M., Twagirayezu, E., and Nsengimana, V. (2026). Diversity and community composition of herpetofauna from Ibanda-Makera, Sanza, and Nyagasenyi remnant forests, Eastern Rwanda. Discover Environment, 4, 370 . DOI: 10.1007/s44274-026-00903-0
Mindje, M., Tumushimire, L. & U. Sinsch (2020). Diversity assessment of anurans in the Mugesera wetland (eastern Rwanda): Impact of habitat disturbance and partial recovery. Salamandra, 56(1), 27–38. PDF download
Sinsch,U., Greenbaum, E., Kusamba, C. & E. Lehr. (2011). Rapid Assessment of Montane Anuran Communities in the Albertine Rift: Hyperolius castaneus as an Umbrella Species for Conservation. African Zoology, 46(2), 320–333.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15627020.2011.11407505