From February 20 to March 17, 2017, Mr. RUKUNDO Gordien, student at the University of Burundi, student at the University of Burundi, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology in 3rd Baccalaureate, completed a training course at the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection under the supervision of Mr. CUBAHIRO Arnaud, Assistant Professor at the University of Burundi and Msc. NZIGIDAHERA Benoît from OBPE.

The work of this internship began with an exchange session and contact with the supervisors during which the internship objectives were defined as well as the implementation of work techniques. The objective of this course was the systematic identification of Amphibians, in this case the Amphibians preserved in the OBPE laboratory. The samples were collected by national and international researchers in different ecosystems in Burundi. The harvest sites were the Rwaba River, the Rusizi Plain, the Rusizi Plain, Lake Tanganyika, Mungombwa, Mabanda, Carama, Mutambara, Rugoti, and the Northern Depressions.

After this contact, the student first grouped the samples into more or less similar groups by observing the external appearance (grouping by morphospecies) according to the color of the skin and the size of the individual. Then, in each group made up, he measured the different parts of the body of each sample using a graduated lath specially dedicated to this effect.

The measurement of the dimensions was followed by the taxonomic determination of these samples. In the identification work, the intern student referred to the specimens already identified preserved in the OBPE laboratory. He also used books containing the keys to determination and books talking about the distinctive features of the various Hyperoliidae species. After identification, all samples were stored in the cabinets of the OBPE laboratory.

This internship allowed the student to strengthen his practical knowledge, especially the handling of laboratory tools.