Diversity, Distribution and Conservation Status of Small Mammals of Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range, Southeastern Ethiopia
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Date
2018-03-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A study on diversity, distribution and conservation of small mammals was conducted in Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range from August 2013 to December 2016. The main objective of this research was to make ecological assessment on diversity, distribution, relative abundance, habitat association of small mammals and on their prevailing conservation challenges. Data on diversity, distribution, abundance, habitat association, pest status, possible conservation challenges of small mammals and their habitat were collected. A total of 40 grids from eight representative habitats were selected. A 5x5 Sherman Live trapping grid with 15 m spacing was employed for three consecutive days per each intensive grid. Overall, 230 mist net net-nights were employed during 60 nights. For chromosomal and molecular analysis tissue samples from each representative species were collected. For survey of local communities perception on small mammals conservation and pest status 370 households were selected. Sherman live traps, mist nets and mole rat traps were used to capture small mammals. Overall 36 species of small mammals were recorded of which at least 20 species or 55.56% were endemic to Ethiopia. Trap success ranged from 27% to 85.71% with overall trap success of 44.6%. Out of the 4302 captured individuals 4074 were rodents and 228 were shrews. In addition, 219 bats were captured of which 197 (89.95 were new captures, 16 (7.31%) were recaptures and the 6 (2.74%) were unidentified. The overall netting success and capture rate were 0.95 bats/net-night and 0.83 bats/net-h, respectively. The highest relative abundance was recorded for L. brevicaudus (21.36%) followed by S. griseicauda (17.50%) and S. albipes (16.44%). The least relative abundance was recorded for D. nikolausi and M. imberbis each having 0.03%. Capture per trap night was highest (55) for moorland habitat and least (16) in plantation habitat. Stenocephalemys griseicauda and L. brevicaudus were the most widely distributed species whereas C. fumosa, C. lucina, C. olivieri and M. imberbis were recorded from limited sites. More individuals of small mammals were captured during the wet season. The overall mean of reproductively active individuals was 38.17% and 20.02% and 18.15% during wet and dry seasons, respectively. The capture per trap night showed variations among the age of burnt Erica. Small mammals showed variation in distribution and abundance along altitudinal zonation. Results on chromosomal and molecular analysis of the representative species show similality with its previously described from different parts of the country and showed close affinity with the Bale Mountains. A total of 1993 individuals of ectoparasites that belonged to 24 taxa from examined 204 individuals of small mammals with the overall prevalence rate of 73.53% were recorded. All respondents perceived rodents as principal pests that cause great damage to their agricultural and household items. Overpopulation, uncontrolled hunting, poaching and deforestation, habitats destruction and degradation by agricultural expansion and settlement were perceived as major threats for the conservation of the area. Community based conservation strategies were supported by nearly all of respondents. As Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range had high diversity of fauna and flora, proper conservation measures have to be implemented.
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Keywords
Abundance, Bats, Chilalo-Galama Mountains Range, Conservation, Distribution, Diversity, Ectoparasite, Erica Burn, Karyotype and Molecular, Small Mammals