Speies Composition Habitat Association and Distriution of Rodents and Shrews in Chato Protected Area Ethiopia
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Species composition, habitat association and altitudinal distribution of rodents and shrews
were assessed in Chato Protected Area (CPA), Ethiopia between July 2015 and March, 2016.
The area was stratified based upon vegetation types and altitudinal zonation. Based on
vegetation and altitudinal composition, the study area was divided into five habitats. These
were Carissa spinarum - Justicia schimperiana, Maytenus gracilipes, and Podocarpus
falcatus- Pyschotria orophila dominated areas and riverine and plantation habitats. A total of
254 individuals comprising five rodent and one shrew species were live trapped from 1862
trap nights. These species of rodents were; Stenocephalemys albipes (40.95%), Lophuromys
flavopunctatus (23.6%), Arvicanthis sp. (16.9%), Mus mahomet (13%), Mastomys natalensis
(4.35%) and a shrew; shrew sp. (1.2%). Two of these rodent species (S. albipes and L.
flavopunctatus) were the most abundant that comprised 64.56% of the total. They were
distributed in the entire forest at variable elevations. The shrew sp. was the least abundant
and was distributed along the center of the forest. Matyenus gracilipes dominated at 1,789 -
1,975 m was the most diverse and comprise 19.39% trap success. Podocarpus falcatus-
Pyschotria orophila dominated from 1,975 to 2,230 m was another diverse habitat that
comprised the highest or 22.7% trap success. Plantation supported the least number of
rodents. Age and sex distribution of the rodents varied based upon seasons.
Keywords: Altitudinal variation, Chato Protected Area, distribution, habitat, rodents,
shrews
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Keywords
Altitudinal Variation, Chato Protected Area, Distribution, Habitat, Rodents, Shrews