Species Composition, Distribution, Relative Abundance and Habitat Association of Small Mammals in Denkoro Forest, South Wollo, Ethiopia
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Date
2008-07
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
A study on the ecology of small mammals was carried out in Denkoro Forest Priority Area from
August 2007 to February 2008. Five trapping grids were randomly selected based on the
representative habitat types; open grassland, moorland, Lobelia with Hypericum, montane forest
and farmland. Both live and snap traps were used to capture small mammals. Seven hundred and
Ninety three live trapped individuals were captured in 2,940 trap nights. Moreover, a total of 78
individuals of snap trapped small mammals were also captured in 1,500 trap nights. Ten species of
small mammals belonging to rodents and insectivores were captured. Additional two rodent species were sighted but not captured. The small mammals trapped were: Lophuromys
flavopunctatus (35.7%), Otomys typus (28.5%), Stenocephalemys griseicauda (14.6%), Arvicathis
dembeensis (9.1%), Stenocephalemys albipes (1.9%), Pelomys harringtoni (0.8%), Mus mahomet
(0.6%), Dendromus lovati (0.3%), and insectivores represented, Crocidura flavescens (5.9%) and
Crocidura fumosa (1.4%). Population abundance and species composition of small mammals
varied from habitat to habitat and from season to season. L. flavopunctatus and O. typus were the
most widely distributed and abundant species, whereas S. albipes, C. fumosa (in the forest), P.
harringtoni, D. lovati and M. mahomet (in the farmland) were restricted. Reproduction was high
during the wet season. Analysis of the stomach contents of snap trapped small mammals showed
plant matter was the common food items. Out of the ten rodent species recorded in the study area,
A. dembeensis, M. mahomet and Hystrix cristata were recognized as pest rodents on wheat farm.
Key words: Denkoro Forest, habitat association, insectivores, rodents, species composition, Wollo
Description
Keywords
Denkoro Forest, habitat association, insectivores, rodents, species composition, Wollo