Rodent species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
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Date
2020-10-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences
Abstract
A study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Uganda to determine rodent species
composition, relative abundance, and habitat association. A total of 1,030 rodents belonging to 14 species
were captured on 10,584 trap nights. Rodent species recorded include: Lophuromys stanleyi, Hylomyscus stella,
Praomys jacksoni, Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys ansorgei, Lemniscomys striatus, Aethomys hindei, Mus triton,
Mus minutoides, Deomys ferrugineus, Gerbilliscus kempi, Rattus rattus, Grammomys kuru, and Hybomys univittatus.
Overall, L. stanleyi (23.7%) was the most dominant species followed by H. stella, P. jacksoni, and M. natalensis.
Species richness and evenness was highest in the regenerating forest habitat and least in the intact forest
habitat. Rodent abundance was significantly affected by habitat type. The regenerating forest habitat had the
highest number of animals, while the lowest numbers were observed in the depleted forest habitat. Species
diversity was higher in regenerating forest habitat and lowest in the intact forest. The three habitats appeared
distinct in terms of rodent species composition and there was a strong association between the two trapping
grids in the same habitat type. All ordination plots showed that different rodent species consistently associated
with distinct habitats. Habitat type and seasonal changes influenced rodent composition, relative abundance
and habitat association. Composition of rodent community reflected the level of habitat degradation and can
be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of lowland tropical forests.
Description
Journal of Vertebrate Biology
Keywords
African ecology, small mammal community, lowland tropical forest, Rodentia
Citation
DOI: 10.25225/jvb.20021