The distribution of small mammals in mountainous environments across different elevations can provide important information on the effects of climate change on the dispersal of species. However, few studies conducted ...The distribution of small mammals in mountainous environments across different elevations can provide important information on the effects of climate change on the dispersal of species. However, few studies conducted on Afromontane ecosystems have compared the altitudinal patterns of small mammal diversity. We investigated the species diversity and abundance of non-volant small mammals(hereafter ‘small mammals')on Mt. Kenya, the second tallest mountain in Africa,using a standard sampling scheme. Nine sampling transects were established at intervals of 200 m on the eastern(Chogoria) and western(Sirimon) slopes.A total of 1 905 individuals representing 25 species of small mammals were trapped after 12 240 trap-nights.Abundance was highest at mid-elevations on both slopes.However, species richness and their distribution patterns differed between the two slopes. More species were recorded on Chogoria(24) than on Sirimon(17). On Chogoria, species richness was higher at mid-high elevations, with a peak at mid-elevation(2 800 m a.s.l.),whereas species richness showed little variation on the Sirimon slope. These results indicate that patterns of species diversity can differ between slopes on the same mountain. In addition, we extensively reviewed literature on Mt. Kenya's mammals and compiled a comprehensive checklist of 76 mammalian species. However, additional research is required to improve our understanding of smal mammal diversity in mountain habitats in Africa.展开更多
Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed recently published books and papers including the six volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from Kenya. A total...Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed recently published books and papers including the six volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from Kenya. A total of 390 species have been identified in the country, including 106 species of rodents,104 species of bats, 63 species of even-toed ungulates(including whales and dolphins), 36 species of insectivores and carnivores, 19 species of primates,five species of elephant shrews, four species of hyraxes and odd-toed ungulates, three species of afrosoricids, pangolins, and hares, and one species of aardvark, elephant, sirenian and hedgehog. The number of species in this checklist is expected to increase with additional surveys and as the taxonomic status of small mammals(e.g., bats, shrews and rodents) becomes better understood.展开更多
Insectivorous bats mainly feed on various types of invertebrates.The authors studied the abundance and diversity of invertebrates in the farmland in the eastern part of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest,mainly to assess their ava...Insectivorous bats mainly feed on various types of invertebrates.The authors studied the abundance and diversity of invertebrates in the farmland in the eastern part of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest,mainly to assess their availability to insectivorous bats occurring in the two study sites.Solar powered light traps were used to attract aerial invertebrates to a white suspended cloth sheet used as a landing surface.The sampling was conducted for four hours in one trapping station each night,and in twelve different stations both in the ASF and farmland.A total of 6,557 invertebrates individuals were trapped,which included 48%in ASF and 52%in the farmland.The two most common invertebrate orders were Hymenoptera(ants,bees,wasps and sawflies)represented by 38.1%,and Coleoptera(beetles,28.1%).The interior of ASF had higher invertebrate species diversity(Shannon-Weiner index 1.72±0.1),than the farmland(1.41±0.1).Although the farmland(260.5±52.9,N=12)had higher mean number of invertebrates trapped per night,than the interior of ASF(200.3±36.4,N=12),there was no significant difference between the medians of invertebrates captured in the two study areas(Mann-Whitney U-Test,U=61:P>0.544).Thus,the farmland and the interior of ASF had the same invertebrate abundance.This study indicates the value of human-modified areas(agricultural and human settlements)landscapes,always ignored in biodiversity surveys,in sustaining diverse invertebrates that are preyed by different species of insectivorous bats that occur in the two study areas.展开更多
基金supported by the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre,Chinese Academy of Sciences(SAJC201612)
文摘The distribution of small mammals in mountainous environments across different elevations can provide important information on the effects of climate change on the dispersal of species. However, few studies conducted on Afromontane ecosystems have compared the altitudinal patterns of small mammal diversity. We investigated the species diversity and abundance of non-volant small mammals(hereafter ‘small mammals')on Mt. Kenya, the second tallest mountain in Africa,using a standard sampling scheme. Nine sampling transects were established at intervals of 200 m on the eastern(Chogoria) and western(Sirimon) slopes.A total of 1 905 individuals representing 25 species of small mammals were trapped after 12 240 trap-nights.Abundance was highest at mid-elevations on both slopes.However, species richness and their distribution patterns differed between the two slopes. More species were recorded on Chogoria(24) than on Sirimon(17). On Chogoria, species richness was higher at mid-high elevations, with a peak at mid-elevation(2 800 m a.s.l.),whereas species richness showed little variation on the Sirimon slope. These results indicate that patterns of species diversity can differ between slopes on the same mountain. In addition, we extensively reviewed literature on Mt. Kenya's mammals and compiled a comprehensive checklist of 76 mammalian species. However, additional research is required to improve our understanding of smal mammal diversity in mountain habitats in Africa.
基金supported by the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre,Chinese Academy of Sciences(SAJC201612)
文摘Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed recently published books and papers including the six volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from Kenya. A total of 390 species have been identified in the country, including 106 species of rodents,104 species of bats, 63 species of even-toed ungulates(including whales and dolphins), 36 species of insectivores and carnivores, 19 species of primates,five species of elephant shrews, four species of hyraxes and odd-toed ungulates, three species of afrosoricids, pangolins, and hares, and one species of aardvark, elephant, sirenian and hedgehog. The number of species in this checklist is expected to increase with additional surveys and as the taxonomic status of small mammals(e.g., bats, shrews and rodents) becomes better understood.
基金support was provided by Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre(SAJOREC grant No.SAJC201612).
文摘Insectivorous bats mainly feed on various types of invertebrates.The authors studied the abundance and diversity of invertebrates in the farmland in the eastern part of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest,mainly to assess their availability to insectivorous bats occurring in the two study sites.Solar powered light traps were used to attract aerial invertebrates to a white suspended cloth sheet used as a landing surface.The sampling was conducted for four hours in one trapping station each night,and in twelve different stations both in the ASF and farmland.A total of 6,557 invertebrates individuals were trapped,which included 48%in ASF and 52%in the farmland.The two most common invertebrate orders were Hymenoptera(ants,bees,wasps and sawflies)represented by 38.1%,and Coleoptera(beetles,28.1%).The interior of ASF had higher invertebrate species diversity(Shannon-Weiner index 1.72±0.1),than the farmland(1.41±0.1).Although the farmland(260.5±52.9,N=12)had higher mean number of invertebrates trapped per night,than the interior of ASF(200.3±36.4,N=12),there was no significant difference between the medians of invertebrates captured in the two study areas(Mann-Whitney U-Test,U=61:P>0.544).Thus,the farmland and the interior of ASF had the same invertebrate abundance.This study indicates the value of human-modified areas(agricultural and human settlements)landscapes,always ignored in biodiversity surveys,in sustaining diverse invertebrates that are preyed by different species of insectivorous bats that occur in the two study areas.
