Abundance, relative home range and species - habitat association of small mammal species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Home ranges play an important role in the ecology of small mammals in understanding the driving factors for variations between species, including; mating patterns, foraging behavior and habitat use. We investigated the abundance, relative home ranges and species-habitat association of small mammal species in the Nyerere National Park. Two habitats; closed woodland and seasonal riverine forest were selected and in each habitat two grids of 70m x 70m were established. The Capture Mark Recapture technique was deployed. From July 2018 to June 2020 a total of 732 small mammal individuals belonging to 19 species were captured. Of the 19 species captured, 12 were rodents, 2 insectivores, 4 carnivores; and 1 primate. Acomys ngurui abundance was not statistically significant different between habitats (W = 220, df = 1, p = 0.144) and across seasons (F(2, 45) = 1.41, p = 0.2547)). While, Mastomys natalensis and Lemniscomys rosalia were statistically significant different (W = 407, p = 0.01 and W=430.5, p=0.002 respectively) between habitats and across seasons (F(2,45) = 4.352, p = 0.019 and F(2,45) = 6.321, p = 0.0038 respectively). Acomys ngurui had the largest mean home range size (1,087.58 m2) than L. rosalia (831.55 m2) and M. natalensis (166 m2) with overlaps being recorded in habitats and across seasons. Most small mammals were associated with seasonal riverine forest. We conclude that, small mammal species abundance and home ranges vary with habitats and seasons for individual species in the Nyerere National Park. We recommend to the management of the park to consider small mammals in their general management plan.

Terrestrial Medium and Large-Sized Mammalian Species Diversity in Michole Community Protected Forest, Southern Ethiopia

Study on medium and large size mammalian species diversity and distribution is important for conservation efforts in the different protected areas of Ethiopia. The study aimed to assess the species diversity of medium and large-sized mammalian fauna between October 2019 and July 2020 in Michole Community Protected Forest, southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted by stratification of the study area into three habitat types riverine forest (3.37 km2), woodland (4.14 km2), and grassland with scattered trees (2.33 km2) based on the vegetation cover. A diurnal transect survey method was implemented to record the mammalian species diversity. A total of 18 representative sample transect lines (six in riverine forest, four in grassland with scattered trees, and eight in the woodland habitats) which varied in length and width were used. A total of 17 species of medium and large-sized mammalian species were identified and recorded in the study area. Accordingly, order Carnivora and Primates constitutes a large proportion of abundance, while order Lagomorpha was the least. Anubis baboon (Papio anubis) was the most abundant species (15.14%) followed by Spotted hyena (12.98%), Porcupine (12.51%), Vervet monkey (10.35%), Common duiker (8.80%), and Giant root-rat (8.65%). The distributions of mammals among the three habitat types were comparable. Riverine forest harbored the highest mammalian diversity index (H’=2.35) followed by the woodland (H’=2.32), and the grassland with scattered trees (H’=2.30), respectively. The greatest species similarity was recorded in woodland (0.902). The study area harbors considerable mammalian species that are threatened by interacting anthropogenic factors. So, urgent conservation measures by concerned sectors are needed to safeguard these animals and their habitat.

Two new species of Galumnidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Mozambique

Two new species of the family Galumnidae are described from soil-litter in the riverine forest of Gorongosa National Park (Central Mozambique). Allogalumna mozambiquensis Ermilov sp. n. differs from all species of the genus by the morphology of bothridial seta (with the head having a long setiform tip). Neoctenogalumna gorongosaensis Ermilov sp. n. is similar to N. congoensis in the bothridial seta with developed head, specific notogastral ornamentation and narrowly elongate postanal porose area, but differs from the latter by the smaller body size, heavily ciliate bothridial seta and diagonal position of adanal lyrifissure.

Avifauna in Relation to Habitat Disturbance in Wildlife Management Areas of the Ruvuma Miombo Ecosystem, Southern Tanzania

Understanding of relative distribution of avifauna provides insights for the conservation and management of wildlife in the community managed areas. This study examined relative diversity, abundance, and distribution of avifauna in selected habitat types across five Wildlife Management Areas of the Ruvuma landscape in miombo vegetation, southern Tanzania. Five habitat types were surveyed during the study: farmland, swamps, riverine forest, dense and open woodland. Transect lines, mist-netting, and point count methods were used to document 156 species of birds in the study sites. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare species richness and diversity across habitat types. We found differences in avifaunal species distribution in the study area whereby farmland had the highest abundance of avifauna species and lowest in the riverine forest. These results suggest that variations of avifauna species abundance, diversity, and distribution could be attributed by human activities across habitat types; due to the reason that habitats with less human encroachment had good species diversity and richness. Therefore, to improve avitourism and avoid local extinction of species, we urge for prompt action to mitigate species loss by creating awareness in the adjacent community through conservation education on the importance of protecting such biodiversity resources.

Diversity of Wild Mushrooms In Rupandehi District, Western Nepal

This paper highlights the one of the underappreciated natural resource of NTFPs, has high food and medicinal values. The area embraces different mycophagus ethnic communities. The work emphasized the knowledge on the use of various ways of the wild mushrooms in the different ethnic groups and communities in habiting in the district and to explore in the study area. This mycological investigation carried out in different area ranging between 90 and 1229 m asl in tropical deciduous riverine forest, to subtropical deciduous hill forest. The specimens are housed in the Central Department of Botany, Pathology Unit, Tribhuvan University. The collected samples represented 46 species of Basidiomycetes belongs to 32 genera, 20 families and 9 order. The mycoelements prevailing in this area need sustainable utilization and conservation. J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 29, 2015, Page: 19-31

Phytosociological study of a riverine forest remnant from Taquari river, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT Aiming to characterize the structure of the arboreal community in a riverine forest remnant of the Taquari river, State of Rio Grande do Sul, 42 sampling units of 100 m2 (10 × 10 m) were located. Phytosociological parameters were also assessed and the indexes of Shannon diversity (H') and Pielou evenness (J) were evaluated. A total of 39 species, 21 families, 2.83 nats ind-1 for H' and 0.77 for J were recorded. Among the species found, the endemic Callisthene inundata O.L. Bueno, A.D. Nilson & R.G. Magalh. and Picrasma crenata (Vell.) Engl. are included in the list of endangered species. The density found was of 1,557.14 ind ha-1. Luehea divaricata Mart. and Lonchocarpus nitidus Benth. showed the highest indexes of importance values. Besides contributing to the knowledge of species distribution and community structure, this study points out the need for conservation of existing native forest remnants.