Diversity, distribution and abundance of rodent community in the afro-alpine habitats of the simien mountains national park, Ethiopia

Abstract

Species composition, distribution and abundance of rodent community were described in the Simien Mountains National Park. The study was carried out between June, 2011 and May, 2012 during the wet and dry seasons. Six species of rodents (Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Stenocephalemys griseicauda, Otomys typus, Rhabdomys pumilio and Tachyoryctes splendens) and two species of insectivores (Crocidura baileyi and Crocidura thalia) were recorded. R. pumilio is the newly recorded species. The distribution of rodents and insectivores was significantly differed (Χ2 = 132.3, df = 4, p<0.001) across studied habitats. There was also variation in species abundance in all habitats. S. griseicauda is the highest (45.8%) species recorded in all habitat types followed by A. abyssinicus (28%). Large numbers of individuals were trapped in Helichrysum-Festuca habitat. The mean number ±SE of individuals caught during the day and night were 3.18±0.05 and 1.91±0.72, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference (Χ2 = 1.93, df = 1, p>0.05) between the overall number of species recorded during the day and night time. There was variation (Χ2 = 25, df = 1, p<0.001) in the number of rodents and insectivores trapped during the wet and dry seasons. The average number ±SE of rodents and insectivores caught during the wet and dry seasons were 2.77±0.07 and 2.28±0.07, respectively. Human interference and grazing pressure influenced the rodent community in the study area. This should be curtailed so as to increase the species composition and abundance of rodents. Hence, this will help to sustain their ecological importance in the study area. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.