Preliminary checklist and aspects of the ecology of small mammals at the University of Ghana Botanical Garden, Accra Plains, Ghana
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Despite serving as a teaching, research and biodiversity conservation facility for over 60 years, the faunal composition at the University of Ghana Botanical Garden (UGBG) is virtually unknown. This study documents the richness, abundance, diversity, distribution and conservation status of small mammals at the UGBG. The methodology involved live-trapping using Sherman live-traps. Overall, 39 individuals belonging to three mammalian orders (Rodentia, Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha) and seven species, comprising of four rodents, two shrews and one hedgehog were recorded in 1,080 trap-nights. Overall trapping success and species diversity (Shannon-Wiener H’ and Simpson’s 1-D) indices were therefore 3.61%, 1.59 and 0.76, respectively. Species richness and diversity were highest (four species; Hʹ = 1.33, 1-D = 0.72) in shrubland and lowest (two species; Hʹ = 0.48, 1-D = 0.3) in grassland. Overlaps of species among the study sites were low, with C. olivieri being the only species common to all sites. Crocidura olivieri was the most abundant species (41.2%) in the forest, whereas M. erythroleucus dominated (81.3%) in the grassland. Arvicanthis niloticus solatus and C. oliviera were equally abundant in shrubland. Arvicanthis n. solatus, P. daltoni, C. oliviera, C. foxi and A. albiventris are first records for the Accra Plains. These records add to the species list for the Accra Plains, and highlight the importance of the UGBG to small mammal zoogeography and conservation in Ghana.
Authors and Affiliations
Benjamin Y. Ofori, Reuben A. Garshon, Jones, K. Quartey, Daniel K. Attuquayefio
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP37617
- DOI -
- Views 189
- Downloads 0
Ethno-botanical survey of some anticancer medicinal plants from Garhwal Himalaya (Uttarakhand) India
Ethno-botanical survey of the plants used in the management of cancer was carried out in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Herbalists, herb sellers and traditionalists living within the study area were interviewed b...
Phytochemical screening and larvicidal efficacy of Eupatorium capillifolium (Dog-fennel) against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus
The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Eupatorium capillifolium (Dog-fennel) crude extract on Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Phytochemical constituents were identified usin...
Impact of climatic factors on the productivity of cereal crops in the region of Meknes (Morocco)
The main objective of this work is to analyze the impact of climate change on the productivity of cereal crops in the region of Meknes. The variables used are: precipitation, temperature, weighted moving average and Nich...
Suspended algal communities in high altitude rice wetlands of Apatani Plateau in Eastern Himalaya
The suspended algal life forms (SALF) were studied in the high altitude rice fields (WRF) covering five randomly selected sites of Apatani Plateau in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The samples were collected fortnightly from...
Interaction of snail species in the agroecosystem
This study has been carried out to understand the interspecific interaction of different snail species, time and host crop. The sampling was carried out in various agricultural fields of 24 villages of Faisalabad i.e. di...