Patterns of specific diversity and population size in small mammals from arboreal and ground‐dwelling guilds of a forest area in southern Nigeria

• DOI: 10.1017/s0952836904005977
• Publication Date: 2004-12-03T09:50:47Z
• Authors: Francesco M. Ange...; Luca Luiselli
• Keywords: Arboreal locomotion; Shrew; Guild; Insectivora; Fossorial

The small mammal fauna of a forest area in southern Nigeria is studied order to understand the general patterns regulating community composition. A set different methods trapping was used evaluate composition species at level both ground-dwelling and arboreal guilds. For Insectivora, six shrew were trapped, but only two (Crocidura nigeriae C. poensis) appeared abundant widespread various habitat types. No found. rodents, 17 captured, which arranged by Principal Component Analysis into four groups: (1) Rattus rattus Anomalurus derbianus; (2)Xerus erythropus Grammomys rutilans; (3) Graphiurus ef. murinus Hylomyscus stella; (4) remaining, more generalist species. 14 found, three Malacomys edwardsi sp.; (2) Mylomys dybowskii norvegicus; all other species, with stronger similarities between Praomys tullbergi, Mus musculoides, Aethomys sp. (unknown), Lemniscomys striatus. Although an approximately equal number constituted rodent fauna, trapped animals much higher on ground than guild (ratio 8.7: 1; total n= 2322). implications observed are discussed.