Abstract
Information on the small mammal communities of the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary is virtually non-existent despite their role in forest ecosystems. A total of 1,500 trap-nights yielded 121 individuals of rodents and shrews, comprising five species: Praomys tullbergi, Lophuromys sikapusi, Hybomys trivirgatus, Malacomys edwardsi and Crocidura buettikoferi, captured in Sherman traps using 20 × 20 m grids. P. tullbergi was the most common small mammal species in all the four habitat types surveyed, comprising 63.6% of the total number of individual small mammals captured. The Cassia-Triplochiton forest had 61.2% of the entire small mammal individuals captured, and was the only habitat type that harboured higher abundances of the rare small mammal species in the sanctuary (H. trivirgatus and M. edwardsi). It also showed dissimilarity in small mammal species richness and abundance by recording a SÇ¿renson’s similarity index of less than half in comparison with the other three habitat types. Management strategies for the sanctuary should therefore be structured to have minimal impact in terms of development and encroachment on the Cassia-Triplochiton forest area in order to conserve the rare species and biodiversity of the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary. Key words: Small mammals, conservation, Ghana, Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary
Highlights
The Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary (OWS) supports about 193 vascular plant species (Schmidtt and Adu-Nsiah, 1993), 191 bird species and some other key mammals such as Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona), Pottos (Perodicticus potto), Royal antelopes (Neotragus pygmaeus) and Cusimanses (Crossarchus obscurus) (Wilson and Kpelle, 1992)
A total of 121 individuals of small mammals belonging to five species and two mammalian orders (Rodentia and Soricomorpha) were recorded in 1,500 trap-nights, with a trapping success of 7.5% (Table 1)
The occurrence and dominance of P. tullbergi in all four habitat types as compared to the other species captured may be attributed to their generalized habitat and dietary requirements as reported by Iyawe (1989)
Summary
The Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary (OWS) supports about 193 vascular plant species (Schmidtt and Adu-Nsiah, 1993), 191 bird species and some other key mammals such as Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona), Pottos (Perodicticus potto), Royal antelopes (Neotragus pygmaeus) and Cusimanses (Crossarchus obscurus) (Wilson and Kpelle, 1992). More emphasis has been placed on the above-mentioned vertebrate species probably because they serve as tourist attractants to the site, which generates some revenue. Information on small mammals like the rodents and shrews of OWS is virtually non-existent despite the significant role small mammals play in supporting vertebrate predators in.
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