Notes on Abbott's duiker (Cephalophus spadixTrue 1890) and other forest antelopes of Mwanihana Forest, Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, as revealed by camera-trapping and direct observations

Abstract

The Udzungwa Mountains of south-central Tanzania are part of an internationally outstanding area for biodiversity. This is reflected in the mammalian fauna and particularly in the forest antelopes: at least five species co-exist, including the Tanzanian endemic Abbott's duiker (Cephalophus spadix True 1890). Information on forest antelopes from Mwanihana Forest, one of the largest forest blocks within the Udzungwa Mountains, was collected by means of camera-traps and field observations. Eighty photographs of four antelope species were collected during 197 trap-days from four camera-trap sites. Seventy-one sightings were recorded during systematic counts and random survey walks for a total of 150 days of fieldwork. Results include the first photographs in the wild of Abbott's duiker, with one individual caught while holding what appears to be a frog in its mouth. The most photographed and sighted species was the Harvey's duiker (Cephalophus natalensis harveyi Thomas 1893), followed by the suni (Neotragus moschatus von Dueben 1846). Least photographed were Abbott's duiker and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas 1766). The study shows the usefulness and potential of camera-traps to collect information on the presence, relative abundance and habits of antelopes in densely forested areas.