Small Mammals of the Ituri Forest, Zaire: Diversity and Abundance in Ecologically Distinct Habitats

Abstract

Small-mammal diversity and abundance were examined in two primary forests (mixed and mbau forests) and two disturbed habitats (secondary forest and village fields) in the Ituri Forest of Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo). Small-mammal species observed were Deomys ferrugineus, Hybomys univittatus, Hylomyscus Stella, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Malacomys longipes, Mus minutoides, Oenomys hypoxanthus, and Praomys jacksoni. Secondary forest was the most species-rich of the four habitats examined. Mixed forest exhibited significantly higher species diversity of small mammals than mbau forest. The difference in the composition of small mammals reflected the difference in the composition of tree species between species-rich (mixed and secondary) forests and the species-poor (mbau) forest. Small mammals in village fields were not true forest species but typically were found in a wide variety of habitats. This study provides a benchmark of the ecology of small mammals in the Ituri Forest of Zaire prior to increased human disturbance.