Abstract
A study of the abundances of small mammals was conducted in Idu, Uruan L.G.A of Akwa Ibom State Nigeria from April to December 2013. Indirect and direct methods for the observation of small mammals were employed in the area under study. A total of 36 individuals, consisting of 3 Orders (Rodentia, Carnivora and Pholidota) and 7 families of small mammals were encountered. The most abundant was Thryonomys swinderianus with a percentage of 63.88 followed by Rattus rattus 16.66, Cricetomys gambianus 8.33 while C rossarchus obscurus, Atherurus africanus, Xerus erythropus and Manis tricuspis accounted for 2.77 respectively. The Thryonomys swinderianus had the highest body mass of 3.9kg while, Manis tricuspis has the highest body length of 79.9cm.. The abundance and diversity index of small mammal encountered were low and this may be attributed to deforestation, habitat loss, hunting and other anthropogenic activities in the study area. There is therefore a great need for conservation and management practices to protect these vulnerable mammals and their habitats. © JASEM KEY WORDS : Small mammals, Abundance, Anthropogenic activities, Conservation
Highlights
Small mammals are the most diverse group of mammals and account for more than half of the total mammalian fauna in any given area (Vieira and de Moraes, 2006; Walker et al, 2007; Napolitano et al, 2008)
Iyawe (1989), reported a total of 392 species of small mammal belonging to five families of rodent and four families of Shrews in Ogba forest reserve in Nigeria
Emphasis has been placed on the small mammal species probably because they serve as integral part to the success of terrestrial ecosystem
Summary
Small mammals are the most diverse group of mammals and account for more than half of the total mammalian fauna in any given area (Vieira and de Moraes, 2006; Walker et al, 2007; Napolitano et al, 2008). Iyawe (1989), reported a total of 392 species of small mammal belonging to five families of rodent and four families of Shrews in Ogba forest reserve in Nigeria. Anadu (2006), reported 75% of rodents and 22% of shrews (small mammals) of the total population of mammals in the Montane forest of Obudu plateau in Cross River State, Nigeria.
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