Biodiversity of Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania | Report ...

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3. MAMMALS Biodiversity of Mahale Mountains National Park 3.1 METHODS AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION At each site, mammal lists were compiled from direct observations, from vocalizations heard, from field signs (Aardvark holes, elephant dung, etc.), from photos taken by camera traps, and from individuals caught in traps. These data supplemented transects data to produce the total site list. During transects observations were recorded of every visual contact with a mammal. Indirect evidence of an animal’s presence was also recorded for chimpanzees (nests), elephants, bushpigs, warthogs, and buffalo (dung piles). For every observation (contact) along a transect, the following data were recorded: - Time - Species - Age (dung, nests, etc.) - Perpendicular distance from the transect line when first seen - Group Size - GPS position (three dimensions) - Estimated GPS Position Error - Habitat type Pitfall trap lines were set using 11 plastic buckets set flush with the ground at intervals of 5 m (Davies & Hoffman 2002). A drift fence of plastic sheeting material was placed along a line running through the middle of each bucket and extending 5 m beyond the first and last buckets in the line. Sherman trap lines were set in both montane forest and in montane grassland. In both habitats the number of traps and trapping effort was identical – 40 traps were set along transects with one trap placed every 10 m and marked with flagging tape. These were baited with peanut butter and small pieces of fresh fried coconut and each trap line was run continuously for three days. Traps in which small mammals were caught were emptied and reset daily. Transects were not run in straight lines but followed an elevational contour in the forest. In the montane grassland, the traps were set to one side of a game trail running along a ridge. These were placed 2 – 3 m off the trail under bushes and other sheltered spots to keep them out of direct sunlight and rain. A few Tomahawk live traps were also set at Kasoge and Kabezi. These were baited with boiled egg and dried fish (Lake Tanganyika Sardine, Limnothrissa miodon or Ndagaa). Trap success was very low with only one Bushytailed Mongoose caught, and the use of these was discontinued. Camera traps were set along game trails, at middens, and in any other places likely to capture photos of passing animals. These were left in place for as long as possible, but certain trapping stations likely to experience heavy animal traffic, were checked during the interval to determine if film rolls needed to be changed. 3.2 RESULTS A total of 51 species of mammals were recorded during this survey. Nine species were first records for Mahale Mountains National Park and the total park list now stands at 82 (Appendix I). The mammal list for Mahale was compiled from several sources. The earliest was based on the long-term field studies by Japanese researchers and published in the feasibility report for the proposed Mahale Mountains National Park (Anon. 1980). Nishida (1990) updated this list and new records of small mammals were given by Stanley (2004). The situation of Mahale encompassing both widespread Zambesian (Miombo) woodland, Albertine Rift forests and montane grasslands give it a unique assemblage of species. Several records from this survey served to confirm the strong zoogeographical linkages to Wildlife Conservation Society 5
Biodiversity of Mahale Mountains National Park forests of the Albertine Rift and Congo Basin. The most surprising was the confirmation of Giant Pangolin from Kasoge. Camera traps took a number of photos of this species and scale counts confirmed the identity. Nishida (1990) also lists Ground Pangolin as being recorded from Mahale, making this the only national park in Tanzania where two species of pangolin have been found. A small genet with noticeably small ears was seen in montane forest at Mfitwa during the survey. It was not possible to identify this species and it may well be that it will turn out to be an undescribed form. A dwarf bushbaby, Galagoides sp., was also found in the montane forest at Mfitwa at 2440m and on Pasagulu at 1490 m. This species was first seen and heard 60 km ENE of Mahale in the Sitebe-Sifuta Mountains in August 2005 (Moyer in press). Recordings were made of its calls and it has been preliminarily identified as a Grant’s galago, G. granti. However, strong Albertine Rift affinities of Mahale, and the uncertainty surrounding the taxonomy of the dwarf bushbabies, make it equally likely that this is an undescribed form, or an Albertine Rift species hitherto unrecorded in Tanzania. Finally, a very small (4–5 g) shrew was found in the montane forest and grassland on Mfitwa. Identification of montane shrews is very difficult and must be done by specialists. However, this shrew appears to represent another new species for Mahale. Confirmation of this has to await the outcome of further museum-based research. 3.2.1 Transects Twelve mammal species were recorded during the transect counts from all localities combined (Table 1). The presence of two of these, elephant and buffalo, was indirect evidence from dung piles. In addition, chimpanzee nests and calls were recorded separately. Chimp nests and elephant dung piles were very common along transects at Kabezi, whereas, Red colobus and Red-tailed monkey were the most commonly recorded mammal along transects at Kasoge. The lowest diversity was found at Mfitwa where only three species of mammals were recorded during transects. However, the encounter rate for Blue monkey at Mfitwa was the highest of any of the sites (Table1). Table 1 Mammal encounter rates and relative abundance along transects at three sites in Mahale Mountains National Park. Animal Number of contacts/km Number of animals/km KABEZI KASOGE MFITWA KABEZI KASOGE MFITWA Banded Mongoose 0.04 0.12 Bat (not identified) 0.04 0.04 Blue Duiker 0.20 0.16 0.24 0.16 Blue Monkey 0.08 0.32 0.08 0.65 Buffalo dung 0.12 0.12 Bushbuck 0.12 0.12 Chimp calls 0.04 0.08 Chimp nests 1.08 0.80 4.92 2.80 Chimpanzees 0.12 0.32 Elephant dung 4.50 4.50 Red Colobus 0.04 0.32 0.16 0.04 7.33 0.65 Red-legged Sun Squirrel 0.08 0.08 Red-tailed Monkey 0.04 0.36 0.12 3.41 Warthog 0.04 0.16 Yellow Baboon 0.04 0.08 0.08 0.72 Wildlife Conservation Society 6
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Drypetes natalensis Erythrococca at
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Gladiolus erectiflorus Gladiolus gr
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†Thecacoris lucida Orchidaceae Ae
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Rothmannia longiflora Rothmannia ma
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