Kambai Forest Reserve: A biodiversity survey. - Coastal Forests of ...

Kambai Forest Reserve
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6.5 Summary
Species Richness
In this section, species which have been captured or observed three or more times during
the survey are considered locally common. Although unproven this figure is based on
extensive sampling of populations in the region and seems a reasonable basis for assessing
abundance.
Mammals:
Crocidura luna was the most abundant mammal recorded. It was found almost exclusively
in one locale on the forest edge near the Miembeni river. Crocidura nanilla was also
commonly recorded. This species was found in a variety of habitats, in four of the five
trapping sites. The most common bat is Pipistrellus flavescens, however this likely reflects
the collection method rather than differences in species richness.
Reptiles:
The two most common reptile species are Cnemaspis barbouri and Mabuya maculilabris.
The former is a near-endemic forest dependent gecko and the latter is a widespread, forest
non-dependent skink. Each was recorded seven times indicating that they are abundant
species.
Amphibians:
For tree frogs, the most commonly caught species was Leptopelis flavomaculatus. The
majority of these specimens were caught by hand in one night and may reflect a temporal or
spatial distribution. Other amphibians that appear locally common are Bufo brauni and
Arthroleptis stenodactylus, each recorded four times.
Endemics and near-endemics:
Of the 23 faunal endemics and near-endemics of the Usambaras recorded, five appear to be
locally common as they were recorded at least three times during the survey. These are:
Beamys hindei; Philothamnus macrops; Cnemaspis barbouri; Mertensophryne
micranotis; and Boulengerula boulengeri.
Forest dependent species:
Of the 22 forest dependent species with adequate information available, nine appear to be
locally common these are: Colobus angolensis, Philothamnus macrops; Crotaphopeltis
tornieri; Rhampholeon brevicaudatus; Cnemaspis barbouri; Bufo brauni;
Mertensophryne micranotis; Leptopelis flavomaculatus and Boulengerula boulengeri.
High risk species:
Assuming that the number captured reflects relative population size, the locally uncommon
species that are both forest dependent and near-endemic or endemic species may well be of
high conservation concern due to their low population density. These species are:
Rhinolophus swinnyi; Aparallactus werneri; Melanoseps loveridgei; Lygodactylus
kimhowelli; Leptopelis barbouri; Leptopelis uluguruensis; Leptopelis vermiculatus;
Hoplophryne rogersi; and Arthroleptides martiensseni.
East Usambara Catchment Forest Project Technical Paper 35