Jozani biodiversity inventory report 2002 - Coastal Forests of Kenya ...

Rodents (Muridae)
At least five species of rats occur in Zanzibar and three of them including the Giant rat
(Cricetomys gambianus), the introduced House rat (Rattus rattus) and Grammomys sp. were
observed during the survey. The last species was a new record for Zanzibar. The specimen is
yet to be classified to species level. Two specimens of Grammomys sp. were collected in
Wangwani and another in Tovu area, both forest habitats.
Bats
At least 20 species occur in Zanzibar and 9 of them were observed during the survey. Bats are
abundant in Jozani and surrounding areas occupying a variety of habitats. Two bat species
occurring in Zanzibar are threatened, including the Heart-nose Big eared Bat (Cardioderma
cor) which is at lower risk and Decken's Horse-shoe Bat (Rhinolophus deckeni) which is
considered threatened though there is data deficiency is establishing its actual conservation
status.
4.2 2 Relative abundance of vertebrates
Overall mammals appeared to be widely distributed in the study area though individual
species or groups tended to occur more in certain habitats than others although when the catch
rate of all species combined in each of the 8 transects was tested there was no sigficant
difference (KW = 3.294, df = 7, P > 0.05). However, when the different animal groups are
examined (Table 12, Figure 5, 6 and 7) a clear difference appears as some animal groups
occurred more abundantly in certain areas than others. Few mammals were physically seen in
the three transects covered during the animal foot count census to warrant any meaningful
density calculation. In the fisrt transect (2.3km) one blue monkey was sighted but a number of
animal signs (dung, vocalisation, trails, footprints) were observed. In the second transect
(2.6km) one group of red colobus was encountered but could not be counted due to poor
visibility. Many animal signs and other small animals and invertebrates were observed. In the
third transect (3.9km) 2 groups of black monkeys and one of red colobus (29 individuals)
were encountered. However, animal signs suggested the presence of a number of species in
the survey area. Dung count along the transects recorded an average of 1.3 dung piles /km of
transect for Aders Duiker, 0.8 dung piles/km for Blue Duiker and 0.3 dung piles /km for suni
respectively. Bushpigs appeared to be the most common species with signs appearing
frequently in all three transects. Duiker signs were mostly seen in thickets and forested areas
which are relatively dry.
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