Altitudinal distribution of rodents (Muridae and Gliridae) on Mt Elgon, Uganda

Abstract

Small mammals were surveyed along a transect in Mt Elgon National Park, Uganda, at altitudes from 2900 to 4300 m a.s.l., with the main focus in the Afroalpine grasslands above 3500 m a.s.l. In this study, 13 species belonging to the Muridae were recorded, but only one species Lophuromys flavopunctatus Thomas 1888, occurred in all habitats. The highest species and individual numbers were found in richly structured vegetation in the Afro-alpine zone. Twenty-four species of Muridae and one Gliridae have been recorded from the Mt Elgon NP, Uganda (> 2000 m a.s.l.) so far, two more have been found on the Kenyan side and are likely to occur in Uganda. A total of 34 species of Muridae have been recorded on the whole range of Mt Elgon, two being endemic to the Afro-alpine zone, one listed as vulnerable and one as rare by the IUCN (LIDICKER 1985).The present distribution patterns and composition of the montane rodent communities are a result of different evolutionary histories mainly brought about by past changes in climate and vegetation. A number of montane rodents in Africa are relict forms, which declined due to habitat changes and competition from invading "modern" species.

Vegetation habitats and small mammals in a plague endemic area in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

“…This is consistent with other findings such as the study by Corominas (2004) in the forest habitat of the Natural Park and Reserve of Barcelona. However, this could have been due to habitat variability as observed by Mulungu et al (2008) who reported more trap success within natural forest in the middle altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro compared to moorland in the high elevation and agricultural land in the lower altitude, which could be attributed to food availability and stability of the forest (Dueser & Shugart, 1978;Clausnitzer & Kityo, 2001;Makundi et al, 2007). On the other hand Mena & Vazquez-Domınguez (2005), observed that the presence of small mammals was linearly correlated with altitude.…”

Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize‐growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda

“…Eleven small rodent species and one insectivorous mammal were recorded from both fallow land and cultivated fields. Earlier studies in the country report up to maximum of 34 small mammal species (Amatre et al, ; Basuta & Kasene, ; Clausnitzer & Kityo, ; Delany, ; Eisen et al, ). These report much higher species richness compared with the current study, and this was because they targeted all small mammals and their study environments (habitats) were different.…”

Species composition, relative abundance and habitat association of small mammals along the altitudinal gradient of Jiren Mountain, Jimma, Ethiopia

“…The study area, with its moist montane climate and vegetation, harboured small mammals that were characteristic to the climate and the altitude ranges. The soft‐furred rat, L. flavopunctatus, was one of the most common rodents in the moister areas of East Africa, inhabiting a wide range of montane and highland habitats (Clausnitzer & Kityo, ). In Ethiopia, it is essentially a species of the plateaux with distribution records between 1500‐4000 m (Yalden & Largen, ).…”

“…In the present study, L. flavopunctatus was the highest trapped species from all habitats and seasons. The species showed extremely high local variation (Clausnitzer & Kityo, ). In the present observation, even from the same habitat, pelage colour of specimens may be reddish orange, dark yellow or pale lemon yellow.…”

“…Almost 50% of the African highlands above 2000 m and 80% of the land above 3000 m asl occur in Ethiopia (Yalden, ; Clausnitzer & Kityo, ). Despite the possession of high biodiversity, Ethiopia is among the least in terms of faunal diversity survey, documentation and habitat characterization, especially for small mammas.…”