Diversity of rodents and shrews along an elevational gradient in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south-western Uganda
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Date
2003
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Ecology
Abstract
Small mammal species diversity in the major vegetation
zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is discussed
in relation to altitude. Species richness of the smallmammals
was found to decrease with an increase in altitude.
The main factors accounting for the observed diversity
are the wide altitudinal variation and a complex array
of vegetation types. Sixty-seven species of rodents and
shrews were found to exist in the Park; 47 of which were
rodents and 20 shrews. Of these, 26 species are new to
theBwindi Park list.Three species have probably notbeen
described before. The study found 10 species of small
mammals to be Albertine Rift endemics. Three genera
are recorded in Uganda for the ¢rst time: Rwenzorisorex,
Suncus and Paracrocidura. Five species are new records
for East Africa. These are Crocidura stenocephala, Lophuromys
rahmi, L. medicaudatus, Paracrocidura maxima and
Hylomyscus aeta. Because of thehigh endemismof plants,
butter£ies, birds and now of small mammal species,
Bwindi forest is a unique biodiversity hotspot and is
among the highest conservation priorities in the Albertine
Rift.
Description
Keywords
Altitude, Bwindi impenetrable, Endemism, Rodents, Shrews
Citation
Kasangaki, A., Kityo, R., & Kerbis, J. (2003). Diversity of rodents and shrews along an elevational gradient in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, south‐western Uganda. African Journal of Ecology, 41(2), 115-123.