Mammals of the Kammanassie Mountains, southern Cape Province

Abstract

The mammal fauna of the Kammanassie Mountain State Forest Reserve and Mountain Catchment Area was censused in the high-rainfall southeastern sector and low-rainfall northwestern sector from 2 -12 February, 1979. Collecting yielded 287 specimens of 17 species of small mammals, while the presence of a further 16 species of larger mammals was confirmed. Mean trapping success was low (2,0%) which reflects the low density of most species. Of the 10 species of small mammals collected in the southeastern sector Acomys subspinosus and Otomys irroratus were abundant, while Rhadomys pumilio, Praomys verreauxi and Myosorex varius were common; the other five species collected were rare. In the northwestern sector the species composition and relative density of each differed. Here Aethomys namaquensis was abundant, R. pumilio common, and five other species (including A. subspinosus and O. irroratus) rare. Few carnivores occur. Stomach samples of collected specimens yielded information on feeding habits; species vary considerably in their diet. Twenty-four species of both large and small mammals occur in the southeastern part, and 25 in the northwestern sector; 17 species are common to both.