Small Mammals Distribution and Composition in the Agumatsa Range, Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

The diversity and abundance of flora and fauna are declining alarmingly. Loss of original habitat has been documented as the most prevalent cause of species extinction globally. We assessed the present status of the small mammal species in the Agumatsa range, specifically in the Gbledi Gborgame, Gbledi Chebi, Fodome Ahor, and Wli Afegame settlements, which are located at the foot of the Agumatsa Range with similar habitat structure and complexity. Fifteen Sherman live collapsible traps (8 x 9 x 23 cm) were placed in 15- eter transects (n=60) separated 10 meters apart in the four communities and monitored for six months in 2019 and 2020. Traps were activated for five consecutive nights at each site for every sample session, making 14,400 trap nights of sampling. All traps were baited with peanut butter mixed with cornbread and set at ground level at the sampling sites. Seven hundred eighty-seven individual species were recorded, with an overall trap success rate of 5.5%. Species and frequencies recorded in the entire survey were Praomys tullbergi (238), Mastomys erythroleucus (200), lemniscomys striatus (139), Crocidura crossei (92), Mus musculus (75), Tatera kempi (21), Dasymys incomtus (14) and Oenomys ornatus (8). Specifically, 279 individual species were recorded in the rainy season, and 264 and 246 individuals were recorded in the dry and minor rainy seasons, respectively. The Gbledi Gborgame community had the most individual species (n=237). Praomys tullbergi (n=87) was the most numerous species during the dry season, whereas Mastomys erythroleculus (n=69) was the most abundant during the minor wet season. Praomys tullbergi was detected at all altitudes where the traps were deployed. Dasymys incomtus and Oenomys ornatus were species discovered in the Fodome Ahor community only, whereas Lemniscomy straitus was the only species not discovered in Gbledi Gborgame. The results of this study indicate that the forest along the Agumatsa range is under pressure from increased demand for natural products, thereby reducing the size and quality of small mammal habitats. The fast rate of deforestation of the Agumatsa range urgently requires an update of current records on the status of the different small mammal communities.