Sammanfattning

Understanding species distribution across elevational gradients is crucial for developing conservation strategies for montane biotic systems. A survey of small mammals was conducted on Mount Meru at six elevations, ranging between 1500 m and 3650 m. A total of 803 small mammal individuals, including 2 shrew species and 13 rodent species, were documented. Of these, Crocidura newmarki and Lophuromys verhageni were endemic on Mount Meru. Species richness was highest at mid-elevations, which is in line with the global pattern for small mammals. Prior to our study, the most complete data on small mammals on Mount Meru was collected in 2009. Our study provides an opportunity to show how small mammal elevational distribution has changed, over the last decade. We found six species (Arvicanthis niloticus, Mastomys natalensis, Lemniscomys striatus, Dasymys incomtus, Cricetomys ansorgei, and Montemys delectorum), which were not documented in 2009, but did not find Otomys tropicalis. Interestingly, the community composition at higher elevations in 2021 resembles that at lower elevations in 2009, suggesting that small mammal species have moved their range upward over time. Climate change could be a factor associated with the distributional shift found.

Nyckelord

elevational distribution; rodents; shrews; species composition; climate changes

Publicerad i

Diversity
2022, Volym: 14, nummer: 6, artikelnummer: 454
Utgivare: MDPI

SLU författare

• Meheretu, Yonas

  • Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    
  • Mekelle University

UKÄ forskningsämne

Biologisk systematik
Ekologi


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060454

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/118286