The Diversity, Distribution and Relative abundance of Medium and Large sized Mammals in Kuni Muktar Mountain Nyala Sanctuary West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia.

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate medium and large sized mammalian species diversity, distribution and relative abundance in Kuni Muktar Mountain Nyala Sanctuary, Eastern Ethiopia. This study was conducted during January2014-July 2014. The study area was classified into habitat types natural forest, riverine forest and grassland based on the vegetation types. Each habitat type was classified into eight blocks. Representative samples were taken from each habitat type. Line transect method was employed for all three habitat types. During the survey period a total of 16 species were recorded, of which 12 were during dry season and 16 were during wet season. They belonged to six mammalian Orders (Rodentia, Hyracoidea, Tubulidentata, Primates, Artiodactyla and Carnivora) and ten Families were recorded. The diversity of medium and large sized mammals varied among the three different habitat types. The species were correlated with habitat types. The highest diversity index with Shannon-Wiener Index recorded from natural forest ( H’=1.849) and the least diversity was recorded in riverine forest with ( H’= 1.474) during dry season. During wet season the highest diversity was from grassland (H’ = 2.152) and the least in riverine forest ( H’= 1.995). The most common medium and large sized mammals in the study area during both season were warthog (Phacochoerus africanus ), common bushbuck ( Traglaphus scriptus), Menelik bushbuck (Traglaphus meneliki) and olive baboon (Papio anubis). In terms of relative abundance, the most abundant species in both seasons were olive baboon (Papio anubis), during dry season (37.23%) and during wet season (32.5%). During dry season the least abundant were crested Porcupine (Hystrix cristata) and leopard (Panthera pardus) (1.095%).The least abundant during wet season were aardvark (Orycteropus afer) (0.83%). Among the three habitat type, Simpson’s similarity index showed that the highest similarity was between natural and grassland (SI = 0.84) and the least similarity was between grassland and riverine forest(SI=0.59 ) during dry season. During wet season the highest similarity was between grassland and riverine forest (SI =0.135) and the least similarity was between natural forest and riverine forest (SI=0.093).