Abstract:
Species richness and diversity of rodents and insectivores
were investigated at relict forest patches of Mukogodo,
Laikipia, Kenya using Sherman’s live traps and pitfall
traps. Two hundred and nineteen individuals were captured
in 3021 trap-nights. There were eleven species in
two taxonomic groups, Rodentia and Insectivora. Two
other rodent species were sighted but not captured. Thirteen
bats belonging to four species (Epomophorous wahlbergi,
Pipistrellus kuhlii, Scotophilus dingani and Nycteris
thebaica) were opportunistically trapped using mist nets.
Two of the four species accumulation curves for forest
patches did not reach an asymptote. Species richness and
diversity were highest at Kurikuri compared with other
patches because of habitat variability. The results support
the prediction that forest disturbance and degradation lead
to an increase in generalist species as compared with
specialists and highlight the importance of relict afromontane
forests in the conservation of small mammals in Kenya.
