Terrestrial small mammal diversity and abundance in central Benin: comparison between habitats, with conservation implications

摘要

AbstractWe performed a terrestrial small mammal species inventory in the Agoua and Wari-Maro forest reserves (Benin). Four localities were sampled, and in each locality, three habitats were surveyed: dense forest, open forest or woodland savannah and shrub savannah. This is the first comprehensive inventory for small mammals in central Benin. We captured 794 small mammals representing twenty species (six shrew species, fourteen rodent species). Three new species that need to be described were recorded. We observed a mixture of both true forest species and of species adapted to a wider range of habitats ranging from savannah to forest clearings. Species with either Sudanian or Guinea-Congolian affinities were recorded, as well as a new species endemic to Togo and Benin. This rich biodiversity underlines the urgent need for an effective protection of these forests. The Sudanian species Crocidura cf. foxi was more abundant in Wari-Maro than in Agoua forest, while the Guineo-Congolian species Praomys misonnei and Hylomyscus sp were only captured in Agoua forest. These results are in agreement with the fact that these two forests belong to two distinct chorological zones. ResumeNous avons realise un inventaire des especes de petits mammiferes terrestres dans les Reserves forestieres d'Agoua et de Wari-Maro, au Benin. Nous avons echantillonne quatre localites et, dans chacune, nous avons etudie trois habitats : foret dense, foret claire ou savane arboree et savane arbustive. C'est le premier inventaire complet des petits mammiferes au centre du Benin. Nous avons capture 794 petits mammiferes, representant vingt especes (six especes de musaraignes, quatorze especes de rongeurs). Nous avons collecte trois nouvelles especes qui doivent etre decrites. Nous avons observe un melange d'especes reellement de foret et d'especes adaptees a une gamme d'habitats plus diverse allant de la savane aux clairieres forestieres. Des especes ayant des affinites soudaniennes ou guineo-congolaises ont ete enregistrees, ainsi qu'une nouvelle espece endemique du Togo et du Benin. Cette riche biodiversite souligne le besoin urgent de proteger efficacement ces forets. L'espece soudanienne C. cf. foxietait plus abondante a Wari-Maro que dans la foret d'Agoua, alors que les especes guineo-congolaises P. misonnei et Hylomyscus sp. n'ont ete capturees que dans la foret d'Agoua. Ces resultats confirment le fait que ces deux forets appartiennent a deux zones chorologiques distinctes.