Microgeographical distribution of shrews (Mammalia, Soricidae) in the Congo River basin (Kisangani, D. R. Congo)

摘要

Research on the biodiversity of shrews was conducted in eight forest blocks at eight sampling localities: Djabir, Maiko, Masako, Yoko, Yelenge, Baliko, Bomane-1 and Bomane-2. We used pitfall traps combined with Sherman LFA traps placed on transects. We collected 724 shrews from primary forests, secondary forests, old fallow lands and old palm plantation for a total of 18,900 trap-nights. Shrews collected represent 5 genera and at least 19 species: Scutisorex (1 species), Crocidura (12 species), Paracrocidura (2 species), Sylvisorex (3 species) and Suncus (1 species). Sylvisorex nov. sp. is currently being described as a new species for the Kisangani region. Primary forests (16 species), secondary forests (17 species) and old fallow lands (16 species) are the habitats with higher species diversity. In an old palm plantation, only five species have been collected. Crocidura olivieri was caught in all types of prospected habitats. C. cf muricauda was only caught in old palm plantation and C. grassei only in old fallow land. Sylvisorex johnstoni was caught mainly in primary forest. Species composition is different for the different forest blocks studied, possibly indicating some influence of the larger rivers separating our sampling localities as natural barriers.