Species composition, relative abundance and distribution of rodents in Wof-Washa Natural State Forest, Ethiopia

The species composition, relative abundance, and distribution of rodents were studied in Wof-Washa Natural State Forest (WWNSF), Ethiopia, from December 2016 to May 2017 during the dry and wet seasons. A total of 49 Sherman live traps were set per grid at 10 m intervals in permanent 4900 m2 (70 m x 70 m) live-trapping grids established in intact forest, disturbed forest, Erica woodland, plantation forest and farmland habitats. Twenty-five snap traps were placed in a 5 × 5 alignment per grid spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of 621 individuals of rodents were captured in 2560 trap nights by using both live traps and snap traps. Seven species of rodents in the family Muridae were recorded. Out of the total rodents sampled during the study period, Stenocephalemys albipes, Desmomys harringtoni and Lophuromys flavopunctatus are endemic to Ethiopia. The plantation forest had the highest mean trapping success, whereas the lowest trap success was in the Erica woodland. The distribution of rodent species was significantly different among studied habitats. Higher trap success was recorded during the dry season (26.2%) than in the wet season (24.4%). The highest value of the Shannon index was recorded in plantation forest (H’ = 1.82) followed by farmland habitat (H’ = 1.67) during the wet season, and the lowest value was observed in the intact forest (H’ = 0.67) and Erica woodland (H’ = 0.67) during the dry season. Of the total sampled individuals, adults comprised 260 (41.9%), sub-adults 248 (39.9%) and juveniles 113 (18.2%). The present study provides the first valuable record of species composition, relative abundance and distribution of rodents in the WWNSF. We recommend further monitoring and inventorying of small mammals to document and conserve the different endemic and endangered rodent species for designing essential biodiversity management plans in the area.