Abstract

Dinaw H. Tilahun, Berhanu D. Defar and Genzebe G. Habte

In this study, we investigated species composition and abundance of small mammals (rodents and
insectivores) in the recently established Chebera Churchura National Park, in Ethiopia between 2010 and
2011. Two study grids were established in seven selected habitats. In each grid, forty-nine Sherman live
traps were used to capture the small mammals. A total of 704 individuals were captured in 5488 trap-nights.
Among them, 682 (98.3%) were rodents and 12 (1.7%) were insectivores. These comprised 16 species of
rodents and 2 species of insectivores. The captured species were: Mastomys natalensis, Mastomys
erythroleucus, Lemniscomys striatus, Arvicanthis nilotiucs, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Acomys cahirinus,
Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, Stenocephalemys albipes, Gerbilliscus robusta, Lophuromys flavopunctatus,
Pelomys harringtoni, Mus tentellus, Crocidura fumosa and Crocidura flavescens. Tachyoryctes splendens,
Xerus rutilus and Hystrix cristata were recorded as observed species. The abundance of species varied
among habitats and between seasons. M. natalensis and L. striatus were the most abundant species,
whereas C. flavescens was the least abundant. The age distribution and trap success of small mammals
varied between seasons and among habitats. This study clearly shows that the park has a diverse fauna.