EFFECT OF EDGES ON NON-VOLANT SMALL MAMMALS IN TWO ADJACENT HABITATS OF WAYANAD WILD LIFE SANCTUARY
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Date
42580
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Kerala Veterinary and animal science university, Pookode
Abstract
Non-volant small mammals are an integral component of forest animal
communities contributing to energy flow, nutrient cycling and playing
extremely important roles as seed predators, dispersal agents and pollination
agents in tropical forests. This study aims to compare non-volant small
mammal diversity and abundance between two adjanent habitats (forest and
agriculture land) of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and to find out whether the
distribution follows the habitat edge effect concept.
The present study was conducted at two sites having forest and
agriculture land (paddy) adjacently. Three transects were laid perpendicular to
each habitats in both sites. Specimens were collected using Sherman live traps
method. Statistical analysis were carried out using the software Past 1.56.
The work was conducted spending 48 nights in the field and 75
individuals belongs to five species were captured (Suncus murinus, Rattus
satarae, Suncus montanus, Golunda eliotti and Mus musculus.). Suncus
murinus (36) was the abundant species in agriculture land followed by Suncus
montanus (16), Mus musculus (1) and Rattus satarae(1). Rattus satarae (18)
was dominating the forest land Golunda eliotti (4) and Suncus murinus(1) had
only less individuals. Shannon diversity, Dominance, Evennes, Richness were
analysed. Dominance was higher at Muthanga forest (0.7083) lowest
dominance recorded at Tholpetty forest(0.4876). Evennes higher and lower at
Tholpetty agriculture (0.9329) and Muthanga forest(0.5871) respectively.
Shannon diversity was higher at Tholpetty forest(0.86). Captures were
increased at inerface of two habitat. By moving distant from the inerface to
both sides, number of captures decreased.
Higher species abundance were observed in agriculture land habitat
dominated by shrews which may be due to their insectivorous diet getting more
insect pest from the paddy fields and lead to insect pest control. Rattus satarae
was the most abundant species in forest land. The larger body size made them
highly susceptible to oredation and to avoid predation they prefer forest for
more hiding places and burrows.
Ecological edge concept says that biodiversity will be rich in habitat
edge between two habitats. In the case of non-volant small mammals, current
study also supported this concept. The study revealed that small mammal
richness and activity signifinantly higher at interface between two habitats and
by moving from the edge, the number of animals captured reduced.
Assessment of number of captures across four consecutive nights in each
transect showed a trend that the captures were less in initial two days followed
by a slightly increase on third day. A decrease was noticed on fourth day which
clarified the learning behaviour of small mammals.
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