Home range and movement patterns of African Civet Civettictis civetta in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia (original) (raw)
Related papers
2014
Remote sensing and GIS have enormous applications in ecological studies, particularly in habitat analysis of wild animals. The present study was aimed to evaluate habitats of the African civet in Andracha, Ethiopia to generate geo-referenced ecological data on habitats of this species. Habitat evaluation and habitat changes during 1986–2012 were analyzed using LANDSAT imageries. In the year 1986, 1017.56 km2 (99.75%) of the study area was covered with forest, but in 2012 only 949.61 km2 (93.09%) had forest cover. There was a reduction of 5.97% forest cover at a rate of 0.22% per year since 1986. The study area has been classified in to three suitability categories based on forest cover, water, settlement/agriculture, road and slope. Currently, 611.07 km2 (59.9%) of the area has dense forest cover, which is less preferred by African civet, 336.75 km2 (33.01%) is moderately interfered by human activities and suitable for civets, and 70.56 km2 (6.91%) is degraded forest around human habitats, which is highly preferred by civets. Habitat suitability analysis is useful to predict potential habitats of African civets in Ethiopia, and elsewhere in Africa. Keywords: Civettictis civetta, Geospatial technology, Habitat suitability, Land-use/land-cover changes.
Ecological Studies of the African Civet (Civettictis civetta)
2000
Ecological studies of the African civet (Civetticits civetta) was carried out in Hawassa and Wondo Genet areas of Ethiopia, during July 2012-March 2014. Civetry distribution and density, population density, diet analysis, seed dispersal and scent marking of civets were investigated. Civetries were distributed along pathways at various locations like forest, plantation, bushy area, grassland, farmland, open area, bare land, lake shore and home garden. Higher density of civetries were recorded in the farmland than in other areas (t = 5.6, df = 3, p < 0.05). A population density of 2.3−12.8 civets/km 2 was estimated. Civets feed fruits (36.9%), leaves and shoots (18.3%), roots and tubers (3.4%), invertebrates (19.1%), mammals (13.3%), birds (6.6%) and fish (2.8%) in the present study area. Fruits were the most preferred food item in all habitats. African civet is an effective seed dispersal agent. Over 70% of scent marked signposts were distributed around civetries in the farmland and natural forest areas, while about 35% of the scent marked sign-pots were distributed around civetries in the urban area. Most of the scent marked signposts were located at or close distance (< 2 m) to wildlife tracks. The amount of scent marks on signposts ranged between 0.0001−1.5110 g. The effect of season and habitat on population density and diet composition was insignificant in the present study area due to the habitat variability and modification. Fruit eating behavior of civets and widespread civetries distribution along various habitats have an important role in seed dispersal and implication for conservation of civets.
Food types and feeding ecology of African Civets (Civettictis civetta) in Jimma, Ethiopia
Revue D Ecologie-la Terre Et La Vie, 2008
Types d'aliments et écologie alimentaire de la Civette africaine (Civettictis civetta) en région de Jimma, Éthiopie.-Les types d'aliments et l'écologie alimentaire de Civettes africaines ont été étudiés d'août 2005 à février 2006 dans trois zones (Kito, Beda Buna et Jeran) dans la région de Jimma en province d'Oromia, Éthiopie. Des fèces fraîches ont été récoltées et analysées au laboratoire. Il n'y avait aucune différence signifi cative entre les différents sites dans la variété des aliments. Durant la saison des pluies, 21 types de proie ont été identifi és contre 26 durant la saison sèche. Des variations signifi catives entre les saisons dans les proportions des types d'aliments ont été observées dans tous les sites. Les civettes éthiopiennes étudiées se sont avérées omnivores, complétant par des fruits, des oeufs, des poissons et des insectes leur régime carné (issu de la chasse, e.g. rongeurs et oiseaux, ou d'un comportement charognard).
Journal of Zoology, 2005
To compare the morphometrics and ranging behaviour of the Malay civet Viverra tangalunga on Sulawesi with published data on Malay civets on Borneo, a trapping and a radio-telemetry study was carried out in the Kakenauwe and Lambasango Forest Reserves on Buton Island, Sulawesi. From June to September in 2001September in , 2002 and 2003, we obtained morphometric measurements from 32 Malay civets captured in box traps. Ten civets were radio-collared and home-range size, minimum daily distance travelled and diel activity patterns were estimated. The mean overall capture rate was one capture per 32 trap-nights. Trap capture rate varied between study sites, but there was no difference in trappability between sexes. Adult male civets were heavier, had larger neck circumferences and longer hind feet than adult females. Both sexes on Buton Island were found to have significantly smaller body sizes than their counterparts on Borneo. The mean home-range size for adult civets was 70 ha, with a mean overlap of 4.0% between ranges. The home ranges of female civets on Buton were smaller than those in logged forests on Borneo. Malay civets were most active at night from 18:00 to 07:00 h, during which the mean activity was 94%. There was no difference in the minimum distance travelled by both sexes during a 24 h period. All rest sites were situated at ground level and were associated with dense cover.
Diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex (Capra walie) in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Journal of Biology and Life Science
Walia ibex (Capra walie) is an endangered and endemic species restricted to Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia. Data on activity patterns of walia ibex were collected during October 2009 to November 2011, and the main objective of the research was to determine diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex in Simien Mountains National Park in order to design sound conservation strategies for the species. Scan sampling method was used for data collection on diurnal activity patterns of walia ibex. Diurnal activity patterns in walia ibex were bimodal, in which they were active before and after noon. They rest in shade on rocks and cliffs during the mid-day to protect themselves from hot sun and predators. Activity patterns of walia ibex during the day showed statistically significant differences (F7,18228= 82.09, df=7, p<0.01). Feeding showed significant differences compared to moving, standing, resting, socializing, and other activities (p<0.05). Diurnal activity records ...
PLOS ONE, 2017
Degradation and alteration of natural environments because of agriculture and other land uses have major consequences on vertebrate populations, particularly on spatial organization and movement patterns. We used GPS tracking to study the effect of land use and sex on the home range size and movement of a typical model species, the Ethiopian hedgehogs. We used free-ranging hedgehogs from two areas with different land use practices: 24 from an area dominated by irrigated farms (12 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀) and 22 from a natural desert environment within a biosphere reserve (12 ♂♂, 10 ♀♀). Animals were significantly heavier in the resource-rich irrigated farms area (417.71 ±12.77SE g) in comparison to the natural desert area (376.37±12.71SE g). Both habitat and sex significantly influenced the home range size of hedgehogs. Home ranges were larger in the reserve than in the farms area. Total home ranges averaged 103 ha (±17 SE) for males and 42 ha (±11SE) for females in the farms area, but were much larger in the reserve averaging 230 ha (±33 SE) for males and 150 ha (±29 SE) for females. The home ranges of individuals of both sexes overlapped. Although females were heavier than males, body weight had no effect on home range size. The results suggest that resources provided in the farms (e.g. food, water, and shelters) influenced animal density and space use. Females aggregated around high-resource areas (either farms or rawdhats), whereas males roamed over greater distances, likely in search of mating opportunities to maximize reproductive success. Most individual home ranges overlapped with many other individuals of either sex, suggesting a non-territorial, promiscuous mating. Patterns of space use and habitat utilization are key factors in shaping aspects of reproductive biology and mating system. To minimize the impacts of agriculture on local wildlife, we recommend that biodiversity-friendly agro-environmental schemes be introduced in the Middle East where the transformation from dry lands to 'islands of fertility' is often extreme.
Seasonal shifts and overlap in home range are poorly known in the Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis). Consequently, these, together with daily distance moved, were investigated in the semiarid Nama-Karoo, as a function of season, sex, and body mass. Annual home-range size was significantly greater for telemetered compared with nontelemetered tortoises stressing the importance of telemetry in spatial ecological studies of tortoises. Consequently, only telemetered tortoises were analyzed further in terms of variation between seasons and sexes. Home ranges differed significantly with season and were smallest in winter, when tortoises were less active. Seasonal home-range size did not differ between sexes. Considerable individual variation existed in the amount of home-range overlap both within and between sexes. Daily distance moved in each season was highly variable for each individual and between individuals. However, the least movement occurred in winter in all individuals. Home-range size and daily distances moved in the active seasons were larger than for Leopard Tortoises found in more mesic habitats, suggesting a resource availability effect. Increased home-range size, in conjunction with their low density and population size, has implications for Leopard Tortoise conservation in semiarid regions in terms of planning and designating conservation areas. Variation in home-range size with regard to habitat type must be considered when planning terrestrial tortoise conservation efforts.