Distribution and diversity of small mammals In Borena- Sayint National Park, South Wollo, Ethiopia: Implications of habitat specialization

The study on distribution and diversity of small mammals in Borena-Sayint National Park (BSNP), South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia was conducted from December, 2009 to April, 2010. Representative sample sites were taken from each habitat type and surveyed using random line transect method. Five species of rodents and two species of shrews were identified and recorded from BSNP. Small and large sized Sherman and snaps traps were used to trap small mammals and morphometric measurement was taken for the species. From a total of 88 small mammals trapped and caught, Lophuromys flavopunctatus had the highest relative abundance (37.7%), followed by Pelomys harringtoni and Otomys typus with 17% each. Stenocephalemys albipes, Arvicanthis dembeensis and Crocidura flavessens had 12.5, 8 and 5.7% of abundance, respectively. Crocidura fumosa had the lowest relative abundance (2.3%). Key words: Small mammals, diversity, distribution, relative abundance.