The avifauna 23 years after logging in Kibale National park, Uganda

The bird fauna of logged and unlogged forest in Kibale National Park, western Uganda were studied and comparisons made. Species diversity and richness were higher in the logged areas. A single species, the Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris dominated in the logged compartment. However, the majority of individual birds found in the logged forest were generalist or forest-edge species. Over 84% of the forest interior specialist species that occurred in primary forest had recolonized or persisted in the logged forest; however, there were seven out of 48 understorey forest specialists that had not done so. Although there was moderate species overlap between the two habitats, the logged forest compartment had not fully recovered from logging after 23 years.     

Distribution and population size of the threatened East Coast Akalat in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest,Kenya

Matiku, P.M., Bennun, L.A. & Nemeth, E. 2000. Distribution and population size of the threatened East Coast Akalat in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 282–285.

The East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi sokokensis is one of six globally threatened bird species that occur in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the largest remnant of forest on the East African coast. The akalat has been little studied but appears to have a patchy distribution both between and within forests. From October 1995 to February 1996 we studied the akalat's status in Arabuko-Sokoke, carrying out transect counts and plot-based surveys to determine its distribution and population size. Playback of calls was used to stimulate the bird to reveal its presence. The akalat was present in two of the forest's main vegetation types, Cynometm woodland and Mixed forest. It was absent from the more open Brachystegia woodland, and from low-canopied intermediate Cynometra and Cynometra thicket. In Cynometra woodland, the akalats were evenly distributed at high densities (estimated at 87 pairs/km²). Within the Mixed forest distribution was patchy, and the akalats were absent from areas with high human disturbance. Where the species did occur, densities were lower (estimated at 12 pairs/km²) than in the Cynometra woodland. Arabuko-Sokoke may hold up to 9 000 pairs of this species, perhaps the largest single population in the world. Most of these are in the Cynometra woodland, which is also of crucial conservation importance for the threatened Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae.     

Snail diversity, abundance and distribution in Arabuko Sokoke forest, Kenya

This study sought to investigate land‐snail diversity, abundance and distribution in Arabuko Sokoke forest. Sampling was done using standard timed direct search and litter sample methods. In total, 25 species and 1263 specimens were recorded. The 25 species rank Arabuko Sokoke forest as the second richest coastal forest in land snails in East Africa. The 25 species, however, are not uniformly distributed across the forest. The majority of the snails were localized with low levels of abundance. Eight species were restricted to one forest type, whereas those shared among forest types tended to concentrate in one forest type. Only five species, Gulella radius, Gulella foveolata, Gonaxis kibweziensis, Pseudoglessula biovini and Opeas gracilis, were widespread. The highest snail diversity was recorded in the mixed forest, implying that special conservation of this habitat is necessary for retention of the broadest molluscan diversity. The observation that some species rare in the mixed forest were recorded in excess from Brachystegia and Cynometra forest, further suggests that conservation of the entire A. Sokoke forest is critical for efficient molluscan conservation. Species recorded in low levels of abundance are probably declining and investigation on the snails' ecology to understand factors that influence the snails' diversity is recommended.     

Richness and Density of Birds in Timber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus pumilio</Emphasis> Forests and their Unproductive Associated Environments

Research on forest management impact focuses mainly on timber stands, and leaves out the unproductive forest environments. These stands are spatially mixed with timber forests. The objective was to evaluate richness and density of birds in timber Nothofagus pumilio forests and their unproductive associated environments, and discuss forest management implications. These stands showed significant differences in their forest structure, which generate a great variety of ecological environments. A total of 1881 individuals belonging to 30 bird species were observed during the sampling, in spring and summer seasons. These species were mainly migratory and insectivores, Passeriforms being the most important group. From 12 to 17 birds/ha were found, which varied with the forest environments and seasons. Timber stands of Nothofagus pumilio support a low number of bird species. Most of them are opportunistic and a few prefer these woods over other forested or afforested areas. Low bird density and richness characterize these austral forests, which share their diversity with a high variety of ecosystems along Patagonia. Timber N. pumilio forests has a marginal value for bird species conservation, considering its richness, density and the percentage of this forest in the total forested landscape of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina).     

The role of farm structure on bird assemblages around a Kenyan tropical rainforest

Although it is clear that the farmlands neighbouring fragmented forests are utilized by some forest birds, it is not clear how birds in general respond to farmland habitat mosaic. An effort was made to determine how bird density and foraging assemblages were influenced by farm structural characteristics and distance from forest edge. Thirty farms up to a distance of 12 km around Kakamega forest in western Kenya were studied. Farm structure entailed size, hedge volume, habitat heterogeneity, woody plant density, plant diversity and crop cover. Birds were surveyed using line transects and DISTANCE analyses and classified into six feeding guilds and three habitat associations. Size of farms increased away from the forest, as woody plant density, plant diversity, indigenous trees and subsistence crop cover declined. The most important farm structure variable was hedge volume, which enhanced bird species richness, richness of shrub‐land bird species and insectivorous bird density (R = 0.58, P < 0.01). Bird density increased with tree density while indigenous trees were suitable for insectivores and nectarivores. There were very few forest bird encounters. Agricultural practices incorporating maintenance of hedges and sound selection of agroforestry trees can enhance conservation of birds on farmland, though, not significantly for forest species.     

Structure of the breeding bird assemblage of a primeval alder swamp in the ?úr National Nature Reserve

The structure of a breeding bird assemblage of a primeval alder swamp in the Šúr National Nature Reserve (the Danube Basin) was studied in the period 1992–1995. A 16 ha forest interior study plot was established for bird censusing. Population abundances were estimated by a combined version of the mapping method from the end of March to the beginning of July. Altogether, 42 breeders were recorded and the mean total density of species total across years was 125.15 ± 12.73 pairs/10 ha (CV = 10.17%). Two species were eudominant (≥ 10%): Sturnus vulgaris and Anas platyrhynchos, and six species were dominant (5% ≤ 10% <): Ficedula albicollis, Fringilla coelebs, Phylloscopus collybita, Parus major, Sylvia atricapilla, Erithacus rubecula. The Shannon diversity index (H′) varied between 3.98–4.10 bites. The evenness index (J′) reached values between 0.79–0.81. Expected species diversity in a random sample of 100 pairs calculated by rarefaction [E (S _{100 pairs})] was 21.35 ± 0.92 species derived as a mean value from the years 1992–1995. The mean rarefaction estimate on the area [E (S _{10 ha})] was 22.75 ± 1.58 species. Bird species richness and diversity were significantly higher in the study plot in comparison to the mean value of European wet alder forests. These results are comparable with the values of structural assemblage parameters of the primeval stands dominated by alder within the Białowieża National Park, Poland.     

微山湖鸟类多样性特征及其影响因子

2010年10月至2011年9月期间,使用样线法对微山湖鸟类多样性进行研究.共发现鸟类132种,隶属13目39科,其中留鸟39种,夏候鸟33种,冬候鸟14种,旅鸟46种,分别占全部种类的29.6％、25.0％、10.6％和34.85％;国家二级保护鸟类有12种,省级重点保护鸟类16种,另外50种和16种鸟类分别列入中日、中澳候鸟保护协定.灰鹤、乌雕、沙鵖和白顶鵖4种鸟类在南四湖首次记录.根据微山湖的地理和植被状况,将研究区域划分为水域、次生林、农田和居民区4生境,不同生境中鸟类群落的Shannon-Wiener指数高低为沼泽水域＞次生林＞农田＞居民区,Pielou指数高低为沼泽水域＞农田＞次生林＞居民区.次生林和农田鸟类群落的相似性指数最高,沼泽水域与居民区的相似性最低.春季末期鸟类多样性指数和均匀性指数最高,秋季末期最低.冬季鸟类种类最多、密度最大,春初鸟类种类最少、密度最小.距居民区的距离、距公路的距离、植被盖度、人工池塘数目、水面积比例和深水面积比例等对鸟类多样性影响显著.     

Low conservation value of converted habitat for avifauna in tropical peatland on Sumatra,Indonesia

Peat swamp forest is an important refuge for biodiversity in Southeast Asia and is now becoming a target of exploitation. The scarcity of information on avifauna and ecology of birds in peat swamp forests prevents understanding of the effects of land use change on avifauna. In this study, we describe the bird assemblages in habitats with different land uses by comparing species richness, community composition, and feeding guild patterns in Bukit Batu, Indonesia. Bird assemblages in natural peat swamp forests (NPF), high-maintenance industrial acacia plantations (planted acacia forest, PAF), low-maintenance rubber plantations (jungle rubber forest, JRF), and village areas (VIL) were studied using a fixed-radius point-count method. Of the 95 species observed, 45, 20, 35, and 48 species were observed in NPF, PAF, JRF, and VIL, respectively. Estimated species richness was the highest in NPF, followed by VIL, JRF, and PAF. NPF had the highest species diversity and β-diversity, more endangered species, and a distinctive species composition characterized by fly-catching insectivores. The relative conservation value of PAF was notably low, particularly compared with JRF. The avifauna in VIL was characterized by more generalists that favor open spaces and therefore is not considered an important habitat for forest-dependent birds that are of conservation concern. Our results indicate that NPF has irreplaceable value for bird diversity conservation, but low-maintenance rubber plantations were home to several forest-dependent species and partially supported bird diversity, particularly compared with high-maintenance acacia plantations.     

松材线虫侵袭引发的植被演替对鸟类群落的影响

松材线虫(Bursaphelenchusxylophilus)是引起严重森林病害的外来物种,可能导致森林生态系统急剧退化。为了探讨在松材线虫侵袭所引起的森林演替过程中植被结构变化对鸟类群落的影响,我们研究了这些常绿阔叶演替林中的鸟类群落结构。2004年5–6月,我们在浙江省宁波市选择了分别处于3个不同演替阶段的7个样地:包括象山县被松材线虫侵袭5年后的常绿阔叶灌丛和侵袭12年后的常绿阔叶林样地各3个,同时在天童国家级森林公园选择了约40龄的常绿阔叶林样地1个。结果显示,在常绿阔叶灌丛和松材线虫侵袭12年后的常绿阔叶林中,鸟类物种多样性和丰富度均显著高于约40龄常绿阔叶林;3类栖息地的鸟类多度、均匀度均无显著差异;在侵袭12年后的常绿阔叶林中鸟类群落最丰富。多元回归分析结果显示,立地年龄是影响鸟类群落组成的主要因素。     

我国南方4种常见人工林林下植物多样性特征及影响因素

为了解长期植被恢复的成熟人工林林下植物组成与多样性特征及其影响因素,基于广东鹤山生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站的南亚热带人工林生态系统,对环境相似(坡度、坡向、海拔)、30 a生4种类型人工林(桉树混交林、马占相思纯林、乡土混交林、针叶混交林)进行调查研究,分析林下植物组成和物种多样性(Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Pielou指数)特征。结果表明,人工林林下植物类型丰富,均可形成乔-灌-草垂直结构;4种林型林下植物组成既有相似性,也有差异性,桉树混交林与针叶混交林、马占相思纯林与乡土混交林的灌木层组成相似;桉树混交林与马占相思纯林、乡土混交林与针叶混交林的草本层组成相似,而桉树混交林与针叶混交林的草本层组成极不相似。林分类型影响林下植物多样性,马占相思纯林林下灌草多样性显著低于其他3种混交林(P<0.05),灌木物种数、个体数最少;针叶混交林林下物种丰富度最高。林分郁闭度与林下植物多样性呈正相关(P<0.001),林下植物分布与土壤养分含量相关,桉树混交林、马占相思纯林林下植物多样性与不同形态氮含量相关,有效磷、全磷影响乡土混交林林下物种的分布,针叶混交林受土壤酸碱度、全钾的影响较为明显。在4种人工林林下植物群落中,乡土混交林多样性,均匀度最高,优势度最低,具有更佳的保育和维持林下生物多样性功能。因此,乡土树种混交林更适用于生态公益林构建或对一些针叶林及外来树种纯林进行林分改造。     

Bird Populations in Rustic and Planted Shade Coffee Plantations of Eastern Chiapas, México

Much of the remaining “forest” vegetation in eastern Chiapas, Mexico is managed for coffee production. In this region coffee is grown under either the canopy of natural forest or under a planted canopy dominated by Inga spp. Despite the large differences in diversity of dominant plant species, both planted and rustic shade coffee plantations support a high overall diversity of bird species; we recorded approximately 105 species in each plantation type on fixed radius point counts. We accumulated a combined species list of 180 species on repeatedly surveyed transects through both coffee plantation types. These values are exceeded regionally only by moist tropical forest. Of the habitats surveyed, shade coffee was second only to acacia groves in the abundance and diversity of Nearctic migrants. The two plantation types have similar bird species lists and both are similar in composition to the dominant woodland—mixed pine-oak. Both types of shade coffee plantation habitats differ from other local habitats in supporting highly seasonal bird populations. Survey numbers almost double during the dry season—an increase that is found in omnivorous migrants and omnivorous, frugivorous, and nectarivorous resident species. Particularly large influxes were found for Tennessee warblers (Vermivora peregrina) and northern orioles (Icterus galbula) in Inga dominated plantations.     

Diversification across an altitudinal gradient in the Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastrephus debilis) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa

Background  

The Eastern Arc Mountains of Africa have become one of the focal systems with which to explore the patterns and mechanisms of diversification among montane species and populations. One unresolved question is the extent to which populations inhabiting montane forest interact with those of adjacent lowland forest abutting the coast of eastern Africa. The Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastephus debilis) represents the only described bird species within the Eastern Arc/coastal forest mosaic, which is polytypic across an altitudinal gradient: the subspecies albigula (green head) is distributed in the montane Usambara and Nguru Mountains whereas the subspecies rabai (grey head) is found in Tanzanian lowland and foothill forest. Using a combination of morphological and genetic data, we aim to establish if the pattern of morphological differentiation in the Tiny Greenbul (Phyllastrephus debilis) is the result of disruptive selection along an altitudinal gradient or a consequence of secondary contact following population expansion of two differentiated lineages.     

甘肃兴隆山自然保护区森林演替对鸟类群落结构的影响

运用固定面积法调查了青林三个主要演替阶段森林(阔叶林、混交林和针叶林)的鸟类群落结构。结果表明,混交林中鸟类物种数、鸟类物种多样性和种团多样性最高,阔叶林最低。方差分析和聚类分析均表明,三种演替阶段森林的鸟类群落组成差异显著。所记录到的35种鸟类中有11种差异显著。其中,山雀科和科在阔叶林中占优势,而柳莺亚科在混交林和针叶林中占优势。食性种团中,阔叶林以食虫鸟和食果食虫鸟为主;混交林和针叶林均以食虫鸟、食果食虫鸟、食谷鸟和食果鸟为主。鉴于阔叶林和混交林有向顶级群落(针叶林)演替的趋势,建议采取人为干扰来维持三种演替阶段森林的面积,以便从景观水平上保护鸟类物种多样性。     

Avian Density and Nest Survival on the San Pedro River: Importance of Vegetation Type and Hydrologic Regime

Abstract: Lowland riparian vegetation in the southwestern United States is critically important for maintaining a high richness and density of breeding birds. Further investigation is needed within riparian corridors, however, to evaluate the relative importance of vegetation type and hydrologic regime for avian density and nest survival as targets for regional conservation or restoration efforts. We estimated the densities of 40 bird species and for species grouped on the basis of nest height and dependence on surface water in gallery cottonwood–willow (Populus spp.–Salix spp.) forests, saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) shrub lands, and terrace vegetation types along a gradient in the hydrologic regime of the San Pedro River, Arizona, USA. We also assessed nest survival for shrub-nesting insectivores and herbivores. Canopy-nesting birds as a group and 14 individual bird species reached their greatest densities in cottonwood forests regardless of the hydrologic regime. Water-dependent birds as a group reached their highest density in both intermittent- and perennial-flow cottonwood stands, but certain species occurred almost exclusively in perennial-flow sites. Two shrub-nesting species and the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) were most abundant in saltcedar shrub lands, and the brown-headed cowbird was most abundant in saltcedar stands with intermittent flows. Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) and big sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii) grassland each maintained the highest densities of certain species within ≥1 hydrologic regime. Shrub-nesting insectivores had the greatest nest survival in cottonwood, including Arizona Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii arizonae), and also had lower proportions of nests parasitized and preyed upon, although 95% confidence intervals among vegetation types overlapped. Nest survival for both shrub-nesting insectivores and herbivores was lowest in intermittent-flow saltcedar, although, again, confidence intervals overlapped. Nest survival was lower in parasitized than nonparasitized nests in mesquite and across vegetation types for Arizona Bell's vireo and in cottonwood for Abert's towhee (Pipilo aberti). Riparian management that maintains heterogeneous riparian vegetation types, including floodplain vegetation comprising cottonwood–willow gallery riparian forests with some stretches of perennial flow, are important for maintaining the high diversity and abundance of breeding birds on the San Pedro River and probably across the region. Cottonwood stands also appear to maintain highest nest survival for some shrub-nesting birds.     

Influence of Forest Type and Tree Species on Canopy‐Dwelling Beetles in Budongo Forest,Uganda1

Beetles were collected on 64 trees of four species (Cynometra alexandri C. H. Wright, Rinorea beniemis (Welwitsch ex Olivier) Kuntze, Teclea nobilis Delile, and Trichilia rubescens Olivier) in Budongo Forest, Uganda, using an insecticidal fogging technique. Selected tree species were abundant, taxonomically not closely related, and different in the shape of leaves, growth form, and size, with heights between 7 and 35 m. Trees were fogged in an old primary forest stand, in an area of secondary forest where selective logging was performed, and in a swamp forest. Eight conspecific trees per forest type were fogged. A total of 29,736 beetles were collected from all trees that could be assigned to 1433 (morpho)‐species; 41.6 percent were singletons and 89.6 percent of species were found with less than ten individuals. Abundant beetle taxa included Latridiidae (N= 4093), Chrysomelidae (3952), Staphylinidae (2931), Apioninae (2621), and Curculionidae (2457). Most species‐rich groups were Staphylinidae (N= 196 spp.), Curculionidae (189), and Chrysomelidae (148). Abundance increased in the order: primary < secondary < swamp forest. Due to the relatively high dominance of some species in the secondary forest, species richness increased in the order: secondary < primary < swamp forest. Beta diversity measures and factor analysis showed distinct differences among forest types but higher similarity of beetle communities on different tree species within one forest type. The taxonomic distribution of beetles in the secondary forest was more heterogeneous than in the primary forest. Analyses of the data revealed low host specificity even for phytophagous beetles, underlining the importance of habitat structure and chance effects on the spatial distribution of beetles in the canopy of Budongo Forest.     

Do Collared Peccaries Negatively Impact Understory Insectivorous Rain Forest Birds Indirectly Via Lianas and Vines?

Tropical rain forest understory insectivorous birds are declining, even in large forest reserves, yet the mechanisms remain unclear. Abundant large mammals can reshape forest structure, which degrades foraging microhabitat. We used six sites in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama with varying collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) density to test three linked hypotheses: (1) locally declining understory insectivores forage preferentially in liana tangles; (2) vine and liana density, cover, and frequency of dense tangles are lower in the presence of abundant collared peccaries; and consequently (3) abundant collared peccaries are associated with reduced understory insectivorous bird abundance. Three insectivores that declined at La Selva preferentially foraged in liana tangles: Checker‐throated Antwren (Epinecrophylla fulviventris), Dot‐winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis), and Ruddy‐tailed Flycatcher (Terenotriccus erythrurus). Vine density, liana cover, liana tangle frequency, and forest cover were lower in the presence of collared peccaries relative to experimental mammal exclosures, with the greatest differences at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Across sites, five of seven vine and liana measures showed negative, curvilinear relationships with peccary densities. Vine and liana measures peaked at sites with intermediate peccary density, and were low at La Selva. Structural equation models suggest negative indirect effects of the collared peccaries on focal bird densities, mediated by vine and liana density, cover, or tangle frequency. Forest area and rainfall affected both lianas and birds, but collared peccaries also contributed to the reduced abundance of understory insectivores. Indirect effects such as that suggested here may occur even in large, protected forest reserves where large mammal communities are changing.     

Spatial metrics effect of forest fragmentation on forest bird abundance and site occupancy probability: the influence of patch size and isolation

The persistence of species taxa within fragmented habitats is dependent on the source–sink metapopulation processes, and forest patch size and isolation are key factors. Unveiling species–patch area and/or species–patch isolation relationships may help provide crucial information for species and landscape management. In this study, relationship between forest patch size and isolation with abundance and occupancy probability of forest-dependent birds was investigated. This study was based within a coastal landscape that faces deleterious human activities such as clearing for agriculture. The study aimed to answer the question of whether the size and extent of isolation of forest patches influence abundance and/or occupancy probability of forest-specialist and generalist birds. Two bird species, namely Tiny Greenbul Phyllastrephus debilis subsp. rabai and Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris, were used as models. Birds were surveyed using distance sampling methods, and spatial metrics were measured from satellite imagery. Focal forest size and distance between forest patches were the most influential metrics whereby abundance and occupancy probabilities increased with increasing patch size, but were negatively influenced by increasing gaps between patches. These findings provide evidence of the existence of patch size/ isolation–occupancy relationships characterised by higher occupancy rate of large patches and distance-dependent dispersal, which decreased with increasing gaps between patches. Controlling deleterious human activities that reduce forest size should be a priority for the long-term conservation of forest-dependent birds.     

Avifauna of two upland evergreen forest reserves,the Atewa range and Tano Offin,in Ghana

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., Asamoah, S.A., Owusu, E.H. & Owusu-Boateng, K. 2000. Avifauna of two upland evergreen forest reserves, the Atewa Range and Tan0 Offin, in Ghana. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 277–281.

Data are presented on the avifauna of two Upland Evergreen forest reserves in Ghana: Atewa Range Forest Reserve and the Tano Offin Forest Reserve. The data obtained for the two reserves using three survey techniques: transect counts, timed species counts and mist-netting are compared. A total of 105 species were recorded for the Atewa Range Forest Reserve while the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve yielded 110 species. Mean species encounter rate in the transect counts at Atewa was 24.2 per km while individual bird encounter rate was 52.6 per km; encounter rates at Tano Offin were 31.2 per km. and 98.2 per km for species and individual birds respectively. The most common species encountered in Atewa was the Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latimstris (7.1% of observations in transect counts and 6.7% in spot counts), while the Green-crested Touraco (6.6% of transect counts) and Green Hylia (5.7% of spot counts) were the most abundant at Tan0 Offin. The records for Atewa included four globally threatened species while Tano yielded three threatened species. Two species of birds, the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis and the yellow-bellied Greenbul Phyllastrepus flavostn'atus were recorded for the first time in Ghana from the two reserves. The bird community at Tan0 Ofin was significantly more diverse than that at Atewa. In both reserves, spot counts yielded more species (67.6% and 74.5% of total recorded at Atewa and Tan0 respectively), than transect counts and mist nets. 31 species recorded in both spot counts and transect counts at Atewa were not captured in mist nets, while nine species caught in mist nets were not recorded by the two methods. The figures for the Tano Offin reserve were 43 and six respectively. We conclude that of the three survey techniques, the timed species counts offer the most comprehensive results for rapid assessment of forest avifauna, but a combination of all three methods is necessary for complete coverage. The need for management of the two reserves to maintain their unique biodiversity in the face-of threats from mining and logging is discussed.     

Diversity of medium and large mammals in the Loka Abaya National Park,southern Ethiopia

We evaluated the richness, diversity, and composition of the medium and large mammal community in the Loka Abaya National Park (LANP), southern Ethiopia, and how these parameters differ among four habitat types: wooded grassland, riverine forest, hilly scrubland and wetland, and between seasons. We recorded a total of 2,573 individual animals of 28 medium and large mammal species in the park. This included three globally threatened species: the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), the vulnerable Leopard (Panthera pardus), and Hippopotamus (Hippopothamus amphibius). Season had little effect on species richness, diversity, and composition both across and within habitat types. However, species richness across seasons was significantly different among the four habitat types, in the declining order of the following: wooded grassland > riverine forest > hilly scrubland > wetland. The strongest similarity in species composition, both across and within seasons, was found between wooded grassland and riverine forest. In terms of relative abundance, mammal assemblage of the wooded grassland and wetland habitats had more evenly distributed number of species with different relative abundance categories. Overall, Anubis Baboon (Papio anubis), Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), and Greater Kudu (Tragelephus strepsiceros) were the three most abundant species across habitat types. In conclusion, findings of our study reveal that LANP plays an important role in Ethiopia's mammal conservation. Our findings will serve as baseline information for managers of the park to make effective conservation decisions and as a baseline for researchers wishing to conduct related ecological studies.     

A NOTE ON SOME SWAZILAND BIRDS

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. 1999. Hybridization in paradise flycatchers (Terpsiphone rufiventer; I: batesi and I: viridis). in Odzala National Park, Northern Congo. Ostrich 70 (2); 123–126

The Redbellied and Bates's Paradise Flycatchers Terpsiphone rufiventer and I: batesi are widely distributed in the rain forests of the Guineo-Congolian Region. They have similar ecological requirements, usually identical songs and in Gabon, Congo and parts of Cameroon at least appear to be mainly allopatric. However, the two species meet in the forest/savanna mosaic of NW Congo (Odzala) where T. rufiventer inhabits only swamp forest and T: batesi both swamp and closed-canopy dryland forest. Eight of 23 birds (35%) occupying territories in swamp forest were found to be hybrids. Territories are defended against congeners as well as conspecifics. In dryland forest, however, some T: batesi have developed a very different song-type which is not understood by birds from swamp forest. It is possible that T: batesi came into contact with T. rufiventer at Odzala through the current expansion of the dryland forest. One of the hybrid males sang like African Paradise Flycatcher I: viridis, occupied a territory at the edge of swamp forest (a situation more typical of I: viridis) andMayhave been a multiple hybrid.