First results on the feeding ecology of sympatric shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae) in the Tai National Park,Ivory Coast |
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Authors: | Sara Churchfield Patrick Barrière Rainer Hutterer Marc Colyn |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Life Sciences,Kinig’s College London,London,England;2.Laboratoire d’Ethologie-Evolution-Ecologie, UMR 6552, CNRS,Université de Rennes 1,Paimpont,France;3.Section of Mammals,Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig,Bonn,Germany |
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Abstract: | The feeding ecology of a multi-species community of shrews inhabiting secondary forest and cacao-coffee plantations in the
Tai National Park (Ivory Coast) was investigated. A total of 553 shrews were captured and 194 alimentary tracts were examined.
Ten species were found, includingSylvisorex megalura and nine species ofCrocidura, forming a series with respect to body size. New ecological data on these little known African species are presented. All
species of shrews ate a wide diversity of arthropods, with Coleoptera, Araneae, Formicidae and Diplopoda making the largest
dietary contributions. Lumbricidae were eaten by two species.C. obscurior had an exceptionally long intestine for its size but there was no evidence of dietary specialisation in this or other shrew
species. All species investigated ate predominantly small prey and there was no correlation between size of prey items consumed
and body mass of shrew species. There was little evidence of resource partitioning amongst the shrews, despite differences
in body size. |
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