Species richness and habitat use of small carnivores in the Arusha National Park (Tanzania)

摘要: The carnivore community of Arusha National Park, Tanzania, was monitored using live trapping and diurnal nocturnal visual counts recording tracks signs along line transects. Nine species were recorded. Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the most common large species, leopard (Panthera pardus) African civet (Civettictis civetta) detected transects, while smaller counted and/or captured. Mungos mungo, Galerella sanguinea, Genetta maculata prevalent at transect counts, G. Bdeogale crassicauda, frequently Ichneumia albicauda Ictonyx striatus captured only a single site. Carnivores selected natural habitat types, multilayered forest, open shrubs herbaceous savannah, absent, or tended to avoid disturbed (man-made) habitats. Species which sufficient data gathered seemed behave as generalists (C. crocuta, maculata, M. mungo I. striatus). need for more detailed studies on small ecology importance protected areas their conservation are discussed.