Comparison of taxonomic diversity, body size, mass and condition of small mammals in urban and rural areas of the Coastal Savannah Ecological Zone of Ghana

Benjamin Yeboah Ofori, John Bosu Mensah, Benjamin Asomaning, Andy Annan, Daniel Korley Attuquayefio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In the context of rapidly increasing global urbanization, studying urban landscape effects on wildlife is crucial for informing biodiversity conservation in cities. Small mammals are inextricably linked to their environment and respond swiftly to habitat alterations. Yet, the response of small mammals to urbanization in the Afro-tropics is rarely investigated. Here, we compared the taxonomic diversity, body size, mass and condition of non-volant small mammals in rural and urban areas within the Coastal Savannah Ecological Zone (CSEZ) of Ghana. We live-trapped small mammals in farmbush (UFB) and a protected area (UPA) located in urban areas, and compared the data with conspecifics from farmbush (RFB) and a protected area (RPA) located in rural areas within the CSEZ. The data was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA, ANCOVA and F-ratio test. We found that small mammal composition, but not species richness and diversity varied between the rural and urban areas. The species diversity, richness and evenness were slightly higher for the urban sites than the rural sites, but the differences were not significant. Three species, Taterillus gracilis, Graphiurus nagtglasii and Arvicanthis rufinus occurred in the urban area only. Mastomys natalensis, Mus musculoides and Gerbilliscus kempii from the urban sites were significantly smaller and in poorer condition compared with conspecifics from the corresponding rural sites. Mus musculoides from the urban area weighed significantly lesser than their rural conspecifics. Our data showed variations in taxonomic diversity and morphometrics of rural and urban small mammals, and highlighted the importance of heterogeneous urban green areas in maintaining small mammal biodiversity in cities. Urban developers and land use planners should prioritize integrating green areas into urban planning designs in order to promote and conserve wildlife in cities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7
JournalUrban Ecosystems
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2025

Keywords

  • Arvicanthis rufinus
  • Gerbilliscus kempii
  • Mastomys natalensis
  • Morphometrics
  • Protected areas
  • Rodents
  • Urban wildlife

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