Species diversity and distribution of some arboreal mammals in Gumti sector of Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at producing the arboreal mammalian species check list, estimate their absolute population densities and determine  their diversity and distribution pattern in GGNP.The arboreal mammalian species checklist was obtained through direct sighting, the use  of indices, literature and inspection of bush meat processing and selling centres. The line Burkea-Crosopteryx association, Riparian  vegetation and the Uapaca-Propis association transect method was used for census of arboreal mammalian species in five wildlife  habitats in the study area (riparian vegetation, shrub savanna, grassland savannah, Burkea-Crosopteryx association and the Uapaca- Propis association). Results obtained indicated that six (6) arboreal mammalian species belonging to three (3) families existed in the  study area. Absolute population densities of mammalian species ranged from 5.04 to 6.81/km² . Diversity of the arboreal mammalian  species for the entire study area was 1.1364. Cluster analysis revealed that two clusters of communities of arboreal mammalian species  existed in the study area. In view of the extreme decline in population densities of arboreal mammalian species in the study area, it is  recommended that all illegal anthropogenic activities in the study area should be brought to a halt by legal means, regular monitoring of  the abundance and distribution species of wildlife population should be carried out, habitat assessment should be carried out at regular intervals to ascertain the conditions of the habitats and patrol should be intensified to checkmate anthropogenic activities in the study  area.