Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Catenas are undulating hillslopes on a granite geology characterised by different soil types that create an environmental gradient from crest to bottom. The main aim was to determine mammal species (>mongoose) present on one catenal slope and its waterholes and group them by feeding guild and bod...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/387 |
| _version_ | 1797524090920108032 |
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| author | Beanélri B. Janecke |
| author_facet | Beanélri B. Janecke |
| author_sort | Beanélri B. Janecke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Catenas are undulating hillslopes on a granite geology characterised by different soil types that create an environmental gradient from crest to bottom. The main aim was to determine mammal species (>mongoose) present on one catenal slope and its waterholes and group them by feeding guild and body size. Species richness was highest at waterholes (21 species), followed by midslope (19) and sodic patch (16) on the catena. Small differences observed in species presence between zones and waterholes and between survey periods were not significant (<i>p</i> = 0.5267 and <i>p</i> = 0.9139). In total, 33 species were observed with camera traps: 18 herbivore species, 10 carnivores, two insectivores and three omnivores. Eight small mammal species, two dwarf antelopes, 11 medium, six large and six mega-sized mammals were observed. Some species might not have been recorded because of drought, seasonal movement or because they travelled outside the view of cameras. Mammal presence is determined by food availability and accessibility, space, competition, distance to water, habitat preferences, predators, body size, social behaviour, bound to territories, etc. The variety in body size and feeding guilds possibly indicates a functioning catenal ecosystem. This knowledge can be beneficial in monitoring and conservation of species in the park. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:52:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-301721dd9e6d459f8d6959b1e700e330 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:52:24Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-301721dd9e6d459f8d6959b1e700e3302023-11-22T07:22:24ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182021-08-0113838710.3390/d13080387Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South AfricaBeanélri B. Janecke0Animal, Wildlife & Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Road, Park West, Bloemfontein 9301, South AfricaCatenas are undulating hillslopes on a granite geology characterised by different soil types that create an environmental gradient from crest to bottom. The main aim was to determine mammal species (>mongoose) present on one catenal slope and its waterholes and group them by feeding guild and body size. Species richness was highest at waterholes (21 species), followed by midslope (19) and sodic patch (16) on the catena. Small differences observed in species presence between zones and waterholes and between survey periods were not significant (<i>p</i> = 0.5267 and <i>p</i> = 0.9139). In total, 33 species were observed with camera traps: 18 herbivore species, 10 carnivores, two insectivores and three omnivores. Eight small mammal species, two dwarf antelopes, 11 medium, six large and six mega-sized mammals were observed. Some species might not have been recorded because of drought, seasonal movement or because they travelled outside the view of cameras. Mammal presence is determined by food availability and accessibility, space, competition, distance to water, habitat preferences, predators, body size, social behaviour, bound to territories, etc. The variety in body size and feeding guilds possibly indicates a functioning catenal ecosystem. This knowledge can be beneficial in monitoring and conservation of species in the park.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/387catena ecosystemephemeral mud wallowshabitat usemammal varietySkukuza areaspecies presence |
| spellingShingle | Beanélri B. Janecke Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa Diversity catena ecosystem ephemeral mud wallows habitat use mammal variety Skukuza area species presence |
| title | Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| title_full | Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| title_short | Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa |
| title_sort | mammal species richness at a catena and nearby waterholes during a drought kruger national park south africa |
| topic | catena ecosystem ephemeral mud wallows habitat use mammal variety Skukuza area species presence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/387 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT beanelribjanecke mammalspeciesrichnessatacatenaandnearbywaterholesduringadroughtkrugernationalparksouthafrica |