Ayalew, Berhanu Adem (2015) Ecological Studies of the African Civet (Civettictis civetta) in Hawassa and Wondo Genet Areas, Southern Ethiopia. PhD thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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PDF (Ecological Studies of the African Civet (Civettictis civetta) in Hawassa and Wondo Genet Areas, Southern Ethiopia)
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Abstract
Ecological studies of the African civet (Civetticits civetta) was carried out in Hawassa and Wondo Genet areas of Ethiopia, during July 2012 – March 2014. Civetry distribution and density, population density, diet analysis, seed dispersal and scent marking of civets were investigated. Civetries were distributed along pathways at various locations like forest, plantation, bushy area, grassland, farmland, open area, bare land, lake shore and home garden. Higher density of civetries were recorded in the farmland than in other areas (t = 5.6, df = 3, p < 0.05). A population density of 2.3−12.8 civets/km2 was estimated. Civets feed fruits (36.9%), leaves and shoots (18.3%), roots and tubers (3.4%), invertebrates (19.1%), mammals (13.3%), birds (6.6%) and fish (2.8%) in the present study area. Fruits were the most preferred food item in all habitats. African civet is an effective seed dispersal agent. Over 70% of scent marked signposts were distributed around civetries in the farmland and natural forest areas, while about 35% of the scent marked sign-pots were distributed around civetries in the urban area. Most of the scent marked sign-posts were located at or close distance (< 2 m) to wildlife tracks. The amount of scent marks on sign-posts ranged between 0.0001−1.5110 g. The effect of season and habitat on population density and diet composition was insignificant in the present study area due to the habitat variability and modification. Fruit eating behavior of civets and widespread civetries distribution along various habitats have an important role in seed dispersal and implication for conservation of civets.
| Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | African civet, musk, civetry, civiculture, feeding ecology, scent marking, seed dispersal |
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Sep 2018 09:56 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Sep 2018 09:56 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/5042 |
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