A.L.A. Shotuyo¹ , M.O.O. Oyatogun¹ , O.O. Oduntan¹ , I.A. Ayodele²

1 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
2 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2013, Vol. 3, No. 2   doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2013.03.0002
Received: 05 Dec., 2012    Accepted: 14 Dec., 2012    Published: 20 Mar., 2013

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Shotuyo et al., 2013, Vertebrate Diversity of Alabata Nature Reserve, Abeokuta, South West Nigeria, Vol.3, No.2, 2-10 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2013.03.0002)

The importance of wildlife, especially the vertebrates for game, tourism and medicinal use cannot be over emphasized. Nature reserves are also known to influence the ecosystem of its location. However, rapid increase in land use for agriculture and other physical developments are gradually reducing wildlife habitation including the Alabata area nature reserve of Abeokuta. Inventory of these resources in relation to their habitat parameters would inform their better management. Assessments of vertebrate and associated flora diversities were therefore carried out in Alabata Nature Reserve. The study covered 20 km² out of 97.3 km² area of Alabata Nature Reserve. Twenty sample plots each of 25 m x 25 m were laid randomly. Animals(vertebrates) were assessed for 24 months in each plot cutting across wet and dry seasons. Animals were surveyed weekly using the King Census and Line Transect methods, by direct and indirect modes. 121 vertebrate species, belonging to 56 families were recorded.Thryonomys swinderianus was the most abundant vertebrate species with a mean frequency of 319±40.87, followed by Xerus erythropus 143±2.98 and Arvicanthus niloticus 122±15.39 while Ploceus capensis (5±3.92) was the least abundant.

Wild vertebrate diversity; Alabata nature reserve; Sustainable use; Wildlife habitat