Topic 4.2: Mammals

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Content

Topic Introduction

For anyone visiting a tropical forest, there are clear and immediate differences between forest areas, even within a particular region. For example, a visit to savanna forests in southern or eastern Africa reveals a wealth of wildlife, although there may be significant seasonal variations in those areas where the herds of ungulates are migratory. In contrast, a humid lowland rain forest presents a completely different situation, and there may appear to be no mammals present. This of course depends on the time of day and on your identification skills. Dawn in a Southeast Asian forest is often accompanied by the calls of gibbons – these can carry for long distances. In Central and some South American rain forests, the calls of howler monkeys may be heard, again carrying for long distances. Actually seeing vertebrates in rain forests is more challenging, and you may be surprised how close you can come to a large animals such as elephant without seeing it.

With the exception of forests where there has been a lot of hunting (the so-called “empty forests”), there is generally a wide range of mammals present. These occupy a range of niches, from below ground to the upper canopy. Some are diurnal, but many more may be nocturnal, or at least more active at night. They generally require more work to find, whether by spot-lighting or the use of camera traps. Camera traps may be needed to identify the presence of some of the shyer forest residents. Bats are particularly difficult, but many of the smaller rodents and marsupials also present challenges.

In this module, we will introduce to some of the diversity of mammals found in tropical forests. We have included savannas, as mammals are an integral part of the ecosystem and actually play an important role in determining the balance between grassland and forest. We have divided the topic into seven presentations, and have ordered these according to the Handbook of the Mammals of the World.

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • Describe the range of mammals that you might encounter in a tropical forest.
  • Identify the mammalian groups found in particular regions.
  • Discuss the importance of lesser known groups, such as rodents and bats.
  • Assess the role that different groups of mammals play in tropical forests.
  • Assess the habitat needs of different groups of mammals.
  • Determine which groups of mammals might be benefited or adversely affected by forest management decisions.

Topic Summary

This topic examines some of the mammals found in tropical forests. It is by no means exhaustive, although some may find it exhausting! Most families reach their highest level of diversity in the Tropics, although the numbers present at any one location may be quite limited. The habitat often plays a major role in determining the types of mammals present: grazers, for example, are much more abundant in savannas than in rain forest. Many species are difficult to see, and specialized equipment, such as camera traps, may be required to assess either the presence or abundance of a particular species.

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