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Rodentia
Id code: amd033Hystricidae
Atherurus africanus
Gray, 1842
(Eng) African brush-tailed porcupine
(Fre) Athérure africain
Taxonomic notes
This species may be split into three subspecies: A. a. africanus (West Africa population), A. a. centralis (Zaire basin) and A. a. turneri (East Africa) (Wilson & Reeder, 1993; Kingdon, 1971-77, 1997).
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
A study on aspects of the species' ecology was conducted in the Makoku area (Gabon ) by Emmons (1983); the author focused mainly on activity rhythms and spacing patterns, but also gives some information on the habitat in which the species was observed. Data on the species' presence are available for Uganda (Delany, 1975) and eastern former Zaire (Rahm & Christiaensen, 1966). Both the authors report on its ecology. Its occurrence on Mount Nimba (Liberia) is reported by Coe (1975), who describes in detail the area surveyed, therefore supplying some information on the habitat in which the species occurs there. Status and conservation issues in Nigeria are discussed in Osemeobo (1988). General information on the species' ecology and distribution is found in Kingdon (1971-77, 1997) and Stuart & Stuart (1997).
Known extent of occurrence
The African brush-tailed porcupine occurs in West and Central Africa (Wilson & Reeder, 1993). The first rough distribution map was obtained from Haltenorth & Diller (1980); it was then updated using the more accurate information in Kingdon (1997), as suggested also by Dr. G. Amori (Fig. 10.3.1.a).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species occurs in forests and gallery forests (Kingdon, 1971-77; Delany, 1975).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 10.3.1.b) (Tab. 10.3.1.a):
|
Score (*) |
|
|
1 |
Forests. |
|
2 |
Forest mosaics. |
|
3 |
Savannas and croplands. |
|
(*) Scores increased for vegetation types occurring inside a 1-km buffer around permanent water |
|
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
2 563 077 |
52 |
1 327 962 |
27 |
1 052 213 |
21 |
4 943 252 |
100 |
Tab 10.3.1.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
2 588 |
990 |
40 206 |
52.05 |
1.31 |
36.79 |
|
moderately suitable |
4 685 |
284 |
3 509 |
3.49 |
1.41 |
13.85 |
|
Total AO |
960 |
4 056 |
103 170 |
80.98 |
1.53 |
31.79 |
Tab 10.3.1.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 10.3.1.c.
Validation
|
% of EO in sample areas |
Number of valid plots |
Index of Accordance (%) |
|
10.22 |
167 |
59.88 |
Tab 10.3.1.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters.
Comments and conservation issues
The known EO covers most of the forest of western and central Africa and expands into the more arid areas following the network of riverine forests. The Index of Accordance (59.88%) supports this interpretation. Consequently, the EO is classified as suitable for only 52% and moderately suitable for 27%, excluding the more arid areas (see both models). The central block of forest in former Zaire accounts for at least 52% of the total AO but the contribution of the moderately suitable areas helps to maintain the habitat continuity across most of the EO. The AWMSI shows that the shape of these areas is very irregular as it follows the riverine network. The species is not endangered and about 5% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
2.40 |
49.45 |
51.85 |
|
moderately suitable |
1.51 |
25.35 |
26.86 |
|
unsuitable |
1.34 |
19.94 |
21.29 |
|
Total |
5.26 |
94.74 |
100 |
Tab 10.3.1.d: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Coe M.J. (1975). Mammalian ecological studies on Mount Nimba, Liberia. Mammalia: 39, 523-581.
Delany M.J. (1975). The rodents of Uganda. Trustees of British Museum (Natural History), London: 746, 1-165.
Emmons L.H. (1983). A field study of the African brush-tailed porcupine, Atherurus africanus, by radiotelemetry. Mammalia: 47, 183-194.
Haltenorth T., Diller H. (1980). A field guide to the mammals of Africa, including Madagascar. Collins, London.
Kingdon J. (1971-77). East African Mammals. VOL I: primates, hyraces, pangolins, protoungulates, sirenians. VOL IIA: Insectivores and bats. VOL IIB: hares and rodents. VOL IIIA: carnivores. VOL IIIB: large mammals. VOL IIIC: bovids. VOL IIID: bovids. Academic Press, London and New York.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Osemeobo G.J. (1988). Animal wildlife conservation under multiple land-use systems in Nigeria. Environ. Conserv.: 15(3), 239-249.
Rahm U., Christiaensen A. (1966). Les mammiferès de l'Ile Idjwi (Lac Kivu, Congo). Les mammifères de la foret equatoriale de l'est du Congo. Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Cent.: n° 149.
Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers.
Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.