3.2 | Distributional patterns and abundance
The distributional patterns of mammals were varied across the study habitats. High number of species was observed in the scrub lands (7 species) followed by natural forest (6 species). However, a single species was recorded in bar land habitats. Of the total species 5 (55.6%) species were observed in two of the three habitats, while 4 (44.4%) species were limited to specific habitat type. Specifically, Ethiopian rock hyrax and Rabbit were only recorded from scrubland. Similarly, Guereza and Spotted hyenawere exclusive to scrublands (Table 2). Among the 12 species of mammals, Guereza was the dominant mammalian species followed by Vervet monkey, Olive baboon, and Ethiopian rock hyrax, while, Common duiker, Rabbit, and Common jackal were the less common species in the study area. Spotted hyena and Porcupine were exclusively identified from indirect evidences (scat, spines, footprint and vocalization) but the presence of Leopard, Serval cat and Bat-eared fox (አፍን) were guaranteed by villagers. Regarding to the occurrence of mammals based on their encounter rate/frequency of observation through the study interval, Guereza and Vervet monkey were common. Only Olive baboon was considered uncommon, while all the remaining observed mammals were rare.
Table 2 Medium and large sized mammal species distribution, occurrence and relative frequency observations during the survey period(Key : * there presence is assured by the villagers’,- no direct observed)