A checklist of terrestrial mammals in Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana

Study Extent

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve covers an area of 232-kilometre square, while the extension (Atewa Extension) is 26.3-kilometre Square. It lies on 6.1667° N 0.6000° W The records in this dataset represents data that has been collected over the years from both the Atewa Range and the Extension.

Sampling

Data extracted from the Biodiversity of Atewa report included records from GBIF. Records from GBIF were geographically verified by using a simplified minimum convex polygon that extended beyond the boundary of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve to ensure that all species had been considered. With respect to the camera trap data, Ttwenty-two (22) camera traps were systematically placed at a time within a one-kilometer square plot with the aid of a map generated using Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) from February 2016 to December 2016. Deployments were simultaneously done at the North and South to enable comparison.

Quality Control

The data was originally entered into a excel spreadsheet. Data was formatted using Darwin Core and scientific names verified using the Global Name Resolver tool. acceptednameUsuage and Scientific Authorship were verified using the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy on the Global Name Resolver. The NCBI taxonomic browser was used to obtain the taxonomic ID for the dataset. Data was cleaned for all other errors using openRefine.

Method steps

1. With respect to the literature review, data from the Biodiversity of Atewa Forest was extracted from the extensive review the Biodiversity of Atewa report had already collated. This data was then Darwin core formatted and added to the camera trap data to give a comprehensive overview of the mammals recorded in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. With respect to the Camera trap data, twenty-two (22) camera traps of the Recronyx and Browning brand were systematically placed within a one-kilometer square plot with the aid of a map generated using Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) from February 2016 to December 2016. With the aid of a compass and a handheld Geographical Positioning System navigation was done to the pre-selected site, a five-meter radius search was then conducted to find a suitable location with a reasonable view with a minimum of three (3) meters view. Camera was then attached to the tree with the locking cable at about 5-40cm above ground considering the topography of the land, camera was then angle so it is roughly parallel to the ground where there was a slope, camera was positioned facing along the slope or upslope and not downslope. The tree was then number tagged and its UTM XY coordinates and plot name, date, time and team members and other datasheet details where recorded. Camera was then left at the location for one month to elapse before collection and data analysis. A GPS was then set to record actual position using track log set to record every 1 second and leaving GPS in static position for at least 5 minutes. Minimal clearing in front of tree was undertaken to create a better view, camera was then faced camera north or south, but not directly east or west to avoid the sunlight affecting image quality, evidence of tracks, dung was considered but sites where rising water will flood the camera were avoided, a suitable tree which won’t blow in the wind was then selected.

All 67 species were identified to specific epithet. With respect to taxonomic identification by family, the 67 species were identified in 23 families namely Anomaluridae, Bovidae, Felidae, Galagidae, Hipposideridae, Hystricidae, Lorisidae, Manidae, Muridae,Nandiniidae, Nesomyidae, Nycteridae, Procaviidae, Pteropodidae, Rhinolophidae, Sciuridae, Soricidae, Suidae, Thryonomyidae, Vespertilionidae, Viverridae, Herpestidae and Cercopithecidae.

1. Tragelaphus sylvaticus
   common name: Bushbuck rank: species
2. Nandinia binotata
   common name: African palm civet rank: species
3. Civettictis civetta
   common name: African civet rank: species
4. Cephalophus dorsalis
   common name: Bay duiker rank: species
5. Cephalophus niger
   common name: Black duiker rank: species
6. Philantomba maxwelli
   common name: Maxwell's duiker rank: species
7. Cephalophus silvicultor
   common name: Yellow-backed duiker rank: species
8. Neotragus pygmaeus
   common name: Royal antelope rank: species
9. Genetta genetta
   common name: Common genet rank: species
10. Crossarchus
    common name: Cusimanse mongoose rank: genus

The data was collected at the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The forest lies on coordinates 6.1667° N, 0.6000° W.