A collection of invertebrates from within the A Rocha Conservation Centre grounds, Watamu, Kilifi, Kenya

Study Extent

The study site runs from the beach to 400m inland and traverses an ancient sand dune which still holds just 0.7 ha of remnant sand dune forest dominated by Mimosops obtusifolia, Cola minor, and Afzelia quanzensis. Inland of this the rest of the study site is low coastal secondary growth bush dominated by Grewia plagiophylla, Euclea natalensis and Suregada zanzibarensis. Around the buildings there are some garden plants and small patches of open grass with isolated bushes which sometimes attract different invertebrates. There are two wet seasons: (April) May-June (long rains) and November-December (short rains). The other months are usually hot and dry. Annual rainfall is around 1,000 mm.

Sampling

Specimens were collected on an ad hoc basis across all months of the year but with greater focus during the wet seasons when invertebrates are more abundant. Some pitfall trapping was carried out, particularly in the remnant forest patch using 10 traps in a straight line each at 2m intervals. Pan traps were deployed in the scrub area of the property from time to time. A (moth) light trap was frequently run and while most specimens were photographed and released, some were taken as specimens for the collection in the Entomology Section, National Museums of Kenya. Some sweep netting was carried out opportunistically.

Quality Control

Mr. Mike P. Clifton did Lepidoptera identification Mr. Morris Mutua did the non-Lepidopteran identification The species names recorded were referenced using the following books and websites: 1. Torben Larsen’s Book on The Butterflies of Kenya and their natural history 2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility 3. Catalogue of Life 4. Natural History Invertebrates collection at the National Museums of Kenya Original dataset was then formatted while adhering to Darwin’s Core

Method steps

1. .

Specimens were collected from within the 4.3 ha of coastal scrub and forest contained within the A Rocha centre grounds on the beach front of the main Watamu Beach.