Preliminary data on the biodiversity of rodents and insectivores (Mammalia) in the periphery of Kisangani (D. R. Congo)

This Study presents the species diversity of rodents and insectivores s.l. as observed in the forests around Kisangani (D.R. Congo) between 1979 and 2003. 7736 specimens were collected using Victor snap traps, Sherman live traps and pitfalls. In total, 49 small mammals species (36 rodents and 18 shrews) were identified of which 42 were actually captured and 7 more were observed around Kisangani. The number of species varied between habitats : 16 species were found (12 rodents, 4 shrews) in primary forest, 36 species (2 1 rodents, 15 shrews) in secondary forest, 3 1 species (20 rodents, I I shrews) in fallow lands and 16 species (15 rodents and I shrew) in wetlands. On the right bank of the Congo River, 40 species were collected against 19 oil the islands and 15 on the left bank of the Congo River, At this stage, the right bank seems to be more diverse as far as the small mammal fauna is concerned, but more studies on the left bank need to be conducted.