DISTRIBUTION OF HYRAX (MAMMALIA/HYRACOIDEA/PROCAVIIDAE) IN THE CENTRAL REGIONS OF BENIN.

Abstract

Few research works were carried out on hyraxes (family of Procaviidae) in Benin until now. This study provides the first data on the spatial distribution evolution of Procavia capensis (rock hyrax) and Dendrohyrax dorsalis subsp sylvestris (tree hyrax) in the central regions of Benin: if both kinds of hyrax are met in this area of Sudano - Guinean transition, only Dendrohyrax dorsalis ssp. sylvestris are met in Guinea zone (South - Benin). In this phytogeographical area, the tree hyrax occupies essentially the Lama forest, and weakly met in few forest islands and in the valley of Oueme. The past and present occurrence areas of Dendrohyrax dorsalis subsp sylvestris were mapped and their surface area, calculated. Due to the significant fragmentation and degradation of habitat of tree hyrax in southern Benin, its occurrence areas increased from 8007 km² to 4003 km² (current occurrence area) within less than half a century. If the classified forest of Lama gathers the largest subpopulation, the other sites are severely fragmented, with small and isolated subpopulations in the forest islands far between them with a distance of dozens kilometers.