
	Asian Journal of Applied Sciences
	Year: 2011 \| Volume: 4 \| Issue: 7 \| Page No.: 728-734 DOI: 10.3923/ajaps.2011.728.734

Food Selection and Habitat Association of Starck’s Hare (Lepus starcki Petter, 1963) in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

Tariku Mekonnen, Mohammed Yaba, Afework Bekele and J. Malcolm

Abstract: Starck’s hare (Lepus starcki Petter, 1963) is one of the endemic mammals of Ethiopia and potentially a very important part of the ecosystem. In this study, the food and habitat selection of Starck’s hare was investigated. To estimate the coverage of vegetation in the study area, the line intercept’ method was used. Diet was identified by analyzing faecal pellets and direct observation. Vegetation coverage was high (65.21%) during the wet season and low (<30%) during the dry season. The vegetation consisted of 27 plant species of which 21 were herbs, four grasses and 2 were shrubs. Monocotyledons occurred in higher percentage frequency in the diet of Starck’s hare during both seasons. Among the grasses, Festuca spp. was the most available and important food source for Starck’s hare during both seasons. The highest number of starck’s hares was recorded from rocky grass land during the wet season and from wetland during the dry season. Lepus starcki is an important component in the diet of the Ethiopian wolf and as a result proper management measures should be taken to conserve the endangered species.

PDF Fulltext XML References Citation Report Citation

RELATED ARTICLES:

•	Species Composition, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Large Mammals in and around Wondo Genet Forest Patch, Southern Ethiopia

•	Large Mammals and Mountain Encroachments on Mount Kaka and Hunkolo Fragments, Southeast Ethiopia

•	Habitat Ecology of Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Manaslu Conservation Area, Nepal

•	Influence of Exotic Bird and Wildlife Trade on Avian Influenza Transmission Dynamics: Animal-Human Interface

•	Distribution, Status of Migratory and Resident Waterfowls of Drigh Lake (Sindh) Wildlife Sanctuary

•	Population Size, Structure and Behaviours of Wild Goat in Cehennemdere Wildlife Improvement Area

•	Does Habitat Disturbance Has Adverse Effect on the Diversity of Parasitoid Community?

How to cite this article:

Tariku Mekonnen, Mohammed Yaba, Afework Bekele and J. Malcolm, 2011. Food Selection and Habitat Association of Starck’s Hare (Lepus starcki Petter, 1963) in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 4: 728-734.

DOI: 10.3923/ajaps.2011.728.734

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajaps.2011.728.734

COMMENT ON THIS PAPER

Navigation


		Online First
		Current Issue
		Previous Issues
		Editorial Board
		Submit a Manuscript
		Guide to Authors
		Subscribe to E-alerts

Indexed In


		ASCI-Database
		Asian Digital Library
		Cambridge Scientific Abstract
		Chemical Abstract Services
		Google Scholar

Science Alert