Ara Monadjem

Rapid survey of bats of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, with notes on shrews and rodents

Bats were sampled in three National Forests in Liberia using mist nets, a harp trap, and roost searches. Terrestrial small mammals were captured opportunistically and were not used in the final assessment of the forests. A total of 182 bats of 22 species was captured, representing 37% of the bat species known to occur in Liberia. Species richness was highest at Gola and Grebo National Forests, possibly because secondary forest and forest edge was sampled there. North Lorma National Forest, where only forest interior was surveyed, had both the lowest capture success and the lowest species richness. Three IUCN Red List species were recorded: Rhinolophus hillorum (Vulnerable) in Gola National Forest, Scotonycteris zenkeri (Near Threatened) in Grebo National Forest, and Hipposideros fuliginosus (Near Threatened) in North Lorma National Forest. Bat assemblages in each of the surveyed areas were characterized by forestdependent species. Not a single species typical of savanna habitats was recorded, indicating high habitat integrity of the National Forests. Three species are reported for the first time from Liberia (Rhinolophus landeri, Neoromicia guineensis, Neoromicia aff. grandidieri), raising the species total for the country to 59. An updated checklist with corrected species identifications is presented for the bats of Liberia. Two species of shrews, one murid rodent, five squirrels and one anomalure (scaly-tailed squirrel) were also recorded, including the rarely reported Western Palm Squirrel Epixerus ebii and the Lesser Anomalure Anomalurus cf. pusillus.

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment: A Rapid Biological Assessment of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia

Liberias national forests are among the last refuges in West Africa for large migrating mammals. This volume summarizes the findings of a biodiversity survey of three forests as part of the Liberia Forestry Initiative, an effort to rehabilitate and reform Liberias threatened woodlands. The survey found each forest to harbor a wealth of biodiversity and a significant number of species of conservation concern. Researchers here document the discovery of six species new to science, report eighteen new findings for Liberia, and present conservation recommendations based on survey results.