Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) food sources and habitat use in Marsh–Savannah-cultivation mosaics

Abstract

Wetland conversion threatens wetland specialists by reducing their core habitat. The sitatunga is a wetland specialist with declining populations. However, knowledge of sitatunga ecology and threats is limited, particularly outside protected areas. We examined sitatunga food sources, and habitat use in undisturbed Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks, and a Cultivated (disturbed) block in River Mayanja wetland, central Uganda. We recorded indirect indices and sightings of sitatunga along a 10 km transect in each block, and surveyed food sources in 34 plots along the transects. Our results indicate that the indices and sightings of Sitatunga had lower relative frequency in the Cultivated than in the Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks. Sitatunga feed on 39 plant species in 13 families and six growth forms; grasses, herbs, sedges, climbers, shrubs and water weeds. Cyperus papyrus, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Leersia hexandra accounted for 58% of sitatunga food sources. There were more individuals and species with Sitatunga feeding activity in the Marshes and Marsh–Savannah transition blocks than in the Cultivated block. Our results show that sitatunga habitat use and food sources are constrained in disturbed habitats while threats are intensified. To maintain wetland integrity and stability of sitatunga populations, stakeholders need to address wetland encroachment.