PATTERNS OF DISTRIBUTION, DIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM OF LARGER AFRICAN MAMMALS

Patterns of distribution and diversity (= species richness) of larger African mammals, and three subsets thereof (ungulates, carnivores and primates), are identified and analysed quantitatively. Distributional patterns generally correspond well with those of present-day vegetatio n types and of resident non-aquatic birds. However, the precise locati ons of zonal boundaries and the degree of zonation differ between grou ps, primarily reflecting their different ecological requirements. Larg e mammal diversity increases towards the equator, but diversity patter ns differ substantially between the groups. Diversity is positively co rrelated with vegetation type diversity, and vegetation types analysed as separate units explain over 85% of the variance in the diversity o f the mammal groups investigated. In addition, both distributional and diversity patterns appear to have been affected by past environmental f actors.