Rapid survey of the birds of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana

Rapid Assessment Program 

A Rapid Biological Assessment of 

the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, 

Eastern Ghana 

RAP 

Bulletin 

of Biological 

Assessment 

47 

Jennifer McCullough, Leeanne E. Alonso, 

Piotr Naskrecki, Heather E. Wright, and 

Yaw Osei-Owusu (Editors) 

Center for Applied Biodiversity Science 

(CABS) 

Conservation International 

Conservation International – Ghana 

Alcoa World Alumina LLC (Alcoa)

Cover photos (Piotr Naskrecki) 

Top: Sylvan katydid (Mustius afzelli) 

Center: Frog (Afrixalus vebekensis) 

Botton: Chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis)


A Rapid Biological Assessment of 

the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, 


RAP 

Bulletin 

of Biological 

Assessment 

47 

Jennifer McCullough, Leeanne E. Alonso, 

Piotr Naskrecki, Heather E. Wright, and 

Yaw Osei-Owusu (Editors) 

Center for Applied Biodiversity Science (CABS) 



Alcoa World Alumina LLC (Alcoa)

The RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment is published by 


Center for Applied Biodiversity Science 

2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500 

Arlington, VA USA 22202 

Tel : 703-341-2400 

www.conservation.org 

www.biodiversityscience.org 

Editors: Jennifer McCullough, Leeanne E. Alonso, Piotr Naskrecki, Heather E. Wright and Yaw Osei-Owusu 

Design: Glenda Fabregas 

Map: Mark Denil 

Photography: Piotr Naskrecki 

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment Series Editors: 

Jennifer McCullough and Leeanne E. Alonso 

ISBN #978-1-934151-09-9 

© 2007 Conservation International 

All rights reserved. 

Library of Congress Card Catalog Number 2007940630 

Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 

501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not 

imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Conservation International or its supporting 

organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the 

delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. 

Any opinions expressed in the RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment Series are those of the writers and do not 

necessarily reflect those of Conservation International or its co-publishers. 

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment was formerly RAP Working Papers. Numbers 1-13 of this series were 

published under the previous series title. 

Suggested citation: 

McCullough, J., L.E. Alonso, P. Naskrecki, H.E. Wright and Y. Osei-Owusu (eds.). 2007. A Rapid Biological 

Assessment of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Ghana. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 47. 

Conservation International, Arlington, VA.

Table of Contents 

Participants and Authors..................................................5 

Organizational Profiles.....................................................7 

Acknowledgements...........................................................9 

Report at a Glance...........................................................10 

Executive Summary.........................................................13 

Map and Photos................................................................31 

Chapters.............................................................................35 

Chapter 1............................................................................35 

An ecological, socio-economic and conservation overview of 

the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Chapter 2............................................................................41 

The botanical diversity of the Atewa Range 

Carel C. H. Jongkind 

Chapter 3............................................................................43 

A rapid botanical survey of the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve, Ghana 

D.E.K.A Siaw and Jonathan Dabo 

Chapter 4............................................................................50 

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the Atewa 

Range, Ghana 

Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra 

Chapter 5............................................................................55 

A rapid survey of butterflies in the Atewa Range Forest 


Kwaku Aduse-Poku and Ernestina Doku-Marfo 

Chapter 6 ...........................................................................61 

Additional comments on butterflies of the Upland Evergreen 

Forest of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Torben Larsen 

Chapter 7............................................................................63 

The katydids of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Piotr Naskrecki 

Chapter 8..........................................................................69 

A rapid assessment of fishes in the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve, Ghana 

E. K. Abban 

Chapter 9..........................................................................76 

A rapid survey of the amphibians from the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Region, Ghana 

N’goran Germain Kouamé, Caleb Ofori Boateng and 

Mark-Oliver Rödel 

Chapter 10........................................................................84 

A rapid survey of the birds of the Atewa Range 


Ron Demey and William Ossom 

Chapter 11........................................................................90 

A rapid survey of small mammals from the Atewa 


Natalie Weber and Jakob Fahr 

Chapter 12........................................................................99 

A rapid survey of large mammals from the Atewa 


Moses Kofi Sam, Kwaku Oduro Lokko, Emmanuel Akom and 

John Nyame 

Chapter 13......................................................................103 

A rapid survey of primates from the Atewa Range 


Nicolas Granier and Vincent Awotwe-Pratt 

Gazetteer........................................................................113 

Appendices...................................................................114 

Appendix 1.....................................................................114 

List of Vascular Plants known from the Atewa 

Range 

Carel Jongkind 

Appendix 2.....................................................................130 

List of plant species recorded during the Atewa 

RAP survey, June 2006 


A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Ghana

Appendix 3.......................................................................137 

Checklist of Odonata recorded from Ghana 


Appendix 4.......................................................................143 

Checklist of butterflies from the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve with a list of those collected at each site 

during the 2006 RAP survey 


Appendix 5.......................................................................171 

Ant species collected from the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve during the 2006 RAP survey 

Lloyd R. Davis Jr. and Leeanne E. Alonso 

Appendix 6.......................................................................173 

List of bird species recorded in the Atewa Range Forest 



Appendix 7.......................................................................178 

Bats collected during the Atewa RAP survey and 

deposited in the research collection of Jakob Fahr, 

University of Ulm 


Appendix 8.......................................................................179 

Shrews and rodents collected during the Atewa RAP 

survey and deposited in the collections of the Zoologisches 

Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn (ZFMK) 


Appendix 9.......................................................................180 

List of small mammal species reported from the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve in previous surveys 


Appendix 10.....................................................................181 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve Initial Biodiversity Assessment 

and Planning (IBAP) Working Group Results from the 

Consultative Workshop held at Okyehene’s Palace, Kibi 

Appendix 11.....................................................................183 

Participants in the Consultative Workshop held at 

Okyehene’s Palace, Kibi 

Appendix 12.....................................................................185 

IUCN Red-listed amphibian, bird and mammal species 

recorded from 16 reserves studied during West African RAP 

surveys 

 

Rapid Assessment Program

Participants and Authors 

Kofi Abban (freshwater fish) 

Water Research Institute 

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 

P.O. Box M-32 

Accra, GHANA 

Email. csir_wri@yahoo.com 

Kwaku Aduse-Poku (butterflies) 

Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (FRNR) 

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 

(KNUST) 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. kadusepoku@yahoo.com 

Leeanne E. Alonso (ants, editor) 

Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) 



Arlington, VA 22202 

UNITED STATES 

Email. l.alonso@conservation.org 

Okyeame Ampadu-Agyei (CI-Ghana host) 

Country Director-Ghana 

Conservation International-Ghana 

P.O. Box KAPT 30426 

Accra, GHANA 

Email. Oampadu-agyei@conservation.org 

Vincent Awotwe-Pratt (primates-field assistant) 

University of Ghana 

Accra, GHANA 

Email. vincepratt@yahoo.com 

Caleb Ofori Boateng (amphibians-field assistant) 


(KNUST) 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. calebofori@gmail.com 

Kwame Botchway (small mammals-field assistant) 


(KNUST) 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. obotwe@yahoo.com 

Jonathan Dabo (plants) 

Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) 


(KNUST) 

Box 63 Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. Jdabo@forig.org 

Lloyd R. Davis Jr. (ants) 

3920 NW 36th Place 

Gainesville, FL 32606 

UNITED STATES 

Email. ants@gru.net 

Ron Demey (birds) 

Van Der Heimstraat 52 

2582 SB Den Haag, THE NETHERLANDS 

Email. rondemey@compuserve.com 

Klaas-Douwe B. Dijkstra (dragonflies) 

Gortestraat 11 

2311 MS Leiden, THE NETHERLANDS 

Email. dijkstra@nnm.nl 

Ernestina Doku-Marfo (butterflies-field assistant) 


(KNUST) 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. tinammarfo@yahoo.com 

Jakob Fahr (contributing author) 

Department of Experimental Ecology (Bio III) 


Albert-Einstein Allee 11 

D-89069 Ulm, GERMANY 

Email. jakob.fahr@uni.ulm.de 

Nicolas Granier (primates) 

Department of Zoology 

University of Liege 

2 rue Vanloo 

13100 Aix-en-Provence, FRANCE 

Email. nicogranier@yahoo.fr 


Paticipants and Authors 

N’Goran Germain Kouamé (amphibians) 

Department of Aquatic Biology 

University of Abobo-Adjame 

02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, CÔTE D’IVOIRE 

Email. ngoran_kouame@yahoo.fr 

Carel Jongkind (contributing author) 

Wageningen University 

Tarthorst 145 

6708 HG Wageningen, NETHERLANDS 

Email. Carel.Jongkind@wur.nl 

Torben Larsen (contributing author) 

Butterflies of West Africa 

358 Coldharbour Lane 

London SW9 8PL, UK 

Email. torbenlarsen@compuserve.com 

Kwaku Oduro Lokko (large mammals-field assistant) 

University of Ghana 

Accra, GHANA 

Email. kwakul@yahoo.com 

Jennifer McCullough (editor) 

Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) 




UNITED STATES 

Email. j.mccullough@conservation.org 

Piotr Naskrecki (invertebrates, editor) 

Director, Invertebrate Diversity Initiative (IDI) 


Museum of Comparative Zoology 

Harvard University 

26 Oxford St. 

Cambridge, MA 02138 

UNITED STATES 

Email. pnaskrecki@conservation.org 

William Kwao Ossom (birds) 

Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (FRNR) 


(KNUST) 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. wwkossom@yahoo.com 

Mark-Oliver Rödel (amphibians) 

Curator of Herpetology 

Museum of Natural History 

Invalidenstr. 43 

10099 Berlin, GERMANY 

Email. mo.roedel@museum.hu-berlin.de 

Moses Kofi Sam (large mammals) 

Forestry Commission 

Wildlife Division 

P.O. Box 1457 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. osmo288@yahoo.co.uk 

D.E.K.A. Siaw (plants) 



(KNUST) 

Box 63 

Kumasi, GHANA 

Email. dekasiaw@yahoo.co.uk 

Nana Abena Somaa (small mammals-field assistant/ 

coordination) 



Accra, GHANA 

Email. n.somaa@conservation.org 

Natalie Weber (small mammals) 

Department of Experimental Ecology 


Albert-Einstein-Allee 11 

89069 Ulm, GERMANY 

Email. natalieweber@gmx.de 

Heather E. Wright (coordination) 





UNITED STATES 

Email. Heather.Wright@moore.org 

Yaw Osei-Owusu (coordination, editor) 



Accra, GHANA 

Email. yosei-owusu@CI.conservation.org 

 


Organizational Profiles 


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Conservation International Ghana’s work started in 1990 with the Kakum National Park, 

where the habitat of globally threatened species was secured against further degradation and 

species extinction through innovative ecotourism development. To further secure Kakum 

National Park, CI-Ghana implemented the Cocoa Agro-forestry Programme in partnership 

with Kuapa Kokoo, assisting cocoa farmers within the Kakum Conservation Area to adopt ecologically 

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Park. As a result of CI-Ghana’s interventions, Kakum National Park currently receives about 

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From the project site at Kakum National Park, CI-Ghana has expanded its focus to the 

national level. CI-Ghana’s work focuses on preventing species extinction, increasing protection 

and improving management of the remaining forest fragments, and the development of biodiversity 

corridors. To curb the threat of species extinction in Ghana, as a result of the bushmeat 

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of the National Biodiversity Strategy for Ghana. To ensure the effective implementation 

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Plan. Currently, CI-Ghana is represented on the National Biodiversity Committee in Ghana. 

In December 1999, CI-Ghana facilitated a conservation priority-setting workshop that built a 

broad-based consensus on priorities for biodiversity conservation of the Upper Guinea forest 


ecosystem through active participation of 146 individuals 

from 90 institutions. Government, NGOs and private sector 

participants developed a common platform to guide and coordinate 

new investment and conservation at various scales 

throughout the region. 

Conservation International Ghana 

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fax. +233 21 762009 

email. cioaa@ghana.com 

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CABS researchers are using state-of-the-art technology to 

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regions before they are destroyed. In addition, CABS provides 

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that help them make informed choices about how best to 

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Alcoa World Alumina LLC (Alcoa) 

As one of the world’s leading aluminium producers with operations 

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has given priority to addressing environmental concerns 

in its operations and developments. Alcoa has implemented 

a sustainability strategy that it applies in its processing operations 

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Acknowledgements 

The success of this RAP survey would not have been possible without the collective effort of many 

dedicated individuals and organizations. The RAP team would like to thank the following people and 

groups for helping to make this RAP survey a success. First of all, we thank the Forestry Commission 

of Ghana for permitting access to the forest reserves and we are especially grateful for the collaboration 

from Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin and chiefs and elders of the fringe communities surrounding 

Atewa. 

We appreciate the strong commitment shown by ALCOA’s Eric Black, Anita Roper, Kevin Lowery, 

John Gardner, Augustus Amegashie, Oumar Toguyeni, and Ibrahima Danso to incorporate biodiversity 

conservation into their project plans in Ghana. We are furthermore grateful for ALCOA’s financial support 

to conduct this survey in such a biologically unique area. 

We thank the staff of CI-Ghana, especially the Country Director, Okyeame Ampadu-Agyei, Emmanuel 

Owusu, Philip Badger for assistance with permits, logistics and equipment, Nana Abena-Somaa 

for logistical support and help in the field, and Yaw Osei-Owusu for his leadership and dedication in 

the field. 

Local assistants and field guides were of invaluable help during field work, including Joshua Akyeaner, 

Daniel Koranteng, Agyare Duodu, Kwabena Frempong, Alex Boapeah and Eric Boadi. Their 

hard work, dedication and their inspiring companionship helped make this expedition a success. Special 

thanks to our cooks, Ohenewaa Boadu Portia and Teye Maccarthy, who kept us nourished and well fed. 

Their good nature and cooking gave us the energy to carry out our long days of fieldwork. We also owe 

a debt of gratitude to our drivers, Collins Nuamah, Kwesi Amissah and Eric Mensah, and our videographer 

Isaac Amissah and his assistant Jacob Zong. 

The RAP participants thank Leeanne Alonso, Piotr Naskrecki, Heather Wright and Peter Hoke of 

Conservation International for the invitation to participate to this RAP survey. The editors thank Mark 

Denil of CI’s Conservation Mapping Program and both Glenda Fabregas and Kim Meek for their attention 

to detail and patience in designing RAP publications. 

This project was made possible through Conservation International’s Center for Environmental 

Leadership in Business (CELB) and West Africa programs, and we particularly thank Marielle Canter 

and Jessica Donovan for their input and support throughout this RAP survey. 

The primate group wishes to thank Vincent for field assistance, as well as the many local workers, 

especially Joshua Akyeanor (our guide from Tete), as well as all the RAP participants. Thanks also to the 

local villagers for participating in interviews. 

The butterfly team wishes to thank Yaw Osei-Owusu of CI- Ghana for the opportunity to take part 

in the expedition. They are indebted to Dr. Torben B. Larsen for his valuable comments on the manuscript 

and continual assistance on butterfly species identification. They also thank all the team members 

for the fun and good time at the muddy camp sites. 

The amphibian team thanks Nana Abena, Leeanne E. Alonso, Piotr Naskrecki, Yaw Osei-Owusu, 

and Heather Wright, as well as all other RAP participants, for their support. 

The small mammal team thanks Kwame Botchway and Nana Abena Somaa for their dedicated assistance 

in the field. The identification of shrews and murids by Rainer Hutterer (ZFMK) is highly appreciated. 

Jan Decher, University of Vermont, provided helpful information and comments on the manuscript. 

Laurent Granjon, IRD Montpellier, and Mark-Oliver Rödel, University of Würzburg, offered 

suggestions on the manuscript. Analysis and publication of the data is part of the BIOLOG-program of 

the German Ministry of Education and Science (BMBF; project W09 BIOTA-West, 01 LC 0411). 


Report at a Glance 

Expedition Dates 

6 – 24 June 2006 

Area Description 

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) was established as a national forest reserve in 1926 

and has since been designated as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) and an 

Important Bird Area (IBA) (Abu-Juam et al. 2003). The Atewa mountain range, located in 

south-eastern Ghana, runs roughly from north to south and is characterized by a series of 

plateaus. One of only two reserves in Ghana with Upland Evergreen forest (Hall and Swaine 

1981, Abu-Juam et al. 2003), Atewa represents about 33.5% of the remaining closed forest 

in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Atewa is home to many endemic and rare species, including black 

star plant species and several endemic butterfly species (Hawthorne 1998, Larsen 2006). Seasonal 

marshy grasslands, swamps and thickets on the Atewa plateaus are nationally unique 

(Hall and Swaine 1981). 

Atewa has long been recognized as a nationally important reserve because its 

mountains contain the headwaters of three river systems, the Ayensu, Densu and Birim rivers. 

These three rivers are the most important sources of domestic, agricultural and industrial water 

for local communities as well as for many of Ghana’s major population centers, including Accra. 

The RAP survey was conducted around three sites within Atewa: Atiwiredu 

(6°12’24.7’’N, 0°34’37.2’’W, 795 m); Asiakwa South (6°15’44.3’’N, 0°33’18.8’’W, 690 m); 

and Asiakwa North (6°16’16.4’’N, 0°33’52.8’’W, 769 m). The RAP sites were chosen to coincide 

with areas of potentially high biodiversity and concentrated bauxite deposits that had 

been earmarked for exploitation activities by ALCOA. The fish and dragonfly teams also sampled 

streams, rivers and other freshwater sites outside the reserve that are part of the watershed 

originating within Atewa. 

Expedition Objectives 

In addition to high biodiversity, Atewa is known to harbor mineralogical wealth including 

both gold and bauxite deposits. The Government of Ghana granted an exploration license 

to ALCOA to prospect within Atewa for bauxite deposits. Due to Atewa’s classification as a 

GSBA, ALCOA initiated an agreement with Conservation International (CI) to assist them 

in better understanding the area’s biodiversity context. The aim of the agreement was to provide 

significant gains for biodiversity conservation, industry, government, and the people of 


Specifically, the RAP survey aimed to derive a brief but thorough overview of species 

diversity in Atewa, to evaluate the area’s relative conservation importance, to provide management 

and research recommendations, and to increase awareness of the Atewa ecosystems in 

order to promote their conservation. 

Overall RAP results 

The results of the RAP survey show that Atewa is an exceptionally important site for national 

and global biodiversity conservation. All taxonomic groups surveyed were comprised almost 

10 Rapid Assessment Program


exclusively of forest species, indicating an intact forest ecosystem, 

which is a highly unusual and (from a conservation 

perspective) highly significant finding for West Africa, where 

most forests are highly fragmented and disturbed. 

Atewa harbors a high diversity of species especially of 

butterflies (Atewa has the highest butterfly diversity of any 

site in Ghana), dragonflies, katydids, birds, and plants. Included 

among the many rare and threatened species at Atewa 

are six black star plant species, six bird species of global conservation 

concern, two primates and 10 other large mammals, 

and a high proportion of threatened amphibian species 

such as the Critically Endangered frog Conraua derooi, for 

which the Atewa Range is likely to hold the largest remaining 

populations. 

The unique and diverse species assemblages documented 

during the RAP survey, especially of amphibians, Odonata 

(dragonflies and damselflies) and fishes, all depend on the 

clean and abundant water that originates in Atewa for their 

survival. Ghanaians around Atewa and as far as Accra also 

depend on this water source, which is provided by the plateau 

formations which soak up rain and mist and then hold, 

clean and discharge fresh water. 

Conservation Conclusions and Recommendations 

This RAP survey confirms that Atewa is a site of extremely 

high importance for global biodiversity conservation and 

should be protected in its entirety. Atewa is one of the largest 

remaining forest blocks in Ghana and contains Ghana’s 

last intact stand of Upland Evergreen forest. The only 

other forest of this type in Ghana, in the Tano Ofin Forest 

Reserve, is smaller and significantly more disturbed. Atewa 

is also an extremely important watershed – holding, cleaning 

and discharging freshwater that supports a rich biodiversity 

and provides clean water to millions of Ghanaians. There is 

no other place like Atewa in Ghana. 

Based on the results of the RAP survey and previous 

studies, we offer the following two principal conservation 

recommendations. See the Executive Summary section for 

more details and for management recommendations. 

• Within the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, the Government 

of Ghana should delimit and establish an integrally 

protected area with high protection status, such 

as a National Park, that includes all remaining intact 

Upland Evergreen forest, especially on the plateaus. A 

buffer zone covering the more disturbed slopes and valleys 

of the reserve should be established surrounding the 

core protected area. 

• To ensure the sustainable protection of Atewa, alternative 

incomes for the local communities, particularly 

in Kibi, should be developed to reduce existing or 

potential dependence on extractive industries and forest 

products from Atewa. This should be done as a collaborative 

effort between government, private, NGO, 

scientific, development, and community groups. 

References 

Abu-Juam, M., Obiaw, E., Kwakye, Y., Ninnoni, R., Owusu, 

E. H. and Asamoah, A. (eds.). 2003. Biodiversity 

Management Plan for the Atewa Range Forest Reserves. 

Forestry Commission. Accra. 

Hall, J. B., and Swaine, M. D. 1981. Distribution and Ecology 

of Vascular Plants in a Tropical Rain Forest - Forest 

Vegetation in Ghana. Dr W. Junk Publishers. The 

Hague, Netherlands. xv+382 pp. 

Hawthorne, W.D. 1998. Atewa and associated Upland Evergreen 

forests. Evaluation of recent data, and recommendations 

for a forthcoming management plan Report for 

the Ministry of Lands and Forestry / biodiversity unit. 

IUCN. 2007. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

www.iucnredlist.org. 

Larsen, T. B. 2006. The Ghana Butterfly Fauna and its 

Contribution to the Objectives of the Protected Areas 

System. WDSP Report no. 63. Wildlife Division 

(Forestry Commission) & IUCN (World Conservation 

Union). 207 pp. 

Species recorded at the three RAP sites 

All RAP sites in this survey Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

Number of species recorded 839 295* 435* 307* 

Species of conservation concern** 36 20 13 14 

New species discovered 9*** 4 6 4 

New records for Ghana 46 16 28 24 

*excludes birds, fishes and dragonflies which were not sampled by site 

**species of global conservation concern as listed by IUCN (2007) and of national conservation concern (Schedule I of the Ghana Wildlife 

Conservation Regulation and black star species) 

***includes a new species of spider tick (see ‘other invertebrates’ in Executive Summary) 

11


Results by Taxonomic Group 

Total species 

recorded 

Plants 314 

Species new 

to science 

New records for 

Ghana 

Species of 

conservation 

concern* 

6 

(Black Star) 

Species endemic to Upper 

Guinea 

Odonata 72 8 1 n.r. 

Butterflies 143 16 

Orthoptera (katydids) 61 8 36 n.r. 

Fishes 19 1 n.r. 

Amphibians 32 9 16 

Birds 155 1 6 

11 from Upper Guinea 

Endemic Bird Area 

Small mammals 15 2 2 3 

Large mammals 22 10 n.r. 

Primates 6 2 1 

*see Executive Summary for list of species 

n.r. = not reported by RAP scientists 

n.r. 


Executive Summary 

Introduction 

Across West Africa, forest cover has been reduced to less than 30% of its potential extent (Bakarr 

2001). The highly fragmented forest patches that remain continue to be degraded or completely 

lost at an alarming rate. Based on high levels of species endemism, coupled with intense 

and ongoing threats to their survival, the remaining West African forests have been designated 

as one of 34 global hotspots of biodiversity (Mittermeier et al. 2004). 

Montane habitats are extremely restricted in extent within this region. Long-term geological 

erosion has turned West Africa into a mostly flat landscape with significant tracts of 

montane forest limited to the Upper Guinea Highlands. These montane forest areas constitute 

unique ecosystems with exceptional species richness and high levels of endemism (Bakarr et al. 

2001, 2004). Between the Upper Guinea and Cameroon Highlands, only the Atewa Range in 

Ghana, the Volta Highlands between Ghana and Togo, and the Jos Plateau in Nigeria harbor 

significant upland forest patches. Among these three, Upland Evergreen Forest is found only 

in the Atewa Range. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (hereafter referred to as ‘Atewa’) is one 

of only two forest reserves in Ghana where Upland Evergreen Forest occurs (Hall and Swaine 

1981, Abu-Juam et al. 2003), the other being the Tano Ofin Forest Reserve, which is already 

highly degraded. 

Ghana has lost roughly 80% of its forest habitat since the 1920s (Cleaver 1992) and Atewa 

represents one-third of the remaining closed forest in the Eastern Region of Ghana (Mayaux 

et al. 2004, Chapter 11). Atewa is known to hold numerous endemic and rare species, in part 

due to the unique floristic composition of its Upland Evergreen forest generated by the misty 

conditions on top of the plateaus (Swaine and Hall 1977). In addition, several butterfly species 

are strictly endemic to the Atewa Range (Larsen 2006). Seasonal marshy grasslands, swamps 

and thickets on the tops of Atewa’s plateaus are also thought to be nationally unique (Hall and 

Swaine 1981). 

Atewa has been officially classified in various ways over the past 90 years, with changes due 

mainly to new programs and designations assigned by the Government of Ghana and not to 

any changes in Atewa’s biodiversity or ecological values. Atewa was declared a national forest 

reserve in 1925, then was classified as a Special Biological Protection Area in 1994, as a Hill 

Sanctuary in 1995 and, finally in 1999, as one of Ghana’s 30 Globally Significant Biodiversity 

Areas (GSBAs) (Abu-Juam et al. 2003) based on its high botanical diversity. Designation as a 

GSBA is equivalent to IUCN’s Category IV designation: a protected area designated mainly for 

conservation through management intervention (IUCN 1994). In 2001, Atewa was listed as an 

Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, one of 36 such areas in Ghana (Ntiamoa- 

Baidu et al. 2001). 

Historically, Atewa has been recognized as a nationally important reserve because the 

Atewa Range provides the headwaters of three river systems, the Ayensu River, the Densu 

River and the Birim River. These three rivers are the most important source of domestic and 

industrial water for local communities as well as for many of Ghana’s major population centers, 

including Accra. Thus, the Atewa forests protect and provide a clean water source for much of 

Ghana’s human population and for key elements of the country’s biodiversity. 

A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Ghana 

13

Scope of Project 

In addition to high biodiversity, Atewa is known to harbor 

mineralogical wealth including both gold and bauxite deposits. 

The Government of Ghana opened several forest reserves 

for mining in 2001, but Atewa was not included. However, 

the Government granted an exploration license to ALCOA 

to prospect for bauxite deposits in Atewa. 

Due to the fact that Atewa had been classified as a 

Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA), ALCOA 

entered into an agreement with Conservation International 

(CI) to assist them in better understanding the biodiversity 

context of Atewa in order to incorporate biodiversity into 

the company’s risk assessment and Environmental Impact 

Assessment of the project, should it proceed. This partnership 

involved applying CI’s Initial Biodiversity Assessment 

and Planning (IBAP) methodology to increase understanding 

of an area’s ecosystems and socio-economic dynamics 

and to provide recommendations for incorporating biodiversity 

considerations in the earliest stages of decision-making. 

This partnership was formed in the spirit of providing 

significant gains for biodiversity conservation and industry, 

as well as for the government and people of Ghana. 

Previously, ALCOA and CI had partnered successfully 

to utilize the IBAP methodology and conduct biodiversity 

surveys in Guinea (West Africa) and Suriname (South 

America). For Atewa, CI first worked with partners to conduct 

desktop and preliminary field research on Atewa’s biodiversity 

in 2005, followed by a Rapid Assessment Program 

(RAP) survey in June 2006 to assess a wide range of taxa, as 

well as potential threats to and opportunities for conservation 

in Atewa. Following the RAP survey, a consultative 

workshop was held at the Palace of Paramount Chief Okyehene 

in Kibi on June 26, 2006 with participation from local 

community members and Chiefs, representatives from AL- 

COA and several NGOs, and several of the RAP scientists 

(see Appendix 11 for complete list of participants). 

RAP Expedition Overview and Objectives 

Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program 

(RAP), a department within the Center for Applied Biodiversity 

Science (CABS), was founded in 1990 in response 

to the increasing loss of biodiversity in tropical ecosystems. 

RAP is an innovative biological inventory program designed 

to generate scientific information to catalyze conservation 

action in tropical areas that are under imminent threat of 

habitat conversion. 

Together with CI’s Ghana program and Center for Environmental 

Leadership in Business (CELB), RAP organized 

a rapid biological survey of Atewa in June 2006. Prior to the 

RAP survey, most biological research had focused on plants 

and butterflies, with little data available for other taxonomic 

groups. The primary objective of the RAP survey was to 

collect scientific data on the diversity and status of species 

within Atewa in order to make recommendations regarding 

their conservation and management. The specific aims of the 

expedition were to: 

• Derive a brief but thorough overview of species diversity 

within Atewa and evaluate the area’s relative conservation 

importance; 

• Undertake an evaluation of threats to this biodiversity; 

• Provide management and research recommendations for 

this area together with conservation priorities; and 

• Make RAP data publicly available for decision-makers 

as well as members of the general public in Ghana and 

elsewhere, with a view to increasing awareness of this 

ecosystem and promoting its conservation. 

RAP Criteria 

Criteria generally considered during RAP surveys in order 

to identify priority areas for conservation across taxonomic 

groups include species richness, species endemism, rare, new 

to science, and/or threatened species, and critical habitats. 

Measurements of species richness can be used to compare 

the number of species per area among areas within a given 

region. Measurements of species endemism indicate the 

number of species endemic to some defined area and give 

an indication of both the uniqueness of the area and the 

species that will be threatened by degradation or loss of that 

area’s habitats (or conversely, the species that will likely be 

conserved through protected areas). Describing the number 

of critical habitats or sub-habitats within an area identifies 

sparse or poorly known habitats within a region that contribute 

to habitat variety and, therefore, to species diversity. 

RAP scientists use the IUCN Red List of Threatened 

Species (IUCN 2007) to determine if species are globally 

threatened. Categories, from most to least threatened include: 

Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable 

(VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC). 

Assessment of rare and/or threatened species that are known 

or suspected to occur within a given area provides an indicator 

of the importance of the area for the conservation of 

biodiversity. The presence or absence of such species also aids 

assessment of their conservation status. Many species on the 

IUCN Red List carry increased legal protection, thus giving 

greater importance and weight to conservation decisions. 

RAP Team and Focal Taxonomic Groups 

The RAP survey’s 20-member, multi-disciplinary team 

included representatives from the Wildlife Division of the 

Forestry Commission, Water Research Institute, the Faculty 

of Renewable Natural Resources, the University of Ghana, 

the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 

the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, l’Université 

d’Abobo-Adjamé (Côte d’Ivoire), University of Liège (Bel- 


gium), University of Ulm (Germany), Natuurhistorisch 

Museum Naturalis (Leiden, The Netherlands), and Harvard 

University (USA). 

The RAP team, comprising experts specializing in West 

Africa’s ecosystems and biodiversity, examined selected taxonomic 

groups to determine the area’s biological diversity, its 

degree of endemism, and the uniqueness of the ecosystem. 

RAP expeditions survey focal taxonomic groups as well as 

indicator species, with the aim of choosing taxa whose presence 

can help identify a habitat type and its condition. 

At Atewa, the RAP team surveyed plants, Odonata 

(dragonflies and damselflies), Orthoptera (katydids), butterflies, 

fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals (including three 

mammal survey teams: small mammals, large mammals and 

primates). 

Study Area 

Surveys of the 23,665 ha Atewa Range Forest Reserve were 

conducted over 19 days (6 - 24 June 2006) at the beginning 

of the rainy season. Each RAP site ranged from lowland and 

some gallery forest down in the valleys to highland forest 

in the upper elevation as a result of the plateau formations. 

The mountain range, which peaks at 842 m a.s.l. (SRTM90 

data), runs roughly from north to south and is characterized 

by plateaus, which are remnants of a Tertiary peneplain. In 

addition to the three sites described below, the fish and dragonfly 

teams sampled streams and rivers (namely the Birim, 

Densu and Ayensu) and associated standing water habitats, 

with headwaters located within the reserve, as well as freshwater 

sites outside the reserve. 

Atewa lies within two climatic zones: the dry and the 

wet semi-equatorial transition zone. The larger, northern 

portion of Atewa lies in the wet semi-equatorial climatic 

zone, which is characterized by high temperatures and a 

double maxima rainfall regime. It has a mean monthly temperature 

of between 24 and 29°C, and experiences a mean 

annual rainfall of between 120 and 1600 mm. The first rainfall 

peak occurs in May-July with the second one occurring 

in September-November. 

The area also lies in two vegetation zones. The transitional 

climatic zone and the thicket vegetation is the result 

of human activities in the form of land cultivation, logging, 

and extraction of fuel wood. The vegetation cover 

also includes elephant grass, and the invasive “Siam weed” 

or “Acheampong weed” (Chromolaena odorata). North of 

this zone, and covering about 80% of the Akyem Abuakwa 

area is a moist deciduous forest. Unlike the evergreen forest, 

some of the trees in the moist deciduous zone shed their 

leaves during various periods of the year. However, trees of 

the lower layer of the zone remain evergreen throughout the 

year. About 17,400 ha of the reserve is Upland Evergreen 

forest. Atewa is one of only two forest reserves in the country 

in which this forest-type occurs, the second one being Tano 

Ofin, and these two reserves together hold approximately 

95% of the Upland Evergreen forest in the country. The 

diverse flora of Atewa contains submontane elements, with 

characteristic herbaceous species, and abundant and diverse 

epiphytic and terrestrial ferns; a number of plant species 

found here are not known to occur elsewhere in Ghana. The 

bowals (seasonal marshy grasslands on bauxite outcrops), 

swamps and thickets that occur here are also thought to be 

nationally unique. 

Overall, Atewa is considered to have a forest condition 

score of 3 (on a scale of 1-6), which indicates that it is 

slightly degraded but has predominantly good forest with 

healthy and abundant regeneration of timber trees and other 

forest plants (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). 

RAP camps were established at three sites within Atewa. 

The RAP sites were chosen to coincide with areas of high 

biodiversity and concentrated bauxite deposits (Atiwiredu, 

Asiakwa South and Asiakwa North) that had been earmarked 

for exploitation activities by ALCOA. The most 

southern part of Atewa was not surveyed because it is fairly 

degraded and was not a focus of ALCOA’s activities at the 

time of the RAP survey. 

Site 1 (Atiwiredu) was located at 6°12’24.7’’N, 

0°34’37.2’’W, at an elevation 795 m, and sampling was conducted 

here from 6 – 10 June, 2006. This site had an extensive 

network of roads, and was subject to prospecting activity 

by ALCOA. Despite this activity, the forest condition was 

rated as 2 by the botanical team, indicating a low level of 

disturbance. Two plant species endemic to Upper Guinea, 

Neolemonniera clitandrifolia and Aframomum atewae, were 

present at the site, and the dominant trees were Cola boxiana 

and Chidlowia sanguinea. This site showed evidence of previous 

logging of economically important tree species. There 

were also indications of hunting (spent cartridges, snares, 

and hunting trails.) 

Site 2 (Asiakwa South) was situated at 6°15’44.3’’N, 

0°33’18.8’’W, at an elevation of 690 m, and sampling was 

conducted here from 11 – 16 June, 2006. This site, while 

not currently subject to prospecting activity, still contained 

an extensive network of roads from previous exploration activity, 

some overgrown with tall grasses. These roads appear 

to act as passages allowing the penetration of invasive elements, 

such as grasses or species of insects normally associated 

with open habitats, deep into the forest. The condition 

of the forest at this site was rated as 3, and the dominant 

tree species were Rinorea oblogifolia and Hymenostegia afzelii. 

This site showed evidence of hunting (spent cartridges, wire 

snares) and harvesting of chewing stick, sponge and cane. 

However, there were no signs of previous farming activities. 

Site 3 (Asiakwa North) was located at 6°16’16.4’’N, 

0°33’52.8’’W, elevation 769 m, and was sampled from 16 – 

24 June, 2006. Most of the site was covered with tall, closedcanopy 

forest, with little underbrush and no open roads. Its 

condition was rated as 2, and the dominant tree species was 

Rinorea oblongifolia. There were few gaps in the forest, which 


15


accounts for the low number of species associated with such 

habitats. The only gaps present were overgrown with tall, 

broad-leaved plants of the family Marantaceae. Of the three 

sites sampled, this site showed the most extensive evidence of 

hunting, with hundreds of spent cartridges, wire snares, and 

an extensive network of hunting trails. 

RAP Results 

The results of this RAP survey confirm that Atewa is a site 

of extremely high importance for global biodiversity conservation 

and should be protected in its entirety. This forest 

reserve represents the last intact piece of Upland Evergreen 

forest in Ghana and is a critical source of clean water for the 

local people and many of Ghana’s human population cen- 

Table 1. Species of conservation concern recorded in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve during the RAP survey. 

Taxon Species name Common name Threat status* 

Sites 

Atiwiredu Asiakwa S Asiakwa N 

Amphibian Conraua derooi CR x x 

Amphibian Hyperolius bobirensis EN x x 

Amphibian Phrynobatrachus ghanensis EN x 

Plant Neolemonniera clitandrifolia EN / Black star x 

Amphibian Kassina arboricola VU x x 

Bird Bleda eximius Green-tailed Bristlebill VU 

Bird Criniger olivaceus Yellow-bearded Greenbul VU 

Bird Melaenornis annamarulae Nimba Flycatcher VU 

Primate Colobus vellerosus Geoffroy’s pied colobus VU x x x 

Plant Sapium aubrevillei VU / Black star x 

Amphibian Amietophrynus togoensis NT x 

Amphibian Acanthixalus sonjae NT x 

Amphibian Afrixalus nigeriensis NT x x 

Amphibian Afrixalus vibekensis NT x 

Amphibian Phrynobatrachus alleni NT x 

Bird Bycanistes cylindricus Brown-cheeked Hornbill NT 

Bird Illadopsis rufescens Rufous-winged Illadopsis NT 

Bird Lamprotornis cupreocauda Copper-tailed Glossy Starling NT 

L. Mammal Anomalurus pelii Pel’s flying squirrel NT x 

Sm. Mammal Crocidura grandiceps Large-headed shrew NT x 

Sm. Mammal Scotonycteris zenkeri Zenker’s Fruit Bat NT x x 

L. Mammal Cephalophus dorsalis Bay Duiker LR/nt x x x 

L. Mammal Cephalophus maxwelli Maxwell’s Duiker LR/nt x x x 

L. Mammal Cephalophus niger Black Duiker LR/nt x 

L. Mammal Cephalophus silvicultor Yellow-backed Duiker LR/nt / Sch. I x 

L. Mammal Neotragus pygmaeus Royal Antelope LR/nt x x x 

Primate Procolobus verus Olive colobus LR/nt x 

L. Mammal Epixerus ebii Western palm squirrel DD x x 

Odonate Atoconeura luxata VU in WA 

L. Mammal Civettictis civetta African Civet Sch. I x x 

L. Mammal Nandinia binotata African Palm Civet Sch. I x x 

L. Mammal Uromanis tetradactyla Long-tailed Pangolin Sch. I x 

Plant Gilbertiodendron splendidum Black star x x 

Plant Ixoria tenuis Black star x x 

Plant Psychotria longituba Black star x 

Plant Psychotria subglabra Black star x 

Sm. Mammal Hypsugo [crassulus] bellieri Bellier’s Broad-headed Pipistrelle n.a. x x 

Sm. Mammal Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri Grandidier’s Pipistrelle n.a. x 

* Threat status: 

IUCN Red List categories: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Lower Risk/near threatened (LR/nt), 

Data Deficient (DD) (IUCN 2007) 

Sch. I Species wholly protected in Ghana and listed on Schedule I of the Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulation 

Black star Species ranked as internationally rare and uncommon in Ghana (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995) 

n.a. Not assessed by the last IUCN revision due to recent taxonomic results, but when assessed it will be added to IUCN Red List 

VU in WA Listed by IUCN as regionally vulnerable for western Africa 



ters, including Accra. Our results show that Atewa is still a 

uniquely important site that continues to harbor a number 

of rare and threatened species within an intact and unique 

habitat type (Table 1). 

The results of the RAP survey not only corroborate 

previous designations of Atewa as an important site for 

biodiversity conservation (see below), but strongly suggest 

that the biological community present at Atewa represents a 

very rare example of a relatively intact West African forest, a 

highly unusual and (from a conservation perspective) highly 

significant finding. All taxonomic groups surveyed were 

found to include unique species assemblages that are representative 

of Upper Guinean rainforest fauna. Atewa harbors 

a high and unique diversity of dragonflies and butterflies, as 

well as primates that are highly threatened throughout West 

Africa (Table 2). 

The RAP results add to previous biological data in 

several ways, most notably by showing that Atewa is an 

important site for amphibians. An extremely high proportion 

of threatened amphibian species were recorded (almost 

one-third of recorded species are Red-Listed), including the 

Critically Endangered Conraua derooi, for which the Atewa 

Range is likely to hold the largest remaining populations. 

While this species is historically known from a number 

of sites close to the Togolese border, recent surveys have 

recorded it only from some of its previously known localities, 

where it is under extreme pressure from habitat destruction 

and consumption. Hence, Atewa could hold the last 

Table 2. Number of species documented during the 2006 RAP survey in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana and comparison of sites. 

Site 1: Atiwiredu Site 2: Asiakwa South Site 3: Asiakwa North Total 

Dates (June 2006) 6 – 11 12-17 18-23 

Elevation (m a.s.l.) 817 783 814 

Habitat 

Roads have left habitats 

fragmented and there is 

evidence of previous logging 

Forest canopy is open in places, especially 

along hauling roads. Human activities 

include small-scale harvesting of nontimber 

forest products and trapping and 

hunting wild game, particularly along the 

footpath leading to nearby communities. 

Plants 145 spp.; 3 black star 247 spp.; 1 black star 

189 spp.; 4 black star (2 of 

these recorded only from this 314 

site) 

Dragonflies 72 

89 spp. 

74 spp. 

Butterflies 

This site appeared to be most disturbed 

57 spp. 143* 

with respect to this taxon. 

50 spp. 

Katydids 

26 spp. 

Highest species richness for Orthoptera, 

likely due to a strong edge effect created 

28 spp. 61 

by dense network of roads 

Fish 19 

Amphibians 

26 spp. 

While results indicate this 

area has already suffered 

some habitat degradation, it 

still harbors the only records 

for a number of forest 

specialists 

23 spp. 

Fast-flowing forest streams here hold the 

Critically Endangered Conraua derooi. 

6 spp. 

After rainfall, the Critically 

Endangered Conraua derooi 

was found here. 

Birds 155 

Small mammals 9 spp. 8 spp. 8 spp. 15 

15 spp. 

Large mammals 

Large mammal signs 2.67 

14 spp. 

times/hour 

12 spp. 

Large mammal signs 2.9 times/hour 

Index of illegal activity 1.87/ 

Large mammals signs 1.41 Index of illegal activity 1.05/hour 

hour 

times/hour 

Clear evidence of excessive hunting 

Likely to be the best refuge 

Index of illegal activity: including many spent cartridges and wire 

for large mammals in Atewa 

1.07/hour 

snares. High levels of non-timber forest 

though shows evidence of 

product harvesting. 

excessive hunting. 

22 

32 

Primates 

3 spp. 

4 spp. 

Includes the only records of the Olive 

colobus (Procolobus verus) from the survey. 

4 spp. 6 

* Includes 13 species recorded outside of RAP survey sites 


17


remaining viable population of this Critically Endangered 

species and we urgently recommend additional surveys 

to determine if this is the case (see Conservation Recommendations). 

In addition, the Atewa population proved to 

be genetically distinct from the Volta populations and may 

hence be also biologically unique. 

The unique and diverse species assemblages documented 

during the RAP survey, especially of amphibians, Odonata 

(dragonflies and damselflies) and fishes, all depend on the 

clean and abundant water that originates in Atewa for their 

survival. Millions of Ghanaians also depend on this water 

source, which is provided by the plateau formations that 

soak up rain and mist and then hold, clean and discharge the 

water for all to utilize. 

The three sites surveyed during the RAP survey all contain 

significant biodiversity and important species (Table 2). 

The RAP team found Asiakwa North to be the most intact 

and undisturbed. This site may thus serve as a refuge for 

wildlife displaced from other areas, despite heavy hunting 

levels recorded here. Asiakwa South contains large populations 

of the Critically Endangered frog, Conraua derooi, as 

well as the only record of the Olive colobus primate during 

the RAP survey. Despite being the most impacted site with 

active mineral prospecting taking place during the RAP 

survey, Atiwiredu still harbors high biodiversity, including 

two black star plant species and a high diversity of amphibians. 

The RAP results confirm the importance of Atewa for 

biodiversity conservation, which had already been recognized 

by many organizations including the Government of 

Ghana: 

• Based on botanical diversity, the reserve was declared a 

Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) in 1999 

by the Government of Ghana, 

• Based on avian diversity it was designated a globally 

significant Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International 

in 2001, 

• As far back as 1926, when it was designated as a 

national forest reserve by the Government of Ghana, 

Atewa was recognized as critically important in maintaining 

important watersheds upon which many Ghanaians 

(and Ghanaian biodiversity) depend, 

• Atewa has previously been recognized as the single most 

important site in Ghana for butterflies (Larsen 2006), 

• The 1999 West Africa Priority Setting Workshop organized 

by Conservation International identified Atewa as 

an area of Very High priority for biodiversity conservation 

(Bakarr et al. 2001), 

• Conservation International and partners have been 

designating Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), which are 

sites of global significance for biodiversity conservation 

that are large enough or sufficiently interconnected to 

support viable populations of the species for which they 

are important. KBAs represent discrete sites that are 

globally vulnerable and irreplaceable and are defined by 

the presence of threatened species (Eken et al. 2004). 

While KBAs have yet to be formally designated in 

Ghana, Atewa will undoubtedly qualify as a KBA when 

they are determined. 

Results by Taxonomic Group 

Plants A total of 71 plant families comprising 314 plant species 

were recorded during the RAP survey. An additional 30 

leaf specimens were pressed for correct identification. At Atiwiredu, 

145 plant species in 43 families were recorded, including 

three black star species Gilbertiodendron splendidum, 

Psychotria longituba and P. subglabra. At Asiakwa South, 247 

species in 65 families were confirmed, including one black 

star species Ixora tenuis. A total of 189 species in 53 families 

were recorded from Asiakwa North, and among these were 

four black star species. Of these, two were recorded only 

from this site and are also listed on the IUCN Red List, 

Neolemonniera clitandrifolia (EN) and Sapium aubrevillei 

(VU). 

Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies) A total of 72 

species were found in the streams and rivers that have their 

headwaters within the reserve (and associated standing water 

habitats), although only 31 (43%) were found strictly within 

the reserve’s boundaries. Eight species were recorded in 

Ghana for the first time, of which six (75%) were recorded 

inside the reserve. Of these, Atoconeura luxata is the most 

significant discovery because: 1) it had not been described 

at the time and material taken during the RAP was included 

in its recently published description; 2) it is the only regionally 

threatened dragonfly in western Africa that is found in 

Atewa (VU); and 3) it confirms the nationally unique ‘montane’ 

character of the site. 

Butterflies Overall, 143 species belonging to 55 genera in 

five families were recorded during the Atewa RAP survey. 

The composition of butterfly species is plainly indicative of 

a good forest habitat. The suspected presence of Tetrarhanis 

baralingam, Neaveia lamborni and Bicyclus auricruda in 

Atewa were confirmed during this survey. At present, N. 

lamborni and B. auricruda have not been recorded from any 

protected area in Ghana. Almost half of the 17 rare species 

recorded during the RAP survey are known either exclusively 

from Atewa or from just one other protected area in Ghana. 

Four of these rare species (Mimeresia cellularis, Heteropsis 

peitho, Vanessula milca and Euphaedra splendens) have been 

recorded exclusively from Atewa. 

Interesting Catuna forms were noted, perhaps an indication 

that new (sub)species of the genus may be residing on 

the reserve. The RAP survey documented 16 endemic species 

of which two (Euphaedra mariaechristinae and Ceratrichia 

maesseni) are endemic to Ghana. The remaining are endemic 



to the West Africa sub-region. Atewa provides a haven for 

many West African endemics. Ten such endemic species 

are so far known in Ghana only from the Atewa Range and 

might well be limited in Ghana to this reserve. The very high 

index of biodiversity, the presence of many endemic species, 

and several other species known from nowhere else in 

Ghana, and the pan-African rarity status of many of those 

species present in Atewa combine to indicate that its conservation 

importance is of the highest priority. 

Orthoptera (Katydids) A total of 61 species of Tettigoniidae 

were collected, the highest number of katydids known 

from a single location anywhere in Africa. Of these, at least 8 

are new to science, and 36 are new to Ghana. Site 2 (Asiakwa 

South) showed the highest species richness (50 spp.), 

likely due to a high edge effect created by a dense network 

of roads. The high diversity of sylvan katydids (Pseudophyllinae) 

and the mecopodines (Mecopodinae) (21 species total) 

indicate a low level of disturbance of the forest habitats 

within Atewa. However, the extensive network of roads in 

the reserve is already allowing for penetration of savanna 

species (Ruspolia sp.) into the reserve. 

Other Invertebrates A new species of spider tick (order Ricinulei, 

Arachnida) was discovered within Atewa. This new 

species represents only the 58 th known species of this ancient, 

relict group of organisms, known only from a few sites 

in the northern part of the Neotropics and West Africa. This 

is also the largest known species in this group. Its presence at 

Atewa indicates that this site may play a role of a refuge to 

organisms that have vanished from surrounding areas due to 

habitat loss and/or climate change. In addition, 68 ant species 

were documented during the RAP survey (Appendix 5). 

Fishes The freshwater ecosystem studied during this RAP 

survey included the streams of Atewa, an area protecting the 

headwaters of the Ayensu, Birim and the Densu river basins, 

and from which these basins originate. A total of 15 streams 

within the Atewa forest and at sites just emerging out of 

the forest were surveyed and their fish fauna documented. 

Nineteen species of freshwater fish were recorded during the 

RAP survey, belonging to nine genera of five fish families: 

Mormyridae, Characidae, Cyprinidae, Cyprinidontidae and 

Cichlidae. All species encountered in the present study have 

been recorded in river basins in West Africa, but Epiplatys 

chaperi spillamanni, which we recorded in the Ayensu system, 

was previously known only from Côte d’Ivoire. 

Amphibians We recorded a total of 32 species, but predict 

that overall species richness of the area can be expected to 

reach 40-50 species. The amphibian community of the 

Atewa Range is exceptional in comprising a) almost exclusively 

forest species, indicating an intact forest ecosystem, b) 

a very high percentage of species that are endemic to the Upper 

Guinea forests or even much smaller parts of these forests, 

and c) an extremely high proportion of threatened species 

(almost one-third are ranked as threatened on the IUCN 

Red List). For one Critically Endangered species (Conraua 

derooi) the Atewa Range is likely to harbor the largest remaining 

population in the world. The occurrence of other 

rare, endangered, or undescribed species at Atewa is likely. 

Birds During 16 days of field work in Atewa, 155 bird species 

were recorded. Of these, six are of conservation concern, 

amongst which three are classified as Vulnerable and three 

as Near Threatened. Six of the 11 species restricted to the 

Upper Guinea Forests Endemic Bird Area and 115 (or 64 

%) of the 180 Guinea-Congo Forests biome species now 

known from Ghana were observed during the study. A song, 

heard and partly tape-recorded, was thought to be from the 

Nimba Flycatcher Melaenornis annamarulae, a Vulnerable 

species not previously found in Ghana; this record has since 

been confirmed and constitutes a major eastward range 

extension. The site, listed in 2001 as an important bird 

area, was found to have a remarkably rich avifauna, with 

relatively large mixed-species flocks being a particularly conspicuous 

feature. Some species, such as Green-tailed Bristlebill 

Bleda eximius and Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger 

olivaceus, are at the eastern limit of their known range here. 

Several species that are rare in Ghana and uncommon to rare 

in their global range also occur in the reserve. 

Small Mammals A total of 12 bat species were recorded. 

Composition of bat species clearly reflects a forest assemblage, 

with no savanna species being observed. Two rarely 

recorded bat species (Hypsugo crassulus bellieri and Pipistrellus 

aff. grandidieri) are reported for the first time for Ghana, 

raising the total number of species for this country to 86. 

Together with specimens from five localities in West Africa, 

Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri from Atewa might represent a species 

new to science. Hypsugo [crassulus] bellieri is endemic to 

the Upper Guinean forests. Zenker’s fruit bat Scotonycteris 

zenkeri is ranked by the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened 

(IUCN 2007). The three terrestrial small mammal species 

recorded during the survey are likewise forest-dependent and 

include two West African endemics: Edward’s swamp rat 

Malacomys edwardsi and the shrew Crocidura grandiceps. The 

latter is ranked as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List 

and had not been recorded from Ghana since its description. 

The overall species composition of small mammals indicates 

high habitat integrity of Atewa, which constitutes the most 

significant block of Upland Evergreen forest in Ghana. 

Large Mammals Altogether, 22 species were found at the 

three RAP sites with 12, 14 and 15 species recorded from 

Atiwiredu, Asiakwa South and Asiakwa North respectively. 

Of the species recorded, Pel’s flying squirrel (Anomalurus 

pelii) is ranked as Near Threatened, Yellow-backed duiker 

(Cephalophus silvicultor), Black duiker (Cephalophus 

niger), Bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), Maxwell’s duiker 

(Cephalophus maxwellii) and Royal antelope (Neotragus 

pygmaeus) are classified as Lower Risk/Near Threatened, 

and West palm squirrel (Epixerus ebii) is listed as Data 

Deficient on the IUCN Red List. In addition to these 


19


Table 3. Numbers of Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) amphibians, birds and mammals recorded during RAP surveys of 16 West African sites. # IUCN refers to species listed under the 

above categories plus Near Threatened (NT) and Data Deficient (DD). *preliminary results 

Côte d’Ivoire Guinea Liberia Ghana 

Mamang 

River* 

Ajenjua 

Bepo* 

Boi-Tano Krokosua Atewa 

Draw 

River 

Gola Grebo 

North 

Lorma 

Boke 

Mt. 

Béro 

Déré Diécké 

Pic de 

Fon 

Cavally 

Haute 

Dodo 

48,170 23,663 569 5,300 

12,850 

(GSBA 

3,300) 

23,540 

(GSBA 

12,800) 

25,600 8,920 59,143 26,850 N/A 71,226 202,000 260,326 

Area 

(ha) 

# sites 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 

8 8 11 3 8 6 18 6 7 5 5 5 5 16 7 5 

# survey 

days 

# IUCN 30 42 24 14 33 25 8 27 22 39 22 17 14 26 2 4 

# CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 

# EN 3 4 2 0 4 0 2 5 2 3 4 3 1 2 0 0 

# VU 7 8 4 3 5 6 0 4 5 10 5 5 2 5 0 1 

species of international conservation concern, the African 

civet (Civettictis civetta), African palm civet (Nandinia 

binotata), Long-tailed pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla) and 

Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) are nationally 

protected in Ghana. Interviews in fringe communities 

indicated that four additional mammal species are possibly 

present in the reserve, while five others could now be locally 

extinct. Many illegal activities, especially related to hunting, 

were recorded during the assessment. It was also noted that 

deforestation along trail lines and occasional illegal farms 

could be a significant factor affecting the conservation of 

large mammals in Atewa. 

Primates Overall, six primate species belonging to four 

families were identified in Atewa, including two families of 

nocturnal prosimians represented by the potto, Perodicticus 

potto and Demidoff’s galago, Galagoides demidovii. Four 

diurnal simians belonging to two families were also identified, 

including two Red-Listed colobus monkeys: Geoffroy’s 

pied colobus, Colobus vellerosus (VU) and Olive colobus, 

Procolobus verus (LR/nt) and as well as two cercopithecine 

monkeys: the lesser spot-nosed monkey, Cercopithecus petaurista 

buettikoferi and Lowe’s monkey, Cercopithecus campbelli 

loweï. The RAP results suggest that Sites 2 and 3 appear to 

be the most important for primates in Atewa and particularly 

slopes and plateaus within these sites, at least during 

this season of the year. The least evidence of primates per 

environmental category was recorded in valleys. Nevertheless, 

observations of fruit remains suggest that, in terms of 

primate diet, the gallery forest found in valleys constitutes 

an important habitat. The primate populations of Atewa 

require the integrity of this mountainous biotope (including 

plateaus, slopes and valleys) to survive. 

Results from the Consultative Workshop 

Following the RAP biodiversity survey, a workshop was 

organized to discuss the findings of the survey with chiefs, 

elders and community members of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional 

area. The workshop was chaired by the Chief of 

Asiakwa and was attended by 70 participants including politicians, 

government agencies and local NGOs. 

The objectives of the consultative workshop were to 

1) Review the results of the Atewa RAP survey, 2) Identify 

current uses of Atewa’s biodiversity and how these uses are 

perceived to impact the forest’s biodiversity, and 3) Identify 

actions that can be undertaken to mitigate biodiversity 

impacts to conserve Atewa’s biodiversity and benefit surrounding 

communities. Appendix 10 provides a summary of 

the biodiversity uses, users/stakeholders, impacts of use, and 

suggested actions for conserving Atewa’s biodiversity assets as 

discussed by three working groups during the workshop. 

The workshop concluded that there is need for consultation 

involving all government agencies and companies 

involved in making decisions about the future uses and protection 

of Atewa. The workshop participants acknowledged 

the initiatives taken by ALCOA and encouraged ALCOA 



and others to continue to: 

a) Deepen the level of commitment to consultation, as 

the communities would like to see more direct interactions 

between themselves and others and to be better 

informed, 

b) Take traditional practices into consideration in every 

interaction with communities and the forest, 

c) Demonstrate social responsibility in hiring practices, 

hiring from local communities whenever possible, 

d) Relate and interact with all community chiefs during all 

project stages, and 

e) Strengthen monitoring of the forest and its exploitation. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Lands, Forestry, 

and Mines and the Forestry Commission expressed their 

support for conducting community consultations and keeping 

communication open with local communities about the 

future of Atewa. The participants in the workshop are listed 

in Appendix 11. 

Regional Comparisons of Biodiversity 

To evaluate relative conservation significance, the Atewa 

RAP survey results were compared with results from seven 

other West African RAP surveys, covering 16 West African 

forest reserves (McCullough 2004; Alonso et al. 2005; Mc- 

Cullough et al. 2005, in prep; Wright et al. 2006a, b; Hoke 

et al. 2007). Direct comparison between the 16 sites is difficult 

due to wide variation in sampling effort and habitat 

types. However a number of observations as to the relative 

conservation value of Atewa can be made. 

Appendix 12 lists IUCN Red-listed amphibian, bird 

and mammal species recorded from the 16 reserves studied 

during West African RAP surveys (excluding Schulenberg 

et al. 1999) and Table 3 presents summary statistics on the 

numbers of threatened species within these taxa recorded 

from each site. Of all 16 sites, only Atewa was found to hold 

any species of these taxa listed by the IUCN as Critically 

Endangered, the highest threat level possible. The frog Conraua 

derooi was recorded in Atewa and it is thought that this 

area may harbor the most important remaining populations 

of this species. Conraua derooi was originally described from 

western Togo (Hulselmans 1971) and apart from there is 

only known from a few Ghanaian sites, close to the Togolese 

border (Schiøtz 1964 as C. alleni). Until very recently it had 

never been found again, although numerous suitable habitats 

were searched (Rödel and Agyei 2003, Leaché et al. 2006). 

Sites at which this species has previously been recorded are 

all close to human settlements and hence the persistence of 

the species in these areas is uncertain (A. Hillers et al. unpubl. 

data). Hence, this is an extremely important finding. 

Table 4 shows the number of bird species recorded during 

each survey, followed by the number of species of birds 

Table 4. Number of bird species recorded during West African RAP surveys, including the number of species restricted to the Upper Guinea Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and Guinea-Congo Forest biome. 

Côte d’Ivoire Guinea Liberia Ghana 

Maman 

River 

Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Boi-Tano Krokosua Atewa 

Draw 

River 

Gola Grebo 

North 

Lorma 

Boke 

Mt. 

Béro 


Pic de 

Fon¹ 

Cavally 

Haute 

Dodo 

# bird species 147 153 233 140 150 189 239 143 145 156 126 109 138 155 121 115 

Upper Guinea 

EBA 

8 7 6 4 7 6 n/a 7 6 9 4 3 5 6 1 2 

% Guinea- 

Congo forests biome 

61% 63% 68% 56% 67% 51% n/a 53% 49% 62% 53% 46% 54% 64% 44% 43% 


21


making up the Upper Guinea Forests Endemic Bird Area and 

number of Guinea-Congo Forest biome species recorded from 

each site. While the total number of bird species recorded at 

Atewa is not exceptionally high when compared to several 

other reserves in other parts of West Africa (in Pic de Fon, 

Guinea, 233 species were recorded in 11 survey days), Atewa 

shows the highest number of bird species recorded from any 

of the reserves surveyed during other Ghana RAP surveys, and 

a higher proportion of Upper Guinea Endemic Bird Area species 

and Guinea-Congo Forest biome species as well. Longer 

survey time at Atewa can partially account for these higher 

numbers, but the 2005 RAP survey of Draw River, Boi-Tano 

and Krokosua Hills covered the same number of survey days 

and recorded 170 species from all three sites. These sites covered 

a number of different habitat types with the first two 

sites located in Ghana’s Wet Evergreen forest and the third 

site (Krokosua Hills) over 100 km to the north and in the 

Moist Semi-deciduous forest, north-west subtype. Additionally, 

survey methods in the 2005 survey included mist-netting 

which was not employed during the Atewa survey; this can be 

expected to increase the species list as well. 

In 1999, the Government of Ghana implemented the 

legal establishment of Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas 

(GSBAs), designated based on the Genetic Heat Index 

(GHI) of a reserve’s botanical species. For the purpose of prioritizing 

plant conservation in Ghana, each plant species has 

been assigned to a star category, based on rarity. Black star 

species are internationally rare and uncommon in Ghana 

and urgent attention to the conservation of these species is 

called for. A high GHI signifies that an area is relatively rich 

in rare, black star species such that loss or degradation of the 

area would represent a highly significant erosion of genetic 

resources from the world, and from Ghana in particular 

(Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). Atewa has been designated 

as a GSBA, but Atewa’s GHI is lower than that of both 

Draw River and Boi-Tano (though higher than Krokosua 

Hills). However, Atewa is considered to be of high conservation 

importance primarily because of its Upland Evergreen 

Forest vegetation (Hall and Swaine 1976, 1981) rather than 

due to the presence of a large number of endemic species. As 

far as is known, there are no endemic plant species found in 

the Atewa Range. However, several species from Atewa (like 

Aframomum atewae, Epistemma assianum, Hymenocoleus multinervis, 

and Ixora tenuis) are known from only a few other 

places and most of these other locations are threatened or 

already degraded. 

Atewa is also extremely important for insects, which 

are key to healthy ecosystem functioning. The RAP survey 

revealed that Atewa harbors the highest number of katydids 

known from a single location anywhere in Africa. Of these, 

at least eight species are new to science, and 36 species are 

new to Ghana. In addition, Atewa has long been known as a 

center of butterfly diversity for Ghana and West Africa and 

is now known to harbor the highest diversity of butterflies 

in all of West Africa (Larsen 2006, Chapter 5). This is not 

due to higher levels of collecting effort at Atewa since Larsen 

has done intensive butterfly research throughout Ghana and 

West Africa. Larsen has recorded a total of 575 butterfly species 

in Atewa and estimates that there are at least 700 species 

there (Chapter 5). This high diversity includes at least two 

species endemic to Atewa, many rare species that are not 

elsewhere in Ghana, and the magnificent Papilio antimachus, 

which has the widest wingspan of any butterfly in the world. 

Larsen has recently proposed ranking the Atewa endemic, 

Mylothis atewa, as Critically Endangered, the highest threat 

level on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 

Conservation Considerations 

Between 1990 and 2005, the deforestation rate in Ghana 

was very high (2.0%) compared to most other countries in 

West Africa, resulting in the loss of 25.9% (1,931,000 ha) of 

Ghana’s forest cover over 15 years (FAO 2006). Degradation 

and depletion of forests through logging, bushmeat hunting, 

encroaching agriculture and mining activities has severely 

reduced and fragmented the country’s forest cover. Only designated 

forest reserves still contain significant forest blocks 

that serve as source areas for a broad variety of animal and 

plant species, protect watersheds and maintain Ghana’s climate, 

thereby providing essential goods and services for the 

human population of the country (Agyarko 2001). Atewa 

constitutes the largest and most intact patch of Upland Evergreen 

forest in Ghana, representing at least 75% of this 

habitat type countrywide. This forest reserve is distinguished 

by one of the highest levels of biodiversity in Ghana, for butterflies 

the highest in the country and in all of West Africa 

(Larsen 2006, Chapter 5). 

Recent studies have stressed the importance of maintaining 

larger intact forest blocks like Atewa to protect the 

last strongholds of forest-dependent species in Ghana. A 

study of the effects of habitat fragmentation on birds in 

Ghana revealed dramatic influence of patch size on species 

composition with only the largest fragments harboring 

area-sensitive species (Beier et al. 2002). Negative effects of 

climatic alterations as a result of fragmentation were demonstrated 

by Hill and Curran (2003). Montane areas are a 

particular case: as a result of orthographic precipitation (mist 

and rainfall on mountain slopes and plateaus) these areas 

have offered long-term environmental stability and acted as 

refuges during drier times in the past. In line with this argument, 

Ricketts et al. (2005) predicted that future extinctions 

will be mainly found in species that are restricted to mountains. 

Atewa is the only significant Upland Evergreen Forest 

that remains between the Upper Guinea Highlands in the 

West and the Cameroon Mountain Range in the East. 

Struhsaker and Oates (1995) have long warned of the 

critical situation of Ghana’s forest fauna and the potentially 

tragic consequences for primate diversity of continued forest 

exploitation. Amongst the ten forest species of monkeys occurring 

in Ghana, three species, all endemic to southwestern 

Ghana and eastern Côte d’Ivoire, are highly threatened by 

extinction (Oates et al. 1997). Given the particular context 

and history of Ghana, each forest fragment presently populated 

by primates, regardless of size, should be actively pro- 



tected from further destruction and fragmentation. The rich 

and original upland ecosystem of Atewa is a relatively large 

and isolated forest fragment, which constitutes an irreplaceable 

refuge for six primate species including two threatened 

species of colobus monkeys (IUCN 2007). 

Conservation Recommendations 

With an area of 23,663 ha, Atewa represents one of the largest 

remaining forest blocks in Ghana and one of the largest 

GSBAs. In Ghana there is no other place like Atewa. The 

only other Upland Evergreen forest, in the Tano Ofin Forest 

Reserve, is smaller and significantly more disturbed, and 

the mountains near the border with Togo have a much drier 

climate. Outside Ghana there are no upland forests with a 

similar combination of species. 

It is clear from the results of the RAP survey and previous 

studies that the Atewa Range Forest Reserve is an 

extremely important site for global biodiversity conservation 

and should be protected to the fullest extent possible. However, 

at the same time, the livelihood of the communities 

around Atewa must be considered in order to ensure longterm 

protection of the forest. 

In order to protect the integrity of Atewa and its biodiversity, 

we propose two principal recommendations: 

I. Within Atewa, the Government of Ghana should delimit 

and establish an integrally protected area with 

high protection status, such as a National Park, that 

includes all remaining intact Upland Evergreen forest, 

especially on the plateaus. A buffer zone covering 

the more disturbed slopes and valleys of the reserve 

should be established surrounding the core protected 

area. 

II. To ensure the sustainable protection of Atewa, alternative 

incomes for the local communities, particularly 

in Kibi, must be developed to reduce or eliminate 

their dependence on extractive industries and forest 

products from Atewa. 

To elaborate: 

I. We recommend that the entire Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve be protected to the fullest extent possible due to 

its: 1) High levels of biodiversity (documented during this 

RAP survey and previous studies), 2) Significant tract of 

rare Upland Evergreen forest, and 3) Importance as a clean 

water source for local communities and many of Ghana’s 

metropolitan areas. We recommend that the legal status of 

the reserve be upgraded to prohibit all exploitative activities, 

including mining, logging, and agriculture in the reserve. 

The entire extent of Atewa’s Upland Evergreen forest 

must be protected because focusing conservation effort on 

only a part of the range (such as only the northern part) 

would lead to greater fragmentation of this unique forest 

habitat, loss of its function as a biodiversity corridor, and, 

ultimately, the likely loss of many of its species due to microclimatic 

changes caused by diminishing forest coverage 

and invasion of savanna elements into the reserve. The value 

of Atewa lies not only in the presence of rare or threatened 

species within its borders and the multiple ecosystem services 

provided by this biotic community (including, but not 

limited to, being a significant source of water to surrounding 

areas), but also in being a unique and a very complex ecosystem, 

one with a combination of species found nowhere else 

on the planet. 

Any alterations to its present, largely undisturbed state 

will likely lead to a more depauperate and homogenous 

biological community with a lesser value to global biodiversity 

and, on a local scale, the area will become a less effective 

provider of ecosystem services such as pollination of 

surrounding agricultures or provision of freshwater. Even 

selective clearing of the plateaus would undeniably affect 

headwaters of major rivers and could have long-term destructive 

consequences on the environment, principally by 

increasing soil erosion on surrounding slopes and disturbing 

the hydrographical net of the entire sub-region. Habitat loss 

would put a number of species under serious threat of local 

extinction. 

Specific recommendations: 

1. Delimit and establish an integrally protected area 

with high protection status, such as a National Park, 

that includes all the remaining intact Upland Evergreen 

forest within Atewa, especially on the plateaus. 

We agree with previous recommendations for Atewa 

(Hawthorne 1998) that many parts of the lower slopes 

are heavily over-used and degraded and that priority 

areas for protection should be the forests on the higher 

altitude plateaus, slopes, and ravines as well as the forest 

remaining on the steep slopes. All forests on the plateaus 

merit strict protection, including the 17,400 ha covered 

with Upland Evergreen forest. 

Critical areas that must be included in the core area 

are: a) The entire northern part of the Atewa Range, 

which is most intact, including the Asiakwa South and 

North RAP sites, which have high levels of biodiversity, 

a critically endangered frog species, and the Olive 

colobus primate (see Table 4), b) The central plateau 

area, including Atiwiredu, which has two black star tree 

species and a high diversity of amphibians and butterflies, 

c) Any Upland Evergreen forest areas remaining 

in the reserve, and d) All plateau swamps and wetlands, 

which soak up the rainwater and provide the source of 

the Ayensu, Birim, and Densu rivers. 

2. Establish a buffer zone covering the more disturbed 

slopes and valleys of the reserve, particularly in the 

southern areas of the reserve, for use by local com- 


23


munities within the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional 

Area. We concur with recommendations by Hawthorne 

(1998) that there is great pressure on the lower slopes 

that will most likely result in continued land use. The 

lower slopes should be incorporated into a buffer zone 

surrounding the protected area, within which sustainable 

land use practices should be developed that will 

restore and reforest degraded land. 

3. Re-evaluate then Implement and Enforce the Atewa 

Management Plan created by the Forestry Commission 

of Ghana. Much thought and research has 

already gone into evaluating the importance of Atewa’s 

biodiversity and watershed values, and in developing a 

management plan for its sustainable use (Abu-Juam et 

al. 2003). Based on the additional information from the 

RAP survey and other recent research, we recommend 

that Atewa be fully protected. If this recommendation 

is accepted and implemented, the Atewa management 

plan will likely need to be revised to incorporate 

management of a protected area and a buffer zone. A 

management plan should include the sustainable use of 

forest products (chewing sticks, fuel wood, etc.) in the 

buffer zone to ensure that they are not depleted. The 

new management plan should then be put into practice 

and enforced by the Government of Ghana in order to 

ensure that the area is protected. 

4. Implement a collaborative approach between public 

and private institutions, including local communities, 

the Government of Ghana, international funding and 

aid agencies, the mining industry and environmental 

and social non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to 

address and halt the threats currently and potentially 

facing the reserve. Include scientific organizations and 

universities to improve our scientific knowledge of the 

area and to use these data for management of the protected 

area. The delineation and mechanism for protecting 

Atewa must take into consideration the high human 

population around Atewa, their relatively high level of 

poverty, as well as their dependence on the forests of 

Atewa for much of their livelihood. 

II. Explore alternative income opportunities in and 

round Atewa for local communities to reduce their dependence 

on extractive industries and bushmeat hunting. 

The people living around Atewa understand the need to 

conserve this treasured site. They have maintained this area, 

preserving its biodiversity for all these years. The government 

has also promulgated all the necessary legislation to the 

extent that Atewa is designated as a GSBA and the RAP survey 

and other studies have demonstrated its biological and 

ecological importance. The issue now at hand is the fact that 

there is bauxite available for exploitation whilst the people 

are impoverished. Cocoa, formerly the main economic base 

of the area, has now disappeared. The main road from Accra 

to Kumasi, which used to pass through the commercial 

capital of the Atewa area, has been diverted to save time and 

short circuit the journey from Accra to Kumasi. The economy 

of the Atewa area is now in very poor condition. The 

employment opportunities offered by mining and other development 

of Atewa are very attractive to people who are in 

dire need of jobs. Even if the current development plans are 

abandoned, other development plans and groups will surface 

in the future. The key to preserving Atewa lies in building 

an economic base for the local communities that will be an 

alternative to the exploitation of the bauxite deposits and 

timber of Atewa. 

Specific recommendations: 

1. Ecotourism is likely the best option for bringing 

income to the region, particularly to Kibi, by transforming 

Atewa forest into world class ecotourism center, 

which will focus on the rare and beautiful species 

identified during the RAP survey and other studies. 

Atewa is located just a few hours drive from Accra and 

Kumasi, which makes it an ideal tourist destination 

for both local Ghanaian and international visitors. The 

attractions of Atewa could include birds, butterflies, 

insects, amphibians, primates, bats, the headwaters of 

the three rivers, the unique floral species, forest hiking, 

camp sites, swimming, and a retreat center. Tours could 

be run through a visitor center or Multi-Use Center 

(see below) and also through independent tour agents/ 

NGOs operating out of Kibi and other local villages. 

Local hotels, restaurants, souvenir stands, and other 

shops will be needed to support a tourist industry. 

To achieve this, a group of tourism and biodiversity 

experts should first develop a strategic plan with innovative 

experiential tourism design for the attractions, 

something unique comparable to the Kakum canopy 

walkway, which will attract people in great numbers 

to the site. The local community must be involved in 

approving and developing the plans, and eventually take 

over implementation of ecotourism activities. Alliances 

with international tour operators will bring additional 

international adventure and nature travelers to the 

area. Partnerships with NGOs, companies, and other 

organizations interested in ecotourism and the conservation 

of Atewa should be formed. Already, Butterfly 

Conservation Ghana has been promoting ecotourism 

visits to Atewa with an international partner, EcoTours 

(see http://www.ecotours.hu/butterflies/butterflies00/ 

ghana00). Projects such as these should be supported 

and integrated into the Ecotourism plan for Atewa. 

2. To facilitate Ecotourism, establish a Multi-use 

Biodiversity Center near to Atewa. The center should 

be based at the edge of Atewa so that visitors have easy 

access to the forest and can enjoy the cooler climate 

provided by the forest. It should also be located near to 

Kibi or other villages so they also benefit from tourist 

visits. The center could contain lodging, kitchen and 



dining facilities, an educational center, classrooms, 

meeting rooms, laboratories, and a library. This center 

could also provide facilities for Christian or other religious 

communities to use as a spiritual retreat for prayer 

and meetings. Support for the center could come from 

the Christian community (both national and international), 

national government, international NGOs, 

private companies, and national and international 

universities. Most importantly, the center can be built, 

maintained, and staffed by local community members, 

thus providing long-term employment opportunities. 

This center could serve many functions including those 

listed below: 

a) Research station to facilitate research of Atewa 

and surroundings by Ghanaian and international 

scientists, promote collaborations, and train biology 

and natural resource management students; 

b) Tourist/visitor center to bring ecotourism to 

Atewa and provide information about its biodiversity 

to visitors and residents; 

c) Education center to raise awareness of the uniqueness 

and importance of Atewa: provide classes and 

training for local communities, jobs for local residents 

as interpreters and teachers, and opportunities 

for local and national school children to spend 

a night in the rainforest, Integration of a research 

and education center would provide opportunities 

for Ghanaian scientists and students to share their 

knowledge and research with tourists and local 

students; 

d) Spiritual retreat for the Christian community and/ 

or other local religions to have a place to get away 

to meet together; both Ghanaian and international 

Christian groups could use the center as a quiet and 

spiritual meeting place; 

e) Sustainable employment opportunity for local 

community members as builders, managers, maintenance 

and housekeeping, tour guides, researchers, 

and research assistants. 

3. Investigate the possibility of a Payment for Ecosystem 

Services (PES) scheme through which the users of the 

water provided by the watershed (e.g. Accra and other 

cities) pay the local communities around Atewa for protection 

of the forest and watershed. This would provide 

income to the surrounding communities in return for 

keeping the surrounding watershed and forest biodiversity 

intact. This type of PES scheme has been successfully 

implemented in many countries, most notably Costa 

Rica, by governments, NGOs, and private organizations. 

See McNeely (2007) for more information. 

4. Investigate the current status and investments of 

international development/aid projects that are 

reported to be working in the Atewa area, including 

the GEF/World Bank/Government of Ghana Community 

Investment Fund Project, the GEF/World 

Bank-sponsored Promoting Partnership with Traditional 

Authorities Project (PPTAP) and the Government of 

Ghana sponsored Presidential Initiative on Tree Plantations 

Project on the communities around Atewa to support 

development of alternative incomes. Small grants 

can also be applied for through Conservation International’s 

Verde Ventures program (www.verdeventures. 

org). There are many examples of successful ventures 

in all of the areas listed below that can be studied and 

consulted as models for developing such projects in the 

Atewa area. 

5. Other potential alternative-income industries: 

a) Butterfly farming - for sale of live butterfly 

pupae to the global market, 

b) Beekeeping - producing honey for local consumption 

and for sale, 

c) Farming of native ornamental fishes for 

aquarium trade, 

d) Producing products for the tourist trade 

such as baskets, Kente cloth weavings, wood 

carvings, etc., 

e) Alternatives to bushmeat hunting, such as 

raising other types of animals for meat, including 

grasscutters and snails, 

f) Orchards of fruit trees and nitrogen-fixing 

crops (e.g. beans) on degraded land to provide 

food and also stabilize erosion and renew the 

soil. 

Recommendations for Management of Atewa 

I. Control hunting as it poses a significant threat to the 

large mammals and larger birds within the entire reserve. 

Hunting pressure is strong throughout Atewa, even 

in the northern areas where there are no roads. Evidence 

of hunting, including spent cartridges, snares and hunting 

trails was found at all three RAP sites (see Table 4). 

Healthy mammal and bird communities, as well as their 

associated invertebrate communities, are especially important 

for maintaining primary and secondary seed dispersal 

that are essential for plant regeneration and forest dynamics. 

Although hunting in the reserve currently mainly targets 

mammals, certain large bird species, such as Crested 

Guineafowl, Great Blue Turaco and large hornbills, are 

also illegally hunted. 

1) Prevent access to hunters along roads and trails. 

Asiakwa North showed the most hunting evidence even 

though there are no roads there. There is access to the 

reserve through an extensive trail system used by local 

communities. Existing roads at Asiakwa South and Atiwiredu 

also provide easy access throughout the southern 

part of the reserve. Most of these trails and existing 


25


roads need to be allowed to grow over and should be 

patrolled to prevent illegal access to the reserveRegular 

use of trails by tourists and researchers will also deter 

illegal access and activities. 

2) Engage local people from communities in the area, 

particularly the community of Kibi, in protecting the 

reserve and reducing hunting. Increase awareness of and 

pride in the biodiversity and watershed importance of 

Atewa among the local people through training. Involve 

local people in research (see below) and enforcement 

and provide education on the importance of conserving, 

rather than hunting, large mammals and on alternatives 

to bushmeat. Work with community Chiefs to establish 

hunting guidelines and to develop strategies based on 

their animal totems. 

3) Empower and fund the Wildlife Department and the 

Forestry Commission of the Government of Ghana 

to protect the biodiversity of Atewa through increased 

monitoring and patrols, especially for illegal hunting 

(and logging). Enforce penalties for any illegal activities 

or trespassing. 

4) Make an alliance against hunting with all who have 

access to Atewa, including local communities, government 

agencies, development agencies, and NGOs. 

This would help to control the distribution and sale of 

bushmeat from Atewa and educate local people on the 

importance of protecting globally threatened species 

that live in their forests. 

5) Conduct research to determine which larger mammal 

and bird species are targeted and most heavily 

impacted. The population sizes of key species that are 

most heavily hunted and most highly threatened in this 

area can then be determined and used to inform more 

specific recommendations on conserving key species 

threatened by hunting. 

II. Protect the headwaters of the Ayensu, Densu, and 

Birim rivers that originate within the Atewa Range. 

The steady flow of clean water off the Atewa Range is 

determined by the capacity of the soil, swamps and forest 

on the plateaus and in the valleys to store and filter 

rainwater, and to buffer for spates and droughts. Both 

human and wildlife populations around Atewa depend 

on this healthy and reliable resource for their survival. 

The threatened frog species found on the range and the 

high diversity of dragonflies and damselflies rely on the 

watershed. 

The RAP results indicate a healthy watershed in 

Atewa and the surrounding area, with limited pollution 

and streambed erosion. This is confirmed by the presence 

of forest species even in more disturbed landscapes. 

However, activities entailing the removal of vegetation 

or mineral deposits from the range could seriously compromise 

its capacity to store, buffer and filter rainwater, 

jeopardizing the reliable discharge of freshwater into the 

region’s rivers, an essential resource for millions of Ghanaians 

and a rich biodiversity. 

1) Protect the plateau forests in the upper catchment 

of the Ayensu, Densu and Birim rivers. Control and 

restrict access to the forests and swamps, especially 

with regard to small-scale miners, loggers and shifting 

cultivation plots. Create a strict protected area on the 

plateaus as discussed above. 

2) Leave buffer zones of vegetation of at least 100 m 

around water bodies (e.g., rivers, swamps and other 

inundation zones) if any activities are to take place 

in the reserve (including the Multi-use Station). Any 

removal of forest cover from stream banks must be 

rigorously controlled and monitored. 

3) Prevent sedimentation and runoff from mining, 

roads, and clearings, which all have negative impacts 

on the water quality in the streams. Especially in the 

southern part of Atewa, human activities including logging, 

agriculture, hunting, and roads currently threaten 

the integrity of the aquatic ecosystems. These impacts 

are particularly high in the foothills. 

4) Initiate a water-quality monitoring program of the 

status of several key aquatic taxa (including fishes, 

amphibians, plants, and selected invertebrate groups) as 

well as water quality and sedimentation to create a baseline 

and identify negative impacts to aquatic resources 

before they become irreversible. Monitoring specific 

responses to certain indicators is essential. We recommend 

following standard aquatic monitoring protocols 

at regular intervals (at least twice a year). 

5) Educate local communities on the benefits of 

preserving riparian flora and fauna so that they 

understand the role that riparian vegetation plays in preserving 

the quality and quantity of their water, as well as 

preventing soil erosion. 

III. Maintain corridors and large tracts of forest to 

ensure survival of larger species and to maintain 

ecosystem processes. Linking patches of forest by corridors 

is important to addressing the increasing problem 

of habitat fragmentation, both within and outside of 

Atewa. Larger mammal species, such as the threatened 

primates, and many bird species need large tracts of 

forest for feeding and nesting. Threatened species have 

a much higher chance of going extinct in smaller forest 

patches that have no connection to additional habitat or 

that lack a large enough elevation range to allow species 

to adapt to changing conditions and human pressures. 



1) Maintain Corridors along the length of the Atewa 

Range to allow for species migrations and adaptations 

to changes in habitat and human pressures. Keep the 

northern part of the reserve as intact as possible to 

maintain a large tract of forest and keep connections to 

the southern parts of the reserve. 

2) Reforest roads, trails and clearings that are no longer 

in use to reduce habitat fragmentation and human 

access to the forest and to discourage illegal logging, 

hunting of large mammals, and agricultural production. 

Trails and other access routes in all three areas should be 

minimized and regulated and roads should be blocked 

and reforested to prevent large-scale encroachment into 

the reserve. The few roads and trails necessary to to 

provide access for ecotourism and research should be 

carefully maintained and patrolled to ensure the least 

possible impact. 

3) Link Atewa to other forest reserves and patches of 

forest. Outside of Atewa, the Kwahu plateau forested 

zone, about 15 km north from Atewa contains similar 

upland habitat and is consequently a good candidate to 

connect to Atewa. A feasibility study including assessment 

of diversity in Kwahu and landscape description 

should be carried out prior to such an action. 

4) Promote and utilize biodiversity friendly land-use 

practices in agricultural areas between forest reserves to 

maximize biodiversity in the areas surrounding Atewa 

and to provide a connection between Atewa and nearby 

forest reserves. This could include minimizing the use 

of pesticides and herbicides and other chemicals in 

agriculture, promoting crop rotation and natural pest 

control, and planting native tree species among crops to 

harbor wildlife. 

5) Prohibit logging in the core protected area on the 

plateaus and upper slopes and strictly control logging in 

the buffer zone on the lower slopes. Logging accelerates 

habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation. 

6) Monitor several key species or groups that depend 

on intact forest to ensure healthy populations and to 

detect changes as early as possible to prevent serious 

declines. Target groups should include large and small 

mammals, amphibians, and several insect groups. Since 

small mammals are highly dependent on forest structure 

for their survival and constitute a key component of the 

diet of large animals, monitoring small mammal diversity 

and abundance is a good way to track the integrity 

of the forest ecosystem. 

IV. Conduct in-depth studies focusing on threatened, 

rare and endemic species, and during other seasons, 

and expand basic species surveys to include additional 

groups of organisms. 

1) Conduct studies of the Critically Endangered Conraua 

derooi in Atewa and other areas where it is known to 

occur. While this species is historically known from a 

number of sites, recent surveys have failed to record it 

from some of its previously known localities. At other 

sites, it is under sever pressure from habitat degradation 

and consumption. Hence, Atewa could hold the last 

remaining viable population of this Critically Endangered 

species and we urgently recommend additional 

surveys to determine if this is the case. Areas holding 

95% of the remaining population of a Critically Endangered 

species are eligible for consideration as Alliance 

for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites, a designation which 

would increase the significance of Atewa as a conservation 

target and could potentially increase available funding 

for conservation activities. 

2) Survey during the dry season. This RAP survey was 

conducted during the rainy season when the plants 

Mapania bakdwinii and Leptapisi cochleata form a 

carpet covering much of the forest floor making footprints, 

dung and other signs of animals difficult to see. 

Undertaking a similar survey during the dry season 

and sampling additional areas towards the periphery of 

the reserve would most likely increase the number of 

mammal species directly or indirectly encountered, thus 

adding to the confirmed species list for the reserve. 

3) Conduct additional surveys for groups of organisms 

not included in previous surveys, but having a high 

probability of including rare and/or new species, such as 

dung beetles, preying mantids, arachnids, or mollusks 

(both freshwater and terrestrial). 

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29


Map 


31

Photos from the Atewa RAP Survey 

All photos taken by Piotr Naskrecki (except where noted) 

Butterfly (Kallimoides rumia) 

A new species of tick spider (Ricinoides sp. n.) 

Tadpoles of the clawed frog (Siluarana tropicalis) 

A female of Orthetrum julia (the Julia Skimmer), one of 

Africa’s most common dragonfly species 

Green tree viper (Atheris chlorechis) 

Atewa tree fern (Cyathea manniana) 


Rhinoceros viper (Bitis nasicornis) 

A new species of katydid (Tetraconcha sp. n.) 

Szabolcs Sáfián 

Mudpuddling male of the Atewa Dotted Border, Mylothris atewa, a 

narrowly endemic species that occurs only in the upland rainforest 

of the Atewa Range 

A driver ant (Dorylus sp.) attacking a termite 

A stream of driver ants (Dorylus sp.) 

Hyperolius bobirensis is known only from two other Ghanaian sites. 

Characteristics are its large size and the granular back skin. 


33

RAP scientist Natalie Weber with a bat (Hipposidesos gigas) 

Tree frogs in amplexus (Chiromantis rufescens) 

Decayed leaf katydid (Weissenbornia praestantissima) 

Leaf katydid (Poreuomena lamottei) 

The Atewa RAP team 

The aquatic Conraua derooi is Critically Endangered and may have its 

largest populations in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve 


Chapter 1 

An ecological, socio-economic and 

conservation overview of the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

As one of the world’s 34 Biodiversity Hotspots (Mittermeier et al. 2004), the Guinean 

Forests of West Africa hotspot encompasses the lowland forests of West Africa, stretching 

from Guinea and Sierra Leone in the west to the Sanaga River in Cameroon in the East and 

incorporating areas of Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, as well as 

four islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Two distinct sub-regions make up the hotspot. The first 

sub-region, the Upper Guinea Forest, stretches from southern Guinea into eastern Sierra 

Leone and through Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana into western Togo. The second subregion, 

Nigeria-Cameroon, extends along the coast from western Nigeria to southwestern 

Cameroon. The Guinean Forests hotspot represents a range of distinct vegetation zones varying 

from moist forests along the coast, freshwater swamp forests, and semi-deciduous forests 

inland with prolonged dry seasons. The hotspot also supports important montane regions, 

including the Cameroon and Nimba Highlands. 

The Upper Guinea Forest 

At its greatest extent following the peak of the last glaciation (approximately 18,000 years 

B.P.), the Upper Guinea Forest is estimated to have covered as much as 420,000 km 2 . Centuries 

of human activity however have resulted in the loss of at least 70% of the original forest 

cover (Bakarr et al. 2001). Current biodiversity patterns and high levels of plant and animal 

endemism in the Upper Guinea Forest are most likely the result of repeated climatic changes 

during the Pleistocene epoch (10,000-1.9 million years B.P.) when dry conditions in the 

tropics created isolated forest refugia. Today however, the Upper Guinea Forest is restricted 

to a number of more or less disconnected forest reserves and a few national parks acting as 

man-made refuges for the region’s biodiversity. Nevertheless, these remaining forests still 

contain exceptionally diverse ecological communities, distinctive flora and fauna, and several 

forest types harboring a substantial number of endemic and restricted-range species. 


Ghana lies along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and covers an area of about 239,000 

km 2 . Along with the rest of West Africa, Ghana belongs geologically to the ancient (570 to 

4,600 million years) Precambrian Guinean Shield of the former supercontinent Gondwana 

and can be divided into several broad natural regions: the coastal or low plains, comprising a 

broad belt along the Gulf of Guinea; the Ashanti highlands to the northwest; the Akwapim- 

Togo Mountains in the East; and the Volta basin and terraces of the high plains in the north 

of the country. Ghana can also be divided into several biogeographical zones: the Guineo- 

Congolian, including the wet evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forests of the southwest; 

the Guineo-Congolian-Sudanian transitional zone in the middle and the south-east; the Sudanian 

in the north; and the Sub-Sahelian in the north-eastern corner (Ministry of Environment 

and Science 2002). About 35% of southwestern Ghana, corresponding to the Guineo- 

Congolian zone, is located within the Upper Guinea Forest sub-region. 


35

Chapter 1 

Two rainy seasons occur in Ghana, the first from April 

to June and the second from September to November, separated 

by a short dry season of about six weeks during July 

and August. This pattern corresponds to the movement of 

the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITC) over the African 

landmass (Ojo 1977). Annual rainfall ranges from about 

750 mm in the northern forests to over 1,750 mm in the 

southwestern forests (Hall and Swaine 1981). 

In economic terms, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita 

output of the poorest countries in West Africa but remains 

heavily dependent on international financial and technical 

assistance. Major sources of foreign exchange include gold, 

timber, and cocoa, while the domestic economy is heavily 

reliant on subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 37% 

of GDP and employs 60% of the work force, mainly small 

landholders. GDP is estimated to be $2,700 USD (2006 

est.) per capita (purchasing power parity) with 31.4% (1992 

est.) of the population living below the poverty level (CIA 

World Factbook 2007). 

Conservation in Ghana 

Significant deforestation across Ghana was first noted as 

early as 1908 (Thompson 1910). Shifting agriculture has 

undoubtedly occurred for centuries, but the rate of deforestation 

accelerated early in the last century, as a result of 

the growing demand for timber required for gold mining, 

the development of communications infrastructure, and an 

increase in the land area converted to agricultural production, 

including cash-crops such as cocoa (Hawthorne and 

Abu Juam 1995). As a result, Ghana has lost roughly 80% 

of its forested habitat since the 1920s (Cleaver 1992), with 

about one-third of its forests disappearing in just 17 years 

between 1955 and 1972 (Hall 1987). Between 1990 and 

2005, the deforestation rate in Ghana remained high (2.0%) 

compared to other countries in West Africa, resulting in the 

further loss of 25.9% (19,310 km 2 ) of forest cover (FAO 

2006, see Table 1.1). 

Virtually all forests remaining in reasonable condition 

in Ghana today were designated as forest reserves over the 

course of the past century by the Forest Services Division 

of the Forestry Commission. Many of these forests have retained 

much of their integrity, in the sense that the boundary 

lines laid down decades ago are still respected, regularly 

cleared and quite prominent. A forest ordinance was first 

established in 1927 granting powers to a newly formed 

Forestry department to reserve areas for management by the 

state, in some cases by agreement with chiefs to whom the 

forests belonged (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). At this 

time, reserves were defined in all major hills and watersheds, 

with barrier and shelterbelt reserves established to reduce 

damage from fires and to maintain local rainfall and humidity 

levels. Today, there are over 280 forest reserves in Ghana 

covering about 11% of Ghana’s land surface. Many of these 

reserves are production forests and most are exploited for 

timber and non-timber forest products including fuel wood, 

herbal medicines, cane and rattan. 

Table 1.1. Area of forested and other wooded land in a number of African countries with annual change rate calculated for the periods 1990-2000 

and 2000-2005 (FAO 2006). 




The criteria used to designate protected areas and forest 

reserves in Ghana have changed over time. Some of the 

more recent designations have included Special Biological 

Protection Areas (designated in 1994) and Hill Sanctuaries 

(1995). Most recently, in 1999, the Government of Ghana 

obtained the assistance of the Global Environment Facility 

(GEF) to implement the legal establishment of Globally 

Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) – reserves harboring 

a high concentration of biological resources of global conservation 

importance. Based on the results of a two-year extensive 

botanical survey across the high forest zone, the Forestry 

Department has designated GSBAs using an index of the 

concentration of rare plants within the forest community 

– the Genetic Heat Index (GHI). To calculate GHI, each 

plant species has been assigned to a star category, based on 

rarity. Black star species are internationally rare and uncommon 

in Ghana and therefore require urgent conservation 

attention. Thus a high GHI signifies that an area is relatively 

rich in rare, black star species such that loss or degradation 

of that area would represent a highly significant erosion of 

genetic resources from the world, and Ghana in particular 

(Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). Thirty forest reserves 

have now been designated as GSBAs, where, in principle, no 

logging or hunting should take place. 

In 1961 Ghana adopted the Wild Animals Preservation 

Act (Act 43) that regulated export and hunting of “wild 

animals, birds and fish” in Ghana, later strengthened by the 

Wildlife Conservation and Wildlife Reserves Regulations 

introduced in 1971. In 1965, the Game and Wildlife Department 

was established primarily to manage areas in order 

to promote animal diversity (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 

1995). Ghana then became a signatory to the Convention 

on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 

Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1976. Finally, in 1999 and 

2000, wildlife management in Ghana changed slightly as the 

Wildlife Department, at that time part of the civil service, 

was re-classified as an autonomous division of the Forestry 

Commission, alongside the Forest Services Division. Resulting 

changes to date include closer collaboration between the 

Forest Services Division and the Wildlife Division. Forest 

reserves controlled by the Forestry Division however often 

have so few staff that they have trouble maintaining boundary 

lines let alone maintaining adequate patrols to prevent 

poaching activities. Forest areas controlled by the Wildlife 

Division enjoy slightly more protection but often are not 

adequately patrolled either, with only minimal impact on 

illegal hunting activities. Patrol efforts are also poorly standardized 

and/or regulated and are often inefficient due to 

the use of wide patrol trails that are easily recognized (and 

subsequently avoided) by hunters (Kormos et al. 2003). It 

has been noted that hunting pressure in forest areas often increases 

dramatically within a few meters of a standard patrol 

trail (Magnuson 2002). 

The Atewa Range 

The Atewa Range is located in the Eastern Region of Ghana 

and consists of a range of hills aligned approximately northsouth 

with steep-sided slopes and flat summits. The Range 

represents the remains of the Tertiary peneplain that once 

covered southern Ghana and is largely characterized by very 

ancient soils reputed to be bauxite laden. 

The topography of the area is dominated by a dissected 

forest plateau. In the eastern region (i.e. within the Fanteakwa 

District) the plateau averages an elevation of about 350 

m a.s.l. However, the northern region dips into the Voltarian 

Basin and the topography is much gentler. The central portion 

meanwhile is dominated by the Atewa-Atiwiredu ridge, 

with a general elevation of about 300 m a.s.l., but also containing 

the Atewa, Atiwiredu and Koto hills, with heights 

of 800, 723 and 711 m a.s.l., respectively. As the ridge 

stretches westwards into the Kwaebibirem District, average 

elevation declines to about 200 m a.s.l. However, from Apinaman 

towards the Eastern border of East Akyem District, 

the land rises sharply to about 500 m a.s.l. and culminates 

in the Atiwiredu hills at a height of about 800 m a.s.l. Geologically, 

the area is underlain by Birimian formations, and 

Voltarian metamorphosed sediments, rich in minerals such 

as gold, diamond, bauxite and kaolin. 

The Atewa Range represents some of the highest forestcovered 

hills in Ghana (along with the hills of the Southern 

Scarp and the Nyinahin Range (Swaine and Hall 1977)). 

Hence altitude, with its significant impacts on individual 

species’ ecologies, plays an important role in making Atewa 

a rare and special place. Daytime air temperature declines 

consistently with increasing altitude, at a rate of 1° C to 

160-170m on mountains in West Africa (Hall 1973), 

though cold air drainage may cause temperature inversions 

on clear nights. Reduction in atmospheric temperature and 

pressure with increasing altitude also leads to a corresponding 

increase in precipitation, even when the altitudinal 

increase is small (Schnell 1971). Increased cloudiness on 

mountains results in a general increase in humidity to the 

upper limit of the mist zone, which, together with the resulting 

fog-drip, represent the main causes of the greater 

luxuriance of epiphytes in upland areas (Swaine and Hall 

1977). Langdale-Brown et al. (1964) for example have 

shown in Uganda that a decrease in annual evapotranspiration 

of up to 25% can occur with the increase in altitude 

from sea-level to 600 m. 

The botanical uniqueness of Upland Forests in Ghana 

has been made clear through an extensive survey and ordination 

analysis of Ghana’s forest vegetation (Hall and Swaine 

1976). This analysis showed that forests occurring at higher 

elevations had a significantly different botanical composition 

to all other Ghanaian forests, rather than simply containing 

transitional elements of different vegetation zones as previously 

thought. In particular, these forests contain about 50 

species of plant that are unknown elsewhere in Ghana (Hall 

et al. 1973) including many rare epiphytes with montane 

distributions in other regions of tropical Africa. The Upland 


37

Chapter 1 

forests differ from surrounding lowland forests most obviously 

in possessing a lower proportion of deciduous canopy 

trees, lower canopy height, greater profusion of ephiphytes, 

and poorer stocking of commercial timber species (Swaine 

and Hall 1977). Atewa is particularly unique in harboring 

one of only two remaining areas in Ghana with significant 

Upland Evergreen forest cover (the other being Tano 

Ofin). 

The Atewa Range lies within the dry and wet semiequatorial 

transition zones. The larger northern portion of 

the Atewa Range lies in the wet transition zone, which is 

characterized by high temperatures and a double maxima 

rainfall regime. It exhibits a mean monthly temperature 

of between 24° and 29°C, and experiences a mean annual 

rainfall of between 1200 and 1600 mm. Atewa also lies 

within two vegetation zones: i) the transitional climatic 

zone and thicket vegetation resulting from human activities 

such as land cultivation, lumbering, and fuel wood 

extraction; ii) the moist deciduous forest zone that lies to 

the north of the transitional zone and covers about 80% of 

the Akyem Abuakwa area. Precipitation records taken from 

Atewa between April 1966 and May 1967 show higher 

precipitation, more rain days and a shorter dry season than 

in nearby lowland forest. Daytime observations in September 

1974 showed temperatures on the Atewa plateau 

(at 750 m) to be approximately 4-5° C lower than those at 

neighboring Kibi (at 300 m) (Swaine and Hall 1977). 

Historically, the Atewa Range has been recognized as nationally 

important for providing the headwaters of three 

river systems in Ghana: the Ayensu, Densu and Birim rivers. 

These three rivers are the most important source of domestic 

and industrial water for local communities as well as 

for many of Ghana’s major population centers, including 

Accra. The intact Atewa Range ecosystem acts to protect 

and provide a clean water source for much of Ghana’s human 

population as well as the country’s biodiversity. 

The population of the Atewa area is growing at a relatively 

slow rate, possibly as a result of emigration by farmers and 

youth. With a decline in the cocoa industry around the 

Atewa Range, farmers have migrated to areas like Brong 

Ahafo where the cocoa industry is thriving, while many 

of the region’s youth have migrated to urban areas. More 

than 40 settlements with an estimated population of about 

75,180 are located within the vicinity of the Atewa Range, 

according to the 2000 National Population and Housing 

Census Report. The major economic activities of these 

communities include agriculture, small-scale collection of 

non-timber forest products (NTFPs), mining, logging and 

bushmeat hunting. 

Conservation of Atewa 

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) was originally established 

in 1926 under the Akyem Abuakwa State Native 

Authority by-laws. It was later reconstituted under Forest 

Ordinance Cap 157 of 1935. Ownership of the reserve 

is vested in the President of Ghana and held in trust for 

the Akyem Abuakwa Stool (Gazettment Supplement 1935, 

pg 1105). The entire reserve falls within the jurisdiction of 

the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area. The Atewa reserve 

includes 232 km 2 of forest – moist semi-deciduous at lower 

levels and Upland Evergreen at higher elevations. 

Even though the Atewa forest was declared a protected area 

as far back as 1926, communal rights were granted to natives 

of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area and individual 

owners of lands purchased prior to the establishment of the 

reserve. Included within these rights were: farming within 

the reserve (admitted farms); collecting forest products (including 

building materials, canes, vines, ropes, pestles, palm 

trees, snails, mushrooms, chewing sticks, medicinal plants, 

game and wildlife); receiving a share in timber royalties 

resulting from forestry on privately owned land; accessing 

sacred places; establishing hunting camps; and washing for 

gold. 

The culture of the forest fringe communities is inextricably 

linked with the existence of the Atewa reserve. The 

forest is regarded as the home of the ancestral spirits, who 

provide protection, success and progress for the Akyem 

Abuakwa people. Some animals are regarded as totems by 

certain clans. Taboos such as avoidance of farming activities 

along river banks are all indications of the socio-cultural significance 

of forest resources. Forest fringe communities also 

depend on the forest for non-timber forest products, some 

of which are extracted in large quantities for sale. Several 

streams and headwaters of major rivers like the Densu, Ayensu 

and Birim serve as important sources of drinking water 

to a large number of people within and outside the traditional 

area, including Accra and other urban areas. Many 

individuals, institutions and communities hold a stake in 

the continued existence of the reserve. 

The reserve has been managed under the Protection 

Working Circle system of the then Forestry Department 

(now Forest Services Division) where an area is managed 

with the intention of protecting the watershed and no logging 

is allowed. Atewa was designated as a Special Biological 

Protection Area in 1994. In 1995 it was reclassified as a Hill 

Sanctuary under the Forest Protection Strategy proposals. In 

1999, Atewa was again re-designated as one of the 30 Globally 

Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs). It is also among 

the 36 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Ghana as designated 

by BirdLife International (Ntiamoa-Baidu et al. 2001). In 

2003 the first management plan was prepared for the Atewa 

forest reserve with the main objectives of: protecting the 

headwaters of major rivers, namely the Birim, Densu and 

Ayensu and their tributaries; maintaining forest cover on the 

slopes of hills to prevent excessive erosion; and preventing 

the encroachment or conversion of the reserve to agriculture. 




Threats to Biodiversity in the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve 

Cropping practices which encourage intensive use of the 

same piece of land over a prolonged period of time have 

led to leaching and loss of soil fertility in parts of Atewa. In 

local villages, deep channels have been created by surface 

water running over ground lacking plant cover. Within 

some of the villages, erosion has eaten away the foundation 

cover of houses, and in some cases washed away whole 

streets, bridges and other services. Illegal logging has been 

prevalent in Atewa, especially during the 1990s, leading to 

further problems with erosion throughout the area. Indeed 

in 2001, logging escalated so much that the Ghanaian army 

was called in to help protect the reserve from loggers (Hawthorne 

2002). Unsustainable exploitation of forested areas, 

coupled with the relatively high prevalence of bush fires, has 

resulted in the depletion of important timber species. Trees 

such as mahogany, Odum, Obeche, and Emire, which were 

abundant before the 1960s are now locally rare. At least 954 

ha (4.1%) of Atewa was converted to plantation through 

the taungya program between 1954 and 1975 (Hawthorne 

2002). Most of these plantations have since been abandoned 

and remain as severely degraded areas covering most of the 

lower slopes of the reserve. 

Mining activities by unlicensed individuals and groups 

are increasing and causing serious problems for communities. 

Major pollution occurs downstream from water bodies 

along whose banks mining takes place, as a result of improper 

mining practices. Most affected is the Birim River which 

suffers from pervasive sediment loading. 

A 2001 bushmeat market survey targeting the major 

bushmeat markets in both Accra and Kumasi indicated that 

about 15 % of the bushmeat found in these markets comes 

from the Atewa forest (Conservation International-Ghana 

2001, 2002). Most of the species sold are wholly protected 

in Ghana (i.e. Black-and-white colobus, Spotted palm civet, 

Giant and Long-tailed pangolins). In addition, the survey 

revealed that some traditional sacred animals (totems) such 

as Crested porcupine (totem of the Ashantis) are being 

hunted and sold. A number of bushmeat markets are in 

existence in close proximity to Atewa. The largest roadside 

bushmeat market in Ghana is at Anyinam, at the fringe of 

the Atewa, where bushmeat is sold throughout the year. 

Hunters illegally entering Atewa are known to use automatic 

rifles, poisonous chemicals, traps and fires. 

Atewa is dissected by many rivers and their tributaries. 

However, human activities in the form of farming, deforestation, 

and to some extent mining have now polluted 

and silted up many of these waterways. The effluents of the 

many small-medium scale oil palm-processing factories in 

the area are also a major cause of water pollution. In order 

to secure adequate amounts of water for their operations, 

many of these factories are located on the banks of streams 

where water can be more easily obtained. Oily waste matter 

from the factories is then washed into the streams, especially 

at Kade, Boadua, Wenkyi and Mepom. Furthermore, the 

forests that shelter these waterways have been cleared, with 

many rivers and streams experiencing greater rates of evaporation 

for longer periods of the year. Hence, they are now 

increasingly unable to satisfy the water requirements of the 

communities they are supposed to serve. 

Prior Research in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve 

Due to the biological interest in Atewa as an Upland Evergreen 

forest and because of its proximity to Accra, more 

is known about Atewa than any forest reserve in Ghana 

(except perhaps Bobiri; Hawthorne 2002). Past botanical 

research has included Temporary Sample Plots (TSP) 

conducted during the National Forest Inventory between 

1986-1992 (56 samples with 7235 plant records), and 

Rapid Botanic Survey plots (RBS) carried out in the early 

1990s by Hawthorne and Abu Juam (16 samples with 1239 

plant records; 1995). The butterflies of Atewa have also been 

extensively collected over the past 70 years (see Chapter 5 of 

this report). The institutions which have carried out research 

or are mandated to carry out research in Atewa include: 

The Forest Services Division 

The Forest Services Division (FSD) is responsible for the 

conservation, protection, management and utilization of 

forest resources in Ghana. In the past they maintained a 

research unit that was responsible for research and monitoring 

work in all forest reserves. Permanent Sampling Plots 

(PSPs), one-hectare sampling units, were established in 

almost all the forest reserves to monitor ecological trends. 

Eighteen PSPs were established in Atewa and 72,474 plant 

records from the monitoring program are stored at the Resource 

Management and Support Centre of FSD in Kumasi 

(Hawthorne 2002). 


The main mandate of FORIG is to conduct research and 

generate scientific information to support the management 

of forest reserves in Ghana. FORIG took over management 

of the 18 PSPs in Atewa but has since been unable to carry 

out any research or monitoring work in the area. 

The Botany Department of the University of Ghana 

The department is entrusted with the responsibility of 

training undergraduate and post-graduate level personnel 

in plant science and has used Atewa as a field laboratory to 

facilitate undergraduate and graduate research work. The 

Department has no formal research focus for the area. In 

the past, research scientists of the Botany Department of the 

University of Ghana established temporary research plots to 

conduct botanical surveys but these were abandoned after 

their objectives were accomplished. 


39

Chapter 1 

Ongoing Projects 

A number of projects are being implemented at Atewa and 

within its vicinity. These include: 

• Community Investment Fund Project: supports 

income-generating ventures aimed at improving livelihoods 

of forest fringe communities. This is being implemented 

as part of the GEF/World Bank/Government of 

Ghana program for all 30 GSBAs in Ghana. 

• High Forest Biodiversity Project: part of the World 

Bank/Government of Ghana Natural Resource Management 

Program. 

• GEF/World Bank-sponsored Promoting Partnership 

with Traditional Authorities Project (PPTAP): aimed at 

unearthing the cultural, historical and ecological heritage 

and assets of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area. 

• Ghana government-sponsored Presidential Initiative on 

Tree Plantations Project: seeks to rehabilitate degraded 

forest areas. 

References 

Bakarr, M., B. Bailey, D. Byler, R. Ham, S. Olivieri and M. 

Omland (eds.). 2001. From the Forest to the Sea: Biodiversity 

Connections from Guinea to Togo. Washington 

DC: Conservation International. 

Conservation International-Ghana. 2002. Endangered Bushmeat 

Species in Ghana, CI, Accra 

Conservation International-Ghana. 2001. Assessment of 

Bushmeat Trade During the Annual Closed Season on 

Hunting in Ghana, (1 st August- 1st December 2001). 

CI, Accra 

CIA. 2007. The World Factbook. Online. Available: https:// 

www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ 

geos/gh.html, July 26, 2007. 

Cleaver, K. 1992. Deforestation in the western and central 

African rainforest: the agricultural and demographic 

causes, and some solutions. Pages 65-78. In: Cleaver, 

K., M. Munasinghe, M. Dyson, N. Egli, A. Penker and 

F. Wencelius (eds.). Conservation of West and Central 

African Rainforests. The World Bank/International 

Union for the Conservation of Nature, Washington, 

DC. 351 pp. 




Hall, J.B. 1973. Vegetational zones on the southern slopes of 

Mount Cameroon. Vegetatio 27, 49-69. 

Hall, J.B. 1987. Conservation of forest in Ghana. Universitas. 

8:33-42. University of Legon, Ghana. 

Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1976. Classification and 


Ecology 64:913-915. 

Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1981. Distribution and Ecology 

of vascular plants in a tropical rain forest. Forest 

vegetation in Ghana. Geobotany 1. Junk, The Hague. 

383 pp. 

Hall, J.B., J. Brookman-Amissah, D. Leston and R. Dodoo. 

1973. Conservation and exploitation of Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve. C.S.I.R. Accra. 

Hawthorne, W.D. 2002. Final report of the floral survey 

of the Biodiversity Component of NRMP. Forestry 

Commission, Biodiversity Conservation Component. 

Ministry of Lands and Forestry, Ghana. 


in Ghana. IUCN/ODA/Forest Department 

Republic of Ghana, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, 

UK, xvii + 203 pp. 

Kormos, R., C. Boesch, M.I. Bakarr and T. Butynski (eds.). 

2003. West African Chimpanzees. Status Survey and 

Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist 

Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, 

UK. 

Langdale-Brown, I., H.A. Osmaston and J.G. Wilson. 1964. 

The Vegetation of Uganda and its bearing on Land-use. 

Entebbe. 

Magnuson, L.E. 2002. Distribution and Habitat Use of 

the Roloway Guenon (Cercopithecus diana roloway) in 

Ghana, West Africa. Master’s thesis, Natural Resources: 

Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University. 68 

pp. 

Mittermeier, R.A., P. Robles Gil, M. Hoffmann, J. Pilgrim, 

T. Brooks, C.G. Mittermeier, J. Lamoreux and G.A.B. 

da Fonseca (eds.). 2004. Hotspots Revisited. Earth’s 

Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial 

Ecoregions. CEMEX/Agrupación Sierra Madre, Mexico 

City. 

Ministry of Environment and Science. 2002. National Biodiversity 

Strategy for Ghana. 55 pp. 

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y, E.H. Owusu, D.T. Daramani and 

A.A. Nuoh. 2001. Ghana. In: Fishpool, L.D.C. and 

M.I. Evans (eds.). Important Bird Areas in Africa and 

Associated Islands: Priority sites for conservation. Pisces 



Ojo, O. 1977. The climates of West Africa. Heinemann, 

London, xvii+218 pp. 

Schnell, R. 1971. Introduction a la phytogeography des pays 

tropicaux. Paris, Gauthier-Villars. 


of upland forests in Ghana. 151-158. In: Laryea, 

A.M. (ed.). Proceedings of Ghana SCOPE’s Conference 

on Environment and Development in West Africa. 

Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, UNESCO and 

Ghana Environmental Protection Council, Accra. 

Thompson, H.N. 1910. Gold Coast: report on forests. 

Colon. Rep. Miscell. 66:1-238. 


Chapter 2 


Carel C.H. Jongkind 

Introduction 

In the early nineties, when I visited Atewa for the first time, we walked “the old geological 

survey road”, at that time a heavily eroded and overgrown road starting from the main road between 

Kibi and Asiakwa and going up to the top of the range. Later, after the road was brought 

back into use for timber extraction, even taxis were seen driving people up the ridge to collect 

whatever they needed from the forest. When walking west along a footpath located in the 

north (near Asiakwa), it was impossible at that time to avoid hearing the chainsaws from illegal 

timber extraction. One had to jump off of the path from time to time, when people carrying 

large planks of freshly sawn wood on their heads were almost running downhill. During this 

same period, the already narrow connection between the southern and northern parts of Atewa 

was mostly cut away by large scale illegal farming. Remembering this it is almost surprising that 

rich forest remains on the Atewa Range that is worth preserving. 

Several foresters and botanists had already studied the forest on the Atewa Range many 

years before my first visit. The work of J.B. Hall and M.D. Swaine is especially well known. 

They were the first to recognize the forest of the Atewa Range, and of the less important Tano 

Ofin reserve, as a rare and special kind of vegetation for Ghana, a vegetation they called Upland 

Evergreen forest. With what is known today, it is clear that the Atewa Range was, and still is, 

a stepping stone for many forest species. During the driest periods of the Ice Ages, Atewa was 

at least partly covered with forest while data from sediments in Lake Bosumtwi (a lake which 

today is situated in the middle of the closed forest area of Ghana) have shown that forest cover 

disappeared from most of southern Ghana during the past ten thousand years (Maley 1991, 

Talbot and Johannessen 1992). Furthermore, several rare but widespread species are, in Ghana, 

only found on Atewa and many Upper Guinea endemics have their easternmost foothold within 

this range (see Figure 2.1 for examples). 

Methods 

This report is based on earlier research and reports, no new field work has been carried out. 

Most important were the report prepared by W.D. Hawthorne (1998), who studied the forests 

of Ghana for many years, and the data available in the herbarium database at Wageningen. An 

important part of the Upper Guinea data in the database at Wageningen was digitized and updated 

for the ECOSYN project (1996-2005) at the Wageningen University, a research project 

on plant biodiversity and management of West African forests. This database currently includes 

data from about 67,000 herbarium specimens from Upper Guinea. The maps presented in this 

report are extracts from that database. 

Botanical Samples in Atewa 

Through the years many foresters and botanists have collected botanical samples in Atewa. To 

visit Atewa you do not need to plan an extensive expedition since it is in walking distance from 

the main Accra-Kumasi road – from Accra a visit is an easy one-day trip. As a result of this 

relatively easy access, several new plant species have been found for the first time on Atewa (e.g. 

Aframomum atewae). Most of the preserved samples from the area are stored in a small number 

of herbaria, in Ghana these are the herbaria in Legon and Kumasi, in Europe they can be found 

mainly in the herbaria in Oxford, Wageningen and Kew. These herbaria are in the process of 

digitizing their collections, and a Checklist for Atewa will be much easier to compile and much 

more complete when all these herbarium collections are online. 


41

Chapter 2 

Aframomum atewae 

Asplenium schnellii 

Cola boxiana Costus deistelii 

Figure 2.1. Species distribution maps of several rare plant species known from the Atewa Range. Data are extracted from the herbarium database at Wageningen University. 



Figure 2.1. cont. 

Hymenocoleus multinervis 

Epistemma assianum 

Justicia guineensis 


43

Chapter 2 


Lasianthus repens 

Medinilla mannii 

Selaginella blepharophylla 



Vernonia titanophylla 

Strephonema pseudocola 


The Vegetation of Atewa 

Atewa is special in the first place because of its Upland Evergreen 

forest vegetation (Hall and Swaine 1976, 1981) rather 

than due to the presence of a large number of endemic species. 

As far as is known, there are no endemic plant species 

found in the Atewa Range. However, several species from 

Atewa (like Aframomum atewae, Epistemma assianum, Hymenocoleus 

multinervis, and Ixora tenuis) are known from 

only a few other places and most of these other locations 

are threatened as well. In Ghana there is no other place like 

Atewa. The other Upland Evergreen forest, on Tano Ofin, 

is smaller and even less intact and the mountains near the 

border with Togo have a much drier climate. Outside Ghana 

there is no upland forest known with this combination of 

species. Atewa, and especially the northern part of the range, 

is covered with this vegetation because of the abundant rain 

and fog on and around the plateau which keeps the forest on 

top very humid for most of the year, resulting in abundant 

epiphytes and a species-rich forest undergrowth. The local 

climate at the top of the range is, on a smaller scale, intensified 

by rocky valleys like Pusu Pusu and by upland swamps. 

This condition makes possible the common presence of 

woody epiphytes like Anthocleista microphylla, Epistemma 

assianum and Medinilla mannii, a group of plants rarely 

seen in most tropical West African forests, and characteristic 

upland forest species like Cyathea manniana (Treefern), Rubus 

pinnatus var. afrotropicus and Hymenocoleus multinervis. 

Atewa is also home to an abundance of plants growing only 

in the shade of closed high forest like Alsodeiopsis staudtii, 

Buforrestia obovata, Cola boxiana, Dicranolepis persei, Diospyros 

chevalieri, Drypetes pellegrini, Mapania baldwinii, M. coriandrum, 

Nephthytis afzelii, Pauridiantha sylvicola, and large 

forest trees and lianas otherwise only found in wet lowland 

forest like Combretum multinervium, Neolemonniera clitandrifolia, 

Newtonia duparquetiana, Strephonema pseudocola 

and Strychnos icaja. 

Appendix 1 lists 765 different species of vascular plants 

including 106 Upper Guinea endemics known from Atewa 

(Upper Guinea sensu White 1979) taken from different 

sources. The larger part is taken from an unpublished 1998 

report by William Hawthorne that is itself already a combination 

of different sources. A smaller part is taken from 

the herbarium database at Wageningen University, which 

includes specimens taken from Atewa by several collectors 

and deposited in various herbaria. A few other species on 

the list are mentioned by Hall and Swaine (1981). The list 

is without doubt incomplete. Many additional species collected 

from Atewa are stored in herbaria around the world, 

most of which were neither seen for this report, nor cited in 

earlier reports or publications. In addition to this, I am sure 

more species in the range are still to be discovered, especially 

in the canopy. 

For a number of species from Atewa that are rare in 

Ghana or are otherwise mentioned above, the geographical 

distribution is shown in Figure 2.1. Species distributions 

mapped include Aframomum atewae (Zingiberaceae), Asple- 


45

Chapter 2 

nium schnellii (Aspleniaceae), Cola boxiana (Sterculiaceae), 

Costus deistelii (Costaceae), Epistemma assianum (Apocynaceae, 

Asclepioideae), Hymenocoleus multinervis (Rubiaceae), 

Justicia guineensis (Acanthaceae), Lasianthus repens (Rubiaceae), 

Medinilla mannii (Melastomataceae), Selaginella 

blepharophylla (Selaginellaceae), Strephonema pseudocola 

(Combretaceae) and Vernonia titanophylla (Compositae). 

For a more extensive description of most species see the 

1998 report by W.D. Hawthorne and Hawthorne and Jongkind 

2006. 

White, F. 1979. The Guineo-Congolian Region and its 

relationships to other phytochoria. Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. 

Belg. 49: 11-55. 

Recommendations 

In preparing this report it became clear that little is published 

about the epiphytic flora of Atewa while this flora 

is without doubt very rich. I am sure more important data 

could be found on this subject in the abovementioned 

herbaria. I expect that one month’s work would extend the 

species list considerably, especially the number of species in 

the Orchid family which is likely to double several times. 

On top of this, specialized canopy fieldwork would certainly 

increase our knowledge, as all data about epiphytes seem to 

come from plants that have fallen down accidentally. Thus, 

more systematic collection of data for this group of plants is 

especially needed. 

References 

Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1976. Classification and Ecology 

of Closed-Canopy Forest in Ghana. The Journal of 

Ecology, Vol. 64, 3: 913-951 

Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1981. Distribution and ecology 

of vascular plants in a tropical rain forest. Forest vegetation 

in Ghana. Geobotany 1. Dr W. Junk Publishers. 

The Hague. 383 pp. 



for a forthcoming management plan. Report for 


Hawthorne, W.D. and C.C.H. Jongkind. 2006. Woody 

plants of western African forests, A guide to the forest 

trees, shrubs and lianas from Senegal to Ghana. Kew 

Publishing, UK. 1023 pp. 

Maley, J. 1991. The African rain forest vegetation and 

palaeoenvironments during late quaternary. Climatic 

Change 19: 79-98 

Summerhayes, V.S. 1968. Orchidaceae in Flora of West 

Tropical Africa ed. 2, part 3: 180-276. Crown Agents, 

London, UK. 

Talbot, M.R. and T. Johannessen. 1992. A high resolution 

palaeoclimatic record for the last 27,500 years in tropical 

West Africa from the carbon and nitrogen isotopic 

composition of lacustrine organic matter. Earth and 

Planetary Science Letters, Volume 110: 23-37. 


Chapter 3 

A rapid botanical survey of the Atewa Range 



Summary 

A total of 314 plant species belonging to 71 families were recorded during a rapid biological 

assessment of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. An additional 30 leaf specimens were pressed 

for correct identification. At Atiwiredu, 145 plant species in 43 families were recorded, 

including three black star species Gilbertiodendron splendidum, Psychotira longituba and P. 

subglabra. At Asiakwa South, 247 species in 65 families were confirmed including one black 

star species Ixora tenuis. At Asiakwa North, 189 species in 53 families were recorded. Among 

these were four black star species including two recorded only from this site and also listed on 

the IUCN Red List, Neolemonniera clitandrifolia (EN) and Sapium aubrevillei (VU). 

Introduction 

The Upper Guinea Forest, which includes the forests of Ghana, ranks among the 34 most 

important biodiversity Hotspots worldwide (Bakarr et al. 2004). This region is highly threatened 

by exploitation, agriculture and an increasing human population (Bakarr et al. 2001) 

and remaining fragments of original forest are generally found in remote, inaccessible areas 

where forest reserves were established a long time ago (Oates 1999). 

The Atewa Range is situated in the Moist Semi-Deciduous forest zone with hill vegetation 

classified by Hall and Swaine (1976) as Upland Evergreen (UE) Forest type. The Upland 

Evergreen forest in Ghana is known to be botanically very unique in terms of floral richness 

and diversity. Hall and Swaine (1981) compiled longer botanical species lists in Upland Evergreen 

forests than in surrounding lowland Moist Semi-Deciduous forests (MSSD). They also 

noted that Atewa represents an extreme type of provenance for endemic and highly distinct 

species (e.g. Aframomum atewae, Medinilla enti, Anthocleista obanensis, Piper capensis, Cyathea 

manii and Rubus pinnatus var. afrotropicus). The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (hereafter 

referred to as ‘Atewa’) is known to contain some plant species not found elsewhere in Ghana 

(e.g. Piper capensis (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam, 1995)). 

The area of Atewa, designated as such in 1925, is 232 km 2 . Seventy-five percent of the 

slopes within the range are at an angle greater than 15 degrees. Atewa, one of 214 forest 

reserves in Ghana, is the 43 rd Forest Management Unit (FMU 43) and overall has a forest 

condition score of 3 indicating that it is considered a slightly degraded, ecologically tolerable 

forest mosaic with healthy and abundant regeneration of timber trees and other forest plants. 

Animals that like closed forest tend to thrive in this type of mosaic (Hawthorne and Abu- 

Juam 1993). 

Records show that several botanical surveys (16) of Atewa have been conducted since 

1971. In 1986, one survey inventoried trees of the DBH greater than 5 cm. Hawthorne and 

Abu-Juam (1995) reported 656 species of vascular plants at Atewa. These comprised 323 tree 

species, 83 shrub species, 155 liane and climber species, 68 herbaceous species, 22 epiphytes 

and 5 grasses. At least five black star species (species of the highest conservation priority in 

Ghana) and 33 Gold star species have been recorded in Atewa. The black star species include: 

Sapium aubrevillei, Psychotria subglabra, Neolemonniera clitandrifolia, Lecaniodiscus punctatus 

and Ixora tenuis. 


47

Chapter 3 

Non-botanical forest characteristics, such as steepness of 

slopes, importance to watershed maintenance, and presence 

of sacred areas and animal habitats, have been stated as the 

reasons for the creation of forest reserves in Ghana. Protection 

of rare plant species and maintenance of biodiversity per 

se was never a stated objective in past designation of forest 

reserves. However, many of the abovementioned characteristics 

depend on plant regeneration and redevelopment of tree 

cover; these in turn influence the ability of animals to flourish 

in parts of the forest mosaic, as well as sustain the source 

of streams and rivers in the forest landscape. Flora is an 

important indicator of the climate, stage of ecological succession, 

soil type and mineral deposits of any particular area. 

For example, the occurrence of certain plant species such as 

Draceaneae manii is indicative of the presence of gold deposits 

(indigenous knowledge, personal comm. – Mr. Ossum). 

Methods 

Forest tree and other vascular plant species of three hill 

summits on the Atewa Range were surveyed from 7 – 23 

June, 2006. Temporary Sample Plots (TSP) of 50 m x 50 m 

and regeneration subplots of 10 m x 10 m were established 

at each site and vegetation occurring within each plot was 

identified. Flora of less than 5 cm diameter at breast height 

(DBH) at a height of 1.3 m was identified inside the subplot. 

Four TSPs were set up at each RAP survey site using 

the four cardinal geographic coordinates. A Garmin GPS 76 

was used to record georeference positions and altitudes of 

sample plots. 

Additionally, transect walks of at least 6 km were traversed. 

Existing timber hauling roads, footpaths and lines 

cut through forest were used as transects. Trees within 20 m 

on either side of each transect were identified. Leaf samples 

of plant species that could not be identified in the field were 

collected and pressed for proper identification at a herbarium 

in Kumasi. 

The periods of June 7-11, 12-17, 18-23, 2006 were 

spent at Atiwiredu (Site 1), Asiakwa South (Site 2), and 

Asiakwa North (Site 3), respectively. GPS coordinates for the 

three sites are given in the Gazetteer of this report. 

Results and Discussion 

Appendix 2 shows a summary of the plant species recorded 

in Atewa during the RAP survey, including species’ Star 

ratings. A total of 71 plant families comprising 314 

plant species were recorded during the current biological 

assessment. An additional 30 leaf specimens were pressed 

for correct identification. At Site 1, 145 plant species in 

43 families were recorded, 247 species in 65 families were 

confirmed at Site 2, and 189 species were recorded within 

53 families were recorded at Site 3. We noted a number of 

footpaths traversing the forest reserve, many animal traps 

and signs of illegal chainsaw activity. 

The pattern of vegetation and forest quality revealed 

that the forest reserve at Site 1, Atiwiredu, was in relatively 

healthy condition with an average score of 2 (Hawthorne 

and Abu- Juam 1995), despite the fact that the area was 

logged in 1991 and there were obvious signs of ongoing 

illegal logging activities. 

Asiakwa South, Site 2, was dominated by the shadebearing 

tree Cola boxiana. Pioneer species like Macaranga, 

Trema orientalis, Musanga and Harungana madagascariensis 

occurred in places where the forest canopy was open, 

especially along hauling roads. Based on our findings, the 

plant team awarded this site a forest of condition score 

of 3 (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). Signs of human 

activities, like small-scale harvesting of non-timber forest 

products (NTFPs) such as canes, chewing sticks, and 

chewing sponge (Acacia pentagona), and hunting and 

trapping game were noticeable in some areas, particularly 

along the footpath leading to surrounding communities. 

Asiakwa North, Site 3, was the least disturbed of the 

three sites but showed signs of illegal chainsaw operations 

and hunting. At the sources of three streams within this site, 

tree ferns Cyathea manniana were abundant. Sapium aubrevillei, 

a black star species, was also recorded at this site. 

Four black star species known from Atewa (Hawthorne 

2002): Sapium aubrevillei, Ixoria tenuis, Psychotria subglabra, 

and Neolemonniera clitandrifolia were observed during this 

survey. The star rating system adopted by Ghana defines the 

conservation significance of each forest species in Ghana 

(Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 1995). The star rating of a species 

defines its weight for the calculation of weighted average 

referred to as Genetic Heat Index (GHI) which provides a 

framework for defining the conservation merit of a tract or 

sample of forest of any size. 


The biology and ecology of the Atewa black star and endemic 

species need to be studied further. The sustainable 

cultivation of non-timber forest product (NTFP) should be 

encouraged in the surrounding communities. Exploitation 

that directly affects the main structural elements of the forest, 

i.e. canopy trees, soils and watercourses, should be limited. 

However exploitation of non-canopy forest products, 

for example non-timber forest products (NTFPs), affect only 

populations of the species being exploited and thus can be 

managed sustainably. 

Rattans are part of the forest ecosystem and depend on 

forest trees for support. To date no framework for conservation 

has been devised. This is a major course for concern. 

Out of four rattan genera found in Ghana, three occur at 

Atewa and only Site 2 had the genus Calamus. A framework 

for conservation and the sustainable use of bamboo and rattans 

should be devised. 


A rapid survey of the decapod crustaceans of the Boké 

Préfecture, Guinea 

References 


Omland. 2001. (eds). From the forest to the sea: Biodiversity 

connections from Ghana to Togo. Conservation 

priority-setting workshop. December 1999. Conservation 

International, Washington, DC. 78pp. 


of vascular plants in a tropical rain forest, Forest Vegetation 

in Ghana. Dr. W. Junk Publishers. The Hague xv 

+ 382 pp. 

Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1976. Classification and 


Ecology 64: 913-915. 

Hawthorne, W.D. 1995. Ecological Profiles of Ghanaian 

Forest Trees. Tropical Forestry Papers 29. Oxford 

Forestry Institute (OFI). Forestry Research Programme 

(FRP). ODA. Forestry Department, Ghana. 


in Ghana. Forest Inventory and Management Project. 

Planning Branch, Forestry Dept., Kumasi, Ghana. 

Irvine, F.R. 1960. Woody plants of Ghana with special reference 

to their uses. London, Oxford Univ. Press. 1961. 

McCullough, J., J. Decher and D. Guba Kpelle. (eds). 2005. 

A biological assessment of the terrestrial ecosystems of 

the Draw River, Boi-Tano, Tano Nimri and Krokosua 

Hills Forest Reserves, Southwestern Ghana. RAP Bulletin 



Myers, N., R.A. Mittermeier, G.G. Mittermeier, GAB da 

Fonseca and J. Kent. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for 

conservation priorities. Nature 403: 845-853. 

Oates, J.F. 1999. Myth and reality in the rainforest. How 

conservation strategies are failing in West Africa. Berkeley, 

Univ. of California Press. Xxviii + 310 pp. 

Parren, M.P.E. and N.R. de Graaf. 1995. The quest for natural 

forests management in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and 

Liberia. Tropenbos Foundation Series 13. Wageningen. 

199 pp. 

Taylor, C.T. 1960. Synecology and silviculture in Ghana. 

Thomas Nelson Co., London. 


49

Chapter 4 

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) 

of the Atewa Range, Ghana 


Summary 

Odonata were surveyed during a Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) survey of the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve in Ghana. A total of 72 species were found in the streams and rivers that have 

their headwaters within the reserve (and associated standing water habitats), although only 

31 (43%) were found strictly within the reserve’s boundaries. Eight species were recorded in 

Ghana for the first time, of which six (75%) were recorded inside the reserve. Of these, Atoconeura 

luxata is the most significant discovery because: (1) it had not been described at the time 

and material taken during the RAP was included in its recently published description; (2) it is 

the only regionally threatened odonate found, being Red-listed as Vulnerable in western Africa; 

and (3) it confirms the nationally unique ‘montane’ character of the site. The results indicate 

a healthy watershed in the forest reserve and the surrounding area, with limited pollution and 

streambed erosion. This is confirmed by the presence of forest species even in more disturbed 

landscapes. If forest cover and natural stream morphology are retained, the present dragonfly 

fauna is expected to persist. However, if development activities were to entail the removal of 

vegetation or mineral deposits from the range, its capacity to store, buffer and filter rainwater 

would be seriously compromised, jeopardizing the reliable discharge of freshwater into the 

region’s rivers; an essential resource for millions of Ghanaians and a rich biodiversity. 

Introduction 

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are receiving increasing attention from scientists and the 

public. These graceful, colorful creatures are the quintessence of freshwater health. Due to their 

attractive appearance, dragonflies and damselflies can function as guardians of the watershed. 

They can be flagships for conservation, not only of water-rich habitats such as wetlands and 

rainforests, but also for habitats where water is scarce and, therefore, especially vital to the survival 

of life. Their sensitivity to structural habitat quality (e.g., forest cover, water clarity) and 

amphibious habits make Odonata well suited for evaluating environmental change in the long 

term (biogeography, climatology) and in the short term (conservation biology), both above and 

below the water surface (Corbet 1999). 

Odonata larvae are excellent indicators of the structure and quality of aquatic habitats 

(e.g., water, vegetation, substrate), while adult Odonata exhibit high sensitivity with regards to 

the structure of their terrestrial habitats (e.g., degree of shading). As a consequence, Odonata 

show strong responses to habitat changes, such as those related to deforestation and erosion. 

Ubiquitous species prevail in disturbed or temporary waters, while habitats like pristine streams 

and swamp forests harbor a wealth of the more vulnerable and localized species. Different ecological 

requirements are linked to different dispersal capacities. Species with narrow niches disperse 

poorly, while pioneers of temporary habitats (often created by disturbance) are excellent 

colonizers. For this reason, Odonata have a potential use in the evaluation of habitat connectivity 

(Clausnitzer 2003, Dijkstra and Lempert 2003). 

Odonata possess characteristics distinct from those of relatively well-studied taxonomic 

groups like plants, birds, mammals and butterflies. Therefore, their study supplements knowl- 


Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the Atewa Range, Ghana 

edge obtained from these better-known groups. There are 

also practical advantages to Odonata as environmental 

monitors. Aquatic habitats, the focal point of their life histories, 

are easy to locate, and their diurnal activity and high 

densities make Odonata easy to study. The number of dragonfly 

species occurring in Africa is manageable, their taxonomy 

is fairly well resolved, and identification is relatively 

straightforward. Considering the ever-changing nature of the 

African landscape, be it under human, geological or climatic 

influence, the study of African Odonata constitutes an exciting 

challenge, as knowledge of their geography, ecology and 

phylogeny helps us understand the past and future of a rapidly 

changing continent. 

This was the third African RAP survey to include Odonata. 

The previous ones, at Lokutu in Democratic Republic 

of Congo (Dijkstra 2007a) and at several forests in Liberia 

(Dijkstra 2007b) showed that it is possible to obtain a fair 

picture of the local diversity within a short period of time: a 

rich Odonata fauna probably represents high overall aquatic 

biodiversity. The results of odonate surveys may contrast 

sharply with the impoverished and imperiled fauna and flora 

indicated for the other taxonomic groups studied on any 

particular RAP survey. Because of their ‘information rich’ 

potential, Odonata might be placed more at the forefront 

of RAP surveys and conservation policy. The group is very 

‘RAPable’ and is complementary to traditional RAP taxa, 

such as large mammals. Particularly in forest and freshwater 

ecosystems, an emphasis on odonate research seems beneficial 

as a baseline for biodiversity and watershed conservation. 

Sampling these charismatic insects can demonstrate 

whether present and future conservation actions are protecting 

freshwater biodiversity. Moreover, the interpretation of 

survey results has recently been facilitated by the inclusion of 

Odonata in IUCN’s assessment of freshwater biodiversity in 

western Africa, which summarizes the distribution, habitat, 

threats and taxonomy of all species. 

The Odonata of the Upper Guinean forest have been 

fairly well studied. Landmark papers appeared on Sierra 

Leone (Carfì and D’Andrea 1994), Ghana (O’Neill and 

Paulson 2001), the Guinean side of Mt. Nimba (Legrand 

2003), Taï Forest in Côte d’Ivoire (Legrand and Couturier 

1985) and Liberia (Lempert 1988). The earliest mention in 

the odonatological literature of material from present-day 

Ghana is the holotype of Phyllomacromia sophia from Cape 

Coast Castle in 1871. Karsch (1893) treated material from 

the area Adeli around Bismarckburg, in what was then German 

Togo. This area now lies partly within the borders of 

Ghana’s Kyabobo National Park, as well as in present-day 

Togo. Lacroix (1921) described Tetrathemis godiardi from 

Koforidua and later (1924) listed Cyanothemis simpsoni and 

Orthetrum microstigma from there. Neville (1960) produced 

a list of 34 species, collected principally in the Bobiri Forest 

Reserve. His paper also includes the first behavioral information 

on Ghanaian Odonata. Pinhey (1962) reported on a 

small collection from the Prah-Annam Forest Reserve. Marshall 

and Gambles (1977) recorded 46 species from Mole 

National Park. D’Andrea and Carfì (1994) added a few 

scattered records. The most substantial contribution to the 

odonatology of Ghana was by O’Neill and Paulson (2001), 

who recorded 71 species, 24 of them new national records, 

based on material collected in 1997 from widespread localities. 

These authors were also the first to draw up a complete 

list of the Ghanaian Odonata, including 123 species. More 

Ghanaian records were obtained by H.A. Olsvik in February-April 

and October-November 1993 and by the present 

author in April-May 2000. This yielded many new records 

and also provided the necessity to reconsider some species 

previously listed for Ghana. Although the new national list 

is, as yet, unpublished, it includes 177 species (see Appendix 

3). Judging by data from neighboring countries, about another 

50 species may be discovered in Ghana (Dijkstra and 

Clausnitzer 2006). Lempert’s (1988) Liberian data were analyzed 

combined with the author’s data from Ghana (Dijkstra 

and Lempert 2003). This analysis describes the composition 

of odonate assemblages in running waters in the Upper 

Guinean rainforest. As running forest waters harbor the 

larger part of the region’s odonate diversity, particularly of 

range-restricted species, this baseline is an important tool in 

the interpretation of the data from the present survey. 

Methods 

Adult and larval Odonata were observed and caught with a 

hand net during daylight at freshwater habitats in the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) and at habitats outside the 

reserve that receive their water from it (Table 4.1). Details of 

Table 4.1. Odonata study sites in the Atewa area, Ghana. 

ARFR: Atewa Range Forest Reserve 

Location Coordinates Altitude (m) 

OnO Obeng-ne-obeng stream in ARFR 6.23429°N 0.56755°W 640 

Ade Adensu stream in ARFR not obtained about 600 

Swp Two swamps in ARFR 

6.24227°N 0.55684°W 

6.22373°N 0.57911°W 

800 

750 

For Other sites (pools, roadsides) in ARFR various 600-800 

Wan Wankobi stream and Asikam Gold Mine 6.20170°N 0.53658°W 290 

Den Densu River at Odumase-Okanta bridge 6.08699°N 0.53047°W 230 

Bir Birim River at Bunso waterworks 6.26594°N 0.47070°W 210 

Aye Ayensu River at Anum-Apapem 6.01225°N 0.60923°W 220 


51

Chapter 4 

their ecology and behavior were noted. Identifications were 

made using Clausnitzer and Dijkstra (in prep.) and additional 

literature; taxonomy follows Dijkstra and Clausnitzer 

(in prep.). Collected specimens were deposited in the collection 

of the National Museum of Natural History (Leiden, 

The Netherlands). 

Results 

A total of 72 species of Odonata were found, while the author 

had previously obtained records of six additional species 

from the area (Appendix 3). Thus 65% of the about 120 

odonate species expected to occur in Atewa and its direct 

surroundings were found. Only 31 species were found strictly 

within the reserve’s boundaries. However, the sampling 

of sites outside the reserve is relevant because those sites are 

part of the same freshwater system, depending on the situation 

upstream (i.e. within the reserve). Moreover, many 

habitat types are more accessible just outside the reserve’s 

limits than within them. None of the recorded species are 

presently listed as globally threatened. Unlike the Odonata 

of northern, eastern and southern Africa, those of central 

and western Africa were not assessed for the 2006 Red List, 

as data were relatively limited and fragmented (Dijkstra and 

Vick 2004). However, the author has recently collated and 

assessed these data, and a preliminary Red-Listing has been 

made. One recorded species is regionally threatened (see 

below). 

Eight species were recorded in Ghana for the first 

time, at least six of which are forest-dependent and at least 

six occur exclusively in running water. While only 43% of 

the recorded species were found strictly within the reserve’s 

boundaries, three-quarters (six species) of the novelties originate 

from inside the reserve and five even from a single site, 

Obeng-ne-obeng stream: 

1. Africallagma vaginale inhabits rainforest swamps. Previously 

known from Uganda south to northern Zambia, 

the present record thus represents a remarkable range 

extension. 

2. A single female pertains to the genus Onychogomphus, 

which was previously unknown from Ghana. The specimen 

recalls O. styx, but the taxonomy of the genus is 

problematic and a definitive identification cannot be 

made at present. 

3. Paragomphus serrulatus (also known by the synonyms 

P. bredoi and P. xanthus) inhabits open rivers from 

northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo to western 

Africa, having been reported from Sierra Leone, Liberia, 

Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. 

4. A single female probably pertains to Phyllogomphus 

moundi. A male collected by the author in the Volta 

Region shortly after the RAP survey confirmed the 

presence of this species in Ghana. It was already known 

from Togo, Nigeria and Guinea. 

52 Rapid Assessment Program 

Figure 4.1. Distribution of the genus Atoconeura, demonstrating its montane character. Records of A. luxata (including 

that in 4.1. Atewa) Distribution are marked by of open the triangles, genus Atoconeura, other symbols represent demonstrating five other its Atoconeura montane species. character. Combined Records 

Figure 

symbols indicate the sympatric presence of species, question marks doubtful or unconfirmed localities. 

From: Dijkstra (2006). 

of A. luxata (including that in Atewa) are marked by open triangles, other symbols represent five 

other Atoconeura species. Combined symbols indicate the sympatric presence of species,

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the Atewa Range, Ghana 

5. A single female pertains to the genus Tragogomphus, 

which was previously unknown from Ghana. The 

taxonomy of the genus is problematic and a definitive 

identification cannot be made at present. 

6. Two collected males are conspecific with Phyllomacromia 

legrandi, known only from the type locality Kpimé 

in Togo. However, a third male is morphologically 

identical but much darker, suggesting synonymy with P. 

melania. That species is also new for Ghana, but probably 

occurs (records require confirmation) both further 

west (Liberia, Guinea) and east (Nigeria), occurring in 

rainforest streams as far east as Uganda. 

7. Atoconeura luxata occurs at fast sections of forest streams 

flowing off highlands. It had previously been found to 

the east in Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville and 

the Central African Republic, but also in Guinea and 

Sierra Leone to the west. 

8. Orthetrum saegeri inhabits streamside forest swamps and 

had not previously been found reliably west of Cameroon. 

The discovery of Atoconeura luxata in Atewa is the most 

significant odonatological find of the RAP survey for a number 

of reasons. Not only was it first described only recently, 

with the inclusion of material and photographs taken during 

the RAP survey (see Dijkstra 2006), but it is also the only 

regionally threatened species found, being listed as Vulnerable 

on the IUCN Red List of West African Odonata (as 

evaluated in Accra shortly after the RAP survey). Unlike the 

five eastern African Atoconeura species, this one does not occur 

on top of highlands (above 1000 m), but at their base, 

including the Adamawa Massif and Mts. Nimba and Loma 

in western Africa (Figure 4.1). The discovery demonstrates 

Atewa’s highland character despite its modest elevation. It is, 

for instance, also the only place in Ghana where brambles 

(Rubus) grow. The valley in Atewa where A. luxata occurs 

is notable for the presence of treeferns (Cyathea), a typical 

plant of Afro-montane forests. The unexpected discovery of 

Africallagma vaginale, which belongs to a genus of mostly 

upland species, may be another indication of Atewa’s importance 

as a refuge for ‘montane’ species in a region presently 

dominated by lowland habitats. 


The Atewa forest harbors odonate assemblages that are representative 

of the Upper Guinean rainforest fauna. The forest 

stream assemblages found match those described by Dijkstra 

and Lempert (2003), suggesting healthy watersheds, with 

limited degrees of pollution and streambed erosion. As long 

as forest cover and natural stream morphology are retained, 

the existing dragonfly fauna is expected to persist. Considering 

the imperiled nature of the Upper Guinean rainforest, 

it is recommended that the forest and the watersheds it protects 

are conserved. Three major rivers in this densely populated 

region of Ghana have their headwaters in the Atewa 

Range, the Ayensu, Birim and Densu, the latter supplying 

one-third of the water used by Accra. Two observations are 

relevant in this light: 

1. Several torrential downpours during the RAP did not 

alter the level of the streams and rivers, demonstrating 

the Atewa Range’s capacity to absorb and gradually 

discharge water. 

2. The site sampled on the Densu was heavily disturbed, 

with trees almost completely removed, but still harbored 

a diverse fauna, including typical forest dragonflies 

like Umma cincta, Sapho ciliata, Chlorocypha 

luminosa, C. radix, Gomphidia gamblesi, Ictinogomphus 

fraseri, Cyanothemis simpsoni and Zygonyx chrysobaphes. 

This suggests that the water quality was sufficient to 

support these species despite extensive damage to the 

surrounding landscape. 

The steady flow of clean water off the range is 

determined by the capacity of the soil, swamps and forest on 

the plateaus and in the valleys to store and filter rainwater, 

and to buffer for spates and droughts. The populations of 

both dragonflies and humans around Atewa depend on this 

healthy and reliable resource for their survival. If the vegetation 

and deposits are stripped off the range, this would jeopardise 

the availability of freshwater for millions of Ghanaians 

and imperil a rich biodiversity with a nationally unique 

‘highland’ character. While we recommend complete protection 

of Atewa, if any development activities were to take 

place within the Atewa Range it is of the utmost importance 

that minimal damage to the watershed be ensured by leaving 

broad zones around water bodies (e.g., rivers, inundation 

zones) untouched. 

References 

Carfì, S. and M. D’Andrea. 1994. Contribution to the 

knowledge of odonatological fauna in Sierra Leone, 

West Africa. Problemi Attuali di Scienza e di Cultura 

267: 111-191. 

Clausnitzer, V. 2003. Dragonfly communities in coastal 

habitats of Kenya: indication of biotope quality and the 

need of conservation methods. Biodiversity and Conservation 

12: 333-356. 

Clausnitzer, V. and K.-D.B. Dijkstra. In prep. The dragonflies 

of Eastern Africa (Odonata), an identification key. 

Studies in Afrotropical Zoology. 

Corbet, P.S. 1999. Dragonflies: Behaviour and Ecology of 

Odonata. Harley Books, Colchester. 

D’Andrea, M. and F. Carfì. 1994. Annotations on a small 

dragonfly collection from Ghana, West Africa, with six 

new species for the national fauna (Odonata). Opuscula 

zoologica fluminensia, 125: 1-7. 


53

Chapter 4 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. 2007a. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) 

of Lokutu. Pp. 21-36. In: Butynski, T.M. and J. 

McCullough (eds.). A rapid biological assessment of 

Lokutu, Democratic Republic of Congo. RAP Bulletin 


Arlington, VA. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. 2007. Rapid survey of dragonflies and 

damselflies (Odonata) of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo 

National Forests. Pp. 25-28. In: Hoke, P., R. Demey 

and A. Peal (eds.). A rapid biological assessment of 

North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, Liberia. 

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 44. Conservation 

International, Arlington, VA. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. 2006. The Atoconeura problem revisited: 

taxonomy, biogeography and phylogeny of a dragonfly 

genus in the highlands of Africa (Odonata, Libellulidae). 

Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 149: 121-144. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. and V. Clausnitzer. 2006. Thoughts from 

Africa: how can forest influence species composition, 

diversity and speciation in tropical Odonata In: 

Cordero Rivera, A. (Editor). Forests and dragonflies. 

Pensoft Publishers. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. and V. Clausnitzer. In prep. An annotated 

checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Eastern Africa, 

with critical lists for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania 

and Uganda, new records and taxonomic notes. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. and J. Lempert. 2003. Odonate assemblages 

of running waters in the Upper Guinean forest. 

Archiv für Hydrobiologie 157: 397-412. 

Dijkstra, K.-D.B. and G.S. Vick. 2004. Critical species 

of Odonata in western Africa. In: Clausnitzer, V. and 

R. Jödicke (Editors). Guardians of the Watershed. 

Global status of dragonflies: critical species, threat and 

conservation. International Journal of Odonatology 7: 

229-238. 

Karsch, F. 1893. Die Insecten der Berglandschaft Adeli im 

Hinterlande von Togo (Westafrika) Libellen - Odonata 

- von Adeli. Berliner entomologischer Zeitschrift 38: 

17-48. 

Lacroix, J.-L. 1921. Deux Odonates nouvelles. Annales de la 

société entomologique de Belgique 61: 378-388. 

Lacroix, J.-L. 1924. Sur quelques Odonates d’Afrique de la 

collection du Muséum. Bulletin de Muséum d’Histoire 

naturelle, Paris 30: 215-222. 

Legrand, J. 2003. Les Odonates du Nimba et de sa région. 

In: M. Lamotte and R. Roy: Le peuplement animal du 

mont Nimba (Guinée, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia). Mémoires 

du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle 190: 

231-310. 

Legrand, J. and G. Couturier. 1985. Les Odonates de la 

forêt de Taï (Côte d’Ivoire). Premières approches: faunistique, 

répartition écologique et association d’espèces. 

Revue d’Hydrobiologie tropicale 18 (2): 133-158. 

Lempert, J. 1988. Untersuchungen zur Fauna, Ökologie und 

zum Fortpflanzungsverhalten von Libellen (Odonata) 

an Gewässern des tropischen Regenwaldes in Liberia, 

Westafrika. Diplomarbeit, Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität, 

Bonn. 

Marshall, A.G. and R.M. Gambles. 1977. Odonata from 

the Guinea Savanna zone in Ghana. Journal of Zoology, 

London 183: 177-187. 

Neville, A.C. 1960. A list of Odonata from Ghana, with 

notes on their mating, flight and resting sites. Proceedings 

of the Royal entomological Society of London (A) 

35: 124-128. 

O’Neill, G. and D.R. Paulson. 2001. An annotated list of 

Odonata collected in Ghana in 1997, a checklist of 

Ghana Odonata, and comments on West African odonate 

biodiversity and biogeography. Odonatologica 30 

(1): 67-86. 

Pinhey, E. 1962. Some records of Odonata collected in Tropical 

Africa. Journal of the Entomological Society of South 

Africa 25: 20-50. 


Chapter 5 

A rapid survey of butterflies in the Atewa Range 



Summary 

Butterflies were used as one of the target species in a Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) survey 

to obtain quick, reliable and cost-effective biodiversity data from Atewa Range Forest Reserve. 

Overall, 143 species belonging to 55 genera in five families were recorded during the entire 

RAP expedition. The composition of butterfly species is plainly indicative of a good forest. The 

presence of Tetrarhanis baralingam, Neaveia lamborni and Bicyclus auricruda in Atewa were 

confirmed during our survey. N. lamborni and B. auricruda, prior to this survey, had not been 

seen in any protected area in Ghana. Almost half of the 17 rare species recorded are known 

either exclusively from Atewa or from just one other protected area in Ghana. The conservation 

of and further studies on these species is of ultimate importance in the quest to use butterflies 

as biological indicators. More than 700 different species of butterfly are now expected to occur 

on the Atewa Range. This is more than in any other single locality in Ghana, and for that matter 

anywhere in Africa west of the Dahomey Gap (and more than twice as many butterflies as 

in the whole of Europe!). As many as 50 rare species in Atewa may be recorded nowhere else 

in Ghana. The RAP expedition recorded 16 endemic species of which two (Euphaedra mariaechristinae 

and Ceratrichia maesseni) are endemic to the Ghana sub-region of West Africa. The 

remaining are endemic to the entire West Africa sub-region. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve 

provides a haven for many West African endemics. Ten of such endemic species are so far 

known only from the Range and might well in Ghana be limited to this reserve. Conservationists’ 

understanding of the Afrotropical biological diversity has significant gaps and this hampers 

efforts to formulate sound biodiversity conservation measures. A few biologically rich, surviving 

forests like the Atewa forest remain the only hope for understanding some of the complexities 

and the functioning of ecosystem processes. The very high index of biodiversity, the presence of 

many endemic species, and several other species known from nowhere else in Ghana, and the 

pan-African rarity status of many of the species present in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve combine 

to indicate that its conservation importance is of the highest priority that the area should 

not be subject to development of any kind. 

Introduction 

Butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera (Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea)) are a useful insect 

group in environmental monitoring and evaluation studies and have been used in several biodiversity 

monitoring programs around the globe with considerable success (Kremen 1992, 1994; 

Brown 1997; New 1997; Kerr et al. 2000; Larsen 2005a). They are by far the best known and 

most studied larger group of organisms apart from plants and vertebrates (Larsen 2006). Information 

such as habitat preference, habits, host plants, geographical distribution, endemism 

and/or rarity of most species is readily available for use in biodiversity data synthesis and interpretation. 

They can arguably be used as flagship taxa for terrestrial invertebrate biodiversity 

conservation. 

The aesthetic beauty and charismatic nature of many butterflies have the ability to invoke 


55

Chapter 5 

people’s passion and interest, both of which are useful in 

butterfly conservation. Public interest in butterflies has 

grown enormously and has even become a political force in 

some countries. Major building developments have been rejected 

and proposed motorways have been relocated simply 

to protect scarce butterfly populations (New et al. 1995). By 

using butterflies as targets in biodiversity conservation, many 

co-existing and co-dependent organisms, like their food 

plants and natural enemies, may also be conserved. 

Butterflies, by virtue of their high sensitivity, respond 

strongly to habitat disturbance (Brown, 1997) and most 

have special geographical distributions (Larsen 1994, 2006), 

reflecting past conditions, making them potentially useful 

biological indicator species. The use of butterflies as tools 

in rapid biodiversity assessment missions presents other 

advantages as well, such as their relatively stable and well 

known taxonomy, high sensitivity to changes in their habitats 

and microclimate heterogeneity and a high correlation 

with spatial, structural, and taxonomic diversity of vascular 

plants (Panzer and Schwartz 1998). Their high species richness 

(~20,000 in the world; ~4,000 in Afrotropics and ~925 

species in Ghana), relative ease of capture, ubiquitous nature 

and explicit ecological preference, more or less, make them a 

useful taxon for use in a rapid biodiversity assessment. 

Butterflies were therefore used as one of the target species 

in a RAP mission to obtain quick, reliable and cost-effective 

biodiversity data in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve 

(Atewa). The data resulting from this expedition are intended 

to inform conservationists and/or policy makers in formulating 

sound science-based conservation measures needed 

to conserve these charismatic species and the millions other 

species that co-exist with them or even depend on them. 

Study Sites and Methods 

Atewa covers a total landmass of 232 km 2 . It is located 

within moist evergreen and semi-deciduous forest at lower 

levels and upland evergreen forest at higher levels (above 700 

m). It is one of just two major areas of upland evergreen forest 

in Ghana, the other being at Tano Ofin. The RAP mission 

concentrated on three plateaux within the reserve that 

had been designated for bauxite exploration (and potential 

extraction) by ALCOA. The three plateaux were named Atiwiredu, 

Asiakwa South and Asiakwa North by the RAP team 

for consistency. 

Atiwiredu was the first survey site for the research team. 

It is located at 06°12”22.7’N and 00°34”39.2’W with an 

altitude of 817 m a.s.l. There was evidence of very recent 

human disturbance of the vegetation. The plateau had numerous 

fresh (bauxite) exploratory transects constructed 

mainly with cutlasses and chainsaws. Investigation here was 

conducted over five field days from 7-11 June 2006. 

Asiakwa South (06°15”44.3’N; 00°33”18.8’W; altitude 

783 m a.s.l) was the second RAP camp. Again, the team 

stayed here for five field days (12-16 June 2006). The site 

generally had lots of old exploratory transects, indicating 

that mineral exploration had been carried out here not more 

than two years ago. 

Asiakwa North (06°16”16.1’N; 00°33”52.7’W; altitude 

814 m a.s.l) was the least disturbed habitat with most of its 

vegetation still intact. The team spent six field days, from 

17-22 June 2006, sampling this plateau. 

On the last sampling day (22 June), the butterfly team 

collected specimens along the main access road passing 

through the reserve. Portions of the road sampled were at 

least 10 km from the nearest plateau or camp site. This was 

done to build up the species checklist for the expedition. As 

a result, only species that had not been recorded earlier in 

the three study plateaux were noted. 

Typical fruit-baited traps (see DeVries 1987 for details) 

and standard butterfly nets were used for specimen collection. 

Traps were baited mainly with rotten banana fruits, 

though pineapple fruits were used occasionally. Traps were 

set in suitable butterfly habitats along main roads used by 

vehicles within the reserve, exploratory transects, hunter 

trails and in the forest interior. A few traps were also set in 

the tree canopy. The trapping protocol was intended to yield 

most of the species in the Nymphalidae family (Satyrinae, 

Charaxinae, Nymphalidae) that are difficult to catch with 

butterfly nets. In all, 20 fruit-baited traps per site were used 

for the study, except for Atiwiredu where 14 traps were set. 

Traps were re-baited every 24 hours during the sampling periods. 

This protocol was repeated for each study/camp site. 

Using mainly pre-existing hunting trails passing 

through suitable butterfly habitats, a standard butterfly net 

was also used to collect specimens. Species seen (and easy 

to identify in flight) during transect/trail walks were also recorded. 

Available taxonomy treatises (e.g. Larsen 2005) were 

used for properly identifying confusing/difficult specimens. 

The distance walked at each site depended very much on the 

prevailing weather conditions. Longer distances were walked 

at sites with more favorable butterfly weather conditions (i.e. 

reasonable amount of sunshine) and vice versa. To allow for 

effective comparison of butterfly composition between sites, 

the time spent during trail walk survey was standardized into 

“effective sampling hours”. For this RAP survey, one effective 

sampling hour denotes one hour of good butterfly weather. 

This may not necessarily be one uninterrupted hour of good 

butterfly weather. High quality specimens were kept in glassine 

envelopes and taken to a laboratory in Kwame Nkrumah 

University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi 

for further processing. Specimens that were confusing or difficult 

to identify were sent to Dr. Torben B. Larsen for clarification. 

KNUST has recently built a museum and a space 

for a butterfly specimens collection has been applied for. The 

specimens together with others collected by the lead author 

(Kwaku Aduse-Poku) from other localities will form the first 

batch of butterfly voucher specimens for the university museum. 

Species rarity and endemism status were adopted from 

Larsen (2006). 


A rapid survey of butterflies in the the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Results 

Overall, 143 species belonging to 55 genera in five families 

were recorded during the RAP expedition (Appendix 4). 

This number represents about one-fourth of the species 

positively recorded from and accepted for the entire reserve. 

It is probable that more favorable butterfly weather (lots of 

sunshine) would have yielded many more species. It was 

raining on average almost every three out of four (75%) days 

throughout the expedition period. Overwhelmingly, twothirds 

of the specimens collected belonged to the Nymphalidae 

family. This family contains species that are mostly fruit 

feeders and will normally come to fruit-baited traps. This indicates 

that the trapping protocol was a useful component of 

the RAP survey. The unfavorable weather (characterized by 

heavy mist and frequent rain showers) probably accounted 

for the conspicuous absence of Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae 

(skippers) from the list. 

As a comparison of the butterfly biodiversity between 

sites, at Asiakwa South we recorded the highest number of 

species (89) and at Asiakwa North we recorded the lowest 

number of species (57) (Table 5.1). Thirteen additional species 

were recorded along the main road (about 20 km from 

the study site) after 2.5 ‘effective sampling hours’. It is worth 

mentioning that many species were seen along the main road 

but only those not recorded in the three RAP survey sites 

were noted. Over 90 percent of the species collected during 

the expedition were typical forest species (Appendix 4). 

Considering the species composition at the various 

sites, our results indicate that Asiakwa South was the most 

disturbed. Here, we recorded a high incidence of ‘sun-loving’ 

species like Bicyclus sandace and B. vulgaris. There were also 

many activities and individuals of Junonia terea terea and 

Precis pelarga on this plateau. These species prefer (patchily) 

disturbed habitats within forest zones and are often justifiably 

used as indicator species for anthropogenic disturbance 

within forest zones. The Asiakwa South site is believed to 

have been explored last year for bauxite deposits. The exploration 

has created significant openings in the vegetation, 

much more than in the two other study sites, hence giving 

way for many species not strictly limited to forest. It was 

not surprising, therefore, that this area recorded the highest 

number of species since butterflies, like most insect groups 

conform well to the mild (intermediate) disturbance principle 

(Fermon et al. 2000, DeVries and Walla 2001). It must 

also be mentioned that the area still has a reasonable amount 

of good forest patches that are able to support viable population 

of forest butterfly species. In contrast, Asiakwa North 

held the lowest species richness, though this site was the best 

in terms of vegetation or habitat health conditions. There 

were generally low relative numbers of species collected on 

this plateau. Atiwiredu was intermediate to the two plateaux 

in terms of both species richness and habitat health. 

Discussion 

Overall Biodiversity 

More than 700 different species of butterfly are now estimated 

to occur on the Atewa Range, of which almost 600 are 

positively recorded. This is more than in any other single locality 

in Ghana, and for that matter anywhere in Africa west 

of the Dahomey Gap. The presence of Tetrarhanis baralingam, 

Neaveia lamborni and Bicyclus auricruda in Atewa was 

confirmed during the mission. N. lamborni and B. auricruda 

have so far not been recorded from any of the protected 

areas in Ghana. T. baralingam however has been recorded 

in three of the National Parks in Ghana; namely Kakum, 

Ankasa and Bia. Interestingly, each site recorded one of these 

confirmed species. T. baralingam was seen on the Atiwiredu 

plateau. N. lamborni and B. auricruda were collected on the 

north and south plateaux of Asiakwa respectively. The three 

confirmed species were among those suspected as possibly 

occurring on the Atewa Range (Larsen 2006). This will now 

raise the number of species that have been positively recorded 

and accepted in Atewa Forest Reserve to 575. This is 

nearly twice as many butterflies as in the whole of Europe. 

Endemicity 

The RAP expedition recorded 16 endemic species of which 

two are endemic to the Ghana sub-region (Euphaedra mariaechristinae 

and Ceratrichia maesseni). The remaining 14 

species are endemic to the West Africa sub-region as a whole. 

Atewa provides a haven for at least 66 of the known 100 

West African endemics. Ten of such endemic species are so 

far known in Ghana only from Atewa and might well be 

limited to this area. Some of these species are suspected to 

reside also in Tano Ofin, which is similar to Atewa in terms 

of both vegetation and topography. Unfortunately this reserve 

is highly degraded and earmarked for bauxite mining. 

Table 5.1. Details of actual fields days and effective sampling hours spent per site during a RAP survey in the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve in Ghana. The number of species observed per camp site is also presented. 

Sites Field days spent Effective Sampling hours No. of Species 

Atiwiredu 5 12 74 

Asiakwa South 5 9 89 

Asiakwa North 5 8 57 

Along main road 1 3 13 additional 


57

Chapter 5 

Astictopterus anomoeus, recorded at Atiwiredu and Asiakwa 

South during the RAP survey, is one such species, recently 

known from nowhere else in Ghana but Atewa and just in 

Volta. Among other West African endemics (not seen during 

the RAP expedition but) known only from Atewa in Ghana 

are: 

Mylothris atewa. Described from Atewa and almost certainly 

a narrow endemic to the Atewa Range, this species is 

found only above the 600 m contour. This distinctive species 

may be common, and is unlikely to have been overlooked 

elsewhere in West Africa. Larsen (2005b) comments that it 

has no obvious affinities to other members of the genus. 

Anthene helpsi. Described from Atewa following its 

capture by Major T. Helps, this is the only white Anthene 

among almost a hundred others in Africa. Though a questionable 

record from near Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire exists, 

Larsen (2005b) now discounts this record and considers the 

species to be an amazing Atewa endemic. What is fascinating 

is, at the very same spot where two individuals of this species 

were collected in 1993, two other species of conservation 

interest (Mylothris atewa and Papilio antimachus) were also 

seen. Unfortunately, bauxite exploratory transects have already 

been cut into this area. 

Acraea kibi. Described from Atewa as a distinct species, 

Larsen (2005b) considers this to be a distinctive and valid 

subspecies of A. kraka which is otherwise known only from 

the mountains of the Nigeria/Cameroon border. The species 

is obviously a resident of the upland forest habitat and has 

also once been found in numbers at Tano Ofin. 

The Atewa Range also supports most of the butterflies 

that are endemic to Africa west of the Dahomey Gap (for 

details see Larsen 2006). 

Biogeography 

Some species found at Atewa have biogeographical affinities 

with the fauna of eastern Nigeria and Cameroon. Two 

examples are: 

Bicyclus sylvicolus. Widely distributed in the equatorial 

rainforest of central Africa and occurring in eastern Nigeria, 

it also occurs in the forests of the Ghana/Togo Mountains, 

widely separated from the main population. The species is 

found also on Atewa, but nowhere else in Ghana. Although 

there are old records of this species from Father Masseni 

Atewa collection in Allyn Museum, USA, Larsen (2005b) 

suspected possible mislabeling and needed this claim substantiated. 

Not long after the RAP survey in August 2006, 

the lead author (Aduse-Poku) caught both female and male 

of this species in baited traps. On Atewa it co-habits with 

Bicyclus abnormis which is an endemic of Africa west of the 

Dahomey Gap that is widely distributed from Ghana to 

Sierra Leone. ONLY on the Atewa Range do these two species 

occur in the same locality. It is very rare to find such two 

geographical vicariants inhabiting the same locality. 

Acraea translucida is similar in its range, being found 

only in western Cameroun, Nigeria, the Volta Region 

Mountains and on Atewa. However, this species has no 

proper West African vicariant; so that Atewa is the westernmost 

point of its range. 

Rare Species 

The importance of Atewa is also underlined by the presence 

of a large numbers of very rare butterflies – species that are 

rare not just in Ghana but in Africa as a whole. Almost half 

(48%) of the 17 rare species recorded during the expedition 

(see Table 5.2) are positively recorded either exclusively 

from Atewa or from just one other protected area in Ghana. 

Some of the rare species recorded either are positively limited 

to the Atewa Range Forest Reserve or occur in just one 

of the protected areas in Ghana. Vanessula milca is one of 

the Atewa exclusives. Bicyclus trilophus, Aslauga lamborni 

and Bebearia arcadius occur in Atewa and just one of the 

protected areas in Ghana. The conservation and further 

studies on these species is of importance in the quest to use 

butterflies as biological indicators in overall biodiversity assessment. 

The host plant of Vanessula milca for instance, to 

date, remains unknown and finding it will provide an understanding 

of its irregular distribution in West Africa: though 

usually common on Atewa, it has not recently been found 

elsewhere in Ghana and its distribution in the rest of Africa 

is very patchy. Review of existing butterfly literature of the 

forest reserve shows that about as many as 50 rare species in 

Atewa are recorded nowhere else in Ghana (Larsen 2006). 

One good example of such species is the recently discovered 

Charaxes fournierae jolybouyeri, Vingerhoedt, 1998. This species 

is most unusual and some authors (Joly 2003) consider 

the presence of this species sufficient to justify conservation 

measures for Atewa. C. fournierae jolybouyeri is the western 

subspecies of an extremely rare butterfly from equatorial Africa; 

it was found on the Atewa Range and then – amazingly 

– also in the Guinea Mountains near Nzérékoré. 

The extremely rich butterfly fauna of Atewa contains a 

number of rare species worthy of special mention, though 

they were not recorded during the RAP survey. First among 

these is the magnificent Papilio antimachus Drury, 1782 

whose wing-span can be up to 25 cm, the widest of any 

butterfly in the world. The wings are very narrow and other 

butterflies surpass it in wing surface. The only other Ghana 

records traced are from Amedzofe in the Volta Region and 

most recently (2005) from Bobiri. The population in Volta 

now appears to be extinct and the rather extensive forests 

below Amedzofe have largely been destroyed. The species is, 

however, still present on Atewa and has been found on at 

least five occasions during the past five years - but it is rarely 

seen except when coming down to drink from the edge of 

streams since it stays in the canopy. 

Other interesting and significant species include: 

Graphium rileyi – a large species that is endemic to West 

Africa and in Ghana known only from Atewa; there are long 

series from Atewa in collections but no recent records from 

Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire. 

Pentila petreoides – a very rare West African endemic 

species; the only Ghana records are from Atewa. 

Ornipholidotos issia – is a West African endemic; its only 

known Ghana population is on the Atewa Range. 


A rapid survey of butterflies in the the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Table 5.2. Rare butterfly species recorded at each study/camp site during a RAP survey in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, a forest 

fragment in Ghana. Rare species as adopted from Larsen (2006) are species usually found on less than 10-20% of visits to 

most suitable localities. 

Species Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

1 Aslauga lamborni x 

2 Ornipholidotos onitshae x x 

3 Mimeresia cellularis x x 

4 Iolaus aethria x 

5 Hypolycaena clenchi x 

6 Bicyclus trilophus jacksoni x 

7 Bicyclus nobilis x 

8 Heteropsis peitho x x x 

9 Vanessula milca milca x 

10 Precis sinuata x x 

11 Euriphene incerta incerta x 

12 Bebearia arcadius x x 

13 Euphaedra splendens x 

14 Euphaedra eupalus x 

15 Acraea orina x 

16 Ceratrichia semilutea x x x 

17 Ceratrichia maesseni x 

TOTAL 8 9 8 

Mimeresia moyambina – a very rare West African endemic, 

originally described from Sierra Leone, where it has 

not since been refound; a few were found in Côte d’Ivoire 

during the 1960s and a small series caught on Atewa a few 

years ago. 

Liptena griveaudi – an almost unknown species described 

from Côte d’Ivoire; the only Ghana records are from 

Atewa. The status of Sierra Leone material is uncertain. 

Stempfferia staudingeri – a rare butterfly found from 

Sierra Leone to western Nigeria, in Ghana only known from 

Atewa. 

Iolaus mane – this species was recently described from 

the Fouta Djalon in Guinea; a specimen from Atewa was 

unexpectedly located in the Allyn Museum of Entomology 

in Florida and no other Ghana specimens are known 

Anthene atewa – a recently described butterfly named 

after the Atewa Range that has been found also in other 

Ghana forests of good quality and rarely in Côte d’Ivoire; it 

seems a very scarce West African endemic. 

Bicyclus dekeyseri – a rare endemic of the wettest forest 

in West Africa; very few are known from Ghana, mostly 

from Atewa. 

Euphaedra ignota –a distinctive Ghana endemic that was 

described from Atewa but has been recorded also from Kakum 

and forests near Atewa. 

Euphaedra eusemoides – a most distinctive and very rare 

butterfly, endemic to Africa west of the Dahomey Gap, only 

known from the Atewa Range in Ghana; none has been 

found in Ghana since the 1960s. 

Celaenorrhinus sagamase – a very rare butterfly recently 

described from Atewa (named after the Sagyemase track to 

Atiwiredu), but one has also been found in Kakum; a spectacular 

West African endemic. 

Celaenorrhinus ankasa – a rare West African endemic; 

one of the types was from Atewa; it has since been found 

also in Sierra Leone. 

Many other species that are rare on a pan-African basis 

are found in the Atewa forests. Dr. T.B. Larsen (pers. 

comm.) was consulted on this section and commented that 

the list of rare species could be continued for more pages 

than this report can contain. 


The very high index of biodiversity, the presence of many endemic 

species and several other butterfly species known from 

nowhere else in Ghana, and the pan-African rarity status of 

many of those species present in Atewa combine to indicate 

that its conservation is of the highest priority – possibly the 

most important site in the country apart from the national 

parks (Ankasa, Bia, Kakum). It is therefore not surprising 

that the conservation status of this reserve has increased and 

elevated over the years from a Special Biological Protection 

Area (SBPA), to a Hill Sanctuary, and most recently a Globally 

Significant Biological Area (GSBA). 


59

Chapter 5 

Conservationists’ understanding of Afrotropical biological 

diversity has significant gaps and this paucity of information 

hampers their ability and efforts to formulate sound 

biodiversity conservation measures. The few biologically 

rich, surviving forests like the Atewa forest remain the only 

hopes for understanding some of these complexities and 

functioning in ecosystem processes. Forests in Ghana are fast 

disappearing and even considered one of the most imperiled 

ecosystems in the world (FAO 2006). Unfortunately what 

is unknown in this vulnerable ecosystem eclipses what is 

known, making it one of the least studied and ecologically 

understood forest zones in the world (Laurance 1997). We 

strongly recommend, based on the results of this survey and 

prior work in the Atewa area, that the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve should be fully protected and not opened up for 

development activities that could harm this site of global 

conservation priority. 

References 



Connections from Guinea to Togo. Conservation 

International. Washington, DC. 78 pp. 

Brown, K.S. 1997. Diversity, disturbance, and sustainable 

use of Neotropical forests: insects as indicators for conservation 

monitoring. Journal of Insect Conservation 1: 

25-42. 

DeVries, P.J. 1987. The Butterflies of Costa Rica and their 

Natural History. Princeton University Press. 327 pp. 

DeVries, P J. and T. Walla. 2001. Species diversity and 

community structure in Neotropical fruit-feeding butterflies. 

Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society 74: 

1-15. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2006. Global 

Forest Resources Assessment 2005. Progress towards 

sustainable forest management. FAO Forestry paper 

147. Rome. 322 pp. 

Fermon, H., M. Waltert, T.B. Larsen, U. Dall’Asta and M. 

Muhlenberg. 2000. Effects of forest management on 

diversity and abundance of fruit-feeding nymphalid 

butterflies in south-eastern Côte d’lvoire. Journal of 

Insect Conservation 4: 173-189. 

Joly, C. 2003. Contribution à l’étude des Charaxinae du 

Ghana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Notes faunistiques 

de Gembloux 50: 27-47. 

Kremen, C. 1992. Assessing the Indicator Properties of Species 

Assemblages for Natural Areas Monitoring. Ecological 

Applications 2(2): 203-217. 

Kremen, C. 1994. Biological inventory using Target taxa: A 

Case Study of the Butterflies of Madagascar. Ecological 

Application 4(3): 407-422. 

Kerr, J.T., S. Alissa and P. Laurence. 2000. Indicator Taxa, 

Rapid Biodiversity Assessment and Nestedness in an 

Endangered Ecosystem. Conservation Biology 14: 

1726-1734. 

Larsen, T.B. 1994. The Butterflies of Ghana and their 

Implications for Conservation and Sustainable Use. 

Compiled for Ghana Wildlife Department and IUCN. 

54 pp. 

Larsen, T.B. 2005a. Rapid Assessement of Butterflies of 

Draw River, Boi-Tano and Krokosua Hills. Pp 33-39. 

In: McCullough, J., J. Decher and D.Guba Kpelle 

(eds.). A biological assessment of the terrestrial ecosystems 

of the Draw River, Bio-Tano, Tano Nimiri and 

Krokosua Hills forest reserves, Southwestern Ghana. 


International, Washington, DC. 

Larsen, T.B. 2005b. The Butterflies of West Africa. Apollo 

books: Stenstrup Denmark. 

Larsen, T.B. 2006. The Ghana Butterfly Fauna and its 

contribution to the objectives of the protected Areas 

System. A report submitted to Ghana Wildlife Division. 

WDSP Report No. 63. 200 pp. 

Laurance, W.F. 1997. Introduction. Pp. 1-2. In: Laurance, 

W.F. and Bierregaard (eds). Tropical Forest Remnants 

Ecology. Management and Conservation of Fragmented 

Communities. Univ. of Chicago Press, IL. 

New, T.R. 1997. Are Lepidoptera an effective ‘Umbrella 

Group’ for Biodiversity Conservation Journal of Insect 

Conservation 1: 5-12. 

New, T.R., R.M. Pyle, J.A. Thomas, C.D. Thomas and 

P.C.Hammond. 1995. Butterfly Conservation Management. 

Annu. Rev. Entomol. 40: 57-83. 

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., E.H. Owusu, D.T. Daramani and A.A. 

Nuoh. 2001. Important Bird Areas in Ghana. Pp. 

367 -389. In: Fishpool, L.D.C. and M.I. Evans (eds.). 

Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: 

Priority sites for conservation. BirdLife International, 

Cambridge. 

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approach to insect conservation. Conservation 

Biology 12: 693-702. 


Chapter 6 

Additional comments on butterflies of the 

Upland Evergreen Forest of the Atewa 


Torben B. Larsen 

Introduction 

Chapter 5 of this report presents a good summary of the Atewa butterfly fauna based on the 

RAP survey and existing data and appears to be the first major review of butterflies in Ghana 

that has been written by Ghanaian researchers, which is promising for the future. The most 

important facts are well highlighted within that chapter: i) the uniqueness of the Upland Evergreen 

forest in Ghana (the small and damaged area in Tano Ofin aside), ii) the presence of 

three species of butterflies endemic to the Atewa Range, iii) the presence at Atewa of a significant 

number of species not found elsewhere in Ghana, and iv) the fact that with 700 species 

of butterflies certain to occur there, Atewa it is the most biodiverse locality in Ghana for that 

group. Aduse-Poku and Doku-Marfo thus leave little more to be said. 

Mylothris atewa 

However, some further notes on the endemic species Mylothris atewa (Atewa Dotted Border) 

are called for. The species seems first to have been collected in the 1960s by Father Theodor 

Maessen, a Roman Catholic priest who collected butterflies in Ghana for 32 years between 

1950 and 1982, recording a total of more than 800 of the 930 species currently known from 

Ghana. However, only in 1980 was the species described by Dr. Lucien Berger, then curator 

for insects at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (MARC) in Tervuren, Belgium. 

The species is quite different in both sexes from any other member of its genus, of which 

there are at least 60 species throughout Africa. Both sexes can be recognized at a glance from 

any of the eight Mylothris that fly in Atewa. The species flies only in the higher level forests 

where the Upland Evergreen vegetation is found, probably because it feeds on a species of 

mistletoe (Loranthaceae) that is similarly restricted in range. The potential range of this butterfly 

is certainly less than 100 km 2 , but it occurs patchily and the actual inhabited area within 

the forest is much less than that. We can be almost certain that the species occurs nowhere else 

(should an overlooked population exist in Tano Ofin, it will be even smaller). 

The small area of occurrence, the small population size, the encroachment on the forest, 

and the threat to the forest by mining has led to almost certain ranking of this species on the 

World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List in the most threatened category of Critically 

Endangered (CR). 

Upland Evergreen Forest – a fossil habitat 

Mylothris atewa obviously evolved in the Upland Evergreen forest, probably during cooler 

periods when the extent of this forest was larger than it is today, since it could survive at lower 

elevations. The Atewa Forest has had a complex history. During the many dry periods of the 

past 20 million years the West African rainforests have been pushed into tiny refuge areas 

(one of which was centered on Ankasa and southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, another on Liberia 

and eastern Sierra Leone). The rest of the forest zones were covered with savannah. During 

such periods the Atewa Forest must have survived as a forest island inside the savannah. Dur- 


61

ing wetter periods the forests expanded far into Senegal and 

Burkina Faso – the savannahs of the Dahomey Gap in Togo 

and Bénin were also then covered with forest. But the upland 

forest type that had evolved during periods of isolation 

now survived as an island inside the type of lowland rainforest 

that we see today. The last major climatic perturbation 

took place as recently as the most recent ice-age. Pollen 

samples from Lake Bosumtwi show that between 19,000 

and 15,000 years ago its surrounding was open savannah 

country: Atewa was too far to the south for the pollen of 

its forests to reach the lake. Samples from 10,000 years ago 

show a completely different picture. The forest had by then 

extended far to the north and east and no trace of savannah 

pollen was now present in the lake. Probably most of the 

Dahomey Gap was forested as well (Maley 1996). But the 

upland forest on Atewa still survived, and we still have it 

today. 

The Upland Evergreen forest can actually be considered 

a fossil habitat that is very old, certainly measured in millions 

or tens of millions of years. Its flora and fauna will 

have changed over the vast periods of time, but evidence of 

its origins and affinities with the rest of Africa remain in the 

DNA of its present inhabitants. How old is Mylothris atewa 

The relevant DNA analysis has not yet been undertaken. 

Judging from other butterflies where such studies have been 

made (e.g. the genus Bicyclus (Monteiro and Pierce 2000)), 

a species as distinct M. atewa probably diverged from the 

other West African Mylothris at least 5 million years ago. 

Ideally no organism should be allowed to go extinct, which 

will certainly happen to M. atewa if the upland forest is 

severely damaged or diminished in size. However, more important 

than a single butterfly is the Upland Evergreen forest 

as a habitat with its own unique and complex ecosystem. 

Inside the flora and fauna of the Upland Evergreen forest 

lie many secrets of evolutionary processes that have still not 

been unlocked. When these processes are unravelled, further 

light will be thrown on the effects of climatic perturbations 

on the distribution of organisms. 

References 

Maley, J. 1996. The African rain forest – main characteristics 

and changes in vegetation and climate from the Upper 

Cretaceous to the Quaternary. Proceedings of the Royal 

Society of Edinburgh 104B:31-73. 

Monteiro, A.F. and N.E. Pierce. 2000. Phylogeny of Bicyclus 

(Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae) inferred from COI, COII, 

and EF-a gene sequences. Molecular phylogenetics and 

Evolution 18:264-281. 


Chapter 7 

The katydids of the Atewa Range Forest 


Piotr Naskrecki 

Summary 

Sixty-one species of Tettigoniidae were collected, the highest number of katydids known from 

a single location anywhere in Africa. Of these, at least 8 are new to science, and 36 are new 

to Ghana. Site 2 (Asiakwa South) showed the highest species richness (50 spp.), likely due 

to a high edge effect created by a dense network of roads. While we recommend this area be 

protected in its entirety, any future development that is allowed within the area should be 

restricted to the southern part of the range in order to reduce further fragmentation of the remaining 

forest. Furthermore, roads and clearings that are no longer in use should be reforested 

to reduce habitat fragmentation and to discourage illegal logging and hunting. 

Introduction 

Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea) have long been recognized as organisms with a significant 

potential for their use in conservation practice. Many katydid species exhibit strong 

microhabitat fidelity, low dispersal abilities (Rentz 1993a), and high sensitivity to habitat 

fragmentation (Kindvall and Ahlen 1992) thus making them good indicators of habitat disturbance. 

These insects also play a major role in many terrestrial ecosystems as herbivores 

and predators (Rentz 1996). They are themselves a principal prey item for several groups of 

invertebrates and vertebrates, including birds, bats (Belwood 1990), and primates (Nickle and 

Heymann 1996). At the same time many species of katydids are threatened, and some appear 

to have already gone extinct (Rentz 1977). 

The conservation value of katydids has been recognized in Australia (Rentz 1993b) and 

Europe, leading to the development of captive breeding programs (Pearce-Kelly et al. 1998), 

listings on individual country (Glowacinski and Nowacki 2006) and global Red Lists (IUCN 

2006), and introduction of regulations aimed at their conservation. But their use as conservation 

tools or targets of conservation actions in tropical regions, where their importance and 

the level of endangerment are the highest, is hampered by the lack of baseline data on katydid 

distribution as well as the shortage of katydid expertise and identification tools, a phenomenon 

known as the taxonomic impediment. It is therefore critically important that more effort be 

directed towards basic faunal surveys of katydids across the tropics, thus creating the basis 

on which a successful conservation strategy for these animals can be built. Such surveys, if 

conducted in pristine or relatively undisturbed areas, also provide reference data, which can 

later be used in habitat monitoring or restoration efforts that should follow any industrial or 

agricultural activity. West African ecosystems are in particular need of extensive biotic surveys, 

as these are some of the least studied tropical habitats while also being subject to widespread, 

poorly regulated, and often illegal logging and mining activities, combined with persisting 

slash-and-burn agricultural practices. This results in a rapid decline of available, natural habitats, 

and thus an inevitable loss of biodiversity. 

The following report presents the results of a survey of katydids conducted between June 

6 – 24, 2006 at selected sites within the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) in the Eastern 


63

Chapter 7 

Region of Ghana. This is the first systematic survey of katydids 

in this country, and its results indicate the presence 

of a rich and unique fauna of this group of insects. To date, 

the only records of katydids in Ghana are those in the works 

of Beier (1965), Bolivar (1886, 1890, 1906), Karsch (1888, 

1890), Ragge (1962, 1980), and Redtenbacher (1891) who 

collectively recorded only 13 species of katydids from this 

country. 

From both floristic and faunistic points of view, the 

Atewa Range is a particularly interesting area. Located in 

the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, the reserve comprises 

two blocks of the Upland Evergreen Forest, one of only 

two such forest ecosystems in Ghana. The reserve contains 

about 60% of the forest coverage within the entire Eastern 

Region, and thus most of the available habitats for its forest 

fauna. The area included within the confines of the reserve 

spans two floristic zones, with the larger, northern portion 

of the reserve covered with a moist deciduous forest. Most of 

the reserve is situated on two plateaus, ranging in elevation 

from 350 to 800 m above sea level. This topography contributes 

to climatic conditions that favor plant formations 

that require constant, high humidity, and somewhat lower 

temperatures than floras in the surrounding, lowland areas. 

Consequently, the insect faunas of the Atewa Range can be 

expected to differ from lower areas of Akyem Abukawa. 

Methods 

During the survey three methods were employed for collecting 

katydids: (1) collecting at incandescent and ultraviolet 

(UV) lights at night, (2) visual search at night, and (3) net 

sweeping of the understory vegetation during the day and 

at night. Unfortunately, the UV light method was not available 

at all study sites, thus potentially reducing the chance to 

collect flying, nocturnal species, such as many members of 

the Phaneropteridae. However, the availability of other light 

sources (incandescent lights around the camp) allowed us 

to collect many of the nocturnal, flying species of katydids, 

including several inhabitants of the upper layers of the forest 

canopy. 

Net sweeping was employed in the vegetation along 

the roads within the forest, the forest understory, and natural 

openings within the forest, such as edges of streams or 

forest ponds. This method was highly effective in locating 

seed-feeding katydids in tall grasses as well as a number of 

arboreal katydids that cling upside-down to the lower surface 

of leaves. Sweeping was standardized by performing five consecutive 

sweeps in a series before the contents of the net were 

inspected. By far the most effective method of collecting, 

both in terms of the number of species collected and number 

of collected specimens, was the visual search at night. 

Most of the collecting was conducted after dark, between 

the hours of 8 pm and 2 am when the activity of virtually 

all katydid species is the highest. Yet day collecting along the 

forest roads also yielded several interesting species, including 

one (Ruspolia sp. 1), the presence of which may indicate an 

encroachment of savanna elements into the reserve. 

In addition to physical collection of specimens, stridulation 

of acoustic species was recorded using the Sony MZ- 

NHF 800 digital recorder and a Sennheiser shotgun microphone. 

These recordings are essential to establish the identity 

of potentially cryptic species, for which morphological characters 

alone are not sufficient for species identification. An 

ultrasound detector Pettersson D 200 was also used to locate 

species that produce calls in the ultrasonic range, undetectable 

to the human ear. 

Representatives of all encountered species were collected 

and voucher specimens were preserved in 95% alcohol and 

as pinned, dry specimens. These specimens will be deposited 

in the collections of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 

Harvard University and the Academy of Natural Sciences of 

Philadelphia (the latter will also become the official repository 

of the holotypes of several new species encountered during 

the present survey upon their formal description). 

Katydids were surveyed at three sites within the reserve, 

Site 1 in the southern, and Sites 2 and 3 in the northern part 

of the range. Site 1 (Atiwiredu) was located at 6°12’24.7’’N, 

0°34’37.2’’W, elevation 795 m, and sampling was conducted 

there from 6 – 10 June, 2006. This site had an extensive 

network of roads, and was subject to prospecting activity by 

ALCOA. Despite this activity, the forest condition was rated 

2 by the botanical team, indicating a relatively low level of 

disturbance. 

Site 2 (Asiakwa South) was situated at 6°15’44.3’’N, 

0°33’18.8’’W, at the elevation of 690 m, and sampling was 

conducted there from 11 – 16 June, 2006. This site, while 

not currently subject to prospecting activity, still contained 

an extensive network of roads, some overgrown with tall 

grasses. These roads appear to act as passages allowing the 

penetration of invasive elements, such as grasses or species of 

insects normally associated with open habitats, deep into the 

forest. The condition of the forest at this site was rated as 3. 

Site 3 (Asiakwa North) was located at 6°16’16.4’’N, 

0°33’52.8’’W, elevation 769 m, and was sampled from 16 – 

24 June, 2006. Most of the site was covered with tall, closedcanopy 

forest, with little underbrush, and no open roads. Its 

condition was rated as 2. There were few gaps in the forest, 

which accounts for the low number of species associated 

with such habitats. The only gaps present were overgrown 

with tall, broad-leaved plants of the family Marantaceae. 

Results 

The survey resulted in the collection of 61 species of katydids, 

the highest number of katydids known from a single 

location anywhere in Africa. Most collected species represent 

new records for Ghana, and at least eight species are new to 

science (but it is quite likely that more species will be determined 

to be new once the process of their identification is 

completed.) Identities of several species require confirmation 

by comparing them to type specimens of species described 

from West Africa as in some cases the original descriptions 

are not detailed enough to make positive identification. 



Many species listed here appear to have a wide, West African 

distribution, having been recorded from sites in Cameroon 

and Guinea. Their presence in eastern Ghana supports this 

notion, and fills a gap in our knowledge of West African biogeography. 

A full list of recorded taxa is given in Table 7.1, 

and below I comment only on new or particularly interesting 

species. 

Family Phaneropteridae 

This group of katydids includes most species restricted to thecanopy 

level of the forest. Many are excellent fliers, and can be 

collected at night using UV or incandescent lights. Some are 

diurnal and can be heard calling during the day from tall trees. 

All members of this family are exclusively herbivorous. Twenty-seven 

species of this family were found during this survey. 

Ducetia fuscopunctata Chopard, 1954 – this species was 

originally described from Mt. Nimba, Guinea, and this is its 

first record from Ghana. It is associated with edge habitats, 

such as tall vegetation along the roads, but in can also be 

found in natural gaps within the forest. This species was particularly 

abundant at Site 2, but was conspicuously absent 

from Site 3. 

Arantia spp. – Six species of this genus were recorded, at 

least two of which are possibly new to science. They were all 

associated with tall understory vegetation within the forest 

as well as tall, broad-leaved plants along the roads. A. rectifolia 

Br.-Watt, A. retinervis Chopard, and A. angustipennis 

Chopard are new to Ghana, having been previously recorded 

only from Fernando Po, Cameroon, and Guinea, respectively. 

Preussia lobatipes Karsch, 1890 – This spectacular leaf 

mimic has been known so far only from a handful of specimens 

collected in Cameroon and Guinea, and its presence 

in Ghana is not surprising. A single female was collected at 

lights at Site 2. 

Weissenbornia praestantissima Karsch, 1888 – Like the 

previous species, W. praestantissima has previously been 

known only from Cameroon and Guinea. Two individuals 

were collected at lights at Site 2. 

Plangiopsis foraminata Karsch – Two individuals of 

this arboreal, lichen-mimicking katydids were collected at 

lights at night at Site 2. Previously this species has only been 

known from Cameroon (Karsch 1891). 

Family Conocephalidae 

The Conocephalidae, or the conehead katydids, include a 

wide range of species found in both open, grassy habitats, 

and high in the forest canopy. Many species are obligate 

graminivores (grass feeders), while others are strictly predaceaous. 

A number of species are diurnal, or exhibit both 

diurnal and nocturnal patterns of activity. Only three species 

of this family were recorded. 

Conocephalus carbonarius Redtenbacher, 1891 – This 

species is one of the few true forest species of the genus. Individuals 

of C. carbonarius were common in the understory 

of forests at all visited sites, but were particularly abundant 

along roads and in herbaceous vegetation along the edges of 

bodies of water. Unlike most species of the genus Conocephalus, 

males of C. carbonarius are active both day and night, 

singing from vegetation very low to the ground. This species 

appears to be predominantly predaceous. It was originally 

described from Ghana (Redtenbacher 1891), and was subsequently 

found in Guinea (Chopard 1954). 

Ruspolia sp. 1 – A single individual of this predominantly 

savanna genus was found at Site 2 in grasses along one of 

the roads. Ruspolia species are obligate graminivores, and can 

only survive in habitats rich in grasses, and where humidity is 

not very high. The presence of a Ruspolia species deep within 

the forest is a sign of potentially negative changes within this 

environment, and points to the important role roads play in 

allowing foreign elements to penetrate forested areas. 

Thyridorhoptrum sp. 1 – A new species of this genus was 

found at Site 2. It appears to be related to T. baileyi Pitkin 

from forests of Uganda, but differs in a number of characters, 

including the call pattern of the males. 

Family Meconematidae 

This poorly studied family includes some of the smallest 

species of katydids, and many appear to be exclusively predaceous. 

Nearly all species of Meconematidae are arboreal, 

nocturnal, and extremely agile, making it very difficult to 

collect them (many are flightless, and thus rarely come to 

lights at night.) Ten species were recorded, including at least 

two representing a new genus and new species. 

Amyttosa mutillata (Karsch, 1890) – A species known 

previously only from Cameroon (Karsch 1890). It was also 

erroneously recorded from Equatorial Guinea (Beier 1965), 

a mistake based on the false assumption that the original 

type specimens of A. mutillata possessed damaged female 

reproductive organs (hence the name), and that similar but 

“undamaged” individuals from other parts of Africa were 

conspecific. Yet numerous individuals collected at Sites 2 

and 3 during the current survey prove conclusively that this 

species is unique in having a highly reduced, rudimentary 

ovipositor, a condition extremely rare within this group of 

katydids, and usually associated with egg laying on exposed 

surfaces, such as leaves or bark. Such a behavior is found in 

katydids living in highly humid environments. 

Gen. nov. spp. – Two species of a new genus of flightless 

Meconematidae were found at Sites 2 and 3. They appear 

to be closely related to a yet undescribed genus of katydids 

from the Upper Guinean forest of Guinea, and may turn out 

to be congeneric. Because these new species appear to have 

poor dispersal abilities, typical of most flightless katydids, it 

is possible that they may be endemic to the Atewa Range. 

Family Mecopodidae 

Three species of this exclusively tropical group of katydids 

were found during this survey. Most of its species are associated 

with humid forests, and all species appear to be herbivorous. 

No members of this family have ever been recorded 

from Ghana, although their presence there is not surprising 

as they are known from most of the neighboring countries. 

Afromecopoda spp. – Two species of this genus were 


65

Chapter 7 

Table 7.1. A check list of species of katydids recorded from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Ghana. 

Species 

Site 1 

(Atiwiredu) 

Site 2 

(Asiakwa S) 

Site 3 

(Asiakwa N) 

New to 


Conocephalidae (3 spp.) 

1 Conocephalus carbonarius Redtenbacher x x x 

2 Thyridorhoptrum sp. nov. 1 x x x 

3 Ruspolia sp. 1 x 

Meconematidae (10 spp.) 

4 Amytta sp. 1 x 

5 Amytta sp. 2 x 

6 Amyttosa mutillata (Karsch) x x x 

7 Anepitacta lomana Ragge x x x 

8 Anepitacta sp. 2 x 



11 Gen. Nov. sp. 1 x x x x 

12 Gen. Nov. sp. 2 x x x x 

13 Proamytta sp. 1 x 

Mecopodidae (3 spp.) 

14 Afromecopoda frontalis (Walker) x x x x 

15 Afromecopoda sp. nov. x x x 

16 Corycoides abrubtus (Krauss) x x x 

Phaneropteridae (27 spp.) 

17 Ducetia fuscopunctata Chopard x x x 

18 Tapiena minor Bolivar x x 

19 Arantia rectifolia Br.-Watt. x x 

20 Arantia retinervis Karsch x x x 

21 Phaneroptera nana Stal x 

22 Arantia sp. 2 x x x 

23 Arantia sp. 3 x x x 

24 Arantia angustipennis Chopard x x x x 

25 Arantia sp. 4 x x 

26 Catoptropteryx capreola Karsch x x x 

27 Catoptropteryx sp. 2 x 



30 Eurycorypha ornatipes Karsch x x 

31 Eurycorypha sp. 2 x x 

32 Eurycorypha sp. 3 x 

33 Eurycorypha mutica Karsch x x x 

34 Plangiopsis foraminata Karsch x x 

35 Gen. Nov. 2 Phan sp. 1 x x x 

36 Gen. Nov. 3 Phan sp. 1 x x 

37 Goetia galbana Karsch x x 

38 Preussia lobatipes Karsch x x 

39 Poreumena lamottei Chopard x x x 

40 Tetraconcha sp. 1 x x 

41 Tetraconcha sp. 2 x 

42 Weissenbornia praestantissima Karsch x x 

43 Zeuneria melanopeza Karsch x x 

Pseudophyllidae (18 spp.) 

44 Stenampyx annulicornis Karsch x x x 

45 Tomias hardus (Karsch) x x x 

46 Adapantus bardus Karsch x x x x 

47 Adapantus nitens Chopard x x x x 

48 Adapantus sp. nov. 3 x x x x x 

49 Adenes obesus Karsch x x x 

50 Adenes sp. 2 x x 

51 Adenes sp. 3 x x 

52 Batodromeus richardi Griffini x x 

53 Habrocomes personatus Sjöstedt x x 

54 Lichenochrus congicus Rehn x x x x 

55 Polyglochin peculiaris Karsch x x 

56 Mormotus sp. n. 1 x x x x x 

57 Mormotus sp. n. 2 x x x 

58 Mormotus obtusatus Br.-Watt. x x x 

59 Mormotus bardus Karsch x x x x 

60 Tympanocompus erectistylus (Karsch) x 

61 Mustius superbus Sjöstedt x x 

Totals 26 50 29 36 8 

New to 

science 



collected, and one appears to represent a species new to science. 

A. frontalis (Walker) was found to be common at all 

three sites. Members of this genus are some of the few West 

African katydids associated with leaf litter and the bottom of 

evergreen and deciduous forests. 

Corycoides abruptus (Krauss, 1890) – This interesting 

species is known only from the holotype from an unknown 

locality and a handful of specimens collected in Guinea 

(Chopard 1954). This is the first record from Ghana. 

Family Pseudophyllidae 

Virtually all members of tropical Pseudophyllidae can be 

found only in forested, undisturbed habitats, and thus have a 

potential as indicators of habitat changes. These katydids are 

mostly herbivorous, although opportunistic carnivory was 

observed in some species. Many are confined to the upper 

layers of the forest canopy, and never come to lights, making 

it difficult to collect them. Fortunately, many of such species 

have very loud, distinctive calls, and it is possible to document 

their presence based on their calls alone, a technique 

known well to ornithologists. At least 18 species of this family 

were collected during the present survey. 

Adapantus nitens (Chopard, 1954) – Originally described 

from N’Zo (Mt. Nimba), this is only the third 

record of this species, and the first outside of Guinea. These 

katydids were common at all three sites. 

Adenes spp. – Three species of this flightless genus were 

found during this survey, at least one of which appears to be 

new to science (a comparison with the type specimens of the 

already described species is required before the final decision 

of its new status can be made). 

Lichenochrus and Polyglochin – Two species of these 

interesting, lichen-mimicking genera were found: L. congicus 

Rehn and P. peculiaris Karsch. Both are new to Ghana. 

Like most lichen-mimicking katydids, these insects may be 

restricted to small patches of humid, higher elevation forests 

that can support a wide variety of the lichens these katydids 

feed upon. 

Discussion 

Despite a relatively very short period of time spent surveying 

katydids within the ARFR, this study increased the number 

of species known from Ghana by over 500%. This does not 

necessarily indicate the uniqueness or particular richness of 

the area’s insect fauna, but clearly demonstrates the lack of 

baseline data on the distribution of katydids (and most likely 

other invertebrates) in this country. Such data are critically 

important as a reference for future habitat restoration projects, 

and may also help pinpoint populations of particularly 

endangered or threatened species where an immediate conservation 

action is required. 

Within the ARFR we found a remarkable species richness 

of katydids, and a very high number of new and potentially 

endemic species. Despite ongoing bauxite prospecting 

activity, the forest of the reserve still appears fairly intact, and 

harbors the highest number of katydids known from any 

single location in Africa. Thus, every effort should be made 

to minimize the impact any future development may inflict 

on the forest reserve. Of the three sites within the reserve, 

the highest number of species was found at Site 2 (Asiakwa 

South). In comparison to Sites 1 and 3, which appeared to 

have fewer roads and less open, easily accessible habitat, Site 

2 shows the most pronounced edge effect. Because Sites 2 

and 3 are both located within the northern part of the range 

(the northern plateau), and this part constitutes a larger, 

continuous swath of the forest than the southern plateau, 

conservation of the northern portion of the reserve should 

receive a higher priority. If any development is planned 

within the reserve, it is strongly recommended that such 

activity be limited to the southern part of the range, thus 

reducing the fragmentation of the already severely restricted 

forest, and the loss of species that require large, continuous 

areas of a forest habitat. Landscape- or habitat-altering development 

within this robust and intact ecosystem will not 

only damage, perhaps irreparably, the original forested habitats, 

but will also open them to other destructive activities, 

such as illegal logging or hunting, by creating access points 

and inroads. The negative effects of a dense network of prospecting 

roads within the Atewa Range are already evident 

through the loss of virtually all tall, emergent trees, and the 

rampant bushmeat hunting activity. In addition, wide roads 

entering the forest allow invasive elements, such as grasses 

or savanna insects to penetrate into this environment. They 

also contribute to fragmentation, higher light penetration, 

and ultimately a decrease in forest humidity, which may lead 

to the loss of species requiring shady and humid conditions. 

Thus, in addition to restricting any potential exploration 

activities to the southern part of the range, it is strongly 

recommended that any roads or exploratory clearings within 

the forest that are no longer in use be reforested with the 

same tree species that were present prior to prospecting activities. 

References 

Beier, M. 1965. Die afrikanischen Arten der Gattungsgruppe 

“Amytta” Karsch. Beiträge zur Entomologie 15: 

203-242. 

Belwood, J.J. 1990. Anti-predator defences and ecology of 

neotropical forest katydids, especially the Pseudophyllinae. 

Pp 8–26. In: Bailey, W.J. and D.C.F. Rentz (eds.). 

The Tettigoniidae: biology, systematics and evolution: 

ix + 395 pp. Bathurst (Crawford House Press) & Berlin 

et al. (Springer). 

Bolívar, I. 1886. Enumeracion y estudio de las collecciones 

recogidas en su viaje por el Dr. Ossorio. In: Articulados 

del viaje de; Dr.Ossorio a Fernando Poo y el Golfo de 

Guinea. Anales de la Sociedad Española de Historia 

Natural 15: 341–348. 


67

Chapter 7 

Bolívar, I. 1890. Ortópteros de Africa del Museo de Lisboa. 

Jornal de Sciencias da Academia de Lisboa 1(2): 

211–232. 

Bolívar, I. 1906. Fasgonuridos de la Guinea española. 

Memorias de la Real Sociedad Española de Historia 

Natural 1: 327–377, pl. 10. 

Chopard, L. 1954. La reserve naturelle integrale du Mont 

Nimba III. Orthopteres Ensiferes. Mem.IFAN 40: 25- 

97. 

Glowacinski, Z. and J. Nowacki. 2006. Polish Red Data 

Book of Animals: Invertebrates. URL: http://www. 

iop.krakow.pl/pckz/default.aspnazwa=default&je=en 

(accessed 20 July 2006) 

IUCN. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. URL: 

http://www.iucnredlist.org/ (accessed 20 July 2006) 

Karsch, F. 1888. Ortopterologische Beitrage. III.. Berlin. 

Entomol. Zeitschr. 32( 2): 415-464. 

Karsch, F. 1890. Verzeichniss der von Herrn Dr. Paul Preuss 

auf der Barombi-Station in Deutsch-Westafrika 1890 

gesammelten Locustodeen aus den Familien der Phaneropteriden, 

Mekonemiden und Gryllakriden. Entomologische 

Nachrichten 16 (23). 

Karsch, F. 1891. Uebersicht der von Herrn Dr. Paul Preuss 

auf der Barombi-Station in Kamerun gesammelten 

Locustodeen. Als Anhang: Ueber die Mecopodiden (pp. 

341-346). – Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift 36: 

317–346. 

Kindvall, O. and I. Ahlen. 1992. Geometrical factors 

and metapopulation dynamics of the bush cricket, 

Metrioptera bicolor Philippi (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). 

Conserv. Biol. 6: 520–529. 

Nickle, D.A. and E.W. Heymann. 1996. Predation on 

Orthoptera and related orders of insects by tamarin 

monkeys, Saguinus mystax and S. fuscicollis (Primates: 

Callitrichidae), in northeastern Peru. J. Zool. Soc. 239: 

799-819. 

Pearce-Kelly, P., R. Jones, D. Clarke, C. Walker, P. Atkin 

and A.A. Cunningham. 1998. The captive rearing of 

threatened Orthoptera: a comparison of the conservation 

potential and practical considerations of two 

species’ breeding programmes at the Zoological Society 

of London. Journal of Insect Conservation 2: 201-210. 

Ragge, D.R. 1962. A revision of the genera Phlaurocentrum 

Karsch, Buettneria Karsch and Leiodontocercus Chopard 

(Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). Bulletin of the British 

Museum (Natural History), Entomology Series 13 (1): 

1–17. 

Ragge, D.R. 1980. A review of the African Phaneropterinae 

with open tympana (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). Bulletin 

of the British Museum (Natural History), Entomology 

Series 40: 67–192. 

Redtenbacher. 1891. Monographie der Conocephaliden. 

Verh. der Zoologisch-botanischen Gesellsch Wien 

41(2): 315-562. 

Rentz, D.C.F. 1977. A new and apparently extinct katydid 

from antioch sand dunes (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). 

Entomological News 88: 241–245. 

Rentz, D.C.F. 1993a. Tettigoniidae of Australia, Vol. 2, The 

Austrosaginae, Zaprochilinae and Phasmodinae: i–x, 

1–386; East Melbourne (CSIRO). 

Rentz, D.C.F. 1993b. Orthopteroid insects in threatened 

habitats in Australia. Pp 125–138. In: Gaston, K.J., 

T.R. New and M.J. Samways (eds.). Perspectives on 

Insect Conservation: 125–138; Andover, Hampshire 

(Intercept Ltd). 

Rentz, D.C.F. 1996. Grasshopper country. The abundant 

orthopteroid insects of Australia. Orthoptera; grasshoppers, 

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mantids. Phasmatodea; stick insects: i–xii, 1–284; 

Sydney (University of New South Wales Press). 


Chapter 8 

A Rapid Assessment of Fishes in the Atewa 


E. K. Abban 

Summary 

The freshwater ecosystem studied during this RAP survey included the streams of the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve, Ghana, an area protecting the headwaters of the Ayensu, Birim and 

the Densu river basins, and from which these basins originate. A total of 15 streams within 

the Atewa forest and at sites just emerging out of the forest were surveyed and their fish fauna 

was documented during the month of June 2006. We recorded 19 species of freshwater fishes, 

belonging to nine genera of five fish families: Mormyridae, Characidae, Cyprinidae, Cyprinidontidae 

and Cichlidae. All species encountered in the present study have been recorded in 

river basins in West Africa, but Epiplatys chaperi spillamanni, encountered during our survey 

in the Ayensu system, was known previously only in the waters of Côte d’Ivoire. In reference 

to the number of species per stream, it was our observation that where the forest was least disturbed, 

the number of species recorded in a stream, even where the stream had been sampled 

at more than one locality, was rarely more than four and the species were predominantly only 

of aquarium importance. Thus the occurrence of up to ten species per stream, especially where 

species composition included fishes of food importance, indicated disturbance of stream forest 

cover. To conserve forest fishes, the waters in which they exist and their forest environment 

and necessary habitat characteristics must be largely conserved. Therefore, we recommend that 

removal of forest cover from streams up to a determined distance from stream banks must be 

seriously controlled and monitored. Additionally, we recommend the implementation of a rural 

campaign to educate communities on potential benefits of forest fish fauna as well as other 

flora and fauna. 

Introduction 

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) is located in Ghana, a tropical West African country 

which lies between Latitude 4°30’ N and 11°00’ N and straddles the Greenwich Meridian 

from Latitude 1°10’ E to 3°15’ W. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is made up of the Atewa 

Forest Reserve, covering an area of 232 km² (or 23,663 ha) and the surrounding Atewa Range 

Extension, which, in combination with the Reserve covers a total area of 26,312 ha. Together 

they form a continuous block lying within latitude 5°58’ to 6°20’ N and longitudes 0°31’ to 

0°41’ W (Figure 8.1). This forest block was designated as a reserve in 1925 (Abu-Juam et al. 

2003), as a Special Biological Protection Area (SBPA) in 1994 (Hawthorne and Abu-Juam 

1995), and one of 30 Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs) in 1999 (Forestry Commission 

1999). In addition, the area is also one of Ghana’s 36 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as 

classified by BirdLife International (Ntiamoa-Baidu et al. 2001). All this points to the fact that 

the area has long been recognized for its high biodiversity values. 

Since the pre-colonial years, the most compelling reason for holding the Atewa forests as 

a reserve has been that the range of highlands which the forests cover provides the headwaters 

of three river systems in the country: the Ayensu, Densu and Birim rivers. The forests protect 

important water sources, contributing to both domestic and industrial water requirements in 

three important watersheds in Ghana. 


69

Chapter 8 

The streams within Atewa that are protected by the forest 

cover provide a unique habitat for a number of fishes, as 

well as other fauna. Fish are of concern to conservation for 

numerous reasons: 

i) Fish constitute a major global food item; 

ii) Fish are nutritionally significant as they comprise more 

than 50% of animal proteins in diets of most developing 

countries, including Ghana; 

iii) Appreciable proportions of developing countries’ populations 

rely on fish for their social and economic livelihoods, 

including: fishers, fish handlers and processors, 

fishing vessel engine mechanics, fish traders and also 

trading systems associated with importation and trading 

in fishing inputs. 

In tropical countries, forest rivers, such as those assessed 

in the present RAP survey, harbor species of fish whose aesthetic 

qualities make them of importance to the aquarium 

trade. Combining the food, trade and livelihood value of 

fish, their potential to help achieve Africa’s Millennium 

Development Goals has been recognized. 

The above makes it imperative that any effort to conserve 

fish resources at all levels (ecosystem, community, 

population and species) must be appreciated globally. Efforts 

to generate information on fish resources and document 

them to contribute to their conservation everywhere should 

be supported by authorities and local communities that rely 

on such resources. This effort would contribute to and elaborate 

upon known information and reveal further benefits of 

fish to mankind. Thus a biological assessment of an aquatic 

ecosystem’s fish fauna and diversity is justified and necessary 

to obtain important biological information. Such information 

can be made available and used as a developmental tool. 

Methods 

The freshwater ecosystem studied during this RAP survey 

included the streams of Atewa in Ghana. As indicated earlier, 

the Atewa forest protects the headwaters of the Ayensu, 

Birim and the Densu river basins, which originate within 

the reserve. Figure 8.1 shows the study area and its location 

in Ghana and the three river basins originating within the 

Range. Table 8.1 provides data on the area encompassed by 

the basins. 

A total of 15 streams within Atewa and at sites just 

emerging out of the forest were surveyed and their fish fauna 

was documented during the month of June 2006. This time 

fell within the major rainy season of this area in Ghana. The 

season usually lasts from May-June until September-October. 

Six of the streams surveyed were tributaries to the Ayensu 

system, five of them contribute to the Birim and four 

contribute to the Densu river systems (Table 8.2.) 

A summary of stream characteristics is presented in Table 

8.3. Generally, all surveyed streams were small, ranging 

from about 1.0 m to about 6.0 m wide, 0.005 to 0.6 m in 

depth. The nature of the bottom of the streams was mostly 

rocky with boulders, stones and gravel. In the majority of 

situations, branches and forest foliage along stream banks 

covered more than 80% of stream. 

The fish team used two types of fishing gear to obtain 

specimens. First was a “mini-seine” net built with a 2 mm 

mesh size nylon netting material (not conventional gear). 

Second, the team used a battery of four gill-nets, each 6.0 

m long and 1.0 m deep but with different mesh size netting 

material. The mesh sizes of the nets were 12.5, 15.0, 17.5 

and 20.0 mm (lateral stretch). The mini seine net yielded the 

most abundant results. 

Results 

Table 8.4 gives the checklist of fish species in Atewa’s streams 

based on the current study. The list indicates 19 species, belonging 

to nine genera of five fish families. The families we 

documented included: Mormyridae, Characidae, Cyprinidae, 

Cyprinidontidae and Cichlidae. 

Table 8.5 presents fish species recorded in each of the 

three river basins of which the Atewa Range provides the 

headwaters. The number of species per stream ranged from 

one, in Manmen stream, to ten, in Adensu stream, a tributary 

to the Ayensu River (Table 8.2). 

Discussion 

To date, no records exist to suggest that the fish fauna of 

Atewa had been studied prior to the present work. However, 

all species encountered in the present study have been 

recorded in river basins in West Africa, including parts of 

Ghana (Leveque et al. 1990, 1992; Dankwa et al. 1999). 

Table 8.1. Physical data on river basins associated with the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana. 

BASIN 

AREA 

Acres Square Miles Hectares Square Kilometers 

Birim 969,240 1,514 392,251 3,922 

Ayensu 305,983 478 123,831 1,238 

Densu 463,054 723 187,398 1,873 

Total Area 1,738,277 2,716 703,481 7,034 


T O G O 

A Rapid Assessment of Fishes in the Atewa Range 


11° 

B U R K I N A 

F A S O 

N 

10° 

9° 

8° 

C O T E D' I V O I R E 

G H A N A 

STUDY AREA 

7° 

6° 

5° 

0 100 Km. 

3° 2° 1° 0° 1° 

Jejeti 

N 

Anyinam 

6°20' 

Asuom 

Bunso 

Tafo 

6°00' 

5°40' 

BIRIM BASIN 

Kibi 

Kade 

Koforidua 

Akwatia 

Suhum 

Mangoase 

Oda 

DENSU BASIN 

Achiase 

Asamankese Adaiso 

Nsawam 

Akroso 

AYENSU BASIN 

Bawjiase 

L E G E N D 

Nyakrom 

Major Towns 

Kwanyako 

Weija 

Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve Swedru 

River 

Catchment Boundary 

5°20' 

0 10 20 30 Km. 

1°00' 

0°40' 

0°20' 

Figure 8.1. Map of Study Area: Birim, Ayensu and Densu river basins in Ghana. 


71

Chapter 8 

Table 8.2. Fish species occurrence in streams of Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana during the RAP survey in June 2006. 

Species Name 

Wankobi 

1 & 2 

STREAMS INTO BIRIM RIVER STREAMS INTO DENSU RIVER STREAMS INTO AYENSU RIVER 

Birim 

Obeng-ne 

Obeng 

Supong Adensu Densu Mamen Anko Ohunfon 

Ayensu 

1,2 &3 

Adensu Sukuntu Ansom 

Brienomyrus 

brachyistius 

+ 

Brycinus leuciscus + 

Brycinus longipinnis + + + 

Brycinus nurse + + + + + + + + 

Micralestes elongatus + + + + + + + + 

Micralestes 

occidentalis 

+ + + + + 

Barbus trispilos + + + + + + 

Barbus macrops + 

Barbus ablabes + + + + + + 

Barbus walkeri + + + + + + 

Barbus macinensis + + + + + 

Aplocheilichtys pfaffi + + + + + 

Epiplatys dageti 

dageti 

+ + + 

Epiplatys chaperi 

schreiberi 

+ 

Epiplatys chaperi 

spillmanni 

+ 

Tilapia busumana + + + 

Tilapia zillii + + 

Chromidotilapia 

geuntheri 

+ 

Hemichromis 

fasciatus 

+ + + 

No. of Species 4 6 5 5 4 6 1 6 5 5 10 2 4 4 2 

Name 

unknown 

Surum 




Table 8.3. Habitat characteristics of Atewa Range Forest Reserve streams, June 2006. 

Stream name Location Surveyed 

B 

D 

Wankobi (2) 

Birim Oben-ne-oben 

Supong 

Adensu 

Densu 

Mamen 

Anko/Densu 

Ohunfen 

Adukrom-Kejebi Road 

Akim Apapam 

Atewa forest (flows→Wonkobi 

– Birim) 

(joins Brim at Asiakwa) Sagyimase 

bridge 

Akim Odumasi Bridge 

Apeniapong (via Suhum) 

Potroase 

Between Ptroase & Odumase 

A 

Ayensu 

Ayensu 

Adensu 

Ansom 

Unknown 

Surum 

Bele (near Oboכho) 

Anum-Apapam (Bridge) 

Anum-Apapam (just prior to join 

Ayensu) 

Outskirt of Asamankese 

Brekumanso (Owuram to Asamankese 

(Join Ayensu at Oboכho) 

Stretch of 

Stream (m) 

200 

300 

250 

100 

70 

10 

60 

100 

250 

100.0 

500.0 

80 – 100.0 

300 

20 

Av. Width (m) Av. Depth (m) Bottom cover 

2.5 

7.0 

2.5 

3.5 

0.04 

0.04 

0.3 

0.4 

Stones, gravel 

Boulders. Rocks Sand 

Rocks, Stones, gravel, mud 

Rocks, stones mud 

0.3 

0.003 

4.2 

0.70 

0.5 

0.005 

0.8 

0.03 

Rocks, stones mud 

Sandy 

Stones, Sand 

Boulders, Stones Sand 

8 

7.0 

2.5 

3.6 

2.0 

0.5 

0.6 

0.4 

0.4 

0.5 

Rocks, Boulders 

Mud, Sand 

Mud, Sand, Boulders 

Mud 

Mud & Stones 

Mud – Gravel 

0.3 

0.03 

% Foliage 

Cover 

90 

90 

90 

80 – 90 

70 

70 

90 

20 

30 

80 

80 – 90 

% Forest 

Disturbance 

30 

20 

< 3 

30 

< 50 

40 

Old 10 

2 – 5 

80 – 90 

80 – 90 

40 

50 


73

Chapter 8 

Table 8.4. Checklist of fish species of Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Ghana. 

FAMILY (5) GENUS (9) SPECIES (19) 

MORMYRIDAE Brienomyrus (Tarverne 1971) brachyistius (Gill, 1863) 

CHARACIDAE 

Brycinus (Valenciennes, 1849) leuciscus (Gunther, 1967) 

longipinnis (Gunther,1864,Paugy 1986) 

nurse (Ruppel, 1832; Paugy 1986) 

Mircralestes (Boulenger, 1899) elongatus (Daget, 1957) 

occidentalis (Gunther, 1899) 

trispilos (Bleeker, 1963) 

CYRINIDAE 

Barbus (Cuvier & Cloquet, 1816) macrops (Boulenger, 1911, Hopson & Hopson 1965) 

ablabes (Bleeke, 1863) 

walkeri (Boulenger, 1904) 

macinensis (Dagct 1954, Hopson & Hopson1965) 

Aplocheilichthys (Bleeker, 1863) pfaffi (Daget, 1954) 

CYPRINIDONTIDAE 

Epiplatys (Gill, 1863) 

dageti dageti 

chaperi schreiberi 

chaperi spillmanni 

Tilapia busumana (Gunther, 1903) 

CICHLIDAE 

zillii (Gervais, 1848) 

Chromidotilapia (Boulenger, 1898) guentherii (Sauvage, 1882) 

Hemichromis (Peters, 1858) fasciatus (Peters, 1852) 

Leveque et al. (1990) and Dankwa et al. (1999) both 

indicate that species such as Brycinus nurse. Mircrales occidentalis, 

and the Barbus, Tilapia, Chromidoliapia and Hemichromis 

(listed in Table 8.4) had been recorded in river basins 

associated with forest streams. 

Our current survey revealed additional information related 

to fish and their distribution. For example, Brienomyrus 

brachyistius, had previously not been recorded in the Ayensu 

river system but only in the Birim and Densu, most likely in 

lower parts of the river. Micralestes elongates had been previously 

recorded in river ecosystems in Ghana similar to the 

Ayensu, Birim and Densu rivers of Atewa. Finally, Leveque 

et al. (1992) noted that Epiplatys chaperi spillamanni, encountered 

during our survey in the Ayensu system, was 

known previously only in the waters of Côte d’Ivoire. 

The species we encountered were mostly forest stream freshwater 

fishes, in terms of diversity and quantities, with the 

following major common characteristics: 

• Generally, small species (e.g. the Micralestes, Barbus, 

Aplocheilithys and Epiplatys species) were recorded. This 

could be anticipated since the streams surveyed are 

themselves small with reference to width and depth (see 

Table 8.3) 

• Diet of typical forest stream fishes typically consists of 

forest materials (e.g. seeds, fruits and insects from forest 

vegetation) as primary productivity in forest streams is 

minimal. 

• In reference to the number of species per stream, Table 

8.2 indicates between one and ten. It was our observation 

that where the forest was least disturbed, the 

number of species recorded in a stream, even where the 

stream had been sampled at more than one locality, was 

rarely more than four and the species were predominantly 

of aquarium importance. Thus the occurrence of 

up to ten species per stream, especially including fishes 

of food importance, indicated disturbance of forest 

cover of streams at study site(s). 

• The occurrence of ‘big’ fish species recognized as food 

fishes, such as the Tilapia and Hemichromis species, 

indicated considerable removal of forest cover of streams 

to be able to sustain fauna which depend mostly on 

direct or indirect photosynthetic output. 

In tropical countries, forest rivers, such as those assessed 

in the present RAP survey, harbor species of fish whose aesthetic 

qualities make them of importance to the aquarium 

trade. This situation could be harnessed and developed to 

the economic benefit of entrepreneurs and local young men 

and women. 


To conserve the fishes of the forest, the waters in which they 

exist and their forest environment and necessary habitat 

must be largely conserved. Therefore, the following are recommended: 

• Control and monitor the removal of forest cover from 

streams up to a determined distance from stream banks. 

• Plan and implement a rural campaign to educate communities 

on the potential benefits of forest fish fauna 

and other flora and fauna. 




Table 8.5. Basin distribution of fishes of Atewa Range Forest Reserve streams, June 2006. 

RIVER BASINS 

FAMILY GENUS SPECIES Ayensu Birim Densu EI 

Mormyridae Brienomyrus brachyistius + - - F 

Characidae Brycinus leucicus - + - A 

longipinnis - + - A 

nurse + + - F&A 

Micralestes elongatus + + - A 

occidentalis + + - A 

Cyprinidae Barbus trispilos + - + A 

macrops - + A 

ablabes + - + A 

walkari + + + A 

macinensis + + + A 

Cyprinidontidae Aplocheilichthys pfaffi - + - A 

Epiplatys dageti dageti + - + A 

schrecberi + - + A 

spllmanni + - - A 

Cichlidae Tilapia busumana + - + F 

zillii + - + F 

Chromidotilapia guentheri - + - A 

Hemichromis fasciatus + + + 

Legend: 

+ = Present 

- = Not encountered 

EI = Economic Importance (major) 

F = Food 

A = Aquarium 

References 

Abu-Juam, M., E. Obiaw, Y. Kwakye, R. Ninnoni, E. H. 

Owusu and A. Asamoah (eds.). 2003. Biodiversity 

Management Plan for the Atewa Range Forest Reserves 

– Prepared by Forestry Commission and Ghana Wildlife 

Society, Ghana. Pp 61. 

Dankwa, H.R., E.K. Abban and G.G. Teugels. 1999. Freshwater 

Fishes of Ghana: Identification, Distribution, 

Ecological and Economic Importance. Musée Royale de 

L’Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgique, Annales Science 

zoologiques volume 283. 

Foresty Commission. 1999. Natural Resource Management 

Plan (NRMP) Implementation Manual. 


in Ghana with particular reference to vegetation 

and species. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, 

UK. 202 pp. 

Lévêque, C., D. Paugy and G. G. Teugels (eds.). 1990. 

Faune des poissons d’eau douces et Saumâtres d’Afrique 

de L’Quest. Tome 1. Musee Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, 

Collection. Faune Tropical No. XXVII. 

Lévêque, C., D. Paugy and G. G. Teugels (eds.) 1992. Faune 

des poissons d’eaux douces et Saumâtres d’Afrique de 

L’Quest. Tome 2. Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale 

Tervuren, Belgique collection Faune tropicale No. 

XXVII. 

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., E.H. Owusu, T.D. Dramani and A.A. 

Nuoh. 2001. Ghana. Pp 367-389. In: Fishpool, L.D.C 

and M.I.E. Evans (eds.). Important bird areas in Africa 

and associated Islands: Priority sites for conservation. 

Newbury and Cambridge, UK: Pisces Publications and 

Bird Life International (BirdLife Conservation Series 

No. 11). 


75

Chapter 9 

A rapid survey of the amphibians from the Atewa 


N’goran Germain Kouamé, Caleb Ofori Boateng and 

Mark-Oliver Rödel 

Summary 

We report the results of the first rapid amphibian survey in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. 

We recorded a total of 32 species, but predict that overall species richness of the area can 

be expected to reach 40-50 species. The amphibian community of the Atewa Range is exceptional 

in that it comprises a) almost exclusively forest species and hence indicates a very 

intact forest ecosystem, b) a species mixture including species that, prior to our survey, were 

known only from either east or west of this site, c) a very high percentage of species that are 

endemic to the Upper Guinea forests or even much smaller parts of these forests, and d) an 

extremely high proportion of threatened species (almost one-third are ranked as threatened 

on the IUCN Red List). For one Critically Endangered species (Conraua derooi) the Atewa 

Range is likely to harbor the largest remaining populations. In summary, the Atewa Range 

clearly represents an exceptional site for the maintenance of West African amphibian diversity 

in particular and outstanding biodiversity in general. We urgently recommend an upgrading 

of its protection status to a national park and conclude that any exploitative activity in this 

area would have devastating effects to this irreplaceable ecosystem of national and regional 

importance. 

Introduction 

The Guinean Forests of West Africa rank as one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots (Bakarr et 

al. 2004). Within the western part of this region, mountainous forests are under particular 

pressure as montane habitats are a) extremely restricted in extent and b) almost all the focus 

of actual or planned mining activities. Within the Upper Guinea Highlands, larger areas of 

mountain forest are limited to eastern Sierra Leone, northern Liberia, south-eastern Guinea 

and western Côte d’Ivoire. These montane forest areas are unique ecosystems with exceptional 

species richness and high levels of endemism in general (Bakarr et al. 2004), and for amphibians 

in particular (Guibé and Lamotte 1958, 1963; Laurent 1958; Lamotte 1971, Rödel 

et al. 2004). In-between the Upper Guinea Highlands and the Cameroon Highlands, another 

hotspot of amphibian diversity (Gartshore 1986), only the Atewa Range in Ghana, the 

Volta Highlands in the Ghanaian/Togolese border region, and the Jos Plateau in Nigeria harbor 

significant upland forest patches. However, of these three areas, moist evergreen forest is 

found only in the Atewa Range (Swaine and Hall 1977). This area was designated a national 

forest reserve in 1925 and has recently been designated as a Globally Significant Biodiversity 

Area (GSBA), as well as an Important Bird Area (IBA) (Abu-Juam et al. 2003). The Priority- 

Setting Workshop for Upper Guinea ranked the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) to be 

of “Very High” priority for overall biodiversity conservation. The participants recommended 

updating the scientific information of this area through surveys. An improved protection of 

the area seemed to be desirable (Bakarr et al. 2001). Although the scientific knowledge of the 

Atewa Range is still fragmentary, it has recently been the focus of mineral exploration, making 

a comprehensive survey of the biological richness more pressing than ever. 

Atewa (23,665 ha) is located in the Eastern Region of Ghana and comprises a third of 


A rapid survey of the amphibians from the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve, Eastern Region, Ghana 

the remaining closed forest there (Mayaux et al. 2004). The 

mountain range (highest peak 842 m a.s.l.) runs roughly 

from north to south with numerous plateaux separated by 

steep gorges. The misty conditions on the plateaux are the 

basis for a unique floristic composition here known as Upland 

Evergreen Forest (Swaine and Hall 1977). Hence, many 

plant species have their only Ghanaian record from Atewa 

and several butterfly species are endemic to the range (Larsen 

2006). The northern part of the reserve is situated in the wet 

semi-equatorial climatic zone, with two wet seasons from 

May to July and from September to October/November 

with an annual precipitation of about 1650 mm. In addition 

to the upland forest, seasonal marshy grasslands, swamps 

and thickets are also thought to be nationally unique (Hall 

and Swaine 1981). Although most parts of the forest reserve 

are still in good condition, disturbance-indicating invasive 

species like Chromolaena odorata can be found along roads 

or other artificial openings of the forest. 

This survey focused on the amphibians of Atewa, as 

this group generally seems to allow for a reliable judgment 

of the status of West African forests (Rödel and Branch 

2002, Ernst and Rödel 2005, Ernst et al. 2006). Because 

standardized methods exist for estimating amphibian species 

richness, they are accurately assessable in a short time and 

with comparatively less effort (Heyer et al. 1994, Rödel and 

Ernst 2004). Furthermore, in tropical forests throughout 

the world, amphibians (i.e. anurans) comprise a significant 

portion of the vertebrates, and in these ecosystems they are 

important, both as predators and as prey (Inger 1980a, b; 

Duellman 1990). The whole taxonomic group is especially 

threatened by habitat degradation and conversion (Stuart 

et al. 2004). Recent amphibian surveys in Ghana revealed 

much higher species diversity than expected, including various 

recently or still undescribed taxa (Rödel and Agyei 2003, 

Rödel et al. 2005a, Leaché et al. 2006). Prior to our survey, 

the Atewa Range had not previously been sampled for amphibians. 

Methods 

Our survey was undertaken from 6-22 June 2006 and 

covered three different areas within the Atewa range: Atiwiredu 

(06º12’22.7” N, 0º34’39.2” W, 817 m a.s.l.) was 

visited from 7-10 June, Asiakwa South (06º15’44.3” N, 

0º33’18.8” W, 783 m a.s.l.) from 11-16 June, and Asiakwa 

North (06º16’16.1” N, 0º33’52.7” W, 814 m a.s.l.) from 

17-22 June. Amphibians were mainly located opportunistically 

during day and night by visual and acoustic encounter 

surveys (Heyer et al. 1994, Rödel and Ernst 2004) of all 

habitats by two people (NGK, COB). Additional search 

techniques included refuge examination and dip-netting in 

all types of waters. As our sampling design provides only 

qualitative and semi-quantitative data we calculated the estimated 

species richness (and hence our sampling efficiency) 

with the Chao2 and Jack-knife 1 estimators (software: EstimateS, 

Colwell 2005). These estimators are incidence based, 

with calculations made using the presence/absence data of 

the daily species lists (13 days) for 32 species. To avoid order 

effects we performed 500 random runs of the daily species 

lists. Some voucher specimens were collected and killed using 

1,1,1-Trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol hemihydrate and 

preserved in 70 % ethanol. Vouchers and tissue samples 

are currently deposited in the research collection of M.-O. 

Rödel at Würzburg University, Germany and will be inventoried 

in the collection of the Natural History Museum Berlin 

later on (Table 9.1). Specimens not retained as vouchers 

were released at their original sites. The taxonomy is according 

to Frost et al. (2006). 

Results 

Species richness 

We recorded a total of 32 amphibian species, comprising 

one caecilian, Geotrypetes seraphini, and 31 anurans (Table 

9.1). Richness of recorded species was highest in Atiwiredu 

(26 spp.), followed by Asiakwa South (23 spp.). Species richness 

was lowest in Asiakwa North (6 spp.). The overall species 

richness of Atewa hence was higher than that of known 

sites in the Volta-Togo region (Rödel and Agyei 2003, 

Leaché et al. 2006), but lower than in the Ankasa Conservation 

Area in western Ghana (Rödel et al. 2005a) and 

various other sites in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea (Rödel and 

Branch 2002, Rödel et al. 2004). Although there seems to 

be a real gradient in amphibian species richness, with species 

numbers rising from the eastern to the western part of the 

Upper Guinean forests (Rödel and Agyei 2003; Rödel et al. 

2004, 2005a), it can be taken as certain that we have not yet 

comprehensively assessed the Atewa amphibians. More intensive 

surveys, especially in areas and microhabitats not yet 

investigated, will result in an increasing number of species. 

Further species likely to be recorded in Atewa are Leptopelis 

occidentalis, Amietophrynus superciliaris, Hydrophylax albolabris, 

Afrixalus dorsalis, Hyperolius concolor and H. laurenti. 

The occurrence of Astylosternus sp., Cardioglossa leucomystax, 

Leptopelis macrotis, Hyperolius viridigulosus, H. torrentis, 

Phlyctimantis boulengeri, Hydrophylax occidentalis, Phrynobatrachus 

annulatus, P. liberiensis and P. villiersi also seems 

possible. We therefore estimate that the real number of amphibian 

species living in Atewa will probably be 40-50. This 

is also supported by our two species richness calculations 

(Figure 9.1). According to the Jack-knife 1 estimator 44.0 ± 

4.7 species should occur in the area. The Chao2 estimator 

calculated 43.3 ± 8.8 species for Atewa. We hence recorded 

about 72.7% or 73.9% of the local species pool, respectively. 

The huge differences in species richness between the 

three RAP sites are most likely due to differences in habitat 

variability. Whereas we searched many different microhabitats 

suitable for amphibians in Atiwiredu and Asiakwa South 

(small puddles, larger ponds, rivers, waterfalls and dense 

vegetation as well as partly broken canopy), the sites investigated 

in Asiakwa North were generally more uniform and 

relatively dry (i.e. no rivers, ponds or puddles present and 

almost exclusively inhabited by the direct-developing Arthroleptis 

sp. A and Phrynobatrachus tokba). In only a few valleys 


77

Chapter 9 

Table 9.1. List of all amphibian species recorded during the Atewa RAP survey. For every species we indicate whether records are supported by a voucher 

(JP number), photos, or only call records, and at which sites the respective species was recorded. Amietophrynus is a new name for some African Bufo, 

this name and family assignation is according to Frost et al. (2006). 

Taxa Voucher / photo / calls Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

Gymnophiona 

Caecilidae 

Geotrypetes seraphini JP 0028 x 

Anura 

Arthroleptidae 

Arthroleptis sp. A JP 0012 x x x 

Arthroleptis sp. B JP 0019, JP 0027 x x 

Leptopelis spiritusnoctis JP 0004 x x 

Bufonidae 

Amietophrynus maculatus acoustic x 

Amietophrynus togoensis JP 0026 x 

Dicroglossidae 

Hoplobatrachus occipitalis visual x 

Hemisotidae 

Hemisus sp. JP 0030 x 

Hyperoliidae 

Acanthixalus sonjae JP 0017 x 

Afrixalus nigeriensis JP 0021, JP 0042 x x 

Afrixalus vibekensis JP 0048 x 

Hyperolius baumanni 

JP 0008, JP 0018, JP 0020, JP 0043, 

JP 0044 

x 

x 

Hyperolius bobirensis JP 0005, JP 0007, JP 0047, JP 0050 x x 

Hyperolius fusciventris JP 0009 x x 

Hyperolius guttulatus JP 0045 x 

Hyperolius picturatus JP 0010, JP 0011 x x 

Hyperolius sylvaticus JP 0006 x x 

Kassina arboricola JP 0049 x x 

Petropetedidae 

Conraua derooi JP 0041.1-3 x x 

Phrynobatrachidae 

Phrynobatrachus accraensis JP 0023 x 

Phrynobatrachus alleni JP 0013 x 

Phrynobatrachus calcaratus JP 0024 x x x 

Phrynobatrachus ghanensis JP 0015 x 

Phrynobatrachus gutturosus JP 0014 x x 

Phrynobatrachus plicatus JP 0016 x x 

Phrynobatrachus tokba JP 0022 x x x 

Pipidae 

Silurana tropicalis JP 0025 x x 

Ptychadenidae 

Ptychadena aequiplicata JP 0002, JP 0004 x x x 

Ptychadena bibroni JP 0001 x 

Ptychadena longirostris JP 0003 x x 

Ranidae 

Aubria subsigillata JP 0051 x 

Rhacophoridae 

Chiromantis rufescens photos x x 

Total species (32) 26 23 6 




here, shallow rills flowed over a number of very large granite 

rocks. After rainfall the water level here increased considerably 

to fast flowing creeks. Then Conraua derooi could be 

captured near or under the rocks. 

Habitat requirements 

The vast majority of the recorded species were forest specialists 

or at least species that require forest conditions (Table 

9.2), hence representing a typical and intact forest fauna 

(compare e.g. Rödel and Branch 2002, Ernst and Rödel 

2005, Ernst et al. 2006). All four species that never occur in 

closed forest conditions, Amietophrynus maculatus, Hoplobatrachus 

occipitalis, Phrynobatrachus accraensis and Ptychadena 

bibroni, were only recorded in Atiwiredu, hence showing 

that this area has already partially suffered from habitat degradation. 

On the other hand Atiwiredu showed high potential 

for amphibian diversity by harboring the only records for 

such forest specialists as Amietophrynus togoensis, Acanthixalus 

sonjae, Phrynobatrachus alleni and P. ghanensis. The occurrence 

of species that are dependant on fast-flowing waters 

in intact forest (Amietophrynus togoensis, Conraua derooi) is 

encouraging, as similar habitats seem to be decreasing in the 

Volta-Togo region, and recently the respective species could 

not be recorded (Rödel and Agyei 2003, Leaché et al. 2006) 

or were only found to be present in isolated sites that are 

threatened by human activities (Conraua derooi: A. Hillers et 

al. unpubl data). 

Discussion 

Most recorded species (75%) do not occur outside West Africa 

(defined as the area West of the Cross River in Nigeria, 

Table 9.2), and are often restricted to smaller parts of West 

Africa. Half of all recorded species are endemic to the Guinean 

Forest zone. This percentage of endemicity is well within 

the upper range of other West African sites of outstanding 

importance to amphibian diversity (Rödel and Branch 2002, 

Rödel et al. 2004), higher than in other Ghanaian sites 

(Rödel and Agyei 2003, Rödel et al. 2005a), and may even 

increase with an increasing completeness of the recorded 

fauna (compare above). Two taxa were previously known 

only from eastern Ghana and western Togo (Hyperolius baumanni, 

Conraua derooi), one was known only from Ghana 

and eastern Côte d’Ivoire (Phrynobatrachus ghanensis), and 

two others are endemic to Ghana (Hyperolius bobirensis, H. 

sylvaticus sylvaticus; Schiøtz 1964, 1967, 1999, Hulselmans 

1971, Hughes 1988, Rödel and Agyei 2003, Rödel et al. 

2005a, Assemian et al. 2006, Leaché et al. 2006). 

Several species have their easternmost record in Atewa: 

Acanthixalus sonjae, Afrixalus vibekensis, Hyperolius bobirensis, 

H. picturatus, Kassina arboricola, Phrynobatrachus ghanensis 

and P. tokba (compare Perret 1985, 1988; Rödel et al. 2002, 

2003, 2005b). This is the third record of H. bobirensis (see 

Photos), and the fifth record of Afrixalus vibekensis (Schiøtz 

1967, Rödel and Branch 2002, Rödel et al. 2005a). For Hyperolius 

baumanni and Conraua derooi, Atewa represents the 

westernmost locality of their known range. For Amietophrynus 

togoensis the Atewa reserve is the closest known locality 

to the type locality in Togo and therefore the record likely 

will contribute to resolve the taxonomic situation of these 

forest toads (Rödel and Bangoura 2004). The Arthroleptis 

spp. might represent taxa endemic to the Atewa area but this 

needs further investigation (compare general comments on 

West African Arthroleptis in Rödel and Bangoura 2004). This 

also applies to the Hemisus sp. (compare Rödel and Agyei 

2003). Atewa is the only known site were H. baumanni and 

H. picturatus live in syntopy, thereby confirming Rödel and 

Agyei (2003) that the first is not only a subspecies of the second 

(compare Schiøtz 1967, 1999). 

60 

50 

# of species 

40 

30 

20 

10 

accumulation 

Chao2 

Jack1 

0 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

days 

Figure 9.1. Species accumulation curve and estimated amphibian species richness of the Atewa Range 

Figure 

Forest Reserve, 

8.1. Species 


accumulation 

We recorded 32 

curve 

different 

and 

species 

estimated 

in the 

amphibian 

course of 13 

species 

survey days 

richness 

and calculated 

of the Atewa 

that 

Range about 44 Forest species Reserve, can be expected Ghana. We for this recorded forest reserve. 32 different species in the course of 13 survey days 

and calculated that about 44 species can be expected for this forest reserve. 


79

Chapter 9 

The amphibian species composition of the Atewa 

Range, comprising both species usually restricted to western 

or eastern parts of the Guinean Forest zone, is unique. 

Threatened species 

Almost one-third of the recorded species (28%) fall into one 

of four IUCN Red List categories (Table 9.2). Five species 

are Near Threatened, one is Vulnerable, two are Endangered 

and one is Critically Endangered (Conraua derooi). Such a 

high percentage of threatened amphibian species is outstanding 

for West Africa. As the fauna can be assumed to be incompletely 

known and unrecorded species (see above) most 

likely comprise rarer species, the real percentage of threatened 

species may be even higher. For at least one species 

(Conraua derooi, see Photos), Atewa might harbor the most 

important remaining populations. This may also apply for 

Hyperolius bobirensis. Conraua derooi was originally described 

Table 9.2. Distribution, habitat association and IUCN Red list categories (according to the Global Amphibian Assessment; 28 October 2006) of the Atewa 

amphibian species. Distribution: A = distributed also outside West Africa; WA = only in West Africa West of the Cross River; UG = endemic to the Upper Guinea 

forest zone (rainforest West of the Dahomey Gap); EGT = endemic to eastern Ghana and western Togo; EG = endemic to Ghana; Habitat: F = forest; FS = forest 

and secondary growth; S = savanna; Red list: CR = Critically Endangered; EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; = taxonomy not clarified 

and respective placement hence not certain, but likely. 

Taxa 

Distribution 

Habitat 

F FS S 

Geotrypetes seraphini occidentalis UG x x 

Arthroleptis sp. A UG x x 

Arthroleptis sp. B UG x x 

Leptopelis spiritusnoctis WA x x 

Amietophrynus maculatus A x x 

Amietophrynus togoensis UG x NT 

Hoplobatrachus occipitalis A x x 

Hemisus sp. UG x 

Acanthixalus sonjae UG x x NT 

Afrixalus nigeriensis WA x NT 

Afrixalus vibekensis UG x NT 

Hyperolius baumanni EGT x 

Hyperolius bobirensis EG x EN 

Hyperolius fusciventris burtoni WA x x 

Hyperolius guttulatus A x 

Hyperolius picturatus UG x x 

Hyperolius sylvaticus sylvaticus EG x 

Kassina arboricola UG x x VU 

Conraua derooi EGT x (x) CR 

Phrynobatrachus accraensis WA x x 

Phrynobatrachus alleni UG x NT 

Phrynobatrachus calcaratus A x 

Phrynobatrachus ghanensis UG x EN 

Phrynobatrachus gutturosus WA x x x 

Phrynobatrachus plicatus WA x x 

Phrynobatrachus tokba UG x x 

Silurana tropicalis WA x x 

Ptychadena aequiplicata A x 

Ptychadena bibroni A x x 

Ptychadena longirostris WA x x 

Aubria subsigillata A x 

Chiromantis rufescens A x x 

Total (32 species) A = 8; WA = 8; UG = 12; EGT = 2; EG = 2 22 (25) 19 (22) 5 9 

Red List 




from western Togo (Hulselmans 1971) and apart from there 

is only known from a few Ghanaian sites, close to the Togolese 

border (Schiøtz 1964 as C. alleni). Until very recently 

it had never been found again, although numerous suitable 

habitats were searched (Rödel and Agyei 2003, Leaché et 

al. 2006). Sites at which this species has previously been recorded 

are all close to human settlements and hence the persistence 

of the species in these areas is uncertain (A. Hillers 

et al. unpubl. data). Atewa seems to still hold large and viable 

populations of this Critically Endangered species in the 

fast flowing forest streams. Preliminary analyses showed that 

these are genetically distinct from those in the Volta region, 

again underlining the uniqueness of the Atewa range. 


Atewa is one of Ghana’s few remaining intact forests which 

has survived the recent onslaught of forest destruction and 

degradation throughout the country as a whole (FAO 2006). 

It is recognized to hold one of the highest levels of biodiversity 

in Ghana, for some taxa even the highest (Larsen 2006). 

Similar results were obtained for amphibians throughout this 

survey. The overall composition of amphibians in Atewa is 

exceptional, because of a) the presence of species that have 

their center of distribution in eastern or western Ghana, 

b) the very high percentage of species that are restricted to 

forest environments and c) the outstanding percentage of 

threatened species, including some that most likely have 

their highest population numbers within Atewa. 

It has been shown that amphibians are very sensitive 

to comparatively minor forest degradation, such as selective 

logging, with reactions including altered species composition, 

changes to community structure and the loss of 

particular functional groups (Ernst and Rödel 2005, Ernst 

et al. 2006). Ghanaian studies revealed dramatic negative 

effects of forest fragmentation on bird species composition 

(Beier et al. 2002) and local climatic conditions (Hill and 

Curran 2003). We observed similar effects on amphibian 

communities in forest fragments in western Côte d’Ivoire (A. 

Hillers et al. unpubl. data). All these studies underline the 

importance of maintaining larger intact forest blocks. Losses 

of particular species, and more importantly losses of particular 

functional groups, most likely also result in a decrease 

of resistance of a given ecosystem to disturbances, such as 

invasive species (Symstad 2000, Xu et al. 2004, Ernst et al. 

2006). 

In addition, mountain ranges are known to have played 

a significant role in maintaining biodiversity throughout 

times of higher temperature and drought (Amiet 1987, 

Moritz et al. 2000, Plana et al. 2004, Wieringa and Poorter 

2004). They could also most likely play this role as refugias 

in the future. The Atewa Range holds the only larger Upland 

Evergreen Forest between the Upper Guinea Highlands and 

the Cameroon Mountains. The forests of Atewa hold large 

numbers of endemic and threatened species (e.g. the data 

presented herein, Swaine and Hall 1977, Larsen 2006, Weber 

and Fahr 2007 – see Chapter 11 of this report). If the 

Atewa Range were to be subject to development activities 

involving the wholesale removal of vegetation or riparian 

habitat, it is certain that the majority of specialized forest 

amphibians would be lost. We therefore recommend the 

following for long-term protection of Atewa’s exceptional 

biodiversity: 

• Undertake further surveys of Atewa to complete the 

amphibian inventory; 

• Conduct in-depth studies focusing on threatened, rare 

and endemic species, i.e. Conraua derooi and Hyperolius 

bobirensis; 

• Involve local communities in the management and 

conservation of the Atewa Range, including intensive 

capacity building in the knowledge of local biodiversity 

and sustainable use of forest resources; 

• Prevent further illegal logging through involvement 

with local authorities; 

• Strictly protect the watersheds of Atewa in order to 

secure water quality for the local biodiversity and water 

supply for surrounding communities as well as for 

Accra; 

• Upgrade the protection status of Atewa, preferably to a 

national park, in recognition of Atewa's global significance 

for biodiversity conservation, as shown by its 

status as both a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area 

and as a result of the findings of the RAP survey; 

• Decline all plans for the future development of Atewa 

in recognition of the outstanding nature of Atewa’s biodiversity 

as, in the case of Atewa, impacts from development 

cannot be adequately mitigated (Phillips 2001, 

Dudley and Stolton 2002, Abu-Juam et al. 2003). 

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83

Chapter 10 

Rapid survey of the birds of the Atewa 



Summary 

During 16 days of field work (7 – 22 June 2006) in Atewa Range Forest Reserve, one of the 

two important remnants of Upland Evergreen rainforest in Ghana, 155 bird species were 

recorded. Of these, six are of conservation concern, amongst which three are classified as 

Vulnerable and three as Near Threatened. Six of the 11 species restricted to the Upper Guinea 

Forests Endemic Bird Area and 115 (or 64 %) of the 180 Guinea-Congo Forests biome species 

now known from Ghana were observed during the study. A song, heard and partly taperecorded, 

was thought to be from Nimba Flycatcher Melaenornis annamarulae, a Vulnerable 

species not previously found in Ghana; this record, which constitutes a major eastward range 

extension, was confirmed by sightings of the species in May 2007. The site, listed in 2001 as 

an important bird area, was found to have a remarkably rich avifauna, with relatively large 

mixed-species flocks being a particularly conspicuous feature. Some species, such as Greentailed 

Bristlebill Bleda eximius and Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus, are at the 

eastern limit of their known range here. Several species that are rare in Ghana and uncommon 

to rare in their global range also occur in the reserve. 

Introduction 

Birds have been proven to be useful indicators of the biological diversity of a site, because 

they occur in most habitats on land throughout the world and are sensitive to environmental 

change. Their taxonomy and global geographical distribution are relatively well known in 

comparison to other taxa (ICBP 1992). The conservation status of most species has been 

reasonably well assessed and is regularly updated (BirdLife International 2000, 2004). This 

permits rapid analysis of the results of an ornithological study and presentation of conservation 

recommendations. Birds are also among the most charismatic species, which can facilitate 

the acceptance of the necessity to implement protective measures by policy makers and 

stakeholders. 

As West African forests are rapidly disappearing, the survival of the birds of the Upper 

Guinea forests is becoming increasingly dependent on ever fewer areas. Despite a number 

of field studies conducted in the region in recent years (e.g. Demey and Rainey 2004, 2005; 

Rainey and Asamoah 2005; Demey 2007), the avifaunas of the majority of these forests 

remain inadequately known. 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve is, together with Tano Offin, one of only two main forest 

reserves in Ghana holding remnants of upland evergreen rainforest (Hall and Swaine 1976). 

The reserve, which has a roughly north-south alignment, covers 23,663 ha and consists of a 

steep-sided, mostly flat plateau at 700-800 m a.s.l. The forest has been logged in the past and 

numerous transects are being cut at present for mineral exploration. On lower slopes it has 

been severely degraded by encroaching cultivation and illegal wood cutting. The forest canopy 

on the plateau is of variable height and presents many gaps, with larger trees reaching up to 

40-50 m emerging above a closed sub-canopy of 10-25 m height. A few small streams cross 

the ridge and some swampy areas occur. 


Rapid survey of the birds of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

The main reference on the avifauna of Atewa is a report 

by Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett (2005), presenting the 

results of a short survey carried out in February 2005, 

reviewing previously published and unpublished records 

from the site, and including an updated species list. Atewa 

was listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Ntiamoa- 

Baidu et al. (2001). 

Methods 

We carried out 16 days of field work, from 7 to 22 June 

2006. We accessed the forest via the ascending track starting 

near the village of Sagyimase, north of Kibi, and established 

our camp at three consecutive sites: Atiwiredu (06°12’22”N, 

00°34’39”W at 817 m), Asiakwa South (06°15’44”N, 

00°33’18”W at 783 m) and Asiakwa North (06°16’16”N, 

00°33’52”W at 814 m). Most of our field work was carried 

out in the forest on the ridge, with two visits to degraded 

habitat lower down, along the main track from the entrance 

gate to the intersection 4 km further up. 

The weather was variable, with alternating overcast 

and sunny conditions. Mist was frequent in the morning 

and rain in the afternoon and at night. Although June is 

normally the height of the rainy season, a few entirely sunny 

days without any rain were experienced. 

The principal method used during this study consisted 

of observing birds by walking slowly along tracks and the 

many transects that have recently been cut for mining 

prospection. Notes were taken on both visual observations 

and bird vocalizations. Some tape-recordings were made for 

later deposition in sound archives. Field work was carried 

out from dawn (usually 05:30) until 13:00–14:00, and 

in the afternoon from 15:00–16:00 until sunset (around 

18.30). Some species were recorded opportunistically during 

the night and two birds were captured in mist-nets set up for 

bats. 

For each field day a list was compiled of all the species 

that were recorded. Numbers of individuals or flocks were 

noted, as well as any evidence of breeding, such as the 

presence of juveniles, and basic information on the habitat 

in which the birds were observed. An attempt has been made 

to give indices of abundance based on the encounter rate. 

However, it should be noted that many bird species were 

not singing (e.g. cuckoos and owls) and several thus have 

remained unnoticed. 

For the purposes of standardization, we have followed 

the nomenclature, taxonomy and sequence of Borrow and 

Demey (2001, 2004). 

Results 

In total, 155 species were recorded of the c. 735 bird 

species known from Ghana; recorded species are listed 

in Appendix 7, along with the encounter rate, observed 

breeding evidence, threat status, endemism to the Upper 

Guinea forest block, membership of the Guinea-Congo 

Forests biome assemblage, and habitat. Six species of global 

conservation concern were observed during the survey 

(Table 10.1). 

In addition, a number of scarce or poorly known species 

were observed, including Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis 

spectabilis, Brown Nightjar Veles binotatus, African Dwarf 

Kingfisher Ceyx lecontei and Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops 

muelleri. 

Six of the 11 restricted-range species, i.e. species which 

have a global breeding range of less than 50,000 km 2 , that 

make up the Upper Guinea Forests Endemic Bird Area, and 

115 of the 180 Guinea-Congo forests biome species now 

recorded in Ghana (Fishpool and Evans 2001, Stattersfield et 

al. 1998) were recorded during the survey. 

Notes on specific species 

West African status from Borrow and Demey (2001). 

Ghanaian status from Grimes (1987) and Ntiamoa-Baidu et 

al. (2001). 

Species of conservation concern 

Bycanistes cylindricus Brown-cheeked Hornbill (NT) 

This species was recorded only three times: a pair was 

seen flying over and calling individuals were heard on two 

occasions. This Upper Guinea endemic is uncommon to rare 

in south-western Ghana. 

Bleda eximius Green-tailed Bristlebill (VU) 

A single was singing at Atiwiredu and another was observed 

Table 10.1. Bird species of global conservation concern recorded during the RAP survey of Atewa Range Forest Reserve 

Species Common Name Threat Status 

Bycanistes cylindricus Brown-cheeked Hornbill NT 

Bleda eximius Green-tailed Bristlebill VU 

Criniger olivaceus Yellow-bearded Greenbul VU 

Melaenornis annamarulae Nimba Flycatcher VU 

Illadopsis rufescens Rufous-winged Illadopsis NT 

Lamprotornis cupreocauda Copper-tailed Glossy Starling NT 

Threat status (BirdLife International 2000, 2004): 

VU = Vulnerable: species facing a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future 

NT = Near Threatened: species coming very close to qualifying as Vulnerable 


85

Chapter 10 

in a mixed-species flock at Asiakwa South. This Upper 

Guinea endemic is rare in Ghana and reaches the eastern 

limit of its distribution in Atewa. 

Criniger olivaceus Yellow-bearded Greenbul (VU) 

This species was observed in mixed-species flocks at three 

different locations along the main track (twice a pair and 

once a calling individual). This Upper Guinea endemic is 

generally rare in Ghana and, like the previous species, it 

reaches the eastern limit of its distribution in Atewa. 

Melaenornis annamarulae Nimba Flycatcher (VU) 

A song heard at 13:00, coming from the canopy along 

the main track (06°13’52”N, 00°33’17”W at c. 620 m), 

was thought to be from this species. A few final phrases 

were tape-recorded before it started to rain and the singing 

stopped. In an attempt to confirm the identification by 

hearing the bird again and seeing it, the location was visited 

on the three following days, with long periods of time 

spent at or near the spot, but the bird was not observed 

again. The tape-recorded part of the song was compared to 

published (Chappuis 2000) and unpublished recordings of 

this species and was found to be very similar. The species was 

subsequently searched for by other observers visiting Atewa 

and the original identification could finally be confirmed on 

27 May 2007, when excellent views of two individuals were 

obtained (A. Hester in litt.). This remarkable find constitutes 

a new species for Ghana and the eastermost record to date, 

extending the known range by c. 500 km, the previous 

easternmost locality being Mopri Forest Reserve (05°50’N, 

04°55’W), in Côte d’Ivoire (Fishpool and Evans 2001). 

Apart from the latter country, this rare to scarce and local 

forest resident was previously known only from Guinea, 

Sierra Leone and Liberia. 

Illadopsis rufescens Rufous-winged Illadopsis (NT) 

Remarkably common, with up to four singing individuals 

heard daily. A generally uncommon forest resident, endemic 

to Upper Guinea. As it is often confused with its congener, 

Puvel’s Illadopsis I. puveli, its precise status and distribution 

in Ghana is inadequately known. 

Lamprotornis cupreocauda Copper-tailed Glossy Starling 

(NT) 

Faily common, with up to six individuals recorded on the 

majority of days. A fairly common to locally common forest 

resident, endemic to Upper Guinea and reaching the eastern 

limit of its distribution at or near Atewa. 

Other noteworthy records 

Dryotriorchis spectabilis Congo Serpent Eagle 

Up to two individuals heard calling at two different sites on 

three separate days. This forest resident, which is considered 

scarce to locally common, has been generally under-recorded 

in Ghana. 

Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot 

A group of eight visiting a fruiting tree on 15 June, and a 

single flying over on the same day are our only records. This 

species is generally scarce in West Africa. 

Veles binotatus Brown Nightjar 

An entirely dark brown nightjar seen at 18:45 above the 

main track deep inside the forest was identified as this 

species. It flew in the headlights of the car for c. 100 m 

before banking, thereby clearly showing its entirely dark 

upperparts without any white markings, and disappearing 

into the forest. There is only one previous record for Atewa, 

from February 2005 (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2005). 

Ceyx lecontei African Dwarf Kingfisher 

One seen in forest understorey, while another (a juvenile) 

was heard uttering high-pitched calls nearby. This species, 

which is rare to uncommon in West Africa, had not been 

recorded previously at Atewa, but its presence was expected 

(Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2005). 

Merops muelleri Blue-headed Bee-eater 

This generally scarce to rare forest resident, which reaches 

the easternmost limits of its Upper Guinea range in Atewa, 

was encountered remarkably frequently, either singly or in 

pairs. A trio was observed once. The species is known from 

only two other IBAs in Ghana (Ntiamoa-Baidu et al. 2001) 

and Atewa may well hold the largest population in the 

country. 

Sheppardia cyornithopsis Lowland Akalat 

Singles were seen clearly at three locations. This species 

has only recently been confirmed from Atewa, based on a 

specimen collected in 1995 (Roy et al. 2001). A female with 

an active brood patch was mist-netted in February 2005 

(Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2005). The reserve is the 

easternmost locality for the species in Upper Guinea and the 

only site in Ghana where it is known to occur. 

Apalis sharpii Sharpe’s Apalis 

This Upper Guinea Forests Biome endemic was found to be 

common and vocal in the canopy and sub-canopy, with daily 

observations of up to ten individuals. 

Parus funereus Dusky Tit 

A small group consisting of at least three adults and another 

of three adults and an independent juvenile were observed in 

mixed-species flocks. 

Malaconotus cruentus Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike 

Two singles and a pair were observed at three different 

locations. This species is generally rare and local in West 

Africa and Atewa is the only IBA in Ghana where it is 

known to occur. 



Parmoptila rubrifrons Red-fronted Antpecker 

An independent juvenile and a pair with two to three 

juveniles were seen at two locations. This generally scarce 

Upper Guinea endemic is rare in Ghana. 

Evidence of breeding 

Alethe diademata White-tailed (Fire-crested) Alethe 

A juvenile photographed by P. Naskrecki on 17 June. 

Macrosphenus concolor Grey Longbill 

Parents with a begging juvenile seen on 20 June. 

Eremomela badiceps Rufous-crowned Eremomela 

A flock of four adults with an independent juvenile seen on 

14 June. 

Muscicapa epulata Little Grey Flycatcher 

A pair with a begging juvenile seen on 7 June. 

Dyaphorophyia castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye 

Small family groups consisting of parent birds with a 

juvenile seen on seven occasions. 

Deleornis fraseri Fraser’s Sunbird 

Begging juveniles seen on a few occasions. 

Ploceus tricolor Yellow-mantled Weaver 

Independent juveniles noted on a few occasions. 

Ploceus albinucha Maxwell’s Black Weaver 

Independent juveniles accompanying adults observed on a 

few occasions. 

Ploceus preussi Preuss’s Weaver 

A family group consisting of a pair with an independent 

juvenile observed on 10 June. 

Discussion 

The Atewa Range Forest Reserve, which is listed as an 

IBA (Ntiamoa-Baidu et al. (2001), was found to have 

a remarkably rich avifauna, comprising a substantial 

component of forest-restricted species. It is therefore of 

considerable importance for the conservation of these 

birds. The total of 155 species recorded during this study is 

relatively high, although a higher number could have been 

found if the survey had been conducted at a different season, 

for example in February-March, when more species are 

vocally active and Palearctic migrants are still present. 

Cuckoos, owls and honeyguides were mainly silent, which 

explains the absence of several of these species from our 

list. Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus was heard (very briefly) 

once and African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus only 

five times, for short periods. An African Wood Owl Strix 

woodfordi was calling briefly near camp at Asiakwa North on 

two consecutive evenings. Of the three honeyguide species 

observed, only Thick-billed Indicator (minor) conirostris was 

heard to sing, although briefly (two individuals). 

Hornbills were surprisingly scarce, with only Pied 

Tockus fasciatus and White-crested Tropicranus albocristatus 

being regularly encountered, albeit in low numbers (with a 

maximum of five in a day for the former, and three for the 

latter). We recorded Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes 

cylindricus on three occasions only, with just a single pair 

seen, whereas it was seen daily in February 2005, with up 

to 12 individuals in a day (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 

2005). Several hornbill species are known to wander 

widely in search of fruiting trees, which may at least in part 

explain their scarcity during our survey. Great Blue Turaco 

Corythaeola cristata, normally a conspicuous feature of good 

forest, was also scarce, being only observed in low numbers 

(one to three birds) on four days. 

Mixed-species flocks were particularly numerous, 

occurring on average every 500 m and comprising a 

relatively high number of individuals. Typical members 

of these flocks included Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus 

icterinus (usually the most common species, with up to 

15 individuals in a single flock), Red-tailed Bristlebill 

Bleda syndactylus, Grey-headed Bristlebill B. canicapillus, 

Western Bearded Greenbul Criniger barbatus, Red-tailed 

Greenbul C. calurus, Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps, 

Green Hylia Hylia prasina, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher 

Terpsiphone rufiventer, Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia 

castanea, Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris, Fraser’s 

Sunbird Deleornis fraseri (very common), Blue-throated 

Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema, Many-coloured 

Bush-shrike Malaconotus multicolor (typically one calling 

individual per flock), Black-headed Oriole Oriolus 

brachyrhynchus, Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis, and 

one to three Malimbus species (Crested M. malimbicus, 

Blue-billed M. nitens and/or Red-headed Malimbe M. 

rubricollis). Other species observed in these flocks include 

Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa, Brown-eared 

Woodpecker C. caroli, Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike 

Campephaga quiscalina (remarkably common), Blue 

Cuckoo-shrike Coracina azurea (uncommon), Finsch’s 

Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina finschi, Sharpe’s Apalis Apalis 

sharpii, Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor, Rufouscrowned 

Eremomela Eremomela badiceps, Violet-backed 

Hyliota Hyliota violacea, Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher Fraseria 

ocreata, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii, 

Dusky Crested Flycatcher Elminia nigromitrata (remarkably 

common), Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus, Redcheeked 

Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia blissetti, Bioko Batis 

Batis poensis, Dusky Tit Parus funereus, Tit-hylia Pholidornis 

rushiae, Sabine’s Puffback Dryoscopus sabini, Yellowmantled 

Weaver Ploceus tricolor, Maxwell’s Black Weaver P. 

albinucha (remarkably common), Preuss’s Weaver P. preussi, 

Grey-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapillus, Chestnutbreasted 

Negrofinch N. bicolor and Red-fronted Antpecker 

Parmoptila rubrifrons. 

Biogeographically, Atewa appears to be at the eastern 

limit of the range of some Upper Guinea endemics, such 

as Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximius, Yellow-bearded 


87

Chapter 10 

Greenbul Criniger olivaceus and Red-fronted Antpecker 

Parmoptila rubrifrons. To these, Nimba Flycatcher 

Melaenornis annamarulae can now be added. As one of the 

two main sites of upland evergreen rainforest remaining 

in Ghana, it constitutes a particularly favorable habitat for 

a species like Lowland Akalat Sheppardia cyornithopsis, for 

which Atewa is the only known site in the country. 

Because of the specific habitat characteristics of the site, 

both bird species typically occurring in closed-canopy as well 

as species frequenting open-canopy forest are found here. 

Several generally uncommon or scarce species are remarkably 

common here, such as Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri 

and Maxwell’s Black Weaver Ploceus albinucha, the nominate 

subspecies of which, P. a. albinucha, reaches the eastern limits 

of its range in Atewa. The generally rare and local Fierybreasted 

Bush-shrike Malaconotus cruentus also occurs. 

Other species occurring in the reserve that are rare 

in Ghana and generally uncommon in their global range 

include Bates’s Swift Apus batesi, Little Grey Flycatcher 

Muscicapa epulata, Dusky Tit Parus funereus, Johanna’s 

Sunbird Cinnyris johannae, Preuss’s Weaver Ploceus preussi 

and Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons. 


Considering the very high conservation value of Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve, the following recommendations are made: 

1. The biological importance of the reserve in Ghana, and 

more generally in the Upper Guinea region, is such that 

it should, ideally, be fully and entirely protected. 

2. If, contrary to the recommendations contained within 

this report, future development of the area should occur, 

a representative and continuous part of the reserve 

containing all the bird species restricted to the Guinea- 

Congo Forests biome occurring at Atewa, should be set 

aside and receive full protection, in order to preserve a 

substantial part of its biodiversity and, in the long term, 

possibly enable regeneration of the forest on the area 

that is impacted by such development. Furthermore, 

surveys should be conducted in all areas which will be 

impacted, prior to any additional impact occurring, to 

document current species richness and population sizes 

of all bird species of global conservation concern. 

3. Further surveys should be carried out to determine the 

population size and habitat requirements of the Nimba 

Flycatcher, an Upper Guinea endemic of conservation 

concern whose song was heard for the first time in 

Ghana during this RAP and for which Atewa constitutes 

the only known site in the country. 

4. Monitoring programs should be put in place to assess 

the impact of any development activities and subsequent 

regeneration operations on biodiversity and in particular 

on the bird species of conservation concern and those 

restricted to the Guinea-Congo Forests biome. Local 

villagers, especially hunters, who know the forest and its 

wildlife best, should be employed to participate in these 

programs. 

5. Hunting should be curtailed. Although it currently 

mainly targets mammals, certain large bird species, such 

as Crested Guineafowl, Great Blue Turaco and large 

hornbills, also fall victim to these illegal practices, which 

could explain their relative rarity. 

References 

BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened Birds of the World. 

Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International. Barcelona, 

Spain and Cambridge, UK. 

BirdLife International. 2004. Threatened Birds of the World 

2004. CD-ROM. BirdLife International. Cambridge, 

UK. 

Borrow, N. and R. Demey. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. 

Christopher Helm. London. 

Borrow, N. and R. Demey. 2004. Field Guide to the Birds of 

Western Africa. Christopher Helm. London. 

Chappuis, C. 2000. African Bird Sounds: Birds of North, 

West and Central Africa and Neighbouring Atlantic 

Islands. 15 CDs. Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de 

France and British Library National Sound Archive. 

Paris and London. 

Demey, R. 2007. Rapid survey of the birds of North Lorma, 

Gola and Grebo National Forests. In: Hoke, P., R. 

Demey and A. Peal (eds.). A rapid biological assessment 

of North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, 

Liberia. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 44. Conservation 

International, Arlington, VA, USA. 

Demey, R. and H.J. Rainey. 2004. A preliminary survey 

of the birds of the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon. In: 

McCullough, J. (ed.). A biological assessment of the 

terrestrial ecosystems of the Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, 

Simandou Range, Guinea. RAP Bulletin of Biological 


DC. Pp. 63-68. 

Demey, R. and H.J. Rainey. 2005. A rapid survey of the 

birds of Haute Dodo and Cavally Classified Forests. 

In: Alonso, L.A., F. Lauginie and G. Rondeau (eds.). A 

biological assessment of two classified forests in Southwestern 

Côte d’Ivoire. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 

34. Conservation International. Washington, DC. 

Pp. 84–90. 

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and R.J. Dowsett. 2005. Ornithological 

surveys in Atewa Range Forest Reserve (February 2005). 

Wildlife Division Support Project Report No. 50-b. 

Fishpool, L.D.C. and M.I. Evans (eds.). 2001. Important 

Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priority 

Sites for Conservation. Pisces Publications and BirdLife 

International, Newbury and Cambridge, UK. 

Grimes, L.G. 1987. The Birds of Ghana. BOU Checklist No. 

9. British Ornithologists’ Union, London. 



Hall, J.B. and M.D. Swaine. 1976. Classification and ecology 

of closed-canopy forests in Ghana. J. Ecol. 64: 913–951. 

ICBP. 1992. Putting Biodiversity on the Map: Priority Areas 

for Global Conservation. International Council for Bird 

Preservation. Cambridge, UK. 

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., E.H. Owusu, D.T. Daramani and A.A. 

Nuoh. 2001. Ghana. In: Fishpool, L.D.C. and M.I. 

Evans (eds.). Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated 

Islands: Priority Sites for Conservation. Pisces 



Rainey, H.J. and A. Asamoah. 2005. Rapid assessment of 

the birds of Draw River, Boi-Tano and Krokosua Hills. 

In: McCullough, J., J. Decher and D.G. Kpelle (eds.). 

A biological assessment of the terrestrial ecosystems of 

the Draw River, Boi-Tano, Tano Nimiri and Krokosua 

Hills forest reserves, southwestern Ghana. RAP Bulletin 

of Biological Assessment 36. Conservation International. 

Washington, DC. Pp. 50-56. 

Roy, M.S., R. Sponer and J. Fjeldså. 2001. Molecular systematics 

and evolutionary history of akalats (genus Sheppardia): 

a pre-Pleistocene radiation in a group of African 

forest birds. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 18: 74–83. 

Stattersfield, A.J, M.J. Crosby, A.J. Long and D.C. Wege. 

1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for 

Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife International. Cambridge, 

UK. 


89

Chapter 11 

A rapid survey of small mammals from the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Region, 



Summary 

We report on the results of a small mammal survey in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. A total 

of 12 bat species were recorded. Composition of bat species clearly reflects a forest assemblage, 

with no savanna species being observed. Two rarely recorded bat species (Hypsugo [crassulus] 

bellieri and Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri) are reported for the first time for Ghana, raising the total 

number of species for this country to 86. Together with specimens from five localities in West 

Africa, Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri from Atewa might represent an undescribed species. Hypsugo 

(crassulus) bellieri is endemic to the Upper Guinean forests. Zenker’s fruit bat Scotonycteris zenkeri 

is ranked on the Red List as Near Threatened (IUCN 2006). The three terrestrial small 

mammal species recorded during the survey are likewise forest-dependent and include two West 

African endemics: Edward’s swamp rat Malacomys edwardsi and the shrew Crocidura grandiceps. 

The latter is ranked as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List and had not been recorded from 

Ghana since its description. The overall species composition of small mammals indicates high 

habitat integrity of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, which constitutes the most significant 

block of Upland Evergreen Forest in Ghana. The integral protection of Atewa is an outstanding 

priority for the preservation of (sub-) montane forests in West Africa, both for the conservation 

of small mammals and of biodiversity in general. In accordance with international conservation 

principles on mining and biodiversity (Dudley and Stolton 2002, Miranda et al. 2005), we recommend 

that exploration concessions for Atewa are cancelled, that its legal protection status is 

upgraded, that no development is allowed within the forest reserve, and that effective management 

measures are implemented. 

Introduction 

Although West African forests have been reduced to about 15% of their potential extent, the 

remaining and highly fragmented patches are still being degraded or completely lost at a high 

rate. Given this threat as well as the exceptional number of species endemic to the Guinean forests 

of West Africa, this region was ranked as one of 34 global biodiversity hotspots (Bakarr et 

al. 2004). Within this region, (sub-) montane forests are under particular pressure as montane 

habitats are extremely restricted in extent. Long-term geological erosion has turned West Africa 

into a mostly flat landscape that is broken by very few mountain ranges. Significant tracts of 

montane forest are limited to the Upper Guinea Highlands along the border region of Sierra 

Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire in the West and the Cameroon Mountain Range in 

the East. These montane forest areas constitute unique ecosystems with exceptional species richness 

and high levels of endemism (Bakarr et al. 2001, 2004). In-between this wide geographic 

hiatus, only the Atewa Range in Ghana, the Volta Highlands between Ghana and Togo and 

the Jos Plateau in Nigeria harbor significant upland forest patches, however among these three, 

Upland Evergreen Forest is found only in the Atewa Range. The latter area has had the status of 

a national forest reserve since 1925 and was recently designated as a Globally Significant Biodiversity 

Area (GSBA) as well as an Important Bird Areas (IBA) (Abu-Juam et al. 2003). Together 


A rapid survey of small mammals from the Atewa Range Forest 

Reserve, Eastern Region, Ghana 

with the highly degraded Tano Ofin, the Atewa Range is one 

of only two reserves in Ghana where Upland Evergreen Forest 

occurs (Hall and Swaine 1981, Abu-Juam et al. 2003). 

The Priority-Setting Workshop for Upper Guinea ranked the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) to be of “Very High” 

priority for overall biodiversity conservation. As a result of 

the workshop, it was recommended that scientific information 

for this area be updated through surveys and that measures 

are implemented to achieve improved protection for 

the biodiversity of the area (Bakarr et al. 2001). 

The target of our study was a survey of small mammals 

of Atewa, namely bats (Chiroptera), rodents (Rodentia) 

and shrews (Soricomorpha). Sampling of these groups was 

conducted at each of the three study sites, but survey effort 

focused on bats due to logistical constraints. In tropical 

communities, bats usually constitute the most species-rich 

group of mammals. They are regarded as a particularly suitable 

indicator group to assess habitat conditions and thus 

to set conservation priorities because of their high diversity, 

species-specific habitat requirements and patterns of endemism 

(many species have small distribution ranges). Moreover, 

they provide important ecosystem services as predators 

of insects as well as pollinators and seed dispersers of plants. 

Apart from a few occasional bat records (Grubb et al. 1999) 

and a limited survey of terrestrial small mammals (Abedi- 

Lartey and Guba-Kpelle 2005), Atewa had not previously 

been sampled for small mammals. 

Methods 

Study site 

Atewa is located within the moist semi-deciduous forest 

zone in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The two forest blocks 

Atewa Range and Atewa Range Extension combined cover 

an area of 258.3 km 2 , with the Atewa Range alone having 

an extent of 237 km 2 . According to the GLC2000 data 

(Mayaux et al. 2004), the entire Atewa Range represents 

33.5% of the remaining closed forest in the Eastern Region. 

The mountain range, which peaks at 842 m a.s.l. (SRTM90 

data), runs roughly from north to south and is characterized 

by plateaus, which are remnants of a Tertiary peneplain. 

These plateaus are covered with Upland Evergreen Forest 

and are dissected by steep ravines. The larger northern part 

is situated in the wet semi-equatorial climatic zone, with two 

wet seasons from May to July and from September to October/November 

and an annual precipitation of about 1650 

mm. The forests are home to many endemic and rare species. 

The unique floristic composition of the Upland Evergreen 

Forest is generated by the misty conditions on top of the 

plateaus (Swaine and Hall 1977). The diverse flora contains 

submontane elements, with characteristic herbaceous species 

as well as abundant and diverse epiphytes. Many plant 

species found here are not known to occur elsewhere in 

Ghana and several butterfly species are strictly endemic to 

Atewa (Larsen 2006). Seasonal marshy grasslands, swamps 

and thickets that occur here are also thought to be nationally 

unique (Hall and Swaine 1981). Invasive species like Chromolaena 

odorata can be found along disturbed sites such as 

roads or other openings. Despite this disturbance, most parts 

of the forest reserve are still in good or excellent condition. 

Sampling and data analysis 

From 7 – 22 June 2006, three sites within Atewa were 

surveyed by NW. Atiwiredu was visited from 7-10 June, 

Asiakwa South from 11-16 June, and Asiakwa North from 

17-22 June. Sampling was conducted mostly within a 500 

m-radius of each camp site. At Asiakwa South and North, 

two additional sampling sites were visited, but these are not 

considered further as no specimens were captured there. The 

location of each site was recorded with a GPS-receiver (Garmin 

eTrex) (Table 11.1). 

Table 11.1. Coordinates and elevation of three sites within the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve, Ghana, where bats and terrestrial small mammals were 

sampled. 

Site Coordinates Elevation 

Atiwiredu 6°12’23”N, 0°34’39”W 817 m 

Asiakwa South 6°15’44”N, 0°33’19”W 783 m 

Asiakwa North 6°16’16”N, 0°33’53”W 814 m 

Field work was conducted during the peak of the first 

wet season. Bats were captured with 6 m and 12 m mist nets 

near ground level, following standard methods (Wilson et 

al. 1996). Each night, at least two and up to seven mist nets 

were placed opportunistically across potential flyways within 

the forest, e.g. crossing trails or within treefall gaps. Nets 

were opened before sunset and checked at least every 30-45 

minutes. They were closed at different times, depending on 

rainfall or overall moisture, and sometimes re-opened in 

the morning between 3:30-4:00 hrs and 6:00 hrs. Overall 

sampling effort was 217 net hours in 16 nights (calculated 

as 12 m-mist net equivalents, Table 11.2). Capture success 

was calculated as number of individuals captured per net 

hour. A two-bank harp trap (Bat Conservation & Management, 

model “G4 Forest Strainer”, catch area 3.9 m 2 ) was 

employed at Atiwiredu and Asiakwa North. Capture success 

of the harp trap was nil, probably as a result of different line 

lengths that made it impossible to achieve sufficient and 

equal tension. Standard body measurements (body mass, 

forearm, tail, head and body, ear, hind foot) were taken of 

each bat specimen and their sex as well as their age class was 

determined. Identification in the field was aided by Rosevear 

(1965) and Hayman and Hill (1971). For each species, 

voucher specimens (12) were collected and preserved in 70% 

ethanol. They are currently deposited in the research collection 

of JF at the University of Ulm (see Appendix 7). Tissue 

samples were taken from all voucher specimens and preserved 

in 99% ethanol. Additionally, hand-held echolocation 

calls of rhinolophids and hipposiderids were recorded with 

a Pettersson D240x bat detector and transferred to a Sony 

Walkman Professional WM-D6C. The calls were analyzed 


91

Chapter 11 

with the software Avisoft-SASLab Pro 4.2 to check species 

identifications of rhinolophids and hipposiderids, in particular 

those of released individuals. Within these families, 

the constant frequency (CF) component of the echolocation 

calls is highly species-specific. 

At each site, traplines for terrestrial small mammals 

were set every night except for the arrival day at each site. 

Trapping effort consisted of 2-5 Tomahawk traps and 20-40 

Sherman live traps during 13 nights altogether. The Tomahawk 

traps were placed close to burrows, the Sherman traps 

were set up in traplines of five traps along fallen trees and 

other structures presumed to channel movement patterns of 

target groups. Traps were baited with palm nut oil or peanut 

butter mixed with oats. Ten voucher specimens were collected 

and preserved as wet specimens in 70% ethanol. They 

were identified by Rainer Hutterer, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum 

Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, and deposited 

in the collections of this institution (see Appendix 8). 

A smoothed species accumulation curve was generated 

for bats with the program EstimateS, Version 7.5 (Colwell 

2005). This sample-based rarefaction curve was calculated 

with the “Mao Tau”-function (Colwell et al. 2004) and the 

graph was rescaled by individuals. Statistical methods estimating 

the total number of species from samples (Colwell 

2005) were not employed as they require standardized sampling 

methods. The IUCN Red List status is based on the 

recent update that followed the Global Mammal Assessment 

(GMA) of African small mammals in January 2004 (IUCN 

2006). Taxonomy follows Wilson and Reeder (2005) if not 

otherwise stated. 

Results 

Bats 

In total, 27 bats of 11 species belonging to five families were 

captured during this RAP survey (Tables 11.2 and 11.3, Appendix 

7). A twelfth species was observed, heard, and unam- 

Table 11.2. Capture effort (nh: total net hours per site, calculated as 12 m-net equivalents), capture success (number of individuals; 

bats per net hour) and species coverage (Total: all species) of the RAP survey. Mega: fruit bats only. Micro: insect bats only. One species 

is included in the species total of Asiakwa South that was not captured but was seen and heard. 

Effort [nh] N° of Indiv. Mega Micro Bats/ nh Mega/ nh Micro/ nh Species Total 

Atiwiredu 56.1 11 4 7 0.20 0.07 0.12 6 

Asiakwa South 101.6 9 6 3 0.09 0.06 0.03 6 

Asiakwa North 59.6 7 0 7 0.12 – 0.12 6 

All sites 217.3 27 10 17 0.12 0.05 0.08 12 

Table 11.3. Bat species recorded from three sites of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana, during this / the RAP survey (numbers refer to captured 

individuals). Red List: international Red List status (NT: Near Threatened, n.a.: not assessed; IUCN 2006). Habitat: coarse assignment to preferred habitat 

types (F: forest; S: savannas and woodlands; in brackets: marginally including the respective habitat type). 

Species 

Sites 

Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

Total Red List Habitat 

Pteropodidae 

Hypsignathus monstrosus * X * F (S) 

Scotonycteris zenkeri 1 2 3 NT F 

Megaloglossus woermanni 1 3 4 F 

Myonycteris torquata 2 1 3 F (S) 

Nycteridae 

Nycteris grandis 1 1 F (S) 

Rhinolophidae 

Rhinolophus alcyone 1 1 F (S) 

Hipposideridae 

Hipposideros ruber 5 1 6 F (S) 

Hipposideros beatus 1 1 F 

Hipposideros cyclops 2 2 F 

Hipposideros gigas 1 2 3 F 

Vespertilionidae 

Hypsugo [crassulus] bellieri 1 1 2 n.a. F 

Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri 1 1 n.a. F 

Specimens total 11 9 7 27 

Species total 6 6 6 12 

*: species not caught, but two males observed and heard at the edge of the forest towards marshy grassland. 




Number of species 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 

Individuals 

Figure 11.1. Smoothed species accumulation curve for bats captured during 

the RAP survey in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana. Line and dots: sample-based 

rarefaction curve, rescaled by individuals (“Mao Tau”-curve, Colwell 

et al. 2004), vertical bars: ± 1 SD. 

biguously identified as Hypsignathus monstrosus. The capture 

rate of 0.12 bats per net hour was very low (Table 11.2), 

consisting of 0.05 fruit bats per net hour and 0.08 insectivorous 

bats per net hour. No day-roosts of bats were found. 

Comparison between the three sites is highly limited because 

of the overall low number of captured individuals. 

Four species (Nycteris grandis, Rhinolophus alcyone, Hipposideros 

beatus, Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri) were captured 

only once. The other species were captured in small numbers, 

with six being the highest number of individuals per 

species in Hipposideros ruber. At each site six species were 

recorded, whereby Asiakwa North had the highest number 

of species found only there (Rhinolophus alcyone, Hipposideros 

beatus, H. cyclops, Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri; Table 11.3). 

No fruit bats were recorded at Asiakwa North. Two species 

(Hypsugo [crassulus] bellieri, Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri) constitute 

first records for Ghana, raising the total number of 

bat species for this country from 84 to 86 (J. Fahr unpubl. 

data). 

The 12 species encountered during the RAP survey 

depend exclusively (seven species) or largely (five species) 

on forest habitat and not a single species preferring savanna 

habitat was recorded (Table 11.3). Among the fruit bats, 

Scotonycteris zenkeri is ranked on the Red List as Near Threatened 

(IUCN 2006). The captured insectivorous bats belong 

to the families Nycteridae, Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae 

and Vespertilionidae. High-flying species from the families 

Emballonuridae and Molossidae are completely lacking from 

the species list, which is most likely the result of captures 

being restricted to near ground level. The combined species 

accumulation curve for Atewa does not reach a plateau but 

rises steeply (Figure 11.1), indicating that sampling of the bat 

fauna during this short study was incomplete. 

Terrestrial small mammals 

In total, 11 individuals of three species of terrestrial small 

mammals were captured (Table 11.4, Appendix 8). Due 

to the small number of captures, comparison between sites 

cannot be made. Both rodent species and the shrew species 

depend on rainforest. Both Edward’s swamp rat (Malacomys 

edwardsi) and the shrew Crocidura grandiceps are endemic 

to West Africa. The latter is ranked on the Red List as Near 

Threatened (IUCN 2006). Tullberg’s soft-furred mouse 

(Praomys tullbergi) had previously been recorded from the 

Atewa Range (Abedi-Lartey and Guba-Kpelle 2005; see Appendix 

9). 

Discussion 

Bats 

The present survey raised the number of bat species known 

to occur in Ghana from 84 to 86 despite the fact that Ghana 

is well-sampled compared to other West African countries. 

The very short survey and low capture numbers do not allow 

differentiating between single sampling sites, hence only 

a general assessment of species richness and composition 

of Atewa is possible. During the present RAP study, 12 bat 

species were recorded. Prior to our study, only seven bat 

species were claimed to occur in the area, all of them fruit 

bats (Pteropodidae: Epomophorus gambianus, Micropteropus 

pusillus, Hypsignathus monstrosus, Nanonycteris veldkampii, 

Scotonycteris zenkeri, Megaloglossus woermanni, Eidolon helvum) 

(Harris and Baker 1959, pers. comm. D. Smith and L. 

Grimes in Grubb et al. 1999, Abedi-Lartey and Guba-Kpelle 

2005). Out of these species, we did not record Epomophorus 

gambianus, Micropteropus pusillus, Nanonycteris veldkampii 

Table 11.4. Small terrestrial mammals recorded at three sites of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve during the 2006 RAP 

survey (numbers refer to captured individuals). Red List: global Red List status (NT: Near Threatened; IUCN 2006). 

Species Sites Total Red List 

Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

Soricomorpha 

Crocidura grandiceps 2 2 NT 

Rodentia 

Praomys tullbergi 1 1 1 3 

Malacomys edwardsi 1 2 3 6 

Total specimens 4 3 4 11 

Total species 3 2 2 3 


93

Chapter 11 

or Eidolon helvum. During the wet season, both Nanonycteris 

veldkampii and Eidolon helvum are migrating to the North 

(Thomas 1983), hence these species might have been absent 

during our study period. However, Epomophorus gambianus 

as well as Micropteropus pusillus are species mainly found in 

savanna habitats (Fahr and Ebigbo 2003, 2004). We suspect 

that the latter records might either represent misidentifications 

of Epomops spp. and N. veldkampii, respectively, or that 

they were encountered in highly degraded and converted 

habitat along the periphery of the forest reserve where farmbush 

species might have invaded the forest zone. Surprisingly 

few fruit bats (Pteropodidae) were recorded during the 

present RAP survey, possibly due to a seasonal lack of fruiting 

trees in the vicinity of the sampling sites. 

The species accumulation curve for Atewa rises steeply 

and does not reach an asymptotic plateau, indicating that 

our sampling of the bat fauna is far from being complete. 

Decher and Fahr (2007) estimated that 35-40 bat species 

can be expected to locally occur in forest reserves of southern 

Ghana. As this figure is about three times higher than the 

12 species we encountered, extended surveys are necessary 

for a near-complete inventory of the bat fauna. Incompleteness 

of the present bat survey is also demonstrated by the 

occurrence of 2-4 additional species that were recorded in 

Atewa prior to but not during this RAP survey (see above). 

The discrepancy between our results and the expected number 

of species is based on several factors. During short-term 

inventories like RAP surveys, sampling is largely opportunistic 

and limited both in temporal and spatial coverage. 

This study focused on the plateau areas of Atewa and future 

assessments should include slope habitat. Recent surveys 

showed pronounced species turnover between sites that 

differ in altitude and vegetation (Fahr et al. 2006). Furthermore, 

Atewa has never been the target of an extended study 

covering all seasons. Previous surveys demonstrated that additional 

sampling methods such as a (functional) harp trap 

and canopy nets reveal species that are missed with mist nets 

set near ground level (Fahr and Ebigbo 2004, Monadjem 

and Fahr 2007). 

The total of 12 species and the capture rate of 0.12 

(0.09-0.20) bats per net hour is at the lower bound of previous 

RAP surveys (0.02-1.92 bats/nh: Fahr and Ebigo 2003, 

2004; Decher et al. 2005b; Decher and Fahr 2006; Fahr et 

al. 2006; Monadjem and Fahr 2007). Most of these previous 

studies covered several forest reserves and forest edge 

as well as adjacent village areas. During the present RAP 

survey, sampling was conducted exclusively within the forest 

interior of Atewa. The surroundings of Atewa were not 

sampled as they were outside of the boundary of the reserve 

and therefore not the target of this study. Undisturbed rainforest 

habitat generally yields low capture rates compared to 

habitat mosaic or forest edges (Monadjem and Fahr 2007), 

hence the low captures of the Atewa survey do not indicate 

degraded habitat conditions. The number of 12 recorded 

species is remarkably high in proportion to the low number 

of 27 captured individuals (Table 11.3), again reflecting undisturbed 

rainforest habitat where many species occur in low 

abundance and with overall high evenness. 

Terrestrial small mammals 

During previous RAP surveys in West Africa, the number 

of shrew species recorded per sampling site was 0-5 species 

for a total of 2-7 species per RAP survey. Corresponding 

numbers for rodents (excluding anomalurids, squirrels and 

porcupines: not covered in our survey) are 1-8 species per 

sampling site for a total of 1-16 rodent species per RAP survey 

(Decher 2004; Decher et al. 2005a, 2005b; Norris 2006; 

Monadjem and Fahr 2007). The very low capture success of 

terrestrial mammals in Atewa, both in terms of individuals 

and species, is only comparable to that encountered during 

the Liberia RAP survey where trapping was largely conducted 

on a limited basis due to logistical problems (Monadjem 

and Fahr 2007). The field period for the present RAP survey 

was even more limited than in previous RAPs and the species 

list is certainly far from being complete. Unfortunately, 

previous species lists for Atewa (Abu-Juam et al. 2003, 

Abedi-Lartey and Guba Kpelle 2005) indicate substantial 

misidentifications and/or sampling in highly disturbed areas 

around Atewa (see Appendix 9). Only the reported Praomys 

tullbergi (also recorded during the present survey), Thryonomys 

swinderianus and Cricetomys emini seem sufficiently 

likely to accept their reported occurrence in Atewa. 

Significant species 

The fruit bat Scotonycteris zenkeri is ranked Near Threatened 

on the most recent Red List (IUCN 2006). This species 

depends on rainforest and shows a disjunct distribution pattern, 

with populations occurring in Upper Guinea, Lower 

Guinea, and Central Africa. It is known from several locations 

in Ghana, including Atewa (Grubb et al. 1999), but 

always represents a small percentage of all fruit bat captures 

(Fahr in press-a). Recent records were exclusively made in 

undisturbed forests and it is likely that this species has disappeared 

from many previous localities as a result of forest 

degradation and loss. 

Hypsugo [crassulus] bellieri, a bat endemic to the Upper 

Guinean forests, was recorded for Ghana the first time. The 

taxon bellieri is currently recognized as a subspecies of Hypsugo 

crassulus (Heller et al. 1995, Simmons 2005). It has a very 

restricted distribution within Upper Guinea and probably represents 

a distinct species (Fahr in press-b). Due to its current 

taxonomic status as a subspecies, it has not yet been assessed 

for the IUCN Red List although it is likely to be threatened 

by habitat degradation and loss. The recognition of bellieri as a 

distinct species would qualify it as Vulnerable according to the 

Red List criteria (A4c; see Monadjem and Fahr 2007). 

The large-sized “pipistrelle” captured in Asiakwa North 

cannot be referred to any described species known to occur 

in West Africa. It agrees in measurements and characters 

with four unpublished specimens from Ivory Coast, a single 

specimen from southwestern Cameroon and two specimens 

from western Liberia referred to Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri 

by Monadjem and Fahr (2007). Although these specimens 

agree in measurements and characters with Pipistrellus grandidieri, 

which was described from Zanzibar, the large distri- 




butional hiatus between West and East Africa raises the possibility 

that West African specimens represent a distinct and 

undescribed species. Further morphological and genetic data 

are necessary to answer this question. The record of Pipistrellus 

aff. grandidieri from Atewa is the first for Ghana. 

The shrew Crocidura grandiceps is ranked as Near 

Threatened on the Red List (IUCN 2006). This species was 

described from Krokosua Hills in Ghana (Hutterer 1983). 

Since then, only a few specimens have been recorded, mostly 

in undisturbed primary rainforest in southeastern Guinea 

(Decher 2004), western Ivory Coast (Meylan and Vogel 

1982 [as C. cf. nimbae], Churchfield et al. 2004, Quérouil et 

al. 2005), southern Benin (Bekker and Ekoué 2004), southern 

Nigeria 1 (Hutterer and Happold 1983, Iyawe 1989, Angelici 

and Luiselli 2005 [as C. cf. grandiceps]), and possibly 

from southwestern Cameroon (Hutterer and Schlitter 1996) 

(Fig. 11.2). This species is threatened by loss and degradation 

of suitable rainforest habitat. A recent RAP survey of 

three forest reserves in southwestern Ghana, including the 

type locality Krokosua Hills, did not record C. grandiceps 

(Decher et al. 2005b) and our record from Atewa is the second 

for Ghana since its description. 

COnSERvATiOn RECOMMEndATiOnS 

Overall species composition of small mammals within Atewa 

as assessed during the RAP survey clearly reflects an assemblage 

of forest-dependent species, including several globally 

threatened species, and underlines the ecological integrity 

of the surveyed area. Our findings confirm the results of the 

West Africa Priority-Setting Workshop, which ranked Atewa 

to be of “Very High” priority for overall biodiversity conservation 

in West Africa (Bakarr et al. 2001). 

A study of the effects of habitat fragmentation on birds 

1 

The record from Ilashe was erroneously given by Hutterer and Happold (1983) 

as 7°30’N, 6°30’E. However, the correct locality is “Idoforo, 4 mi S Ilashe, 6 mi 

N Ago Shasha”, 6°38’N, 2°47’E, in SW Nigeria. 

in Ghana revealed dramatic influence of patch size on species 

composition and only the largest fragments harbored 

area-sensitive species (Beier et al. 2002). Negative effects 

of climatic alterations as a result of fragmentation were 

demonstrated by Hill and Curran (2003), who furthermore 

emphasized the detrimental impact of fire on smaller forest 

fragments in Ghana. Both studies stressed the importance of 

maintaining larger intact forest blocks like Atewa to protect 

the last strongholds of forest-dependent species in Ghana. 

Montane areas are a particular case: as a result of orographic 

precipitation, they have offered long-term environmental 

stability and acted as refuges during drier times in the past. 

At the same time, adaptation to predictable conditions 

might confer a higher susceptibility of local populations 

to disturbance (Fjeldså and Lovett 1997). In line with this 

argument, Ricketts et al. (2005) predicted that future extinctions 

will be mainly found in species that are restricted 

to mountains. Atewa Range is the only significant Upland 

Evergreen Forest that remains between the Upper Guinea 

Highlands in the West and the Cameroon Mountain Range 

in the East. These mountainous areas are distinguished by a 

large number of endemic and threatened species. If Atewa is 

severely disturbed by large-scale impacts such as industrial 

surface mining, it is highly likely that the majority of specialized 

forest species will be lost, at least those species most 

vulnerable to altered habitat conditions. 

Between 1990 and 2005, the deforestation rate in 

Ghana was very high (2.0%) compared to other countries in 

West Africa, resulting in the loss of 25.9% (1,931,000 ha) 

of Ghana’s forest cover during 15 years (FAO 2006). Degradation 

and depletion of forests through logging, bushmeat 

hunting, encroaching agriculture and mining activities has 

severely reduced and fragmented the country’s forest cover. 

Only designated forest reserves still contain significant forest 

blocks that serve as source areas for a broad variety of 

animal and plant species, protect watersheds and maintain 

Ghana’s climate, thereby providing essential goods and ser- 

Figure 11.2. Known distribution of Crocidura grandiceps. Dark green: closed forest; medium green: degraded forest and farmland; pale green: woodland 

and humid savannas (GLC2000; Mayaux et al. 2004). 


Chapter 11 

vices for the human population of the country (Agyarko 

2001). Atewa constitutes the largest and most intact patch 

of Upland Evergreen Forest in Ghana, representing 75% of 

this habitat type countrywide, and was consequently designated 

one of 30 Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas 

(GBSA) in 1999. This forest reserve is distinguished by one 

of the highest levels of biodiversity in Ghana, for some taxa 

even the highest (Larsen 2006). Despite its pivotal role as 

one of the most important conservation areas in Ghana, it is 

still not adequately protected. In 1994, the Government of 

Ghana formulated a new Forest and Wildlife Policy aiming 

at both the “conservation and sustainable development of 

the nation’s forest and wildlife resources” (Agyarko 2001). 

More recently, however, the Government is facing allegations 

of compromising its own policy by permitting unsustainable 

exploitation of forest reserves (Hilson and Nyame 

2006). In order to reverse this worrying development and to 

implement Ghana’s own strategy within the legally binding 

framework of the international Convention on Biological 

Diversity (CBD), we recommend the following points for an 

integral and long-term protection of Atewa: 

• Undertake additional surveys of Atewa to complement 

the inventory of small mammals. 

• Focus in-depth studies on threatened, rare and endemic 

species, including those that have not yet been assessed 

for the IUCN Red List. 

• Encourage participation by local communities in decision-making 

regarding the management of Atewa and 

provide biodiversity education and training in sustainable 

use of forest resources. 

• Prevent of further illegal logging by establishing patrols 

and enforcing existing regulations. 

• Rigorously protect the watersheds of Atewa in order to 

secure the water supply for surrounding communities 

and cities. 

• Upgrade of the legal status of Atewa to a fully protected 

conservation area – ideally a national park – in which 

development activities are prohibited, in recognition of 

Atewa's global biodiversity significance. 

• Withdrawal of exploration concessions for Atewa 

granted by the Government of Ghana as Atewa represents 

an irreplaceable area of unique biodiversity, for 

which large-scale mining impacts could not be compensated 

by mitigation measures such as offsets (IUCN 

2000, Phillips 2001, Dudley and Stolton 2002, Abu- 

Juam et al. 2003, Miranda et al. 2005). 

• Update and implement the management plan established 

by the Forestry Commission of Ghana (Abu- 

Juam et al. 2003) and long-term development of 

Atewa's potential for eco-tourism (Lawson 1970, Larsen 

2006). 

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Biological Assessment of Forêt Classée du Pic de Fon, 

Simandou Range, South-eastern Republic of Guinea. 


International, Washington, DC. 248 pp. 




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North Lorma, Gola and Grebo National Forests, with 

notes on shrews and rodents. Pp. 47-58, 101-106. 

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Chapter 12 

A rapid survey of large mammals from the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Eastern Region, 


Moses Kofi Sam, Kwaku Oduro Lokko, Emmanuel Akom 

and John Nyame 

Summary 

Large mammals were surveyed at three sites in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve from 7 – 23 

June 2006. Altogether, 22 species were recorded with 12, 14 and 15 species observed from 

Atiwiredu, Asiakwa South and Asiakwa North respectively. Of the species recorded, Pel’s flying 

squirrel (Anomalurus pelii) is listed as Near Threatened, Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), 

Black duiker (Cephalophus niger), Bay duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), Maxwell’s duiker 

(Cephalophus maxwellii) and Royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus) are listed as Lower Risk/Near 

Threatened, and West palm squirrel (Epixerus ebii) is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN 

Red List. In addition to these species of international conservation concern, the African civet 

(Civettictis civetta), African palm civet (Nandinia binotata), Long-tailed pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla) 

and Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) are nationally protected in Ghana. 

Interviews in selected fringe communities indicated that there could possibly be four other 

mammal species present in the reserve while five others could be locally extinct. Many illegal 

activities, especially related to hunting, were recorded during our assessment. It was also noted 

that deforestation along trail lines being constructed for mineral exploration and occasional illegal 

farms could be a significant factor affecting the conservation of large mammals in Atewa. 

Introduction 

At a time when deforestation is accelerating across Africa, survey information is particularly 

important for assessing and monitoring the long-term effects of habitat changes. Research and 

monitoring must anticipate the changes that lie ahead so that wildlife managers can prepare 

themselves. The challenge for biologists is not only to preserve species and representative biological 

communities for posterity, but also to conserve ecosystems that are large enough to continue 

providing the natural products and services that are essential for human communities. 

As in many other countries in West Africa, wildlife resources in Ghana have dwindled 

drastically over the past few decades. This has largely been attributed to the growth in human 

population and poor enforcement of the country’s wildlife laws, which combined has resulted 

in a virtually uncontrolled bushmeat trade, posing a major threat to biodiversity in general and 

to wildlife resources in particular. Consequently, many of the country’s wildlife species such as 

duikers (forest antelopes), porcupine, tree pangolin, bare-headed rock fowl, forest elephant and 

primates have become threatened. Current estimates suggest that at least 20 of the larger mammal 

species in the forest zone of Ghana are globally threatened (Ntiamoa-Baidu 1987). 

The large mammals of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa) make an interesting case 

study for several reasons. The forest reserve belongs to the Upland Evergreen Forest type which 

is quite restricted in Ghana, with only one other example, Tano Ofin Forest Reserve, in the 

Ashanti Region of Ghana. The uniqueness of the terrain and micro-climatic conditions therefore 

predispose the reserve to many interesting fauna and flora. 

During this survey, our aim was to investigate the large mammal (mammals larger than 

bats) population of Atewa using Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) survey methods. Measuring 

biodiversity is a difficult, expensive and time-consuming task (Hawksworth 1995), and 


99

Chapter 12 

hardly feasible in the case of most tropical forests. Practical 

considerations mean that we must use particular groups of 

organisms as biodiversity indicators (Pearson 1995). For a 

project of modest duration, large mammals are one important 

and diverse group that can readily be inventoried. They 

fulfill most of the criteria listed by Pearson (1995) for a good 

indicator group for monitoring. According to White and 

Edwards (2000), as a focal group, large mammals and their 

signs are most readily visible. They tend to be the most heavily 

hunted animals and are therefore of special conservation 

concern. They also tend to be a good index of the overall 

integrity and conservation status of a region. 

From 7-23 June 2006 Atewa’s large mammals were surveyed 

at three different sites (Atiwiredu, Asiakwa South and 

Asiakwa North) using a straight transect of least resistance. 

To determine the presence of species, visual observations of 

mammals and other signs of their presence such as tracks, 

droppings, dung, feeding signs, walking trails and nests were 

noted. The team also noted evidence of activities such as 

hunting, illegal farming and other such activities that impact 

the conservation of large mammals. A species list was generated 

including species that were observed through direct 

sightings, sounds and/or animal spoors, from transects of all 

areas surveyed. 

To complement information from transect walks, interviews 

were conducted in forest fringe communities such as 

Ankaase and Anyinam to determine the presence or absence 

of previously recorded mammals. These interviews indicated 

the possible local extinction of some species previously 

known to occur in the area. Individuals selected for interview 

included those with extensive knowledge of the local fauna 

who had lived in the various communities for many years as 

well as seasoned hunters. A species list based on interviews 

with local community members was generated taking into 

consideration historical presence of recorded species. 

The first site surveyed was Atiwiredu. This site has tree 

species endemic to Atewa, such as Aframomum atewae. Cola 

boxiana and Chidlowia sanguinea are two of the most dominant 

tree species at the site. In this area, ALCOA has been 

actively prospecting for bauxite. As a result of this, many 

roads have been constructed to enable transportation of personnel 

and equipment to the various parts of the site. The 

forest condition is rated 2 despite this development, indicating 

that the area is still in good shape. 

Asiakwa South was the second site surveyed with a forest 

condition score 3. Some of the dominant tree species at 

the site are Rinorea oblongifolia and Hymenostegia afzelii. It 

is in slightly better condition than Site 1 in terms of habitat 

fragmentation, number of roads and automotive noise. This 

site shows evidence of previous prospecting work and lumbering 

operations, with clearly demarcated old roads which 

have given way to the development of forest undergrowth 

and other opportunistic plants. There are no signs of previous 

farming activities. Visibility here was about 10 m. 

Asiakwa North was the third site surveyed. One of the 

most dominant tree species observed at this site was Rinorea 

oblongifolia. Of the three sites, this site had the highest quality 

habitat (condition score 2) with a fantastic dense evergreen 

canopy. Although there is evidence of illegal chain-saw activities 

here, this area contains no lumbering roads and access is 

restricted to footpaths. Resulting from the intactness of the 

canopy, the understorey is relatively clear increasing both accessibility 

and visibility which could be beyond 10 m at this 

site. 

Methods 

Results 

Overall, a total of 140 actual sightings and signs of animals 

indicating the presence of 22 different mammal species in five 

families were recorded during transects of the three sites. Rodentia 

was the most dominant family and accounted for eight 

of the recorded species while six species each of Artiodactyla 

and Carnivora were recorded and just one species each of 

Pholidota and Hydracoidea. Interviews indicated the possible 

presence of an additional four species in the reserve including 

Greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), Marsh mongoose 

(Atilax paludinosus), Dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula) and 

Red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus). Interviews also suggested 

that five other mammals, believed to be present in Atewa 

but not encountered for over 20 years, are likely to be locally 

extinct. These include Bongo (Tragelaphus euryceros), Ogilby’s 

duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi), Water chevrotain (Hyemoschus 

aquaticus), Giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) and 

Crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata senegalica). 

In terms of large mammal observations, the greatest 

number of records came from Asiakwa North (15 spp.) followed 

by Asiakwa South (14 spp.) and finally Atiwiredu (12 

spp.). Six species were common to all three sites, with nine 

species recorded at two sites and seven species recorded at 

only one site (see Table 12.1). Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus 

maxwellii) was the most frequently observed species and accounted 

for about one-third (38 observations) of all detections 

followed by the Brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) 

with 21 observations. The indices of animal signs were 2.9/hr, 

2.67/hr and 1.41/hr for Asiakwa South, Asiakwa North and 

Atiwiredu respectively. Asiakwa North recorded the highest 

index of illegal activity (i.e total number of signs of illegal 

activities encountered per hour of survey) of 1.87/hr, followed 

by Atiwiredu with 1.07/hr and Asiakwa South, 1.05/hr. 

Discussion 

Roads have left the habitats of the Atiwiredu site fragmented. 

There is also evidence of previous logging of economically 

important tree species. This has given way to growth of under-canopy 

plants making accessibility difficult and visibility 

under the canopy less than 10 m. Some spent cartridges, 

snares and hunting trails were encountered at this site. 


A rapid survey of large mammals from the Atewa Range Forest 


Table 12.1. Preliminary Checklist of the Large Mammals of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana and their conservation status. 

Species Sites Status Mode of Detection 

Scientific Name Common Name Atiwiredu 

Asiakwa 

South 

Asiakwa 

North 

RODENTIA 

Anomalurus pelii Pel’s flying squirrel x NT x 

IUCN National O H F T D S I 

Anomalurus beecrofti Beecroft’s flying squirrel x x x 

Cricetomys gambianus African giant rat x x x x x x x x 

Atherurus africanus Brush-tailed porcupine x x x x x x x 

Epixerus ebii West palm squirrel x x DD x x 

Euxerus erythropus Western ground squirrel x x x x 

Heliosciurus 

rufobrachium 

Red-footed squirrel x x x 

Protoxerus stangeri African giant squirrel x x x 

Thryonomys 

swinderianus 

Marsh cane-rat x 

PHOLIDOTA 

Uromanis tetradactyla Long-tailed pangolin x I x x 

CARNIVORA 

Civettictis civetta African civet x x I x x 

Nandinia binotata African palm civet x x I x x 

Genetta genetta Common genet x x x 

Crossarchus obscurus Cusimanse x x x x 

Herpestes naso Long-snouted mongoose x x x x 

Herpestes sanguinea Slender mongoose x x x x x 

Atilax paludinosus Marsh Mongoose x 

Helogale parvula Dwarf mongoose x 

HYRACOIDEA 

Dendrohyrax dorsalis Tree hyrax x x x x x 

ARTIODACTYLA 

Cephalophus dorsalis Bay duiker x x x LR/nt x x 

Cephalophus maxwellii Maxwell’s duiker x x x LR/nt x x x x 

Cephalophus niger Black duiker x LR/nt x x x x 

Cephalophus silvicultor Yellow-backed duiker x LR/nt I x x 

Neotragus pygmaeus Royal antelope x x x LR/nt x x x x 

Tragelaphus scriptus Bushbuck x x x x 

Potamochoerus porcus Red river hog x 

Total 12 14 15 

Mode of Detection: 

O - observed 

H - heard 

F - feeding sign 

T - track 

D - dung 

S - specimen 

I - interview 

IUCN: 

NT – Near Threatened 

LR/nt – Lower Risk / Near 

Threatened 

DD – Data Deficient 

National: 

I – included on Schedule I of 

Ghana Wildlife Conservation 

Regulation (wholly protected in 

Ghana). 


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Chapter 12 

Asiakwa South shows clear evidence of excessive hunting 

from people. There were many spent cartridges and different 

types of wire snares for trapping. This site is also rich 

in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and there is evidence 

of high levels of chewing stick, sponge and cane harvesting 

from this site. There are no signs of previous farming activities 

here, however, there were signs of the area having been 

subject to mineral prospecting in the past. 

Asiakwa North is probably the best refuge for large mammals 

in Atewa. This is revealed in the high number of species 

seen there. Notwithstanding the promising nature of this site 

it shows evidence of excessive hunting by local people. A high 

number of snares, spent cartridges and hunting trails were 

seen in this site. The hills at this site also serve as the source 

of many rivers and NTFPs are not frequently harvested here 

though other forms of illegal activities such as hunting with 

guns and wire snaring are predominant (Table 12.2). 

On the whole, most of the species that were recorded 

during the RAP survey are those that can be hunted under 

the Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulation, LI 685. However 

four species, Long-tailed pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla), 

African civet (Civettictis civetta), African palm civet 

(Nandinia binotata), and Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus 

silvicultor) are species that are listed under Schedule I of the 

Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulation and thus are wholly 

protected in Ghana. In terms of species of global conservation 

concern, Pel’s flying squirrel (Anomalurus pelii) is listed 

as Near Threatened, Yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), 

Black duiker (Cephalophus niger), Bay duiker (Cephalophus 

dorsalis), Maxwell’s duiker (Cephalophus maxwellii) 

and Royal antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus) are listed as Lower 

Risk/Near Threatened, and West palm squirrel (Epixerus ebii) 

is listed as Data Deficient under the IUCN categorization of 

threatened species of the world (IUCN 2006). 


Evidence of more mammal species was found in Asiakwa 

South and North compared to Atiwiredu. However, Asiakwa 

North showed a higher level of illegal activities. It is important 

to address this situation through various conservation 

education programs and the introduction of alternative/additional 

livelihood ventures after a detailed socio-economic 

survey has been undertaken. 

Mining and other exploitative development not only results 

in (at least temporary) deforestation, but also increases 

access to otherwise intact or undisturbed ecosystems. This 

was confirmed during the surveys through the many illegal 

activities observed, particularly along access roads and trails 

developed for exploration. One mining company worker was 

even seen carrying a shotgun. It is therefore essential that access 

to forest resources be monitored. 

This RAP survey was conducted during the rainy season 

when Mapania bakdwinii and Leptapisi cochleata form a 

carpet covering much of the forest floor making footprints, 

dung and other signs of animals difficult to see. Undertaking 

a similar survey during the dry season and sampling additional 

areas, especially towards the periphery of the reserve 

would most likely increase the number of mammal species 

directly or indirectly encountered, thus adding to our species 

list for the reserve. 

Finally, monitoring the effects of forest management 

regimes on wild animal populations requires that periodic 

biological surveys be carried out to assess the impact of such 

forest management regimes on our forest fauna. 

References 

Hawksworth, D.L. (ed). 1995. Biodiversity: Measurement 

and estimation. Chapman and Hall and the Royal 

Society, London. 

IUCN. 2006. 2006 Red List of Threatened Species. Online: 


Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. 1987. West African wildlife: a resource in 

jeopardy. Unasylva 39: 27-35. 

Pearson, D.L. 1995. Selecting indicator taxa for the quantitative 

assessment of biodiversity. Pp. 75-80. In: 

Hawksworth, D.L. (ed). 1995. Biodiversity: Measurement 

and estimation. Chapman and Hall and the Royal 

Society, London. 

White, L. and A. Edwards (eds). 2000. Conservation 

research in the African rain forests: a technical handbook. 

Wildlife Conservation Society, New York. 444 pp. 

Table 12.2: Illegal activities recorded in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve during the RAP survey. 

Sites 

Illegal Activity Atiwiredu Asiakwa South Asiakwa North 

Spent Cartridge 3 9 11 

Wire snare 0 5 10 

Hunters trail 12 4 12 

Illegal farm 3 1 0 

Illegal logging/Chain sawing 4 2 4 

Totals 22 21 37 

Time spent in the field (hours) 20.63 19.98 19.83 

Total # of signs per hour of survey 1.07 1.05 1.87 


Chapter 13 

A rapid survey of primates from the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Nicolas Granier and Vincent Awotwe-Pratt 

Summary 

During a RAP survey of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, we recorded six primate species belonging 

to four families including two families of nocturnal prosimian represented by the potto, 

Perodicticus potto and Demidoff’s galago, Galagoides demidovii. Four diurnal simians belonging 

to two families were identified, including two Red-Listed colobus monkeys (the olive colobus, 

Procolobus verus and Geoffroy’s pied colobus, Colobus vellerosus) and two cercopithecus monkeys 

(the lesser spot-nosed monkey, Cercopithecus petaurista buettikoferi and Lowe’s monkey, Cercopithecus 

campbelli loweï). Based on our results, Sites 2 and 3 appear to be the most important 

for primates in Atewa and particularly slopes and plateaux, at least during this season in which 

our survey was conducted. Additionally, observations of leftover fruits suggest that gallery forest 

found in valleys constitutes an important habitat in terms of primate diet. Taken together, 

our results suggest that the primate populations of the Atewa Range require the integrity of this 

mountainous biotope to survive. 

Introduction 

The taxonomy of the primate order is liable to frequent modifications resulting from identification 

of new taxa, extinction or systematic revisions (Oates et al. 2000, McGraw and Oates 

2002, Grubb et al. 2003, Jones et al. 2005, Davenport et al. 2006). To date, almost 300 

primate species have been identified worldwide, including approximately 60 in the African 

continent (Gautier-Hion et al. 1999). It is estimated that 85% of African primate taxa are living 

exclusively in tropical rainforests and have consequently developed specific ecological and 

behavioral adaptations (Oates 1994). Based on available data, the monitoring of certain key 

primate populations is becoming a powerful tool allowing indirect and continuous follow-up 

on the status of targeted habitats. Temporal variations in the relative abundance of particular 

monkey species can be a very good indicator of habitat disturbance that might otherwise go undetected 

using remote sensing tools. 

Primates play an important role in the ecology of tropical rainforest and especially in the 

reproductive biology of flowering plants. They are highly frugivorous mammals with expansive 

habitat ranges, making them particularly efficient seed-dispersers (Chapman 1995). The digestion 

and consequent dispersal of seeds promotes seedling establishment and survival, influencing 

the regeneration of the consumed plant species (Dominy and Duncan 2005). Chapman 

and Onderdonk (1998) suggest that the extinction of primates, and to a lesser extent their 

increasing rarity, could cause a prominent threat to the structure, composition and diversity of 

tropical forests. Furthermore, primates represent an important component of the forest food 

web. In addition to fruits, their omnivorous diets include numerous species of insects, rodents, 

hyraxes, duikers, and even monkeys in the case of chimpanzees (Clutton-Brock 1977, Sugiyama 

and Koman 1987, Yamakoshi 2004). In return, they are prey for species such as the crowned 

eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, the leopard Panthera pardus and snakes (Cowlishaw 1994, Mitani 

et al. 2001, Zuberbülher and Jenny 2002). 


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Chapter 13 

Besides, probably because of their fascinating similarity 

to human beings, monkeys and apes are amongst the most 

important tourist attractions of the African intertropical 

zone (Weber 1993). The Republic of Ghana, with its sixteen 

inventoried primate species (Gartlan 1982) and ecotourism 

projects such as the Kakum National Park (Central region) 

and the Boabeng-Fiema monkey sanctuary (Brong-Ahafo region), 

is no exception. In this context, primate conservation 

and the preservation of primates’ natural habitat are ecologically 

essential, but also become an economic challenge for 

local authorities and communities. In terms of politics as 

well, the charismatic images of simians can be used to influence 

conservation decisions and environmental policies in 

general. 

Despite all this, since the early 1980’s over 50% of 

primate diversity faces some form of threat (Chapman and 

Peres 2001). Primates and their natural habitat are increasingly 

threatened globally by hunting and other human 

activities including logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and 

mining (Mittermeier et al. 2005). Such activities, leading to 

destruction and fragmentation of the forest, not only affect 

primate species’ abundance and ranging patterns, but also 

their group size and composition (Dominy and Duncan 

2005). Given this tenuous conservation context, any area 

hosting threatened primate populations deserves attention 

and in particular those areas representing rare ecosystems or 

remnant habitats benefiting from protected status. 

The Republic of Ghana, located in the Guinean Forests 

of West Africa, is one of the 34 global Hotspots for biodiversity 

conservation, and probably the most important 

one in terms of primate diversity (Bakarr et al. 2004). The 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve (Atewa), located in the Eastern 

Region of Ghana (see Map), is part of the eastern sub-region 

of this biodiversity hotspot, which is known to contain 

severely fragmented forests of high conservation value. 

Atewa consists of a 23,660 ha range of hills oriented approximately 

north-south, and is characterized by steep-sided 

slopes topped by flat plateaux. The reserve lies within the 

moist semi-deciduous forest zone, and three-quarters of it is 

composed of healthy Upland Evergreen Forest. Atewa is one 

of only two reserves in Ghana representing this forest type, 

and those two reserves together hold 95% of the Upland 

Evergreen Forest of Ghana (BirdLife International 2005). 

The very ancient soils of the Atewa Range, which are reputed 

to be bauxite laden, contain the headwaters of several of 

Ghana’s major watercourses including the Birim, Densu and 

Ayensu rivers. This area has been legally protected for over 

eighty years, and was more recently declared a Globally Significant 

Biodiversity Area (GSBA). Despite these measures, 

Atewa is still threatened by illegal logging and hunting, and 

has recently been granted by the Ghanaian government on 

concession to ALCOA for bauxite mineral exploration. 

Methods 

A survey of primate diversity, abundance and distribution 

was conducted in Atewa from 7-22 June 2006. The RAP 

survey focused on three study sites with campsites located 

on the top of the large plateaus dominating the reserve at an 

altitude of 800 m. Atiwiredu (Site 1) still contains relatively 

healthy forest although it is the zone most impacted by mineral 

prospecting activities and a number of roads and large 

trenches have increased access to the top of the Atiwiredu 

plateau. Asiakwa South (Site 2), located at an intermediate 

latitude between Sites 1 and 3, shows evidence of disturbance, 

with moderate scars resulting from drilling activities 

and other human disturbance (mainly hunting and clearing 

of forest for wood). Asiakwa North (Site 3) presents the 

healthiest forest of the three sites, but it is also the site where 

the highest hunting pressure was recorded. 

Five to six days were spent in each of the three sampling 

sites to get an overall picture of Atewa’s primate diversity 

(see Map for site locations). Sixteen days were spent surveying 

the forest, using a combination of field methods 

complemented by interviews with local villagers. Primates 

and evidence of their presence were recorded both from line 

transects and “reconnaissance surveys” during thirteen days 

(a total of 93 hours). One full day was devoted to interviews 

with local hunters and cultivators in villages surrounding the 

reserve. 

Table 13.1. Starting location, bearing, length and survey time of four line transects employed during the 2006 RAP survey of the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve, Ghana. 

Transect Start location Bearing Length (km) Number of visits Time spent surveying (h) 

T1 (Site 1) 

N 06°11’26.9” 

W 00°34’48.3” 

N 30° 0.880 3 3h20 

T2 (Site 2) 

N 06°15’14.5” 

W 00°33’14.4” 

N 30° 1.210 2 4h05 

T3 (Site 3) 

N 06°16’09.4” 

W 00°33’56.5” 

N 30° 0.850 2 2h50 

T4 (Site 3) 

N 06°15’52.0” 

W 00°33’51.6” 

N 30° 0.430 1 0h55 

Total 7.19 km 11 h 10 min 


A rapid survey of primates from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Line Transect (T) 

The line transect count method allows an estimation of animal 

population density in a sampled area. To calculate such 

a density, critical parameters have to be measured at the time 

of each contact with the targeted species (Buckland et al. 

1993, White and Edwards 2000). We established four parallel 

line transects, randomly located within the three sampled 

sites. To undertake our survey, one to three observers walked 

transects very silently at an average speed of between 0.5 and 

1 km/h, scanning and listening for primates and recording 

evidence of their presence. Table 13.1 presents general characteristics 

of the four transects. 

One transect was employed per site and walked two 

or three times at different hours of the day. Transect 1 (T1) 

was walked once at night to look for nocturnal primates. A 

fourth short transect (T4) was set up at Site 3 and walked 

only once. The total time spent walking transects was 11h 

10min, surveying a total of 7,190 m. 

Reconnaissance surveys (R) 

Reconnaissance surveys were conducted following pre-established 

itineraries that were adapted with respect to the reality 

of field conditions. Itineraries consisted of loops radiating 

from campsites and following pre-existing paths or low 

resistance routes in the forest. One to four observers recording 

clues of primate presence walked each of these once, 

silently and slowly. Compared to line transects, reconnaissance 

surveys are less time and effort consuming, they have 

the least impact on surrounding vegetation and allow the 

survey of greater distances while giving a picture of the spatial 

distribution of primate populations (Walsh and White 

1999). Nevertheless, this method does not permit access to 

a population density estimate, but to a Kilometrical Index of 

Abundance (KIA) of a selected item. KIA refers to the ratio 

between the number of contacts with the selected item and 

the walked distance (White and Edwards 2000, Maillard et 

al. 2001). Table 13.2 describes distance covered and time 

spent on reconnaissance surveys per site. 

During thirteen days (a total of 82h 30min), 64 km 

were walked including reconnaissance surveys in all studied 

areas. This included one nocturnal survey, made at Site 2 

where almost 3 km were walked in two hours. 

Table 13.2. Distance covered and time spent on Reconnaissance surveys 

per site during the 2006 RAP survey of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, 


Study sites 

Reconnaissance 

survey 

Length 

(km) 

Time spent 

(h) 

Site 1 - Atiwiredu R1 24 28 

Site 2 – Asiakwa 

South 

Site 3 – Asiakwa 

North 

R2 17 24.5 

R3 23 30 

Total 64 82.5 

Interviews 

The interview methodology permits a precise assessment 

of human knowledge on studied species with minimum 

time and effort requirements. Combined with field survey 

techniques, interviews increase and diversify data sources, 

allowing further data comparison and reliability checks. On 

19 June, we visited villages surrounding Atewa to question 

local hunters and farmers about primates that can potentially 

be found in the reserve. Interviews were conducted in a 

standard manner (Boyd and Stanfield 1998): plates showing 

both photos and drawings of 11 forest primates known to 

occur in Ghana (Oates et al. 1997) were presented to interviewees. 

They were asked to point toward items identified 

as being present in Atewa, and to specify whether any other 

species not depicted on the plates would also be present or 

not. Interviews were conducted in English, and when necessary 

Vincent Pratt, field assistant from the University of 

Ghana (Accra), translated into the local dialect (Twi). However, 

primates’ local names in Twi were systematically asked. 

We used the variability recorded in each primate local name 

as a reliability-check index (RI), defined as the ratio of interviewees 

who have given the same local name to a given primate, 

to the total number of interviewees. Thirty-eight villagers 

(12 hunters, 20 farmers and 6 local guides who were 

working with the RAP team) were individually contacted in 

nine communities surrounding the Reserve. 

Results 

Overall, six primate species belonging to four families were 

identified in the Atewa forest (Table 13.3). We recorded the 

presence of two families of nocturnal prosimian represented 

by the potto, Perodicticus potto and Demidoff’s galago, Galagoides 

demidovii. Four diurnal simians belonging to two 

families were also identified, including two Red-Listed colobus 

(IUCN 2006) (the olive colobus, Procolobus verus and 

Geoffroy’s pied colobus, Colobus vellerosus) and two cercopithecus 

monkeys (the lesser spot-nosed monkey, Cercopithecus 

petaurista buettikoferi and Lowe’s monkey, Cercopithecus 

campbelli loweï (Grubb et al. 2003)). 

During surveys, three kinds of observation related to 

primate presence were recorded: 1) direct visual observation, 

2) direct observation of vocalizations, and 3) indirect observation 

of alimentary leftovers, which were exclusively fruit 

leftovers. Sixty percent of the recorded observations (n = 58) 

were feeding remains, which cannot be easily attributed to 

one specific primate. Consequently, species’ identification 

was based on visual and vocal observations, which have enabled 

the unequivocal identification of five primate species. 

The sixth species’ presence was deduced from interviews, 

observations of the habitat and bibliography. Table 13.4 

describes the results obtained from both surveys and interviews. 

The presence of Perodicticus potto was reported in 72% 

of interviews with a Reliability Index (RI) of 0.97, which 

means that all interviewees except one have attributed the 

same local name (“aposso”) to its illustration. Despite the 


105

Chapter 13 

Table 13.3. Primate species identified in the three sampled sites of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana, during the 2006 RAP survey. 

Species Vernacular name Local name 

Site (see 

methods) 

IUCN Status (IUCN 2006) 

Perodicticus potto Potto Aposso Atewa LC 

Galagoïdes demidovii Demidoff’s galago Aprékéssima 1, 2, 3 LC 

Procolobus verus Olive colobus Assébé 2 NT 

Colobus vellerosus Geoffroy’s pied colobus Afuo 1, 2, 3 VU 

Cercopithecus petaurista buettikoferi Lesser spot-nosed monkey Ahwéhéma 1, 2, 3 LC 

Cercopithecus campbelli loweï Lowe’s monkey Okokuo 3 LC 

fact that we did not observe this species during the two nocturnal 

surveys carried out, we believe the potto actually occurs 

in Atewa because it is a common and widespread nocturnal 

prosimian found in a large variety of habitats across 

equatorial Africa (Kingdon 1997, Pimley et al. 2005). 

Galagoides demidovii, quoted as present in 74% of interviews 

with 95% of reliability, was abundantly heard all 

over the three study sites. Different members of the RAP 

team observed it three times in Atewa and a nest was seen 

on reconnaissance survey R3. Based on these observations, 

we are reporting galago’s presence mainly on the tops of plateaux. 

Two cercopithecus monkeys were identified in Atewa 

as well (Table 13.3). The lesser spot-nosed monkey or Cercopithecus 

petaurista buettikoferi was directly observed on 

two occasions and heard three times across the three sites: 

on plateaux, slopes and down in the valleys. Its presence 

was reported in 74% of the interviews with good reliability 

(RI=0.84). The second identified guenon, Lowe’s monkey 

or Cercopithecus campbelli loweï, belongs to the West African 

group of mona guenons, and was cited in 63% of the 

interviews (RI=0.81). On one occasion, characteristic alarm 

calls were heard and subsequent agitation in trees was seen 

in the higher part of the east slope of Asiakwa North plateau 

(Site 3). Evidence of an individual kept in captivity was also 

reported in an interview. 

Finally, we are reporting the presence of two colobus 

monkeys, both classified as threatened on the IUCN Red 

List (IUCN 2006). The West African endemic olive colobus, 

or Procolobus verus, was heard once on reconnaissance R2, in 

the higher part of the northwestern slope leading to Asiakwa 

South plateau (Site 2), and was indicated as present in 72% 

of interviews (RI=0.81). The second species, a regional 

subspecies of black-and-white colobus named Geoffroy’s 

pied colobus or Colobus vellerosus, was selected in 79 % of 

interviews (RI=0.87), directly observed twice and heard on 

plateaux, slopes and valleys in the three study sites. 

Three primate species that were quoted as present by 

less than half of the interviewees and never observed during 

surveys are presumed absent from Atewa. Procolobus badius 

waldroni (quoted as present in 55% of interviews with 

0.39 of reliability) and Cercocebus atys lunulatus, (presence 

quotation=42%; RI=0.52) exhibit low indexes of reliability, 

reflecting interviewees’ difficulty in identifying these species 

properly. By contrast, the chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus 

(presence quotation of 24%) shows a very high reliability index 

(RI=0.97), probably because of the fame attached to this 

well-known ape. We believe that the interviewees have good 

capacities for distinguishing primates from pictures and/or 

drawings since they were able to recognize all the species we 

identified during surveys. 

A fourth monkey, the Roloway guenon or Cercopithecus 

diana roloway was cited as present in 66% of interviews and 

exhibits the highest index of reliability (RI=1). The Diana 

monkey is listed as Threatened on the IUCN Red List 

(IUCN 2006) and the Roloway subspecies is particularly in 

danger of extinction (Magnuson 2003). Nevertheless, this 

guenon was not added to the list of Atewa’s primates because 

so far the species has only been described in the western part 

of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire (Oates 1988), and we did not 

see any evidence of its presence. The high index of reliability 

recorded for this beautiful and characteristic species probably 

results from a similar “fame effect” as described for the 

chimpanzee. 

Polyspecific associations between Geoffroy’s pied colobus 

and lesser spot-nosed guenons were observed on two 

consecutive days in the higher part of the northeastern slope 

leading to the top of Asiakwa North plateau (Site 3). In both 

cases, we heard one species and visually identified the other. 

We compared the results of monkeys’ presence between 

sites, as shown in Figure 13.1. At Site 2, the presence of 

two Red-Listed species of colobus was recorded. Furthermore 

Sites 2 and 3 show the highest primate diversity, with 

four species recorded from each. Therefore, it appears that 

Asiakwa South and Asiakwa North are the most important 

in terms of primates. 

We then compared the nature and number of observations 

made in each of the physical environment types present 

in Atewa: plateaux, slopes and valleys (Figure 13.2). 

Approximately the same surveying distance was walked in 

each of these environments. The most evidence of primates 

was recorded on slopes and plateaux (respectively n=22 and 

n=15), which suggests these constitute the most important 

habitat types for the primates of Atewa. 



Table 13.4. Primate observations made during transects and Reconnaissance Surveys (Recon): Voc = vocalization heard; Obs = visual observation 

made; Al = Feeding remains observed. Interview results: Present = Percentage of interviewees affirming the presence of the species; RI = Reliability 

index. 

Species 

Surveys (71 km) 

Interviews (n=38) 

Transect Recon Present (%) RI 

Perodicticus potto 72 0.97 

Galagoides demidovii 1 Voc 4 Voc, 1 Obs 74 0.95 

Procolobus verus 1 Voc 72 0.81 

Procolobus badius waldroni 55 0.39 

Colobus vellerosus 5 Voc 2 Obs, 3 Voc 79 0.87 

Cercocebus atys lunulatus 42 0.52 

Cercopithecus diana roloway 66 1 

Cercopithecus campbelli lowei 1 Voc 63 0.81 

Cercopithecus petaurista buettikoferi 3 Voc 2 Obs, 1 Voc 74 0.84 

Pan troglodytes verus 24 0.97 

Unknown Species 11 Al 23 Al 

12 

Visual and Vocal Obs. Food leftover Species diversity 

Number of observation 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

Number of species 

0 

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 

Site 

Figure 13.1. Amount of primate evidence and number of species recorded per site during the 2006 

RAP survey of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana. 

Visual and Vocal Obs. 

Food leftover 

12 

Number of observation 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

Plateau Slope Valley 

Physical environment category 

Figure 13.2. Primate evidence recorded per type of environment during the 2006 RAP survey of the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana. 


107

Chapter 13 

KIA Al 

KIA Al 

0,6 

0,5 

0,4 

0,3 

0,2 

0,1 

0 

0,6 

0,5 

0,4 

0,3 

0,2 

0,1 

0 

Figure 13.3. KIA of Alimentary leftovers (KIA Al) per site (i) and per environment 

type (ii). 

Down in the valleys, we observed feeding remains left 

by six primates and heard vocalizations by four different species. 

No direct observation of primates was recorded on transects, 

preventing any density estimation of monkey populations. 

Therefore, to get an idea of primate abundance in 

Atewa we grouped observations of feeding remains recorded 

on both transects and reconnaissance surveys to calculate the 

Kilometrical Index of Abundance (KIA) of primates’ alimentary 

leftovers. KIAs of alimentary leftovers were compared 

between sites and environment types, as shown in Figure 

13.3. 

Site 2 shows the smallest KIA of all sites, but is also 

the site where survey time and distance were the shortest 

(see Tables 13.1 and 13.2). Site 3 exhibits the highest KIA 

of primate alimentary leftovers, with 0.56 items seen per 

kilometer. Taking all sites into account, primates seem to 

rely mostly on slopes and valleys for feeding on fruits (0.54 

alimentary leftovers observed per kilometer in both). 

Discussion 

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 

Site 

Plateau Slope Valley 

Physical environment category 

The Kilometrical Index of Abundance of alimentary leftovers 

(KIA Al) does not directly reflect primate abundance, 

but rather the relative abundance and distribution of places 

where they have fed on fruits. Thus, fruits represent only a 

fraction of the omnivorous and seasonally changing diet of 

primates, and each of the six described species has different 

alimentary requirements. Consequently, the KIA of feeding 

remains gives an indirect and global picture of all primate 

species populating the Atewa forest. This practical monitoring 

tool is easy to set up and to carry out, and allows for the 

assessment of general changes in primate demographics as 

well as the comparison of overall population dynamics across 

habitats and time (White and Edwards 2000, Thibault et al. 

2001) and indirect analysis of the impacts of development 

activities or other alterations to the habitat. 

Based on the RAP results, Sites 2 and 3 appear to be the 

most important for primates in Atewa, particularly slopes 

and plateaux, at least during the season of our survey. The 

least evidence of primates per environmental category was 

recorded in valleys (as shown in Figure 13.2), nevertheless, 

observations of primate feeding remains here suggest that 

the gallery forest found in valleys definitely constitutes an 

important habitat in terms of primate diet. It emerges that 

the primate populations of the Atewa Range, taken as a 

whole, require the integrity of this mountainous biotope to 

survive. Moreover, the numerous observations of other large 

mammals’ tracks in valleys lead to the conclusion that this 

particular type of environment is important for large fauna 

in general. 

Habitat disturbance resulting from human activities in 

Atewa appeared to be characterized by two opposite gradients: 

the mining impact, which decreases when going north, 

and activities of local communities, which decrease when 

going south. In addition to these gradients, the topography 

also influences the spatial distribution of human disturbances: 

mining activities focus on the top of the plateaux 

whereas local community activities mainly target slopes and 

valleys, as well as Atewa’s peripheral areas. This explains how, 

up to now, mineral exploration has spared the forest cover of 

slopes, which remain outwardly nearly unsullied in the three 

sampled sites. 

Species of general interest 

The potto (Perodicticus potto) is a solitary animal living in 

secondary and lower mountain forests. It has a relatively 

large home range (from 5 to 40 ha) and exhibits seasonal 

variations in its diet, mainly composed of gum, insects, and 

fruits (Rowe 1996). In this nocturnal species, days are spent 

in trees (Pimley et al. 2005). The galago (Galagoides demidovii) 

is common and widely distributed throughout tropical 

Africa’s secondary forests, populating mainly open areas such 

as forest and road margins. Individuals live in groups of 

about ten but forage at night on their own. The high canopy 

forest in the top of Atewa’s plateaus seems to be a suitable 

habitat for the species. 

Primates of the Cercopithecus cephus group inhabit the 

Central African forest block, but the “petaurista” sub-group 

is exclusively found in the Guinean Forest ecosystem in West 

Africa (Gautier-Hion et al. 1999). The lesser spot-nosed 

monkey (Cercopithecus petaurista buettikoferi) is a common 



species highly adaptable to a large spectrum of disruptive 

factors, known to live in a wide range of forested habitats 

ranging from primary lowland and medium-altitude forests 

or galleries, to secondary regeneration and coastal bushes. 

It feeds mainly on fruits and buds but also on leaves, stems 

and insects. Lowe’s monkey (Cercopithecus campbelli loweï) 

is distributed only between the Sassandra and Volta rivers, 

where it is a recognized target for hunters but nevertheless 

is still relatively common. This arboreal subspecies of mona 

monkey is also adapted to most tropical forest types, relying 

on trees where fruits (like cola and figs) and flowers essential 

to its diet can be found (Rowe 1996). 

Species of particular interest 

Two colobus monkeys, both classified as threatened on the 

IUCN Red List (IUCN 2006) were identified in Atewa. African 

colobus, or thumbless monkeys, are arboreal primates 

populating the forest tropical zone and are highly dependent 

on good quality forest comprised of several levels of closed 

canopy. Chapman et al. (2004) have shown that the presence 

and abundance of colobus monkeys was influenced by 

very subtle ecological factors linked to forest structure and 

composition. They have a highly specialized digestive system 

allowing them to process difficult or “uncommon” plant 

materials: the most important part of their diet consists of 

leguminous plants, whose fruits and leaves are protected 

by chemicals. Thus, in comparison to many other primate 

species, colobus monkeys aid in dispersal of “uncommon” 

vegetal species. 

To date, the olive colobus (Procolobus verus) was not 

known to occur in this part of Ghana. This colobus is classified 

as Near Threatened on the Red List (IUCN 2006). 

In 2000, this relict species confined to the forested zone of 

West Africa was classified as Endangered, showing a recent 

and significant improvement of its conservation status. 

However, it is still a fragile monkey, which is difficult to observe 

because it is very shy and communicates infrequently 

by quietly chirping. It is the smallest of all colobus, very 

light and exclusively arboreal; the olive colobus usually 

groups in units of five to twenty animals that exploit the 

highest part of the forest canopy in the secondary growth 

of high forests, margins of forested zones as well as swamps. 

They easily associate with other monkey species foraging in 

lower layers of the canopy without any inter-specific food 

competition (McGraw 1998). 

Geoffroy’s pied colobus (Colobus vellerosus), classified as 

Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2006), is more 

widely distributed than the olive colobus. Nevertheless, this 

subspecies of black-and-white colobus is likely to soon become 

Endangered if the present rate of hunting and habitat 

destruction continues in its ecological range. This monkey 

ranges in restricted lowland rainforest and galleries of Côte 

d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, relying on food items mainly 

consisting of leaves (Wong and Sicotte 2006). It usually forages 

in the shaded middle layer of the canopy. In Atewa, we 

frequently observed this species on the slopes and, less often, 

on plateaux. Geoffroy’s pied colobus groups can be com- 

posed of up to 50 individuals and in Boabeng-Fiema monkey 

sanctuary (Ghana), particularly high densities have been 

recorded, such as 119 indiv/km 2 (Wong and Sicotte 2006). 

Primates living in tropical rainforest often form large 

mixed-species associations, which can include up to eight 

species (Zuberbühler and Jenny 2002). Here we report the 

association of two species: the Geoffroy’s pied colobus and 

lesser spot-nosed monkey, which can stay together for several 

days. Actually, the lesser spot-nosed monkeys are known to 

be highly visually oriented, and to warn other species of danger 

(mainly linked to predation) in such polyspecific associations 

(Rowe 1996). 


Ghana has a long history of forest exploitation. It is estimated 

that the forest cover has been reduced to nearly 

one-sixth of its original size during the past century, leaving 

only 1,500,000 ha of undisturbed forest (IUCN 1996). 

Struhsaker and Oates (1995) have long warned the Ghanaian 

authorities and the scientific community of this critical 

situation and its potentially tragic consequences for the high 

and original primate diversity of the country. Amongst the 

ten forest species of monkeys occurring in Ghana, three species, 

all endemic to southwestern Ghana and eastern Côte 

d’Ivoire, are highly threatened by extinction (Oates et al. 

1997): Miss Waldron’s red colobus (Procolobus badius waldroni), 

white-naped mangabey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), 

and the Roloway subspecies of Diana monkey (Cercopithecus 

diana roloway). We strongly believe that an essential prerequisite 

to protect primates is to take conservation action and 

promote the sustainable use of natural ecosystems so as to 

avoid irreversible extinction of species. Given the particular 

context and history of Ghana, each forest fragment presently 

populated by primates, regardless of size, should be actively 

protected from further destruction and fragmentation. 

The rich upland ecosystem of Atewa Reserve is a relatively 

large and isolated forest fragment, which constitutes one of 

Ghana’s last refuges for six primate species including two 

Red-Listed species of colobus monkeys. 

For these reasons, our overall recommendation is that 

Atewa should receive full protection and no development activities 

should proceed in the area. Clearing plateaus would 

undeniably affect headwaters of major rivers and have longterm 

destructive consequences on the environment, principally 

by increasing soil erosion on surrounding slopes and 

disturbing the hydrographical net of the entire sub-region. 

Habitat loss would put several primate species under serious 

threat of local extinction. The galago would probably be the 

most impacted species, but colobus and guenons would also 

suffer from the opening up of their habitat and subsequent 

disruption. However, it would be very difficult and hazardous 

to give an opinion on the future of Atewa’s primates if 

development were to happen because data are largely unavailable 

on the adaptive capacities of the different species. 


109

Chapter 13 

Specific conservation recommendations 

If, against our strong recommendation, development activities 

within Atewa are to proceed, exposing Atewa to a high 

risk of biodiversity loss, we submit some important recommendations 

related to the conservation of primates populating 

the area. 

• Integrally protect the northern part of the Atewa 

Range 

Based on our results and analysis we strongly recommend 

to the concerned authorities that they safeguard 

an integrally protected area in Atewa. Actively protecting 

a large zone from development and all other human 

impacts is the only way to ensure the survival of the 

multiple species of primates present. The area of protection 

should have clear boundaries delimited and should 

be given a high protection status, with limits and regulations 

strictly enforced. The northern part of Atewa 

appears to be the most valuable in terms of primate 

presence and forest quality, and thus emerges as the 

obvious candidate. We propose Sites 2 and 3 to become 

an integrally protected reservoir zone for primates and 

general biodiversity. More precisely, the protected area 

should include plateaux, slopes and valleys of all the 

north part of Atewa, as far as the southern foothills 

of Asiakwa South plateau (Site 2). Findings that have 

motivated the choice of this zone are detailed below. 

Site 2, which contains the two Red-Listed species identified 

in this study, olive colobus and Geoffroy’s pied 

colobus, is a priority site to protect for the conservation 

of Atewa’s primates. Both of these species are reliant on 

good quality forest with several levels of closed canopy. 

We strongly believe that olive colobus is exploiting all 

described environment types of the northern part of 

Atewa. However that may be, the unsuccessful breeding 

of this monkey in captivity (Kingdon 1997) is an 

indicator of its fragility and low capacity for adaptation. 

The presence of Geoffroy’s pied colobus was confirmed 

at Sites 2 and 3. We assume that both of these threatened 

species would drastically suffer from upland forest 

clearing and that the only option to ensure their survival 

consists in maintaining large intact areas of forest on the 

top of plateaux. Additionally, Sites 2 and 3, the most 

preserved in terms of forest quality, contain the highest 

primate diversity recorded during our survey. Excepting 

the two colobus, the other species recorded at these sites 

are not particularly threatened, but they are nevertheless 

fragile and isolated populations totally dependant 

on their habitat and its natural resources. In the case of 

a relatively large but isolated patch of forest like Atewa, 

destruction of the habitat would critically jeopardize all 

primate populations present (Mittermeier 2005). Their 

number and diversity would likely rapidly decline as a 

result of habitat fragmentation and loss (Tutin 1999). 

• Undertake a sensitization program targeting surrounding 

communities 

In order to prevent local villagers from hunting and 

cutting the forest in the proposed integrally protected 

area, it is necessary to carry out a sensitization program 

involving all communities surrounding Atewa. Such 

a program should aim to inform local people of the 

importance of preserving their natural heritage and to 

help them organize to achieve this goal. The program 

would have greater impact and more sustainable effects 

if conducted over the long term. Furthermore, effort 

should be taken to employ villagers, who will be the real 

actors of local conservation, advised and supported by 

officers of the sensitization program. 

• Incorporate restoration plans into any proposed 

development 

Any development of Atewa which would lead to the 

removal of vegetative cover and the upper stratum 

of soil from the plateaux would leave little chance 

for short- or medium-term natural regeneration of 

the forest. Forest primates cannot live in such a bare 

landscape, hence a restoration program favoring rapid 

regeneration of impacted sites has to be elaborated and 

implemented, as a matter of urgency, in respect to the 

specifics of Atewa. 

Linking patches of forest using corridors is one conservation 

alternative to address the problem of habitat 

fragmentation. This technique can also be used in the 

context of a restoration program to partially mitigate 

for any destruction, degradation or fragmentation 

inherent to development activities by enlarging natural 

habitat to new perspectives. Kwahu plateau forested 

zone, located about fifteen kilometers north from Atewa 

contains similar upland habitat and is consequently a 

good candidate for such a project. A feasibility study 

including assessment of primate diversity in Kwahu and 

landscape description should be carried out prior to take 

any action. 

• Publicize and enforce environmental protection 

guidelines for those working in Atewa 

Any company that may become involved in development 

activities within Atewa should elaborate, in 

collaboration with scientists and conservationists, strict 

guidelines for the conservation of Atewa’s biodiversity. 

This conservation plan should provide and explain a set 

of rules for employees concerning garbage management, 

chemical pollution prevention, hunting and bush-meat 

trade prohibition, and forest preservation. Defining 

these guidelines is an essential point considering that 

hundreds of people coming from various regions would 

possibly enter into the forest daily. 



• Undertake a longitudinal assessment program for 

primate populations 

This RAP survey was the first primate assessment 

conducted in Atewa. A longer-term survey should be 

carried out to precisely estimate primate abundance 

and to monitor the different primate populations across 

time. This census should cover a larger area of the Atewa 

Range, during a longer time and over different seasons 

of the year. Considering the low rate of direct observations 

of primates, a statistically valid estimation of 

populations’ density cannot be obtained without such 

a long-term work. Moreover, a specific survey is needed 

to settle the point of the Roloway guenon’s hypothetical 

presence in the Atewa Range. If such an unexpected 

presence was reported by direct evidence, urgent 

research and conservation measures should rapidly be 

taken, due to the rarity and importance of this species, 

sadly emblematic of primate biodiversity decline. 

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Gazetteer 

This RAP survey was conducted in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve and Range Extension 

located in southeastern Ghana. Atewa is a 23,663 hectare forest reserve that contains four 

plateaus. The RAP survey took place from June 6 – 24, 2006 at the beginning of the rainy 

season. 

Site 1: Atiwiredu (Southern Plateau) 

6°12’22.7”N; 0°34’39.2”W 

817 m a.s.l. 

Numerous trail lines had been cut at this site, some for mineral exploration. Despite this 

disturbance, the moist upland forest was in good condition and contained a mixture of 

primary and secondary growth forest. Species composition varied with the undulating 

topography of the plateau and the valleys. Some invasive species were present (e.g., 

Chromolaena odorata). 

Site 2: Asiakwa South 

6°15’44.3”N; 0°33’18.8”W 

783 m a.s.l. 

This site was located in moist upland forest with some degree of human disturbance. Trails 

cut here have introduced an edge effect. The forest habitat of this site is of very high quality 

from a biodiversity perspective and contains considerable primary growth mixed in with some 

secondary forest. Some swampland is also found within site boundaries. Some invasive species 

were present (e.g., Chromolaena odorata). 

Site 3: Asiakwa North 

6°16’16.1”N; 0°33’52.7”W 

814 m a.s.l. 

This site was situated atop the Asiakwa plateau at the northern edge. The site was the most 

intact of the three surveyed with the largest proportion of undisturbed upland humid forest, a 

number of old growth emergents and very little understory except for in light gaps. The terrain 

was interesting as the site was located on a narrow end of the Asiakwa plateau and surrounded 

by deep valleys and ravines so the elevation ranged from 300 to around 800 m a.sl. Although 

the forest was in excellent condition, it was evidently impacted heavily by surrounding villages. 

Snares and cartridges were found throughout this site, as was evidence of illegal logging in the 

area. 


113

Appendix 1 

List of Vascular Plants known from the Atewa Range 

Carel Jongkind 

The species list shows 765 different species of vascular plants including 106 Upper Guinea endemics printed in bold (Upper 

Guinea sensu White, 1979). 

The species list is combined from different sources. The larger part is taken from the list in an unpublished 1998 report by 

William Hawthorne (HAW) that is itself a combination of different sources. A smaller part is taken from the herbarium 

database at the Wageningen University (WUR), this database includes records for Atewa of specimens from several 

collectors found in several herbaria. A few other species on the list are mentioned by Hall and Swaine (1981) (H&S) or by 

Summerhayes in the Flora of West tropical Africa (FWTA 3). 

The list is without doubt incomplete as many other species have been collected on Atewa and are stored in herbaria around 

the world. Most of these were not seen for this report and furthermore have not been cited in earlier reports or publications. 

On top of this, more species in the range are doubtless yet to be discovered, particularly in the canopy. 

Family Species name source 

Acanthaceae Acanthus guineensis Heine & P.Taylor WUR & HAW 

Acanthaceae Adhatoda guineensis (synonym of Justicia guineensis) WUR 

Acanthaceae Asystasia buettneri Lindau HAW 

Acanthaceae Brillantaisia owariensis P.Beauv. WUR 

Acanthaceae Justicia guineensis (Heine) W.D. Hawthorne WUR 

Acanthaceae Justicia tenella (Nees) T.Anderson WUR 

Acanthaceae Mendoncia combretoides (A.Chev.) Benoist WUR 

Acanthaceae Phaulopsis ciliata (Willd.) Hepper WUR 

Acanthaceae Pseuderanthemum tunicatum (Afzelius) Milne-Redhead WUR & HAW 

Acanthaceae Rhinacanthus virens (Nees) Milne-Redh. WUR 

Acanthaceae Ruellia primuloides (T.Anders. ex Bentham) Heine WUR & HAW 

Acanthaceae Staurogyne capitata E.A.Bruce HAW 

Acanthaceae Stenandrium guineense (Nees) Vollesen HAW 

Acanthaceae Thunbergia vogeliana Bentham HAW 

Amaryllidaceae Crinum jagus (Thomps.) Dandy HAW 

Amaryllidaceae Scadoxus cinnabarinus (Decne) Friis & Nordal WUR & HAW 

Anacardiaceae Antrocaryon micraster A.Chevalier & Guillaum. HAW 

Anacardiaceae Lannea welwitschii (Hiern) Engler HAW 

Anacardiaceae Pseudospondias microcarpa (A.Rich.) Engler WUR & HAW 

Anacardiaceae Trichoscypha arborea (A.Chevalier) A.Chevalier WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Annickia polycarpa (A.DC.) Van Setten & Maas WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Anonidium mannii (Oliver) Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Artabotrys jollyanus Pierre ex Engl. & Diels WUR 




Annonaceae Artabotrys stenopetalus Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Cleistopholis patens (Bentham) Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Duguetia staudtii (Engler & Diels) Chatrou HAW 

Annonaceae Friesodielsia enghiana (Diels) Verdcourt HAW 

Annonaceae Friesodielsia velutina (Sprague & Hutch.) van Steenis WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Greenwayodendron oliveri (Engler) Verdcourt WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Hexalobus crispiflorus A.Rich. HAW 

Annonaceae Isolona campanulata Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Isolona hexaloba Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Mischogyne elliotianum (Engl. & Diels) R.E.Fr. 1 WUR 

Annonaceae Monanthotaxis barteri (Baillon) Verdcourt HAW 

Annonaceae Monanthotaxis stenosepala aff. spec.nov. WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Monodora crispata Engl. & Diels WUR 

Annonaceae Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Monodora tenuifolia Bentham HAW 

Annonaceae Neostenanthera gabonensis (Engler & Diels) Exell HAW 

Annonaceae Piptostigma fasciculatum (De Wild.) Paiva WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Piptostigma fugax A.Chevalier ex Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Uvaria doeringii Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Uvaria mocoli De Wildeman & Durand HAW 

Annonaceae Uvariastrum pierreanum Engler HAW 

Annonaceae Uvariodendron calophyllum R.E.Fries HAW 

Annonaceae Uvariopsis globiflora Keay WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A.Rich. HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia elliotii Engler HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia quintasii Engler & Diels WUR & HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia rubescens Oliver HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia staudtii Engler & Diels HAW 

Annonaceae Xylopia villosa Chipp HAW 

Apocynaceae Alafia schumannii Stapf HAW 

Apocynaceae Alafia whytei Stapf HAW 

Apocynaceae Alstonia boonei De Wildeman HAW 

Apocynaceae Baissea baillonii Hua HAW 

Apocynaceae Baissea leonensis Bentham WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Baissea multiflora A.DC. HAW 

Apocynaceae Callichilia subsessilis (Benth.) Stapf WUR 

Apocynaceae Dictyophleba leonensis (Stapf) Pichon WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Funtumia africana (Bentham) Stapf HAW 

Apocynaceae Funtumia elastica (Preuss) Stapf WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) Dur. & Schinz. HAW 

Apocynaceae Hunteria umbellata (K.Schum.) Hallier f. WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Landolphia calabarica (Stapf) E.A.Bruce HAW 

Apocynaceae Landolphia dulcis (R.Br. ex Sabine) Pichon WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Landolphia foretiana (Pierre ex Jum.) Pichon WUR 

Apocynaceae Landolphia incerta (K.Schum.) Persoon WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Landolphia micrantha (A.Chevalier) Pichon WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Landolphia owariensis P.Beauv. HAW 

Apocynaceae Motandra guineensis (Thonning) A.DC. WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Oncinotis glabrata (Baillon) Stapf ex Hiern. WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Oncinotis gracilis Stapf WUR 

Apocynaceae Oncinotis pontyi Dubard WUR 


115

Appendix 1 


Apocynaceae Orthopichonia barteri (Stapf) H.Huber WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Orthopichonia indeniensis (A.Chev.) H.Huber WUR 

Apocynaceae Picralima nitida (Stapf) Th. & H.Durand HAW 

Apocynaceae Pleiocarpa mutica Bentham WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzelius WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Saba thompsonii (A.Chevalier) Pichon HAW 

Apocynaceae Strophanthus barteri Franch. HAW 

Apocynaceae Strophanthus gratus (Hooker) Franch. WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Strophanthus preussii Engl. & Pax WUR 

Apocynaceae Tabernaemontana africana A.DC. WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Tabernaemontana glandulosa (Stapf) Pichon WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Tabernaemontana pachysiphon Stapf WUR & HAW 

Apocynaceae Vahadenia caillei (A.Chevalier) Stapf ex Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Araceae Amorphophallus johnsonii N.E.Br. HAW 

Araceae Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engler HAW 

Araceae Cercestis afzelii Schott WUR & HAW 

Araceae Cercestis dinklagei Engler HAW 

Araceae Cercestis ivorensis A.Chevalier HAW 

Araceae Culcasia angolensis Welwitsch ex Schott HAW 

Araceae Culcasia glandulosa Hepper HAW 

Araceae Culcasia parviflora N.E.Br. HAW 

Araceae Culcasia scandens P.Beauv. HAW 

Araceae Culcasia striolata Engler HAW 

Araceae Nephthytis afzelii Schott HAW 

Araceae Rhaphidophora africana N.E.Br. HAW 

Araliaceae Cussonia bancoensis Aubréville & Pellegrin HAW 

Araliaceae Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms HAW 

Aristolochiaceae Pararistolochia goldieana (Hook.f.) Hutch. & Dalziel WUR 

Aristolochiaceae Pararistolochia macrocarpa (Duch.) Poncy HAW 

Aristolochiaceae Pararistolochia promissa (Mast.) Keay HAW 

Asclepiadaceae Epistemma assianum D.V.Field & J.B.Hall WUR 

Asclepiadaceae Gongronema latifolium Bentham HAW 

Asclepiadaceae Pergularia daemia (Forsskal) Chiov. HAW 

Asclepiadaceae Tylophora conspicua N.E.Br. WUR 

Asclepiadaceae Tylophora oblonga N.E.Br. WUR 

Asclepiadaceae Tylophora oculata N.E.Br. WUR 

Aspleniaceae Asplenium africanum Desvaux HAW 

Aspleniaceae Asplenium barteri Hooker HAW 

Aspleniaceae Asplenium dregeanum Kunze HAW 

Aspleniaceae Asplenium schnellii Tardieu H&S 

Aspleniaceae Asplenium unilaterale Lam. WUR 

Balanitaceae Balanites wilsoniana Dawe & Sprague HAW 

Begoniaceae Begonia eminii Warb. WUR & HAW 

Begoniaceae Begonia fusialata Warb. WUR 

Begoniaceae Begonia macrocarpa Warb. WUR 

Begoniaceae Begonia oxyloba Welwitsch ex Hooker f. WUR 

Begoniaceae Begonia polygonoides Hook.f. WUR 

Begoniaceae Begonia quadrialata Warb. WUR & HAW 

Begoniaceae Begonia scutifolia Hook.f. WUR 

Bignoniaceae Kigelia africana (Lamarck) Bentham HAW 

Bignoniaceae Newbouldia laevis (P.Beauv.) Seemann ex Bureau HAW 




Bignoniaceae Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv. HAW 

Bignoniaceae Stereospermum acuminatissimum K.Schum. HAW 

Bombacaceae Bombax buonopozense P.Beauv. HAW 

Bombacaceae Ceiba pentandra (Linné) Gaertn. HAW 

Bombacaceae Rhodognaphalon brevicuspe (Sprague) Roberty HAW 

Boraginaceae Cordia millenii Baker HAW 

Boraginaceae Ehretia trachyphylla C.H.Wright HAW 

Burseraceae Canarium schweinfurthii Engler HAW 

Burseraceae Dacryodes klaineana (Pierre) H.J.Lam HAW 

Capparaceae Buchholzia coriacea Engler HAW 

Capparaceae Euadenia eminens Hooker f. HAW 

Capparaceae Euadenia trifoliolata (Schum. & Thonning) Oliver HAW 

Capparaceae Ritchiea capparoides (Andr.) Britten HAW 

Celastraceae Bequaertia mucronata (Exell) R.Wilczek HAW 

Celastraceae Helictonema velutinum (Afzelius) Wilczek ex Hallé HAW 

Celastraceae Hippocratea myriantha Oliver HAW 

Celastraceae Loeseneriella africana (Willd.) Wilczek ex Hallé WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Loeseneriella clematoides (Loesener) R.Wilczek WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Loeseneriella ectypetala N.Hallé HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia adolfi-fridericii Loesener ex Harms WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia alata De Wildeman HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia columna N.Hallé HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia cornifolia Hooker f. WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia elegans Welwitsch ex Oliver HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia erecta (G.Don) Walp. HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia ituriensis Loes. WUR 

Celastraceae Salacia longipes (Oliver) N.Hallé 2 HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia preussii Loesener HAW 

Celastraceae Salacia staudtiana Loesener WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Salacighia letestuana (Pellegr.) Blakelock WUR 

Celastraceae Simicratea welwitschii (Oliver) N.Hallé WUR & HAW 

Celastraceae Simirestis tisserantii N.Hallé WUR 

Chrysobalanaceae Maranthes glabra (Oliver) Prance HAW 

Chrysobalanaceae Maranthes robusta (Oliv.) Prance ex F.White WUR 

Chrysobalanaceae Parinari excelsa Sabine HAW 

Combretaceae Combretum fuscum Planchon ex Bentham WUR 

Combretaceae Combretum multinervium Exell WUR 

Combretaceae Combretum platypterum (Welw.) Hutch. & Dalziel WUR 

Combretaceae Combretum racemosum P.Beauv. WUR 

Combretaceae Pteleopsis hylodendron Mildbraed HAW 

Combretaceae Strephonema pseudocola A.Chevalier HAW 

Combretaceae Terminalia ivorensis A.Chevalier WUR & HAW 

Combretaceae Terminalia superba Engler & Diels WUR & HAW 

Commelinaceae Buforrestia obovata Brenan HAW 

Commelinaceae Coleotrype laurentii K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Commelinaceae Commelina capitata Benth. WUR 

Commelinaceae Commelina macrosperma J.K.Morton WUR & HAW 

Commelinaceae Palisota barteri Hooker HAW 

Commelinaceae Palisota bracteosa C.B.Clarke HAW 

Commelinaceae Palisota hirsuta (Thunb.) K.Schum. HAW 

Commelinaceae Pollia condensata C.B.Clarke HAW 


117

Appendix 1 


Commelinaceae Polyspatha paniculata Bentham WUR & HAW 

Commelinaceae Stanfieldiella axillaris J.K.Morton WUR 

Commelinaceae Stanfieldiella imperforata (C.B.Clarke) Brenan HAW 

Compositae Acmella caulirhiza Delile WUR 

Compositae Microglossa pyrifolia (Lamarck) O.Ktze. HAW 

Compositae Mikania natalensis DC. WUR 

Compositae Mikaniopsis tedliei (Oliver & Hiern) C.D.Adams HAW 

Compositae Sparganophorus sparganophora (L.) C.Jeffrey HAW 

Compositae Vernonia andohii C.D.Adams WUR 

Compositae Vernonia colorata (Willd.) Drake HAW 

Compositae Vernonia conferta Bentham HAW 

Compositae Vernonia titanophylla Brenan WUR & HAW 

Connaraceae Agelaea paradoxa Gilg HAW 

Connaraceae Agelaea pentagyna (Lamarck) Baillon HAW 

Connaraceae Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC. HAW 

Connaraceae Cnestis racemosa Don. HAW 

Connaraceae Connarus africanus Lamarck HAW 

Connaraceae Manotes expansa Soland. ex Planchon HAW 

Connaraceae Rourea coccinea (Thonning ex Schum.) Bentham HAW 

Connaraceae Rourea minor (Gaertn.) Alston HAW 

Connaraceae Rourea thomsonii (Baker) Jongkind HAW 

Convolvulaceae Calycobolus africanus (G.Don) Heine HAW 

Convolvulaceae Lepistemon parviflorum Pilg. ex Büsgen WUR 

Convolvulaceae Merremia dissecta (Jacq.) Hallier f. WUR 

Convolvulaceae Neuropeltis acuminata (P.Beauv.) Bentham WUR & HAW 

Costaceae Costus deistelii K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Costaceae Costus dubius (Afzelius) K.Schum. HAW 

Costaceae Costus englerianus K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Cucurbitaceae Coccinia longicarpa Jongkind WUR 

Cucurbitaceae Momordica cissoides Planchon ex Bentham WUR 

Cucurbitaceae Momordica multiflora Hook.f. WUR 

Cucurbitaceae Ruthalicia eglandulosa (Hook.f.) C.Jeffrey WUR 

Cucurbitaceae Ruthalicia longipes (Hook.f.) C.Jeffrey WUR 

Cucurbitaceae Zehneria keayana R.& A.Fernandes WUR & HAW 

Cyatheaceae Cyathea manniana Hooker HAW 

Cyperaceae Cyperus halpan L. WUR 

Cyperaceae Cyperus renschii Boeckeler WUR 

Cyperaceae Hypolytrum poecilolepis Nelmes HAW 

Cyperaceae Mapania baldwinii Nelmes WUR & HAW 

Cyperaceae Mapania coriandrum Nelmes HAW 

Dennstaedtiaceae Blotiella currori (Hooker) Tryon HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum crassifolium Chodat HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum heudelotii (Planchon ex Oliver) Baillon WUR & HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum madagascariense Poiret WUR & HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum oblongum (Hooker f. ex Bentham) Engler HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum pallidum (Oliver) Engler WUR & HAW 

Dichapetalaceae Tapura fischeri Engler HAW 

Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea minutiflora Engler WUR & HAW 

Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea smilacifolia De Wildeman HAW 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena arborea (Willd.) Link HAW 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena camerooniana Baker HAW 




Dracaenaceae Dracaena cristula W.Bull WUR & HAW 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena mannii Baker HAW 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena mildbraedii K.Krause WUR 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena phrynioides Hooker WUR & HAW 

Dracaenaceae Dracaena surculosa Lindley WUR & HAW 

Dryopteridaceae Diplazium hylophilum (Hieronymus) C.Chr. HAW 

Dryopteridaceae Tectaria fernandensis (Baker) C.Chr. HAW 

Dryopteridaceae Triplophyllum jenseniae (C.Chr.) Holttum HAW 

Dryopteridaceae Triplophyllum pilosissimum (J.Smith) Holttum HAW 

Dryopteridaceae Triplophyllum securidiforme (Hook.) Holttum WUR 

Dryopteridaceae Triplophyllum vogelii (Hooker) Holttum HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros canaliculata De Wildeman HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros chevalieri De Wildeman HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros gabunensis Gürke HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros kamerunensis Gürke HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros mannii Hiern HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros monbuttensis Gürke HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros piscatoria Gürke HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros sanza-minika A.Chevalier WUR & HAW 

Ebenaceae Diospyros viridicans Hiern HAW 

Erythroxylaceae Erythroxylum mannii Oliver WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Acalypha racemosa Wall. ex Baillon HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonning) Muell.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Alchornea floribunda Müll.Arg. WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Anthostema aubryanum Baillon HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Antidesma laciniatum Müll.Arg. WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Bridelia grandis Pierre ex Hutchinson HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Bridelia micrantha (Hochstetter) Baillon HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Croton penduliflorus Hutchinson WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Crotonogyne chevalieri (Beille) Keay HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Discoclaoxylon hexandrum (Muell.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm. WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Discoglypremna caloneura (Pax) Prain HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Elaeophorbia grandifolia (Haw.) Croizat HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Erythrococca africana (Baillon) Prain HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Erythrococca anomala (Juss. ex Poiret) Prain WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Grossera vignei Hoyle HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga barteri Müll.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga heterophylla (Muell.Arg.) Muell.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga heudelotii Baillon HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga hurifolia Beille HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Macaranga spinosa Müll.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Maesobotrya barteri (Baillon) Hutch. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Manniophyton fulvum Müll.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Mareya micrantha (Bentham) Müll.Arg. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Margaritaria discoidea (Baillon) Webster HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Phyllanthus profusus N.E.Br. HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Protomegabaria stapfiana (Beille) Hutch WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Pycnocoma macrophylla Bentham WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baillon) Pierre ex Pax HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Sapium aubrevillei (synonym of Shirakiopsis aubrevillei) WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Shirakiopsis aubrevillei (Leandri) Esser WUR & HAW 


119

Appendix 1 


Euphorbiaceae Spondianthus preussii Engler HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Suregada occidentalis (Hoyle) Croizat HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Tetrorchidium didymostemon (Baillon) Pax & K.Hoffm. WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Thecacoris stenopetala (Muell.Arg.) Muell.Arg. WUR & HAW 

Euphorbiaceae Tragia spathulata Benth. WUR 

Euphorbiaceae Uapaca guineensis Müll.Arg. HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Dasylepis racemosa Oliver WUR & HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Homalium africanum (Hooker f.) Bentham HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Homalium letestui Pellegrin HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Homalium longistylum Mast. HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Homalium stipulaceum Welwitsch ex Mast. HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Oncoba dentata Oliver WUR & HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Oncoba echinata Oliver HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Oncoba gilgiana Sprague HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Ophiobotrys zenkeri Gilg HAW 

Flacourtiaceae Scottellia klaineana Pierre HAW 

Flagellariaceae Flagellaria guineensis Schum. HAW 

Gentianaceae Anthocleista microphylla Wernham H&S 

Gentianaceae Anthocleista nobilis G.Don HAW 

Gentianaceae Anthocleista vogelii Planchon HAW 

Gramineae Isachne buettneri Hackel HAW 

Gramineae Leptaspis zeylanica Nees HAW 

Gramineae Olyra latifolia Linné HAW 

Gramineae Oplismenus hirtellus (Linné) P.Beauv. HAW 

Gramineae Paspalum conjugatum Bergius HAW 

Guttiferae Allanblackia parviflora A.Chevalier WUR & HAW 

Guttiferae Garcinia epunctata Stapf HAW 

Guttiferae Garcinia kola Heckel HAW 

Guttiferae Garcinia smeathmannii (Planchon & Triana) Oliver HAW 

Guttiferae Harungana madagascariensis Lamarck ex Poiret HAW 

Guttiferae Mammea africana Sabine HAW 

Guttiferae Pentadesma butyracea Sabine HAW 

Guttiferae Symphonia globulifera Linné f. HAW 

Guttiferae Vismia guineensis (Linné) Choisy WUR & HAW 

Hernandiaceae Illigera pentaphylla Welwitsch HAW 

Hymenophyllaceae Trichomanes cupressoides Desv. WUR 

Icacinaceae Alsodeiopsis staudtii Engler HAW 

Icacinaceae Iodes liberica Stapf HAW 

Icacinaceae Leptaulus daphnoides Bentham WUR & HAW 

Icacinaceae Pyrenacantha acuminata Engler HAW 

Icacinaceae Rhaphiostylis beninensis (Hook.f. ex Planch.) Planch. ex Benth WUR 

Icacinaceae Rhaphiostylis ferruginea Engler HAW 

Icacinaceae Rhaphiostylis preussii Engler WUR & HAW 

Irvingiaceae Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte) Baillon HAW 

Irvingiaceae Klainedoxa gabonensis Pierre ex Engler HAW 

Labiatae Plectranthus epilithicus B.J.Pollard WUR 

Labiatae Plectranthus occidentalis B.J.Pollard WUR 

Lauraceae Beilschmiedia mannii (Meisn.) Bentham & Hooker f. WUR & HAW 

Lecythidaceae Napoleonaea vogelii Hooker & Planchon HAW 

Lecythidaceae Petersianthus macrocarpus (P.Beauv.) Liben HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Afzelia bella Harms HAW 




Leguminosae-Caes. Anthonotha fragrans (Baker f.) Excell & Hillcoat HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Anthonotha macrophylla P.Beauv. HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Berlinia tomentella Keay WUR 

Leguminosae-Caes. Bussea occidentalis Hutchinson WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Chidlowia sanguinea Hoyle WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Copaifera salikounda Heckel HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Daniellia ogea (Harms) Holland HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Dialium aubrevillei Pellegrin WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Dialium dinklagei Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Dialium guineense Willd. HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Distemonanthus benthamianus Baillon HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Erythrophleum ivorense A.Chevalier HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Gilbertiodendron limba (Scott Elliot) J.Léonard WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Griffonia simplicifolia (Vahl ex DC.) Baillon HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Guibourtia ehie (A.Chevalier) J.Léonard HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Hymenostegia afzelii (Oliver) Harms WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Caes. Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Acacia kamerunensis Gandoger HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Acacia pentagona (Schum. & Thonning) Hooker f. HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) W.F.Wight HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Albizia ferruginea (Guillaumet & Perr.) Bentham HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Albizia glaberrima (Schum. & Thonning) Bentham HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F.Macbr. HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Aubrevillea platycarpa Pellegrin HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Calpocalyx brevibracteatus Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Newtonia aubrevillei (Pellegrin) Keay HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Parkia bicolor A.Chevalier HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Pentaclethra macrophylla Bentham HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hooker f.) Brenan HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Samanea dinklagei (Harms) Keay HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonning) Taub. HAW 

Leguminosae-Mim. Xylia evansii Hutchinson WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Aganope leucobotrya (Dunn) Polhill HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Amphimas pterocarpoides Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Baphia nitida Lodd. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Baphia pubescens Hooker f. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Dalbergia afzeliana G.Don HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Dalbergia hostilis Bentham HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Dalbergia oblongifolia G.Don HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Dalbergia saxatilis Hooker f. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Leptoderris brachyptera (Bentham) Dunn. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Leptoderris sassandrensis Jongkind HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poiret) Kunth HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Millettia chrysophylla Dunn HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Millettia lucens (Scott Elliot) Dunn WUR & HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Millettia rhodantha Baillon HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Millettia zechiana Harms HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Mucuna flagellipes T.Vogel ex Benth. WUR 

Leguminosae-Pap. Physostigma venenosum Balf.f. WUR 


121

Appendix 1 


Leguminosae-Pap. Platysepalum hirsutum (Dunn) Hepper HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Pterocarpus santalinoides DC. HAW 

Leguminosae-Pap. Rhynchosia brunnea Baker f. WUR 

Leguminosae-Pap. Rhynchosia pycnostachya (DC.) Meikle WUR 

Liliaceae Chlorophytum orchidastrum Lindley HAW 

Liliaceae Chlorophytum togoense Engler HAW 

Liliaceae Smilax anceps Willd. HAW 

Linaceae Hugonia planchonii Hooker f. HAW 

Linaceae Hugonia platysepala Welwitsch ex Oliver HAW 

Linaceae Phyllocosmus africanus (Hooker f.) Klotzsch WUR & HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos aculeata Solereder HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos afzelii Gilg WUR & HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos asterantha Leeuwenberg WUR & HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos camptoneura Gilg & Busse HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos congolana Gilg WUR 

Loganiaceae Strychnos cuminodora Leeuwenberg WUR & HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos floribunda Gilg HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos icaja Baillon WUR & HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos malacoclados C.H.Wright HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos splendens Gilg HAW 

Loganiaceae Strychnos usambarensis Gilg HAW 

Loganiaceae Usteria guineensis Willd. WUR & HAW 

Lomariopsidaceae Bolbitis auriculata (Lam.) Alston HAW 

Lomariopsidaceae Bolbitis gemmifera (Hieronymus) C.Chr. HAW 

Lomariopsidaceae Lomariopsis guineensis (Underwood) Alston HAW 

Lomariopsidaceae Lomariopsis rossii Holttum HAW 

Loranthaceae Tapinanthus bangwensis (Engl. & Krause) Danser WUR 

Malpighiaceae Acridocarpus plagiopterus Guill. & Perr. WUR & HAW 

Marantaceae Ataenidia conferta (Bentham) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Marantaceae Halopegia azurea (K.Schum.) K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Marantaceae Hypselodelphys poggeana (K.Schum.) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Marantaceae Marantochloa congensis (K.Schum.) Léonard & Mullend HAW 

Marantaceae Marantochloa leucantha (K.Schum.) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Marantaceae Marantochloa mannii (Bentham) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Marantaceae Marantochloa purpurea (Ridl.) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Marantaceae Sarcophrynium brachystachys (Bentham) K.Schum. HAW 

Marantaceae Sarcophrynium prionogonium (K.Schum.) K.Schum. HAW 

Medusandraceae Soyauxia grandifolia Gilg & Stapf HAW 

Medusandraceae Soyauxia velutina Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Melastomataceae Calvoa monticola A.Chevalier ex Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Melastomataceae Heterotis rotundifolia (Sm.) Jacq.-Fél. WUR 

Melastomataceae Medinilla entii (synonym of M. manii) WUR 

Melastomataceae Medinilla manii Hook.f. WUR 

Melastomataceae Memecylon afzelii G.Don WUR & HAW 

Melastomataceae Memecylon aylmeri Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Melastomataceae Memecylon lateriflorum (G.Don) Bremek. HAW 

Melastomataceae Memecylon normandii Jacq.-Félix HAW 

Melastomataceae Preussiella kamerunensis Gilg WUR 

Melastomataceae Tristemma akeassii Jacq.-Fél. WUR 

Melastomataceae Tristemma mauritianum J.-F.Gmelin HAW 

Melastomataceae Warneckea cinnamomoides (G.Don) Jacq.-Félix HAW 




Melastomataceae Warneckea guineensis (Keay) Jacq.-Félix HAW 

Melastomataceae Warneckea membranifolia (Hooker f.) Jacq.-Félix WUR & HAW 

Meliaceae Carapa procera DC. HAW 

Meliaceae Entandrophragma angolense (Welwitsch) DC. HAW 

Meliaceae Entandrophragma candollei Harms HAW 

Meliaceae Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague HAW 

Meliaceae Entandrophragma utile (Dawe & Sprague ) Sprague HAW 

Meliaceae Guarea cedrata (A.Chevalier) Pellegrin HAW 

Meliaceae Guarea thompsonii Sprague & Hutch. HAW 

Meliaceae Khaya ivorensis A.Chevalier HAW 

Meliaceae Lovoa trichilioides Harms HAW 

Meliaceae Trichilia monadelpha (Thonning) J.J.de Wilde HAW 

Meliaceae Trichilia prieuriana A.Juss. HAW 

Meliaceae Trichilia tessmannii Harms HAW 

Meliaceae Turraea vogelii Hook.f. ex Benth. WUR 

Meliaceae Turraeanthus africanus (Welwitsch ex C.DC.) Pellegrin HAW 

Menispermaceae Albertisia scandens (Mangenot & Miège) Forman WUR & HAW 

Menispermaceae Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii (Stapf) Diels HAW 

Menispermaceae Dioscoreophyllum volkensii Engl. WUR 

Menispermaceae Penianthus patulinervis Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Menispermaceae Rhigiocarya racemifera Miers WUR 

Menispermaceae Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre HAW 

Menispermaceae Triclisia dictyophylla Diels HAW 

Menispermaceae Triclisia patens Oliver HAW 

Moraceae Antiaris toxicaria (Rumph. ex Pers.) Leschen. HAW 

Moraceae Dorstenia embergeri Mangenot WUR 

Moraceae Ficus bubu Warb. HAW 

Moraceae Ficus exasperata Vahl HAW 

Moraceae Ficus kamerunensis Mildbraed & Burrett HAW 

Moraceae Ficus mucuso Ficalho HAW 

Moraceae Ficus ottoniifolia (Miq.) Miq. WUR & HAW 

Moraceae Ficus ovata Vahl HAW 

Moraceae Ficus recurvata De Wildeman HAW 

Moraceae Ficus sagittifolia Warb. WUR 

Moraceae Ficus sansibarica Warb. 3 HAW 

Moraceae Ficus saussureana DC. WUR & HAW 

Moraceae Ficus sur Forsskal HAW 

Moraceae Ficus umbellata Vahl HAW 

Moraceae Ficus variifolia Warb. HAW 

Moraceae Milicia excelsa (Welwitsch) C.C.Berg HAW 

Moraceae Milicia regia (A.Chevalier) C.C.Berg WUR & HAW 

Moraceae Morus mesozygia Stapf HAW 

Moraceae Musanga cecropioides F.Br. HAW 

Moraceae Myrianthus arboreus P.Beauv. HAW 

Moraceae Myrianthus libericus Rendle HAW 

Moraceae Streblus usambarensis (Engler) Berg HAW 

Moraceae Treculia africana Decne HAW 

Moraceae Trilepisium madagascariense DC. HAW 

Myristicaceae Coelocaryon oxycarpum Stapf HAW 

Myristicaceae Coelocaryon sphaerocarpum Fouilloy WUR 

Myristicaceae Pycnanthus angolensis (Welwitsch) Warb. HAW 


123

Appendix 1 


Myrtaceae Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. WUR & HAW 

Nyctaginaceae Pisonia aculeata Linné HAW 

Ochnaceae Campylospermum flavum (Schum. & Thonning ex Stapf) Farron HAW 

Ochnaceae Campylospermum sulcatum (van Tieghem) Farron HAW 

Ochnaceae Lophira alata Banks ex Gaertn. WUR & HAW 

Ochnaceae Ochna staudtii Engler & Gilg. HAW 

Ochnaceae Rhabdophyllum calophyllum (Hooker f.) van Tieghem WUR & HAW 

Olacaceae Coula edulis Baillon HAW 

Olacaceae Octoknema borealis Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Olacaceae Olax gambecola Baillon HAW 

Olacaceae Ongokea gore (Hua) Pierre HAW 

Olacaceae Ptychopetalum anceps Oliver HAW 

Olacaceae Strombosia pustulata Oliver HAW 

Oleaceae Chionanthus mannii (Solereder) Stearn HAW 

Oleaceae Jasminum pauciflorum Bentham HAW 

Oleandraceae Arthropteris monocarpa (Cordem.) C.Chr. HAW 

Oleandraceae Arthropteris palisotii (Desvaux) Alston HAW 

Oleandraceae Oleandra distenta Kunze HAW 

Orchidaceae Aerangis biloba (Lindl.) Schltr. WUR 

Orchidaceae Angraecum bancoense Burg WUR 

Orchidaceae Angraecum birrimense Rolfe HAW 

Orchidaceae Auxopus kamerunensis Schltr. WUR 

Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum oreonastes Reichb.f. FWTA 3: 239 (as B. zenkeranum) 

Orchidaceae Corymborkis corymbosa Thou. FWTA 3: 211 

Orchidaceae Cyrtorchis ringens (Rchb.f.) Summerh. WUR 

Orchidaceae Diaphananthe pellucida (Lindley) Schlechter HAW 

Orchidaceae Diaphananthe rohrii (Reichb.f.) Summerhayes HAW 

Orchidaceae Epigonium roseum (Don) Lind. FWTA 3: 207 

Orchidaceae Hetaeria occidentalis Summerhayes WUR & HAW 

Orchidaceae Manniella gustavii Reichb.f. HAW 

Orchidaceae Polystachya affinis Lindl. WUR 

Orchidaceae Polystachya paniculata (Sw.) Rolfe WUR 

Orchidaceae Rhipidoglossum rutilum (Rchb.f.) Schltr. WUR 

Orchidaceae Tridactyle armeniaca (Lindley) Schlechter WUR & HAW 

Orchidaceae Zeuxine elongata Rolfe FWTA 3: 208 

Palmae Calamus deeratus Mann & Wendl. HAW 

Palmae Elaeis guineensis Jacq. HAW 

Palmae Eremospatha hookeri (Mann & Wendl.) Wendl. HAW 

Palmae Eremospatha macrocarpa (Mann & Wendl.) Wendl. HAW 

Palmae Raphia hookeri Mann & Wendl. WUR & HAW 

Pandaceae Microdesmis keayana J.Léonard WUR & HAW 

Pandaceae Panda oleosa Pierre HAW 

Pandanaceae Pandanus abbiwii Huynh HAW 

Passifloraceae Adenia cissampeloides (Planch. ex Benth.) Harms WUR 

Passifloraceae Adenia mannii (Mast.) Engler HAW 

Passifloraceae Adenia rumicifolia Engl. & Harms WUR 

Passifloraceae Crossostemma laurifolium Planchon ex Bentham WUR 

Passifloraceae Smeathmannia pubescens Soland. ex R.Br. HAW 

Piperaceae Peperomia fernandopoiana C.DC. WUR & HAW 

Piperaceae Peperomia rotundifolia (Linné) H.B. & K. HAW 

Piperaceae Piper capense L.f. WUR 

Piperaceae Piper guineense Schum. & Thonning HAW 




Piperaceae Piper umbellatum Linné HAW 

Polygalaceae Atroxima liberica Stapf HAW 

Polygalaceae Carpolobia lutea G.Don WUR & HAW 

Polypodiaceae Drynaria laurentii (Christ) Hieron. H&S 

Polypodiaceae Microgramma lycopodioides (L.) Copeland HAW 

Polypodiaceae Microsorium punctatum (L.) Copeland HAW 

Polypodiaceae Platycerium stemaria (P.Beauv.) Desvaux HAW 

Pteridaceae Pteris burtonii Baker HAW 

Pteridaceae Pteris togoensis Hieronymus HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes afzelii (Pax) Hutch HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes aubrevillei Leandri HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes aylmeri Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes chevalieri Beille HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes gilgiana (Pax) Pax & K.Hoffm. HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes pellegrinii Léandri WUR & HAW 

Putranjivaceae Drypetes principum (Muell.Arg.) Hutch. HAW 

Rhamnaceae Gouania longipetala Hemsley HAW 

Rhamnaceae Lasiodiscus fasciculiflorus Engler HAW 

Rhamnaceae Maesopsis eminii Engler HAW 

Rhizophoraceae Anopyxis klaineana (Pierre) Engler HAW 

Rhizophoraceae Cassipourea congoensis R.Br. ex DC. HAW 

Rhizophoraceae Cassipourea glabra Alston WUR 

Rhizophoraceae Cassipourea gummiflua Tulasne WUR & HAW 

Rosaceae Rubus pinnatus Willd. 4 HAW 

Rubiaceae Aidia genipiflora (DC.) Dandy WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Aulacocalyx jasminiflora Hooker f. HAW 

Rubiaceae Bertiera bracteolata Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Bertiera breviflora Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Bertiera racemosa (G.Don) K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Calycosiphonia macrochlamys (K.Schum.) Leroy HAW 

Rubiaceae Calycosiphonia spathicalyx (K.Schum.) Robbrecht HAW 

Rubiaceae Chassalia afzelii (Hiern) K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Chassalia corallifera (A.Chev. ex De Wild.) Hepper WUR 

Rubiaceae Chassalia kolly (Schum.) Hepper WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Chazaliella sciadephora (Hiern) Petit & Verdcourt WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Corynanthe pachyceras K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Craterispermum caudatum Hutchinson WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Craterispermum cerinanthum Hiern HAW 

Rubiaceae Cremaspora triflora (Thonning) K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Cuviera nigrescens (Scott Elliot ex Oliver) Wernham HAW 

Rubiaceae Dictyandra arborescens Welwitsch ex Hooker f. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Didymosalpinx abbeokutae (Hiern) Keay WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Diodia sarmentosa Sw. WUR 

Rubiaceae Euclinia longiflora Salisb. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Gaertnera cooperi Hutch. & M.B.Moss HAW 

Rubiaceae Geophila afzelii Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Geophila obvallata (Schum.) F.Didr. HAW 

Rubiaceae Geophila repens (L.) I.M.Johnst. WUR 

Rubiaceae Hallea stipulosa (DC.) Leroy HAW 

Rubiaceae Hymenocoleus hirsutus (Bentham) Robbrecht HAW 

Rubiaceae Hymenocoleus libericus (A.Chevalier ex Hutch. & Dalziel) Robbrecht HAW 


125

Appendix 1 


Rubiaceae Hymenocoleus multinervis Robbrecht WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Hymenocoleus neurodictyon (K.Schum.) Robbrecht WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Hymenodictyon floribundum (Steud. ex Hochst.) B.L.Robinson H&S 

Rubiaceae Ixora hiernii Scott Elliot HAW 

Rubiaceae Ixora nigerica Keay 5 WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Ixora tenuis De Block WUR 

Rubiaceae Keetia bridsoniae Jongkind WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Keetia hispida (Bentham) Bridson HAW 

Rubiaceae Keetia venosa (Oliver) Bridson HAW 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus batangensis K.Schum. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Lasianthus repens Hepper WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Leptactina densiflora Hooker f. HAW 

Rubiaceae Leptactina involucrata Hooker f. HAW 

Rubiaceae Massularia acuminata (G.Don) Bullock ex Hoyle HAW 

Rubiaceae Morinda lucida Bentham HAW 

Rubiaceae Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redhead HAW 

Rubiaceae Mussaenda chippii Wernham WUR 

Rubiaceae Mussaenda linderi Hutch. & Dalziel WUR 

Rubiaceae Mussaenda nivea A.Chev. ex Hutch. & Dalziel WUR 

Rubiaceae Mussaenda tristigmatica Cummins WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild. & Th.Dur.) Merrill WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Oxyanthus formosus Hooker f. ex Planchon HAW 

Rubiaceae Oxyanthus pallidus Hiern HAW 

Rubiaceae Oxyanthus speciosus DC. HAW 

Rubiaceae Oxyanthus unilocularis Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Pauridiantha afzelii (Hiern) Bremek. HAW 

Rubiaceae Pauridiantha sylvicola (Hutch. & Dalziel) Bremek. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Pausinystalia lane-poolei (Hutch.) Hutch. ex Lane-Poole HAW 

Rubiaceae Pavetta akeassii J.B.Hall WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Pavetta ixorifolia Bremek. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Pavetta owariensis P.Beauv. HAW 

Rubiaceae Pleiocoryne fernandensis (Hiern) Rauschert WUR 

Rubiaceae Psilanthus ebracteolatus Hiern HAW 

Rubiaceae Psilanthus mannii Hooker f. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria biaurita (Hutch. & Dalziel) Verdcourt WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria brachyantha Hiern WUR 

Rubiaceae Psychotria elongato-sepala (Hiern) Petit WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria gabonica Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria peduncularis (Salisb.) Verdcourt HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria psychotriodes (DC.) Roberty HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria reptans Bentham WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria rufipilis De Wildeman HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria subglabra De Wildeman HAW 

Rubiaceae Psychotria subobliqua Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psydrax arnoldiana (De Wild. & Th.Dur.) Bridson HAW 

Rubiaceae Psydrax horizontalis (Schum. & Thonning) Bridson HAW 

Rubiaceae Psydrax manensis (Aubréville & Pellegrin) Bridson WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Psydrax subcordata (DC.) Bridson HAW 

Rubiaceae Robynsia glabrata Hutchinson WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Rothmannia hispida (K.Schum.) Fagerlind WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Rothmannia longiflora Salisb. HAW 




Rubiaceae Rothmannia whitfieldii (Lindl.) Dandy WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Rutidea dupuisii De Wildeman HAW 

Rubiaceae Rutidea membranacea Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Rutidea olenotricha Hiern WUR 

Rubiaceae Rytigynia canthioides (Benth.) Robyns WUR 

Rubiaceae Sabicea calycina Bentham WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Sabicea ferruginea Benth. WUR 

Rubiaceae Sabicea multibracteata J.B.Hall WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Sabicea rosea Hoyle WUR 

Rubiaceae Sarcocephalus pobeguinii Hua ex Pobeguin; Pellegrin HAW 

Rubiaceae Sherbournia bignoniiflora (Welwitsch) Hua HAW 

Rubiaceae Sherbournia calycina (G.Don) Hua WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Spermacoce mauritiana Osia Gideon WUR 

Rubiaceae Tarenna bipindensis (K.Schum.) Bremek. WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Tarenna eketensis Wernham WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Tarenna gracilis (Stapf) Keay WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Tarenna vignei Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Tricalysia discolor Brenan WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Tricalysia elliotii (K.Schum.) Hutch. & Dalziel WUR 

Rubiaceae Tricalysia oligoneura K.Schum. HAW 

Rubiaceae Tricalysia pallens Hiern HAW 

Rubiaceae Tricalysia reticulata (Bentham) Hiern WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Trichostachys aurea Hiern HAW 

Rubiaceae Uncaria africana G.Don HAW 

Rubiaceae Uncaria talbotii Wernham WUR 

Rubiaceae Vangueriella orthacantha (Mildbraed) Bridson & Verdcourt WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Vangueriella vanguerioides (Hiern) Verdcourt WUR & HAW 

Rubiaceae Virectaria procumbens (Sm.) Bremek. HAW 

Rutaceae Citropsis articulata (W. ex Spr.) Swingle & Kellerm HAW 

Rutaceae Vepris hiernii Gereau HAW 

Rutaceae Vepris suaveolens (Engler) W.Mziray HAW 

Rutaceae Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild.) Waterman HAW 

Santalaceae Okoubaka aubrevillei Pellegrin & Normand WUR & HAW 

Sapindaceae Allophylus africanus P.Beauv. HAW 

Sapindaceae Allophylus talbotii Baker f. HAW 

Sapindaceae Blighia sapida Konig HAW 

Sapindaceae Blighia unijugata Baker HAW 

Sapindaceae Blighia welwitschii (Hiern) Radlk. HAW 

Sapindaceae Cardiospermum grandiflorum Swartz WUR 

Sapindaceae Chytranthus carneus Radlk. HAW 

Sapindaceae Deinbollia grandifolia Hooker f. HAW 

Sapindaceae Eriocoelum pungens Radlk. ex Engler HAW 

Sapindaceae Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planchon ex Bentham HAW 

Sapindaceae Lecaniodiscus punctatus J.B.Hall HAW 

Sapindaceae Lychnodiscus reticulatus Radlk. HAW 

Sapindaceae Majidea fosteri (Sprague) Radlk. HAW 

Sapindaceae Pancovia pedicellaris Radlk. & Gilg HAW 

Sapindaceae Pancovia sessiliflora Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Sapindaceae Placodiscus attenuatus J.B.Hall HAW 

Sapindaceae Placodiscus boya Aubréville & Pellegrin HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum africanum A.DC. HAW 


127

Appendix 1 


Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum beguei Aubréville & Pellegrin HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum giganteum A.Chevalier HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum perpulchrum Mildbraed ex Hutch. & Dalziel WUR & HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum pruniforme Pierre ex Engler WUR & HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum subnudum Baker HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum ubanguiense (De Wild.) Harris HAW 

Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum welwitschii Engler HAW 

Sapotaceae Manilkara obovata (Sabine & G.Don) Hemsley HAW 

Sapotaceae Neolemonniera clitandrifolia (A.Chevalier) Heine WUR & HAW 

Sapotaceae Omphalocarpum elatum Miers HAW 

Sapotaceae Omphalocarpum procerum P.Beauv. HAW 

Sapotaceae Pouteria aningeri Baehni HAW 

Sapotaceae Synsepalum afzelii (Engler) Pennington HAW 

Sapotaceae Synsepalum brevipes (Baker) Pennington HAW 

Sapotaceae Synsepalum msolo (Engler) Pennington WUR & HAW 

Sapotaceae Tieghemella heckelii Pierre ex A.Chevalier HAW 

Scytopetalaceae Scytopetalum tieghemii (A.Chevalier) Hutch. & Dalziel HAW 

Selaginellaceae Selaginella blepharophylla Alston WUR 

Selaginellaceae Selaginella versicolor Spring WUR 

Selaginellaceae Selaginella vogelii Spring. HAW 

Simaroubaceae Brucea guineensis G.Don WUR 

Simaroubaceae Hannoa klaineana Pierre & Engler HAW 

Solanaceae Solanum welwitschii C.H.Wright WUR 

Sterculiaceae Cola boxiana Brenan & Keay WUR 

Sterculiaceae Cola caricifolia (G.Don) K.Schum. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola gigantea A.Chevalier HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola lateritia K.Schum. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola millenii K.Schum. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott. & Endl. WUR & HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola reticulata A.Chevalier WUR & HAW 

Sterculiaceae Cola verticillata (Thonning) Stapf ex A.Chevalier HAW 

Sterculiaceae Heritiera utilis (Sprague) Sprague HAW 

Sterculiaceae Leptonychia pubescens Keay HAW 

Sterculiaceae Mansonia altissima (A.Chevalier) A.Chevalier HAW 

Sterculiaceae Nesogordonia papaverifera (A.Chevalier) R.Capuron HAW 

Sterculiaceae Octolobus spectabilis Welwitsch HAW 

Sterculiaceae Pterygota macrocarpa K.Schum. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Sterculia oblonga Mast. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Sterculia rhinopetala K.Schum. HAW 

Sterculiaceae Sterculia tragacantha Lindley HAW 

Sterculiaceae Triplochiton scleroxylon K.Schum. HAW 

Thelypteridaceae Cyclosorus afer (Christ) Ching HAW 

Thymelaeaceae Craterosiphon scandens Engler & Gilg. HAW 

Thymelaeaceae Dicranolepis persei Cummins WUR & HAW 

Tiliaceae Desplatsia chrysochlamys (Mildbraed & Burr.) Mildbraed & Bu HAW 

Tiliaceae Duboscia viridiflora (K.Schum.) Mildbraed WUR & HAW 

Tiliaceae Glyphaea brevis (Sprengel) Monachino HAW 

Tiliaceae Grewia hookeriana Exell & Mendonça WUR & HAW 

Tiliaceae Grewia malacocarpa Mast. HAW 

Ulmaceae Celtis adolfi-friderici Engler HAW 

Ulmaceae Celtis mildbraedii Engler HAW 




Ulmaceae Celtis prantlii Priemer ex Engl. WUR 

Ulmaceae Celtis wightii Planchon HAW 

Ulmaceae Celtis zenkeri Engler HAW 

Ulmaceae Trema orientalis (Linné) Blume HAW 

Urticaceae Elatostema paivaeanum Wedd. WUR & HAW 

Urticaceae Urera keayi Letouzey WUR 

Verbenaceae Clerodendrum capitatum (Willd.) Schum. & Thonning HAW 

Verbenaceae Clerodendrum cephalanthum Oliver 6 WUR 

Verbenaceae Clerodendrum silvanum Henriq. HAW 

Verbenaceae Clerodendrum umbellatum Poiret WUR & HAW 

Verbenaceae Vitex ferruginea Schum. & Thonning HAW 

Verbenaceae Vitex grandifolia Gürke HAW 

Verbenaceae Vitex micrantha Gürke HAW 

Verbenaceae Vitex rivularis Gürke HAW 

Verbenaceae Vitex thyrsiflora Baker WUR & HAW 

Violaceae Decorsella paradoxa A.Chevalier HAW 

Violaceae Rinorea ilicifolia Kuntze HAW 

Violaceae Rinorea oblongifolia (C.H.Wright) Marquand ex Chipp WUR & HAW 

Violaceae Rinorea welwitschii (Oliver) O.Ktze. WUR & HAW 

Violaceae Rinorea yaundensis Engler HAW 

Vitaceae Cissus aralioides (Welwitsch ex Baker) Planchon WUR & HAW 

Vitaceae Cissus diffusiflora (Baker) Planch. WUR 

Vitaceae Cissus miegei Tchoumé WUR 

Vitaceae 

Cyphostemma adenocaule (Steud. ex A.Rich.) Desc. ex Wild & 

R.B.Drumm. 

WUR 

Vitaceae Cyphostemma vogelii (Hook.f.) Desc. WUR 

Vitaceae Leea guineensis G.Don HAW 

Zingiberaceae Aframomum atewae Lock & Hall WUR & HAW 

Zingiberaceae Aframomum chrysanthum Lock WUR 

Zingiberaceae Aframomum geocarpum Lock & Hall HAW 

Zingiberaceae Renealmia battenbergiana Cummins ex Baker WUR 

(Endnotes) 

1 var. glabrum Keay 

2 var. camerunensis (Loesener) N.Hallé 

3 var. macrosperma (Mildbraed & Burr.) C.C. Berg 

4 var. afrotropicus (Engler) C.E.Gust. 

5 ssp. occidentalis De Block 

6 subsp. occidentale Jongkind 


129

Appendix 2 

List of plant species recorded during the 

Atewa RAP survey, June 2006 

D.E.K.A. Siaw and Jonathan Dabo 

Family Scientific name Star rating Habit Atiwiredu 

Acanthaceae Acanthus guineensis Gold Herb x 

Asiakwa 

South 

Lankesteria elegans green Herb x 

Agavaceae Draceana adamii Gold Shrub x x 

Draceana mannii Green Shrub x x 

Draceana phrynoides Green Shrub x 

Draceana surculosa Green Shrub x x 

Anacardiaceae Antocaryon micraster Red Tree x x 

Lannea welwitschii Green Tree x x x 

Trichoscypha arborea Green Tree x x 

Trichoscypha lecenes Gold Tree x 

Annonaceae Anonnidium mannii Blue Tree x x 

Cleistopholis patens Green Tree x x x 

Enantia polycarpa Green Tree x x 

Greenwayodendron oliveri Green Tree x x x 

Hexalobus crispiflorus Green Tree x x x 

Isolona companulata Green Tree x 

Monodora myristica Green Tree x x x 

Monodora tenuifolia Green Tree x x x 

Pachypodanthium staudtii Green Tree x x x 

Piptostigma fasciculatum Green Tree x x x 

Piptostigma fugax Gold Tree x x x 

Uvariodendon calophyllum Green Tree x 

Xylopia aethiopica Green Tree x x x 

Xylopia quiintasii Green Tree x 

Xylopia rubescens Gold Tree x 

Xylopia staudttii Green Tree x x 

Xylopia villosa Green Tree x x x 

Apocynaceae Alafia barteri Green Climber x x 

Alstonia boonei Green Tree x x x 

Baissia leonensis Blue Climber x x 

Funtumia africana Green Tree x x 

Funtumia elastica Green Tree x x x 

Hunteria eburnea Green Tree x x x 

Hunteria umbellata Green Climber x x x 

Landolphia hirsuta Green Tree x x x 

Asiakwa 

North 


List of plant species recorded during the Atewa RAP survey, June 2006 


Asiakwa 

South 

Landolphia owariensis Green Tree x x x 

Landolphia calabaraica Green Climber x 

Landolphia foretiana Blue Climber x 

Landolphia micrantha Blue Climber x x 

Picralima nitida Blue Tree x x x 

Rauvolfia vomitoria Green Tree x x x 

Strophanthus hispidus Pink Climber x 

Tabernaemontana africana Green Tree x x x 

Voacanga africana Green Tree x x x 

Araceae Amorphophallus johnsonii Green Herb x x x 

Anchomanes difformis Green Herb x x x 

Cercestis afzelii Green Herb x x x 

Culcasia angolensis Green Climber x x x 

Araliaceae Cussonia bancoensis Gold Climber x x 

Aspidiaceae Ctenitis lanigera Green Fern 

Ctenitis lenseniae Green Fern 

Aspleniaceae Aspenium africanum Green x x 

Bignoniaceae Spathodea campanulata Green Tree x x x 

Bombacaceae Ceiba pentandra Pink Tree x 

Boraginaceae Cordia millenii Green Tree x x 

Burseraceae Canarium schweinfurthii Pink Tree x x x 

Dacryodes klaineana Green Tree x x 

Caesalpinaceae Amphimas pterocarpioides Green Tree x x x 

Anthonotha macrophylla Green Tree x x x 

Bussea occidentalis Green Tree x x x 

Chidlowia sanguinea Blue Tree x x x 

Gilbertiodendron splendidum Black Tree x x 

Hymenostegia afzelii Green Tree x x x 

Anthonotha fragans Green Tree x 

Dialium aubrevillei Green 

Dialium dinklagei Green x 

Distemonanthus benthamianus Pink 

Gilbertiodendron limba Green x 

Milbraediodendron excelsum Gold x 

Capparaceae Buchholzia coriacea Green x 

Euadenia trifoliolata Blue Shrub x x 

Celastraceae Salacia columna Green Climber x x 

Salacia elegans Green Climber 

Chrysubalanaceae Maranthes robusta Blue x 

Combretaceae Combretum mucronatum Green Climber x x 

Pteleopsis hylodendron Blue Tree x 

Terminalia ivorensis Scarlet x x 

Terminalia superba Pink x x 

Commelinaceae Commelina benghalensis Green Herb x 

Commelina macrosperma Green Herb x x 

Compositae Ageratum conyzoides x x 

Chromolaena odorata Green x 

Synedrella nodiflora x x x 

Asiakwa 

North 

Vernonia conferta Green x x x 


131

Appendix 2 


Asiakwa 

South 

Convolvulaceae Calycobolus africanus Green x x x 

Cucurbitaceae Momordica angustisepala x x 

Momordica spp. x x 

Telfairia occidentalis Blue x x 

Cyatheaceae Cyathea manniana Blue Fern 

Cyperaceae Cyperus difformis Herb x 

Cyperus distans Herb x 

Cyperus rotundus x x 

Cyperus tuberosus Herb x 

Mapania baldwinii Blue Herb x x x 

Dichapetalaceae Dichapetalum angolense Green Climber x x 

Dilleniaceae Tetracera affinis Climber x 

Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea praehensilis Pink x x 

Dioscorea smilacifolia Green x x 

Ebenaceae Diospyros kamarunensis Green x x 

Diospyros mannii Blue x 

Diospyros monbuttensis Green x 

Diospyros sanza-Minika Blue x 

Euphorbiaceae Alchornea cordifolia Green Tree x 

Alchornea floribunda Green Tree x x x 

Anthostema aubryanum Blue Tree x 

Bridelia atroviridis Green Tree x x x 

Bridelia grandis Green Tree x x 

Caloncoba echinata Green Tree 

Croton penduliflorus Green Tree x x x 

Discoclaoxylon hexandrum Green Tree x x 

Discoglypremna caloneura Green Tree x x x 

Drypetes aubrevillei Blue Tree x x x 

Drypetes aylmeri Blue Tree x x 

Drypetes pellegrinii Gold Tree 

Drypetes principum Green Tree x x 

Elaeophorbia grandifolia Green Tree x 

Macaranga barteri Green Tree x x 

Macaranga heterophylla Green Tree x x 

Macaranga hurifolia Green Tree x x x 

Maesobotrya barteri Green Tree x x x 

Manniophytion fulvum Green Climber 

Margaritaria discoidea Green Tree x x 

Phyllanthus muellerianus Green Tree x x 

Phyllanthus urinaris Tree x 

Protomegabaria stapfiana Blue Tree x x 

Pycnocoma macrophylla Green Shrub x x x 

Ricinodendron heudelotii Green Tree x x 

Sapium aubrevillei Black Tree x 

Tetrorchidium didymostemon Green Tree x x 

Tragia sp. 1 x x x 

Tragia sp. 2 x x x 

Tragia sp. 3 Tree x 

Uapaca corbisieri Green Tree x x 

Asiakwa 

North 

Uapaca guineensis Green Tree x x 




Asiakwa 

South 

Uapaca heudelotii Tree x 

Erythroxylaceae Erythroxylum mannii Green Tree x x 

Flacourtiaceae Scottelia klaineana Pink Tree x x 

Flagellariacetae Flagellaria guineensis Green Climber x 

Guttifereae Allanblackia parviflora Green Tree x 

Garcinia epunctata Red Tree x x x 

Garcinia smeathmannii Green Tree x x 

Harungana madagascariensis Green Tree x x x 

Mammea africana Pink Tree x 

Gramineae Axonopus compressus Herb x 

Bambusa vulgaris Herb x 

Brachiaria deflexa Herb x 

Eleusine indica Herb x 

Leptaspis cochleata Green Herb x x 

Olyra latifolia Green Grass x x 

Panicum maximum Herb x 

Setoria megaphylla Herb x x 

Icacinaceae Leptaulus daphnoides Green Tree x 

Raphinostylis pressii Green Climber x x 

Irvingiaceae Klainedoxa gabonensis Green Tree x 

Ixonanthaceae Phyllocosmus africanus Green Tree x x 

Lauraceae Beilschmiedia mannii Green Tree x x x 

Lecythidaceae Napoleonaea vogelii Green Tree x x x 

Petersianthus macrocarpus Green Tree x 

Linaceae Hugonia rufipilis Blue Climber x 

Loganiaceae Anthocleista nobilis Green Tree x x 

Strychnos floribunda Green Climber x x x 

Strychnos unsambarensis Green Climber x 

Maranthaceae Ataenidia conferta Green Herb x x x 

Hypselodelphys poggeana Green Shrub x 

Marantochloa congensis Green Herb x 

Marantochloa leucantha Green Herb x x 

Marantochloa mannii Green Herb x 

Marantochloa purpurea Green Herb x x 

Sarcophrynium brachystachys Green Herb x x x 

Thaumatococcus danielii Red x x 

Megaphrynium macrostachyrum Green Herb x 

Marantochloa congensis Green Herb x 

Medusandraceae Soyauxia grandifolia Gold Tree x 

Melastomataceae Memecylon afzelii Green x x 

Memecylon barterii x x 

Memecylon blackeoides x x 

Memecylon lateriflorum Green x 

Warneckea guineensis Green Tree x x 

Meliaceae Carapa procera Green Tree x 

Entandrophragma angolense Red Tree x x 

Entandrophragma candollei Scarlet Tree x x 

Entandrophragma cylindricum Scarlet Tree x x 

Asiakwa 

North 

Entandrophragma utile Scarlet Tree x x 


133

Appendix 2 


Asiakwa 

South 

Guarea cedrata Pink Tree x x x 

Khaya anthotheca Scarlet Tree x x 

Khaya ivorensis Scarlet Tree x 

Lovoa trichilioides Red Tree x x 

Trichilia martineaui Gold Tree x x 

Trichilia monodelpha Green Tree x x 

Trichilia priureana Green Tree x x 

Trichilia tessmannii Green Tree x 

Turreanthus africanus Pink Tree x x x 

Moraceae Ficus cyathistipula Green Tree x 

Ficus exasperata Green Tree x 

Ficus sagittifolia Green Tree x x 

Ficus saussureana Blue Tree x 

Ficus sp. x 

Ficus sur Green Tree x x 

Milicia excelsa Scarlet Tree x x 

Morus mesozygia Green Tree x 

Musanga cecrepioides Green Tree x x 

Myrianthus arboreaus Green Tree x x 

Myrianthus libericus Green Tree x x 

Treculia africana Green Tree x 

Trilepisium madagascariense Green Tree x x x 

Myristicaceae Lophira alata Red Tree x x 

Pycnanthus angolensis Pink Tree x x 

Ochnaceae Ochna afzelii Blue Tree x 

Ochna membranacea Green Tree x 

Ochna staudtii Green Tree x x 

Ouratea calantha Blue Tree x 

Olacaceae Octoknema borealis Green Tree x x x 

Olax subscorpioidea Green Tree x 

Strombosia glaucescens Green Tree x x x 

Palmae Calamus deeratus Pink Climber x x 

Elaeis guineensis Pink Tree x x 

Eresmospata hookeri Pink Climber x x x 

Eresmospata macrocarpa Pink Climber x x x 

Laccosperma secundiflorum Pink Climber x 

Laccosperma opacum Pink Climber x x x 

Raphia hookeri Green Tree x x 

Pandaceae Microdesmis puberula Green Tree x x 

Panda oleosa Green Tree x 

Papilionaceae Baphia nitida Green Tree x x 

Baphia pubescens Green Tree x x 

Erythrina mildbraedii Green Tree x 

Erythrina vogelii Blue Tree x 

Passifloraceae Smeathmannia pubescens Green Tree x 

Piperaceae Piper capense Green Herb x 

Piper guineensis Green Climber x x 

Piper umbellatum Green Herb x 

Rhamnaceae Maesopsis eminii Green Tree x x 

Asiakwa 

North 




Asiakwa 

South 

Rhizophoraceae Anopyxis klaineana Red Tree x x x 

Rutaceae Zanthoxylum gilletii Green Tree x x 

Zanthoxylum leprieurii Green Tree x x 

Rubiaceae Aidia genipiflora Green Tree x x 

Aulacocalyx jasminiflora Green Tree x x 

Bertiera racemosa Green Tree x x x 

Corynanthe pachyceras Green Tree x x 

Craterispermum caudatum Green Tree x x 

Geophila afzelii Green Herb x 

Geophila hirsuta Herb x x x 

Ixora occidentalis Green Shrub x 

Ixora tenuis Black Shrub x x 

Massularia acuminata Green Tree x 

Nauclea diderrichii Scarlet Tree x x x 

Oxyanthus speciosus Green Shrub x x 

Oxyanthus unilocularis Green Shrub x x 

Pausinystalia lane-poolei Gold Tree x x 

Pavetta mollis Green Shrub x x 

Psychotria brassii Blue Shrub x x 

Psychotria ivorensis Gold Shrub x x 

Psychotria longituba Black Herb x 

Psychotria subglabra Black Herb x 

Psydrax arnoldiana Blue Tree x 

Psydrax subcordata Green Tree x 

Psydrax parviflora Green Tree x 

Robynsia glabrata Gold Tree x 

Rothmania hispida Green Tree x x x 

Rothmania megalostigma Blue Tree x 

Tricalysia discolour Green Tree x x x 

Tricalysia pallens Green Tree x 

Santalaceae Okoubaka aubrevillei Gold Tree x 

Sapindaceae Blighia sapida Green Tree x x x 

Chytranthus carneus Green Tree x x 

Chytranthus caulifloris Blue Tree x 

Chytranthus macrobotrys Blue Tree x 

Milletia chrysophylla Climber x x 

Placodiscus boya Gold Tree x x 

Sapotaceae Afrosersalisia afzelii Green Tree x x 

Bequaertiodendron oblanceolatum Blue Tree x 

Chrysophyllum albidum Pink Tree x x 

Chrysophyllum gigantum Pink Tree x x 

Chrysophyllum perpulchrum Green Tree x 

Chrysophyllum subnudum Green Tree x x x 

Neolemonniera clitandrifolia Black Tree x 

Omphalocarpum ahia Blue Tree x x 

Omphalocarpum elatum Green Tree x x 

Tieghemella heckeii Scarlet Tree x x 

Simaroubaceae Hannoa klaineana Green Tree x x x 

Smilacaceae Smilax kraussiana Green x x 

Asiakwa 

North 


135

Appendix 2 


Solanaceae Solanum erianthum Green x 

Asiakwa 

South 

Solanum torvum Shrub x 

Sterculiaceae Cola boxiana Gold x x x 

Cola gigantea Green Tree x x 

Cola lateritia Green Tree x x 

Cola nitida Pink Tree x x 

Cola verticillata Green x x x 

Nesogordonia papaverifera Pink Tree x x 

Sterculia oblonga Green Tree x 

Sterculia tragacantha Green Tree x 

Triplochiton scleroxylon Scarlet Tree x 

Tiliaceae Desplatsia chrysochlamys Green Tree x x 

Desplatsia dewevrei Green Tree x x 

Desplatsia suberiacarpa Green Tree x x 

Duboscia viridiflora Green Tree x 

Ulmaceae Celtis adolfi-friderici Green Tree x 

Celtis mildbraedii Green Tree x x 

Trema orientalis Green Tree x x 

Verbenaceae Lantana camara x 

Vitex ferruginea Green Tree x 

Vitex grandifolia Blue Tree x x x 

Violaceae Rinorea dentata Green x 

Rinorea oblongifolia Green Tree x x x 

Vitaceae Cisuss aralioides Green Climber x x 

Cisuss producta Green Climber x x 

Zingiberaceae Aframomum atewae Blue x x x 

Star ratings: 

Aframomum stanfieldii Blue x x x 

Costus afer Green x x 

Costus deistelii Green Herb x x 

Asiakwa 

North 

Costus dubius Green Herb x 

Costus engleranus Green Herb x x x 

Black – Highly significant in context of global biodiversity; Rare globally and not widespread in Ghana 

Gold – Significant in context of global biodiversity; fairly rare globally and/or nationally 

Blue – Mainly of national biodiversity interest; e.g. globally widespread, nationally rare; or globally rare but of low concern 

in Ghana due to commonness 

Scarlet – Common and widespread commercial species; potentially seriously threatened by overexploitation 

Red – Common and widespread commercial species; under significant pressure from exploitation 

Pink – Common and widespread commercial species; not currently under significant pressure from exploitation 

Green – Species common and widespread in tropical Africa; no conservation concern 


Appendix 3 



Ghana: 1: recent records (also from current survey) obtained and/or identified by author (unpublished new national records 

marked with !); 2: specimens kept in collections and identification confirmed by author; 3: literature records, regarded as reliable 

because specimens were described well or record agrees with known biogeographic pattern; *: type locality lies in Ghana. 

Atewa area / ARFR (strictly within boundaries of Atewa Range Forest Reserve): 1: recorded during surveys (new national records 

marked with !); 0: recorded previously. 

Atewa inside inside ARFR outside ARFR 

Ghana area ARFR OnO Ade Swp For Wan Den Bir Aye 

ZYGOPTERA 

Calopterygidae Selys, 1850 

Phaon Selys, 1853 

Phaon camerunensis Sjöstedt, 1900 1! 1 1 1 1 

Phaon iridipennis (Burmeister, 1839) 1 1 1 1 

Sapho Selys, 1853 

Sapho bicolor Selys, 1853 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Sapho ciliata (Fabricius, 1781) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Umma Kirby, 1890 

Umma cincta (Hagen in Selys, 1853) 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Chlorocyphidae Cowley, 1937 

Chlorocypha Fraser, 1928 

Chlorocypha curta (Hagen in Selys, 1853) 1 1 1 

Chlorocypha dispar (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) 1 1 1 1 1 

Chlorocypha luminosa (Karsch, 1893) 1 1 1 1 0 1 

Chlorocypha pyriformosa Fraser, 1947 1! 

Chlorocypha radix Longfield, 1959 1 1 1 1 1 

Chlorocypha rubida (Hagen in Selys, 1853) 2! 

Chlorocypha selysi Karsch, 1899 1 1 1 1 

Lestidae Calvert, 1901 

Lestes Leach, 1815 

Lestes dissimulans Fraser, 1955 1 1 1 1 

Lestes ochraceus Selys, 1862 3 

Lestes pallidus Rambur, 1842 1! 

Lestes pinheyi Fraser, 1955 1! 

Coenagrionidae Kirby, 1890 

Aciagrion Selys, 1891 

Aciagrion hamoni Fraser, 1955 1! 

Africallagma Kennedy, 1920 

Africallagma glaucum (Burmeister, 1839) 3 


137

Appendix 3 



Africallagma vaginale (Sjöstedt, 1917) 1! 1! 1 1 

Agriocnemis Selys, 1877 

Agriocnemis exilis Selys, 1872 1! 

Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 1 1 1 

Agriocnemis zerafica Le Roi, 1915 1 1 1 

Azuragrion May, 2002 

Azuragrion vansomereni (Pinhey, 1955) 1! 1 1 

Ceriagrion Selys, 1876 

Ceriagrion bakeri Fraser, 1941 2 

Ceriagrion corallinum Campion, 1914 1! 1 1 

Ceriagrion glabrum (Burmeister, 1839) 1 1 1 1 1 

Ceriagrion ignitum Campion, 1914 2* 

Ceriagrion rubellocerinum Fraser, 1947 1! 1 1 1 1 

Ceriagrion suave Ris, 1921 1 

Ischnura Charpentier, 1840 

Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842) 1 

Pseudagrion Selys, 1876 

Pseudagrion camerunense (Karsch, 1899) 1 

Pseudagrion emarginatum Karsch, 1893 1 

Pseudagrion epiphonematicum Karsch, 1891 1 

Pseudagrion gigas Schmidt in Ris, 1936 1! 

Pseudagrion glaucescens Selys, 1876 1 

Pseudagrion glaucoideum Schmidt, 1936 1! 1 1 

Pseudagrion glaucum (Sjöstedt, 1900) 1! 

Pseudagrion hamoni Fraser, 1955 1 1 1 1 

Pseudagrion hemicolon Karsch, 1899 1! 

Pseudagrion kersteni (Gerstäcker, 1869) 1 1 1 

Pseudagrion malagasoides Pinhey, 1973 1! 

Pseudagrion melanicterum Selys, 1876 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Pseudagrion nubicum Selys, 1876 1 

Pseudagrion sjoestedti Förster, 1906 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Pseudagrion sublacteum (Karsch, 1893) 1 

Pseudagrion sudanicum Le Roi, 1915 3 

Pseudagrion torridum Selys, 1876 1! 

Platycnemidae Tillyard, 1917 

Mesocnemis Karsch, 1891 

Mesocnemis robusta (Selys, 1886) 1 

Mesocnemis singularis Karsch, 1891 1 1 1 0 1 

Platycnemis Burmeister, 1839 

Platycnemis guttifera Fraser, 1950 1 0 0 

Platycnemis sikassoensis (Martin, 1912) 1 1 1 0 

Protoneuridae Tillyard, 1917 

Chlorocnemis Selys, 1863 

Chlorocnemis elongata Hagen in Selys, 1863 1 1 1 1 

Chlorocnemis flavipennis Selys, 1863 1 1 1 1 1 

Chlorocnemis subnodalis (Selys, 1886) 1 0 0 

Elattoneura Cowley, 1935 

Elattoneura balli Kimmins, 1938 1! 0 0 

Elattoneura girardi Legrand, 1980 1! 

Elattoneura nigra Kimmins, 1938 1 1 1 1 0 





Prodasineura Cowley, 1934 

Prodasineura villiersi Fraser, 1948 1 1 1 1 

ANISOPTERA 

Aeshnidae Rambur, 1842 

Anax Leach, 1815 

Anax ephippiger (Burmeister, 1839) 1 

Anax imperator Leach, 1815 1! 1 1 

Anax tristis Hagen, 1867 1 

Gynacantha Rambur, 1842 

Gynacantha africana (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) 1! 

Gynacantha bullata Karsch, 1891 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Gynacantha cylindrata Karsch, 1891 1 

Gynacantha manderica Grünberg, 1902 1 

Gynacantha nigeriensis (Gambles, 1956) 1! 

Gynacantha sextans McLachlan, 1896 1 

Gynacantha vesiculata Karsch, 1891 1 

Heliaeschna Selys, 1882 

Heliaeschna fuliginosa Selys, 1883 1! 

Gomphidae Rambur, 1842 

Crenigomphus Selys, 1892 

Crenigomphus renei Fraser, 1936 1 

Diastatomma Burmeister, 1839 

Diastatomma gamblesi Legrand, 1992 1! 1 1 1 

Gomphidia Selys, 1854 

Gomphidia gamblesi Gauthier, 1987 1! 1 1 1 1 

Gomphidia madi Pinhey, 1961 1 

Ictinogomphus Cowley, 1934 

Ictinogomphus ferox (Rambur, 1842) 1 

Ictinogomphus fraseri Kimmins, 1958 1 1 1 

Lestinogomphus Martin, 1911 

Lestinogomphus cf. africanus Fraser, 1926 3 

Lestinogomphus matilei Legrand & Lachaise, 2001 1! 

Microgomphus Selys, 1858 

Microgomphus camerunensis Longfield, 1951 1! 

Neurogomphus Karsch, 1890 

Neurogomphus fuscifrons Karsch, 1890 1! 

Onychogomphus Selys, 1854 

Onychogomphus sp. 1! 1! 1 1 

Paragomphus Cowley, 1934 

Paragomphus genei (Selys, 1841) 1 

Paragomphus nigroviridis Cammaerts, 1969 1 

Paragomphus serrulatus (Baumann, 1898) 1! 1! 1 

Paragomphus cf. cognatus (Rambur, 1842) 1! 

Phyllogomphus Selys, 1854 

Phyllogomphus aethiops Selys, 1854 1! 

Phyllogomphus moundi Fraser, 1960 1! 1! 1 

Tragogomphus Sjöstedt, 1900 

Tragogomphus sp. 1! 1! 1 1 

Corduliidae Selys, 1850 

Neophya Selys, 1881 


139

Appendix 3 



Neophya rutherfordi Selys, 1881 3 

Phyllomacromia Selys, 1878 

Phyllomacromia africana Hagen, 1871 1! 

Phyllomacromia contumax Selys, 1879 1 

Phyllomacromia hervei (Legrand, 1980) 1! 

Phyllomacromia legrandi (Gauthier, 1987) 1! 1! 1 1 

Phyllomacromia pseudafricana (Pinhey, 1961) 1 

Phyllomacromia sophia (Selys, 1871) 2* 

Libellulidae Rambur, 1842 

Acisoma Rambur, 1842 

Acisoma panorpoides Rambur, 1842 1 1 1 

Acisoma trifidum Kirby, 1889 1! 

Aethiothemis Martin, 1908 

Aethiothemis palustris Martin, 1912 1! 

Aethriamanta Kirby, 1889 

Aethriamanta rezia Kirby, 1889 1 1 1 

Atoconeura Karsch, 1899 

Atoconeura luxata Dijkstra, 2006 1! 1! 1 1 

Brachythemis Brauer, 1868 

Brachythemis lacustris (Kirby, 1889) 1 

Brachythemis leucosticta (Burmeister, 1839) 1 

Bradinopyga Kirby, 1893 

Bradinopyga strachani (Kirby, 1900) 1 

Chalcostephia Kirby, 1889 

Chalcostephia flavifrons Kirby, 1889 1 

Crocothemis Brauer, 1868 

Crocothemis divisa Baumann, 1898 1 

Crocothemis erythraea (Brullé, 1832) 1 

Crocothemis sanguinolenta (Burmeister, 1839) 1! 1 1 

Cyanothemis Ris, 1915 

Cyanothemis simpsoni Ris, 1915 1 1 1 1 

Diplacodes Kirby, 1889 

Diplacodes lefebvrii (Rambur, 1842) 1 1 1 

Diplacodes luminans (Karsch, 1893) 1 

Eleuthemis Ris, 1910 

Eleuthemis buettikoferi Ris, 1910 1! 0 0 

Eleuthemis n. sp. 1! 1 1 

Hadrothemis Karsch, 1891 

Hadrothemis camarensis (Kirby, 1889) 1 1 1 1 

Hadrothemis coacta (Karsch, 1891) 1 1 1 1 

Hadrothemis defecta (Karsch, 1891) 1! 

Hadrothemis infesta (Karsch, 1891) 1 1 1 1 

Hadrothemis versuta (Karsch, 1891) 1! 

Hemistigma Kirby, 1889 

Hemistigma albipunctum (Rambur, 1842) 1 

Lokia Ris, 1919 

Lokia incongruens (Karsch, 1893) 1! 

Micromacromia Karsch, 1890 

Micromacromia zygoptera (Ris, 1909) 1 1 1 1 1 

Neodythemis Karsch, 1889 





Neodythemis klingi (Karsch, 1890) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Nesciothemis Longfield, 1955 

Nesciothemis minor Gambles, 1966 1! 1 1 

Nesciothemis pujoli Pinhey, 1971 1 1 1 1 

Notiothemis Ris, 1919 

Notiothemis robertsi Fraser, 1944 1! 0 0 

Olpogastra Karsch, 1895 

Olpogastra lugubris (Karsch, 1895) 1 1 1 

Orthetrum Newman, 1833 

Orthetrum abbotti Calvert, 1892 1 

Orthetrum africanum (Selys, 1887) 1! 

Orthetrum angustiventre (Rambur, 1842) 1 

Orthetrum austeni (Kirby, 1900) 1! 1 1 

Orthetrum brachiale (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) 1 

Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839) 1 

Orthetrum guineense Ris, 1909 1 

Orthetrum hintzi Schmidt, 1951 1 

Orthetrum icteromelas Ris, 1910 1! 

Orthetrum julia Kirby, 1900 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Orthetrum microstigma Ris, 1911 1 1 1 

Orthetrum monardi Schmidt, 1951 1 

Orthetrum saegeri Pinhey, 1966 1! 1! 1 1 

Orthetrum stemmale (Burmeister, 1839) 1 1 1 

Orthetrum trinacria (Selys, 1841) 1! 

Oxythemis Ris, 1909 

Oxythemis phoenicosceles Ris, 1909 1! 

Palpopleura Rambur, 1842 

Palpopleura deceptor (Calvert, 1899) 1 

Palpopleura lucia (Drury, 1773) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 

Palpopleura portia (Drury,1773) 1 1 1 

Pantala Hagen, 1861 

Pantala flavescens (Fabricius, 1798) 1 1 1 1 1 

Parazyxomma Pinhey, 1961 

Parazyxomma flavicans (Martin, 1908) 1 

Rhyothemis Hagen, 1867 

Rhyothemis fenestrina (Rambur,1842) 1! 

Rhyothemis notata (Fabricius, 1781) 1! 

Rhyothemis semihyalina (Desjardins, 1832) 1! 

Tetrathemis Brauer, 1868 

Tetrathemis camerunensis (Sjöstedt, 1900) 1 1 1 1 1 

Tetrathemis godiardi Lacroix, 1921 1* 

Tetrathemis polleni (Selys, 1877) 1! 

Thermochoria Kirby, 1889 

Thermochoria equivocata Kirby, 1889 1 1 1 1 

Tholymis Hagen, 1867 

Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798) 1 0 0 

Tramea Hagen, 1861 

Tramea basilaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) 1 1 1 1 1 

Tramea limbata (Desjardins, 1832) 1 1 1 

Trithemis Brauer, 1868 


141

Appendix 3 



Trithemis aconita Lieftinck, 1969 1 

Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805) 1 

Trithemis arteriosa (Burmeister, 1839) 1 1 1 1 

Trithemis basitincta Ris, 1912 1! 

Trithemis bifida Pinhey, 1970 1! 

Trithemis bredoi Fraser, 1953 1! 

Trithemis dejouxi Pinhey, 1978 1 

Trithemis dichroa Karsch, 1893 1 

Trithemis grouti Pinhey, 1961 1 

Trithemis imitata Pinhey, 1961 1! 

Trithemis kirbyi Selys, 1891 1 

Trithemis pruinata Karsch, 1899 1 

Trithemis stictica (Burmeister, 1839) 1! 

Trithetrum Dijkstra & Pilgrim, 2007 

Trithetrum navasi (Lacroix, 1921) 1! 1 1 

Urothemis Brauer, 1868 

Urothemis assignata (Selys, 1872) 1 

Urothemis edwardsii (Selys, 1849) 1 1 1 

Zygonoides Fraser, 1957 

Zygonoides fraseri Pinhey, 1955 1! 

Zygonyx Hagen, 1867 

Zygonyx chrysobaphes (Ris, 1915) 1! 1 1 1 

Zygonyx flavicosta (Sjöstedt, 1900) 1 1 1 

Zygonyx geminunca Legrand, 1997 1! 

Zygonyx natalensis (Martin, 1900) 1! 

Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889) 1 1 1 


Appendix 4 

Checklist of butterflies from the Atewa Range 

Forest Reserve with a list of those collected 

at each site during the 2006 RAP survey 


This is the latest butterfly checklist of Ghana and it is adopted from Larsen (2006). It includes all butterfly species 

known from Ghana. 

Abbreviations: 

The following three-letter codes are used for study sites: 

ATE = Atewa Forest Reserve 

ANT = Atiwiredu camp site 

ASS = Asiakwa South camp site 

ASN = Asiakwa North camp site 

MRT = Main road transect 

RAP = all species recorded during the RAP mission 

CAPITAL letters imply that the species has been authoritatively recorded from the locality e.g. ATE 

lower case letters imply that the species is almost certain to occur in the locality e.g. ate 

ooo 

implies that the species might occur in the locality 

–– implies that the species does not occur in the locality 

All species are roughly allocated to a main habitat type. Many butterflies are quite flexible in their requirements and 

the classification is still a rough guide (hab) 

WEF implies that the species is centered on Wet Evergreen Forest 

MEF implies that the species is centered on Moist Forests 

DRF implies that the species is centered on Drier Semi-deciduous and marginal forests 

ALF implies that the species is found in any type of forest 

GUI implies that the species is centered on the Guinea Savannah 

SUD implies that the species is centered on the Sudan Savannah 

SPE implies that the species is found in special habitats 

UBQ species that are practically ubiquitous through all habitats in most of Africa 

The species are roughly graded by rarity, though this is always a difficult call to make. Very rare species may one day 

be numerous in a single locality. Very common butterflies are sometimes absent. However, the following notations 

are used (rarity): 

VC = very common – species that are usually found on any visit to a suitable locality 

CO = common – species that are usually found on 75% of visits to most suitable localities 

NR = not rare – met with frequently but often not common 

RA = rare – species that are usually found on less than 10-20% of visits to most suitable localities 

VR = very rare – species that are usually found on less than 5% of visits to most suitable localities 

The superscript ( ww, en, vo ) denote endemism. Below is the meaning of the notations. 

ww = endemic to Africa west of the Dahomey Gap 

en = endemic to the Ghana subregion of West Africa 

vo = endemic to the Volta Region of Ghana and Togo 


143

Appendix 4 

No. Family Subfamily Genus Species subspecies hab rarity status ANT ASS ASN MRT 

PAPILIONIDAE 

Papilio 

1 antimachus antimachus WEF VR ATE 

2 zalmoxis WEF VR ooo 

4 dardanus dardanus ALF NR ATE x 

5 phorcas phorcas ALF RA ATE 

7 horribilis WEF NR ATE ww 

9 chrapkowskoides nurettini MEF CO ATE 

10 sosia sosia ALF NR ATE 

11 nireus nireus ALF CO ATE 

12 menestheus menestheus WEF CO ATE 

13 demodocus demodocus UBQ VC ATE x 

15 cyproeofila cyproeofila MEF CO ATE x 

16 zenobia MEF NR ATE x 

17 nobicea MEF NR ––vo 

18 cynorta cynorta MEF NR ATE 

Graphium 

20 angolanus baronis GUI CO ATE 

22 tynderaeus WEF RA ATE 

23 latreillianus latreillianus WEF NR ATE x 

24 almansor carchedonius DRF NR –– 

25 adamastor DRF NR ooo 

26 agamedes DRF RA –– 

28 rileyi WEF RA ATE en 

29 leonidas leonidas UBQ CO ATE x 

30 illyris illyris WEF NR ATE 

31 policenes ALF CO ATE x 

32 liponesco WEF NR ate 

34 antheus ALF NR ATE 

PIERIDAE 

PSEUDOPONTIINAE 

Pseudopontia 

35 paradoxa paradoxa WEF NR ooo 

COLIADINAE 

Catopsilia 

36 florella UBQ VC ATE x x x 

Eurema 

38 senegalensis MEF CO ATE x x x 

39 hecabe solifera UBQ VC ATE x x x 

40 floricola leonis UBQ NR ATE x 

41 hapale SPE VR ate 

42 desjardinsii regularis UBQ NR ate 

43 brigitta brigitta GUI NR ATE x 

PIERINAE 


Checklist of butterflies from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve with a list 

of those collected at each site during the 2006 RAP survey 


Pinacopteryx 

44 eriphia tritogenia SUD NR –– 

Nepheronia 

45 argia argia ALF CO ATE x 

46 thalassina thalassina ALF CO ATE x x 

47 pharis pharis ALF CO ATE 

Colotis 

54 vesta amelia SUD NR –– 

57 celimene sudanicus SUD RA –– 

58 ione SUD NR –– 

60 danae eupompe SUD NR –– 

61 aurora evarne SUD NR –– 

62 antevippe antevippe SUD NR ooo 

63 euippe euippe UBQ CO ATE 

65 evagore antigone SUD CO ooo 

Belenois 

68 aurota SUD CO ooo 

69 creona creona SUD VC ate 

70 gidica gidica SUD NR ooo 

72 subeida frobeniusi SUD NR –– 

73 calypso calypso ALF VC ATE 

74 theora theora MEF CO ATE x 

76 hedyle hedyle DRF NR ATE 

Dixeia 

78 doxo doxo SUD NR –– 

79 orbona orbona SUD NR –– 

80 cebron DRF NR ooo 

81 capricornus capricornus DRF NR ooo 

Appias 

84 sylvia sylvia ALF CO ATE 

85 phaola phaola WEF NR ATE 

86 sabina sabina MEF CO ATE 

87 epaphia epaphia UBQ CO ate 

Leptosia 

88 alcesta alcesta ALF vc ATE x x x 

90 hybrida hybrida ALF CO ATE x x x 

91 medusa ALF CO ATE x x x 

92 marginea MEF NR ATE 

93 wigginsi pseudalcesta ALF NR ate 

Mylothris 

95 chloris chloris UBQ VC ATE 

100 dimidiata WEF NR ATE ww 

103 aburi DRF NR –– 


145

Appendix 4 


106 poppea MEF NR ATE ww 

107 spica MEF NR ATE en 

109 rhodope ALF CO ATE x 

110 jaopura ALF CO ATE 

111 schumanni schumanni MEF NR ATE 

112 atewa WEF NR ATE en 

LYCAENIDAE 

MILETINAE 

Euliphyra 

114 hewitsoni MEF RA ate 

115 mirifica MEF RA ate 

116 leucyania WEF RA ate 

Aslauga 

117 ernesti DRF VR –– 

118 marginalis MEF NR ate 

121 lamborni WEF RA ATE x 

124 imitans MEF RA –– 

Megalopalpus 

127 zymna ALF CO ATE 

129 metaleucus MEF NR ATE x 

Spalgis 

130 lemolea DRF NR ATE 

Lachnocnema 

131 vuattouxi DRF NR ATE 

133 emperanus DRF NR ate 

135 disrupta MEF RA 

136 reutlingeri reutlingeri MEF RA ATE 

137 luna WEF RA –– 

139 albimacula WEF RA 

LIPTENINAE 

Ptelina 

141 carnuta MEF NR ATE x 

Pentila 

142 pauli pauli DRF NR ATE 

144 petreoides WEF VR ATE ww 

147 petreia MEF CO ATE 

152 picena MEF NR ATE 

155 phidia MEF NR ATE en 

157 hewitsonii hewitsonii MEF NR ATE 

Telipna 

159 acraea acraea WEF NR ATE 

160 semirufa WEF NR ATE ww 

161 maesseni WEF NR –– vo 

Ornipholidotos 





170 nigeriae WEF RA ATE 

171 onitshae WEF RA ATE x x 

172 irwini WEF RA ATE 

173 issia WEF RA ATE ww 

174 tiassale WEF NR ATE ww 

175 nympha WEF RA ATE 

Torbenia 

177 wojtusiaki WEF RA ATE 

Mimacraea 

179 neurata WEF RA ATE 

181 darwinia WEF NR ATE ww 

182 maesseni WEF NR –– en 

Mimeresia 

184 libentina ALF CO ATE 

185 moyambina WEF VR ATE ww 

186 debora catori WEF VR ooo 

187 semirufa WEF RA ATE en 

190 cellularis WEF RA ATE x 

191 issia WEF RA ATE en 

Pseuderesia 

192 eleaza eleaza WEF NR ATE 

Eresiomera 

193 bicolor MEF NR ATE 

194 isca occidentalis WEF RA ATE 

195 jacksoni WEF VR ate en 

197 petersi WEF RA ATE en 

Citrinophila 

199 marginalis MEF CO ATE 

200 similis MEF CO ATE 

202 erastus erastus WEF NR ATE 

Eresina 

204 maesseni MEF RA ate 

206 pseudofusca MEF RA ooo 

210 saundersi MEF RA ooo 

212 theodori MEF RA ate 

Argyrocheila 

213 undifera undifera WEF RA ATE 

Liptena 

216 submacula MEF NR ATE 

217 griveaudi WEF VR ATE en 

218 simplicia MEF CO ATE 

222 tiassale MEF RA ooo en 

224 albicans WEF RA ATE 


147

Appendix 4 


225 alluaudi WEF NR ATE 

226 fatima VR ooo 

227 pearmani WEF VR –– 

229 ferrymani bigoti DRF RA –– 

231 septistrigata DRF NR ATE 

232 evanescens WEF RA ate 

234 xanthostola coomassiensis WEF RA ATE 

236 rochei DRF RA ATE 

237 flavicans MEF RA ATE 

239 seyboui WEF VR ooo en 

240 similis WEF RA ATE 

242 helena WEF NR ATE ww 

243 catalina WEF NR ATE x 

Kakumia 

246 otlauga WEF NR ATE 

Falcuna 

249 leonensis MEF CO ATE ww 

252 campimus WEF NR ATE 

Tetrarhanis 

254 symplocus MEF CO ATE x x x 

255 baralingam WEF RA ate ww x 

260 stempfferi stempfferi WEF VR ATE 

Larinopoda 

264 aspidos MEF NR –– 

265 eurema MEF CO ATE ww x x 

Micropentila 

266 adelgitha MEF CO ATE 

267 adelgunda MEF VR ate 

268 dorothea MEF NR ATE 

270 brunnea brunnea WEF RA ATE 

275 mamfe WEF VR ooo en 

Iridana 

278 incredibilis ALF RA ate 

279 ghanana ALF VR –– 

280 exquisuta MEF RA ate 

281 nigeriana ALF RA ate 

282 hypocala MEF VR ooo 

Hewitsonia 

283 boisduvalii WEF NR ATE 

284 occidentalis MEF RA ate 

286 inexpectata MEF NR ATE 

Cerautola 

289 crowleyi crowleyi MEF NR ate 

291 ceraunia MEF NR ate 





Epitola 

294 posthumus MEF NR ATE 

295 uranoides occidentalis RA ate 

296 urania MEF RA ATE 

Cephetola 

297 cephena cephena MEF NR ate 

299 pinodes pinodes MEF RA ate 

300 subcoerulea MEF RA ooo 

302 mercedes ivoriensis MEF RA ooo 

303 obscura MEF RA ATE 

305 sublustris MEF NR ooo 

306 maesseni MEF RA ooo vo 

307 collinsi MEF VR –– en 

Hypophytala 

308 hyettoides MEF NR ate 

310 hyettina MEF RA ATE 

311 henleyi MEF RA ate 

312 benitensis benitensis WEF RA ate 

Phytala 

314 elais elais WEF RA ATE 

Geritola 

315 gerina WEF RA ooo 

320 virginea WEF RA ate 

Stempfferia 

322 cercene WEF RA ate 

324 moyambina WEF NR ATE 

326 dorothea WEF NR ate ww 

330 leonina MEF NR ate ww 

334 ciconia ciconia WEF NR ATE 

335 zelza WEF RA –– 

340 michelae michelae ALF NR ATE 

342 kholifa WEF NR ate 

344 staudingeri WEF RA ATE ww 

Aethiopana 

346 honorius divisa WEF NR ATE 

Epitolina 

347 dispar MEF CO ATE x 

348 melissa MEF CO ATE 

350 catori catori WEF NR ATE 

Neaveia 

352 lamborni lamborni MEF RA ate x 

THECLINAE 

Myrina 

354 silenus silenus GUI NR ooo 


149

Appendix 4 


355 subornata subornata GUI RA –– 

Oxylides 

356 faunus faunus MEF CO ATE x x x 

Dapidodigma 

359 hymen MEF NR ate 

360 demeter demeter MEF RA ATE 

Aphnaeus 

361 orcas MEF NR ate 

362 argyrocyclus MEF RA ooo 

363 asterius RA ATE 

364 brahami GUI RA –– 

365 jefferyi VR ooo 

366 charboneli VR ooo 

367 gilloni MEF VR ooo 

Apharitis 

368 nilus SUD RA –– 

Spindasis 

369 mozambica GUI NR ate 

370 avriko GUI RA –– 

371 crustaria RA –– 

372 iza RA ATE ww 

373 menelas VR ate 

Zeritis 

374 neriene SUD NR ooo 

Axiocerses 

375 harpax GUI NR ATE 

377 amanga SUD RA –– 

Lipaphnaeus 

378 leonina leonina MEF NR ATE 

379 aderna aderna GUI NR ooo 

Pseudaletis 

380 agrippina MEF VR ooo 

386 subangulata VR –– en 

390 dardanella MEF VR ooo 

391 leonis MEF RA ate 

Iolaus 

Subgenus Iolaus 

392 eurisus ALF NR ATE x x 

Subgenus 

Iolaphilus 

393 menas menas SUD NR –– 

395 carolinae MEF VR ate en 

397 iulus MEF NR ATE x x 

Subgenus 

Argiolaus 


Species Checklist and abundance of butterflies of dung from the beetles Atewa from Range the Nassau Forest Reserve and Lely with plateaus a list 



398 ismenias SUD NR ooo 

400 alcibiades MEF RA ate 

401 parasilanus maesseni MEF RA –– 

402 paneperata MEF NR ATE 

403 lukabas MEF RA ate 

404 mane MEF RA ATE ww 

405 theodori MEF VR –– vo 

406 likpe MEF VR –– vo 

407 calisto MEF NR ate 

408 laonides WEF RA ooo 

Subgenus 

Tanuetheira 

410 timon timon MEF RA ATE 

Subgenus 

Epamera 

411 alienus bicaudatus SUD RA –– 

414 scintillans SUD NR –– 

415 laon laon MEF NR ooo 

418 banco WEF RA –– en 

426 sappirus WEF RA ooo 

428 bellina bellina MEF NR ate 

432 fontainei WEF RA –– 

434 aethria MEF RA ATE x 

435 farquharsoni MEF RA ate 

436 iasis iasis ALF NR ate 

437 maesa MEF RA ate 

Etesiolaus 

439 catori catori ALF RA ate 

440 kyabobo DRF RA ooo 

Stugeta 

441 marmoreus marmoreus SUD NR –– 

Hypolycaena 

443 philippus philippus GUI CO ATE x 

444 kadiskos MEF RA ATE 

445 liara liara MEF RA ATE 

446 lebona lebona WEF NR ATE x 

447 clenchi WEF RA ATE ww x 

449 scintillans ALF CO ATE 

450 dubia ALF CO ATE x 

451 kakumi MEF CO ATE 

452 antifaunus antifaunus MEF NR ATE x x 

453 hatita hatita MEF CO ATE 

455 nigra WEF CO ATE 

Pilodeudorix 

457 camerona camerona MEF NR ate 


151

Appendix 4 


458 diyllus diyllus MEF NR ATE 

460 caerulea caerulea GUI NR ate 

461 zela WEF RA ATE 

462 catori DRF RA ooo 

467 otraeda MEF NR ATE 

468 leonina leonina MEF NR ATE 

469 virgata MEF RA ATE 

473 deritas MEF RA ate 

474 aucta MEF RA –– 

475 pseudoderitas MEF RA ate 

476 laticlavia MEF RA ATE 

477 aurivilliusi WEF RA ATE ww 

478 kiellandi WEF RA ATE 

479 corruscans kakumi WEF VR ooo 

480 violetta WEF RA ATE 

481 fumata WEF VR ooo 

Paradeudorix 

484 eleala viridis ALF NR ATE 

487 moyambina WEF VR ATE 

Hypomyrina 

491 mimetica MEF RA ate 

492 nomion nomion DRF NR ate 

Deudorix 

494 antalus GUI CO ATE 

495 livia SUD VR –– 

496 lorisona lorisona ALF NR ATE 

497 kayonza ssp WEF RA ATE 

498 dinochares GUI RA ooo 

499 dinomenes diomedes DRF RA ate 

500 odana odana ALF NR ATE 

501 galathea ALF NR ATE 

502 caliginosa MEF RA ATE 

Capys 

506 vorgasi SPE VR –– vol 

POLYOMMATINAE 

Anthene 

507 rubricinctus MEF CO ATE x 

508 ligures MEF RA ate 

510 sylvanus sylvanus ALF CO ATE 

512 liodes liodes ALF NR ATE 

513 definita GUI NR ATE 

514 princeps princeps GUI NR ATE 

515 starki GUI RA –– 





516 amarah SUD NR ooo 

517 lunulata GUI CO ATE 

518 kikuyu GUI RA ooo 

519 talboti SUD VR –– 

520 wilsoni GUI RA –– 

521 levis ALF NR ate 

522 irumu ALF NR ate 

523 larydas ALF CO ATE x 

524 crawshayi crawshayi GUI NR ATE 

525 lachares lachares MEF NR ATE 

527 lysicles WEF NR ATE 

530 atewa WEF RA ATE en 

532 radiata WEF VR ATE ww 

534 locuples WEF RA ate 

537 scintillula aurea WEF RA ATE 

538 helpsi WEF VR ATE en 

539 juba WEF NR ATE 

Neurypexina 

540 lyzanius MEF CO ATE 

Neurellipes 

542 lusones fulvimacula WEF RA ATE 

543 chryseostictus WEF NR ATE 

544 fulvus WEF VR ATE 

545 staudingeri WEF VR ate 

546 gemmifera DRF RA ooo 

Triclema 

547 rufoplagata MEF RA ooo 

548 lucretilis lucretilis MEF NR ATE 

549 lamias lamias ALF NR ate 

550 fasciatus WEF NR ate 

551 obscura WEF RA ate 

552 inconspicua WEF RA ate 

554 hades MEF NR ATE 

555 phoenicis DRF RA ooo 

556 nigeriae GUI NR ATE 

Cupidesthes 

560 jacksoni WEF NR ATE en 

561 mimetica DRF RA ooo 

562 lithas MEF NR ATE 

564 leonina MEF NR ATE 

564 pungusei WEF VR ooo en 

Pseudonacaduba 

565 sichela sichela GUI CO ATE 

Lampides 


153

Appendix 4 


567 boeticus UBQ NR ate 

Uranothauma 

568 falkensteini ALF CO ATE 

Phlyaria 

574 cyara stactalla ALF CO ATE 

Cacyreus 

575 lingeus UBQ CO ATE 

577 audeoudi WEF RA ate 

Leptotes 

578 pirithous UBQ CO ATE 

579 babaulti GUI NR ate 

580 jeanneli UBQ CO ate 

581 brevidentatus GUI NR ate 

582 pulchra SPE RA ooo 

Tuxentius 

583 cretosus nodieri SUD CO –– 

584 carana carana ALF CO ATE 

Tarucus 

check 

586 ungemachi SUD NR –– 

588 rosacea SUD RA –– 

Actizera 

592 lucida GUI EA –– 

Eicochrysops 

593 hippocrates SPE CO ATE 

594 dudgeoni GUI NR –– 

Cupidopsis 

595 jobates mauritanica SUD RA –– 

596 cissus cissus GUI NR ATE 

Euchrysops 

598 albistriata greenwoodi GUI NR ooo 

600 reducta SUD NR –– 

601 malathana UBQ CO ATE 

604 osiris GUI CO ATE 

605 barkeri GUI NR ooo 

606 sahelianus SUD NR –– 

Lepidochrysops 

607 victoriae occidentalis GUI RA –– 

608 parsimon GUI RA –– 

611 synchrematiza GUI RA –– ww 

615 quassi GUI NR ooo 

Thermoniphas 

617 micylus micylus MEF CO ATE 

Oboronia 

622 punctatus MEF CO ATE 





623 liberiana WEF NR –– ww 

624 pseudopunctatus MEF NR –– 

625 guessfeldti DRF NR ATE 

626 ornata ornata ALF CO ATE 

Azanus 

check 

627 ubaldus SUD RA –– 

628 jesous SUD RA –– 

629 moriqua SUD NR –– 

630 mirza UBQ CO ATE 

631 natalensis GUI RA –– 

632 isis ALF CO ATE 

Chilades 

633 eleusis SUD RA –– 

634 trochylus GUI NR ooo 

Zizeeria 

635 knysna UBQ CO ATE 

Zizina 

636 antanossa GUI NR ate 

Zizula 

637 hylax UBQ CO ate 

RIODINIDAE 

Abisara 

638 intermedia WEF VR ate 

639 tantalus tantalus WEF VR ate 

642 gerontes gerontes WEF RA ATE 

NYMPHALIDAE 

LIBYTHEINAE 

Libythea 

646 labdaca labdaca ALF CO ATE x 

DANAINAE 

Danaus 

647 chrysippus chrysippus UBQ VC ATE x x 

Tirumala 

648 petiverana GUI CO ATE 

Amauris 

650 niavius niavius GUI CO ATE 

651 tartarea tartarea ALF NR ATE 

652 hecate hecate NR ATE 

653 damocles DRF CO ATE 

SATYRINAE 

Gnophodes 

656 betsimena parmeno ALF CO ATE x x x 

657 chelys CO ATE x x x 

Melanitis 


155

Appendix 4 


658 leda UBQ CO ATE x 

659 libya UBQ NR ate 

Elymniopsis 

661 bammakoo bammakoo CO ATE x 

Bicyclus 

663 xeneas occidentalis ALF NR ATE 

665 evadne evadne WEF NR ATE x 

669 ephorus ephorus WEF RA ATE 

672 italus WEF NR –– 

673 zinebi ALF NR ATE ww x x 

674 uniformis WEF RA ATE 

678 procora WEF NR ATE x x x 

679 pavonis GUI CO –– 

680 milyas GUI NR –– 

681 trilophus jacksoni WEF RA ATE x 

682 ignobilis ignobilis ALF RA ATE 

683 maesseni ALF NR ATE ww x 

684 nobilis WEF RA ATE x 

687 taenias MEF CO ATE x x x 

690 vulgaris ALF VC ATE x x x 

691 dorothea dorothea ALF VC ATE x x x 

692 sandace ALF VC ATE x x 

693 sambulos unicolor WEF NR ATE x 

694 sangmelinae WEF NR ATE x 

695 mandanes DRF NR ATE x 

696 auricruda auricruda MEF RA ate x 

697 campa GUI NR –– 

698 angulosa angulosa GUI CO –– 

699 sylvicolus WEF NR –– 

700 abnormis WEF NR ATE ww 

701 safitza safitza GUI NR ate 

702 funebris DRF CO ATE 

704 dekeyseri WEF RA ATE ww 

705 istaris WEF NR ATE x x 

707 madetes madetes MEF NR ATE x x x 

709 martius martius MEF CO ATE x 

Hallelesis 

712 halyma WEF NR ATE ww x 

Henotesia 

713 elisi DRF RA –– ww 

Heteropsis 

714 peitho WEF RA ATE x x x 

Ypthima 

715 asterope asterope SUD RA –– 





716 condamini nigeriae GUI CO –– 

717 antennata cornesi ALF NR –– 

718 vuattouxi DRF NR ate en 

719 doleta ALF VC ATE 

721 pupillaris pupillaris GUI NR –– 

722 impura impura GUI RA –– 

Ypthimomorpha 

724 itonia SPE NR 

CHARAXINAE 

Charaxes 

725 varanes vologeses GUI CO ATE x x x 

726 fulvescens senegala ALF NR ATE x x x 

728 candiope candiope GUI RA ATE 

729 protoclea protoclea ALF CO ATE x x 

730 boueti DRF NR ATE 

731 cynthia cynthia ALF CO ATE x 

732 lucretius lucretius ALF CO ATE 

733 lactetinctus lactetinctus GUI RA –– 

734 epijasius GUI CO ATE 

736 castor castor DRF NR ATE 

737 brutus brutus MEF CO ATE x 

738 pollux pollux MEF RA ATE 

740 eudoxus eudoxus ALF VR ooo 

741 tiridates tiridates ALF CO ATE 

742 bipunctatus bipunctatus WEF NR ATE 

743 numenes numenes ALF NR ATE 

744 smaragdalis butleri ALF NR ATE 

745 imperialis imperialis ALF RA ATE 

746 ameliae doumeti ALF NR ATE 

747 pythodoris davidi DRF VR ooo 

748 hadrianus hadrianus WEF RA –– 

750 nobilis claudei WEF VR ATE 

752 fournierae jolybouyeri WEF VR ATE 

753 zingha MEF NR ATE 

754 etesipe etesipe DRF NR ATE 

755 achaemenes atlantica GUI CO ATE 

756 eupale eupale ALF VC ATE 

757 subornatus couilloudi WEF RA ATE 

758 anticlea anticlea ALF NR ATE 

759 hildebrandti gillesi MEF RA ATE 

760 etheocles etheocles ALF CO ATE x 

762 petersi MEF VR ATE ww 

765 bocqueti bocqueti WEF VR ATE 

767 virilis virilis MEF NR ATE 


157

Appendix 4 


768 cedreatis MEF NR ATE 

769 plantroui DRF RA ATE ww 

770 viola viola SUD CO –– 

771 northcotti GUI RA –– 

772 pleione pleione ALF CO ATE 

773 paphianus falcata WEF NR ATE 

774 nichetes bouchei DRF RA ATE 

775 porthos gallayi MEF RA ATE 

776 zelica zelica WEF RA ATE 

777 lycurgus lycurgus ALF CO ATE 

778 mycerina mycerina WEF RA ATE 

779 doubledayi WEF RA ATE 

Euxanthe 

780 eurinome eurinome MEF NR ATE 

Palla 

783 violinitens violinitens MEF NR ATE 

784 decius MEF NR ATE 

785 ussheri ussheri ALF CO ATE 

786 publius publius MEF NR ATE 

APATURINAE 

Apaturopsis 

786a cleochares cleochares MEF RA ATE 

NYMPHALINAE 

Kallimoides 

787 rumia rumia ALF CO ATE x x 

Vanessula 

788 milca milca WEF RA ATE x 

Antanartia 

789 delius delius MEF CO ATE 

Vanessa 

791 cardui cardui UBQ NR ate 

Precis 

792 octavia octavia GUI NR ate 

793 antilope GUI NR ate 

796 ceryne ceruana SPE NR ooo 

797 pelarga ALF NR ATE x 

798 sinuata WEF RA ATE x x 

Hypolimnas 

801 misippus UBQ CO ATE 

802 anthedon anthedon ALF CO ATE 

803 dinarcha dinarcha WEF NR ATE 

806 salmacis salmacis MEF CO ATE x x x 

Salamis 

808 cacta cacta MEF CO ATE 





Protogoniomorpha 

809 cytora MEF NR ATE ww 

811 parhassus MEF CO ATE x 

812 anacardii anacardii DRF NR ooo 

Junonia 

813 orithya madagascariensis SUD CO ooo 

814 oenone oenone UBQ VC ATE 

815 hierta cebrene SUD CO ooo 

816 cymodoce cymodoce MEF NR ATE x 

817 westermanni westermanni DRF NR ATE 

818 hadrope DRF RA –– vo 

819 sophia sophia ALF CO ATE 

820 stygia ALF CO ATE x 

822 chorimene GUI CO ooo 

823 terea terea ALF VC ATE x 

Catacroptera 

824 cloanthe ligata GUI NR ate 

CYRESTINAE 

Cyrestis 

825 camillus camillus ALF CO ATE 

BIBLIDINAE 

Byblia 

826 anvatara crameri UBQ CO ATE x 

827 ilithyia SUD RA –– 

Mesoxantha 

828 ethosea ethosea MEF NR ATE x 

Ariadne 

829 enotrea enotrea ALF VC ATE x 

830 albifascia ALF NR ATE 

Nepidopsis 

833 ophione ophione ALF CO ATE 

Eurytela 

834 dryope dryope DRF NR ATE 

836 hiarbas hiarbas MEF CO ATE 

Sevenia 

check 

837 occidentalium occidentalium ALF NR ATE 

838 boisduvali omissa ALF NR ATE 

839 umbrina DRF NR –– 

LIMENITIDINAE 

Harma 

843 theobene theobene MEF CO ATE x x 

Cymothoe 

846 fumana fumana MEF CO ATE 

851 egesta egesta MEF CO ATE x 


159

Appendix 4 


853 lurida lurida WEF VR ATE 

858 aubergeri MEF NR –– ww 

859 herminia gongoa MEF RA ATE 

860 weymeri mulatta WEF RA ATE 

863 caenis ALF CO ATE x 

866 althea althea MEF NR ooo 

868 jodutta WEF CO ATE x 

872 coccinata coccinata MEF NR ATE 

873 mabillei MEF CO ATE ww x 

878 ‘sangaris’ WEF NR ATE x x x 

Pseudoneptis 

879 bugandensis ianthe ALF CO ATE x x x 

Pseudacraea 

880 eurytus ALF CO ATE 

884 boisduvalii boisduvalii DRF NR ate 

887 lucretia lucretia ALF CO ATE 

888 warburgi MEF NR ATE 

889 hostilia WEF RA ATE ww 

900 semire ALF CO ATE 

Neptis 

901 nemetes nemetes ALF CO ATE 

903 metella metella ALF CO ATE 

905 serena serena DRF NR ATE 

906 kiriakoffi DRF NR ate 

907 morosa GUI CO ate 

908 loma MEF RA ATE 

910 angusta MEF VR –– 

911 alta MEF NR ATE 

912 seeldrayersi MEF RA ATE 

913 puella MEF NR ATE 

914 conspicua MEF RA ate 

915 najo MEF RA ate 

916 metanira MEF RA ate 

917 continuata MEF ate 

918 nysiades MEF NR ATE 

921 nicomedes MEF RA ATE 

922 quintilla MEF RA ATE 

926 paula WEF RA ATE 

927 strigata strigata MEF RA ATE 

929 nicoteles MEF CO ATE 

930 nicobule MEF NR ATE x x 

931 mixophyes WEF RA ATE 

933 nebrodes MEF NR ATE 





934 trigonophora melicertula MEF NR ATE 

936 agouale agouale ALF VC ATE 

937 melicerta MEF CO ATE x 

938 troundi MEF CO ATE x x 

Catuna 

941 crithea ALF VC ATE x 

942 niji WEF RA –– 

943 oberthueri ALF CO ATE x x 

944 angustatum MEF CO ATE x 

Euryphura 

946 togoensis MEF NR ATE 

948 chalcis ALF CO ATE 

Hamanumida 

951 daedalus GUI CO ATE 

Aterica 

953 galene galene ALF CO ATE x x x 

Cynandra 

954 opis opis MEF NR ATE 

Euriphene 

959 incerta incerta WEF RA ATE x 

960 barombina ALF VC ATE 

961 veronica WEF CO –– ww 

964 grosesmithi muehlenbergi MEF RA ooo 

968 simplex WEF NR ATE ww 

974 amicia amicia MEF NR ATE x 

976 aridatha transgressa MEF NR ATE x 

978 coerulea WEF CO ATE x 

985 ernestibaumanni WEF RA ooo 

986 gambiae vera ALF CO ATE x 

987 ampedusa ALF NR ATE x 

988 leonis WEF VR –– ww 

989 atossa atossa MEF NR ATE 

990 doriclea doriclea MEF NR ATE 

Bebearia 

994 lucayensis MEF RA ATE 

995 tentyris MEF CO ATE x x x 

996 osyris WEF NR ATE ww 

998 carshena MEF NR ATE x 

999 absolon absolon ALF CO ATE x x 

1001 zonara MEF CO ATE x 

1002 mandinga mandinga ALF CO ATE x 

1003 oxione oxione MEF NR ATE 

1004 abesa abesa MEF NR ATE 

1006 barce barce WEF RA ATE 


161

Appendix 4 


1008 mardania ALF CO ATE 

1011 cocalia cocalia ALF CO ATE x 

1012 paludicola blandi MEF NR ATE 

1014 sophus phreone ALF CO ATE x x 

1017 arcadius WEF RA ATE ww x x 

1021 laetitia laetitia WEF CO ATE 

1027 phantasina ALF CO ATE x x 

1029 demetra demetra MEF RA ate 

1033 maledicta WEF VR ATE x 

1035 ashantina WEF RA ATE en 

1037 cutteri cutteri WEF RA ATE 

Euphaedra 

Subgenus 

Medoniana 

1046 medon medon ALF CO ATE x x x 

Subgenus 

Gausapia 

1047 gausape WEF NR ATE ww x x 

1047 mariaechristinae WEF NR ATE en x x x 

Subgenus 

Xypetana 

1055 xypete MEF CO ATE x 

1057 hebes WEF NR ATE x x 

1059 diffusa albocoerulea DRF NR ATE 

1060 crossei akani DRF RA –– 

1061 crockeri crockeri MEF NR ATE ww x 

Subgenus Radia 

1062 eusemoides WEF VR ATE ww 

Subgenus 

Euphaedra 

1064 cyparissa cyparissa DRF NR ATE x 

1065 sarcoptera sarcoptera MEF NR ATE x 

Subgenus 

Euphaedrana 

1066 themis themis DRF NR ATE 

1067 laboureana eburnensis WEF RA ATE ww 

1071 minuta WEF RA ooo en 

1072 modesta WEF NR ATE en 

1075 janetta ALF CO ATE x x 

1076 splendens WEF RA ATE x 

1077 aberrans WEF VR ooo ww 

1078 vetusta WEF VR ooo ww 

1083 ceres ceres ALF CO ATE x x x 

1085 phaethusa phaethusa ALF CO ATE ww x x x 

1086 inanum MEF RA ATE ww 

1096 ignota WEF VR ATE en 





1106 francina francina WEF NR ATE ww 

1108 eleus eleus WEF NR ATE 

1112 zampa WEF NR ATE ww x x 

1115 edwardsii ALF CO ATE 

1116 ruspina WEF NR –– 

1117 perseis WEF NR ATE ww 

1118 harpalyce harpalyce ALF VC ATE x 

1119 eupalus WEF RA ATE ww x 

Euptera 

1121 crowleyi crowleyi ALF RA ate 

1122 elabontas elabontas ALF NR ate 

1123 dorothea warrengashi MEF VR –– ww 

1124 zowa ALF NR ate 

Pseudathyma 

1133 falcata MEF RA ATE 

1134 sibyllina MEF RA ATE 

HELICONIINAE 

Acraea 

Subgenus 

Actinote 

1139 perenna perenna MEF NR ATE 

1144 circeis ALF CO ATE 

1147 translucida MEF NR ATE 

1148 peneleos peneleos ALF NR ATE 

1149 parrhasia parrhasia MEF NR ATE 

1150 orina MEF RA ATE x 

1152 pharsalus pharsalus ALF CO ATE 

1153 encedon encedon UBQ CO ATE 

1154 encedana SPE NR ooo 

1155 alciope ALF VC ATE 

1156 aurivillii aurivillii ALF NR ATE 

1157 jodutta jodutta ALF CO ATE 

1158 lycoa lycoa ALF CO ATE 

1159 serena UBQ CO ATE 

1160 acerata ALF NR ATE 

1161 pseudepaea WEF RA ATE 

1165 bonasia bonasia ALF CO ATE x x 

1167 orestia orestia MEF RA ATE 

1168 polis MEF NR ATE 

1169 vesperalis WEF VR ATE 

Subgenus Acraea 

1172 kraka kibi WEF RA ATE 

1173 rogersi rogersi WEF NR ATE 

1174 abdera eginopsis MEF RA ate 


163

Appendix 4 


1176 egina egina ALF CO ATE x 

1178 pseudegina UBQ CO ATE 

1179 caecilia caecilia SUD CO ooo 

1180 zetes zetes DRF NR ATE x 

1181 endoscota ALF RA ATE 

1182 leucographa MEF NR ATE 

1184 quirina quirina ALF CO ATE x x x 

1185 neobule neobule UBQ CO ATE 

1186 eugenia DRF NR –– 

1187 camaena DRF RA –– 

1188 vestalis vestalis ALF NR ATE 

1189 macaria WEF RA ATE ww 

1190 umbra umbra MEF NR ATE 

1191 alcinoe alcinoe MEF CO ATE 

1192 consanguinea sartina WEF RA ooo 

1196 epaea epaea ALF CO ATE x x 

Lachnoptera 

1199 anticlia MEF CO ATE 

Phalanta 

1200 phalantha aethiopica UBQ CO ATE 

1201 eurytis eurytis MEF CO ATE 

HESPERIIDAE 

COLIADINAE 

Coeliades 

1203 chalybe chalybe ALF CO ATE 

1204 bixana MEF RA ate 

1206 libeon ALF NR ATE 

1207 forestan forestan UBQ CO ATE 

1208 pisistratus ALF CO ATE 

1209 hanno MEF NR ATE 

Pyrrhiades 

1210 lucagus DRF CO –– 

Pyrrhochalcia 

1211 iphis ALF CO ATE en 

PYRGINAE 

Loxolexis 

1212 holocausta WEF VR ATE 

1213 dimidia WEF VR ooo 

1214 hollandi WEF RA ATE 

Katreus 

1215 johnstonii WEF RA ATE 

Celaenorrhinus 

1216 rutilans WEF RA ATE 





1217 sagamase WEF VR ATE en 

1219 leona WEF RA ATE ww 

1223 ankasa WEF VR ATE en 

1224 galenus galenus ALF CO ATE x 

1225 cf galenus galenus WEF RA ATE x 

1226 meditrina WEF RA ATE 

1227 ovalis WEF RA ATE 

1230 proxima maesseni ALF CO ATE 

1231 plagiatus MEF NR ATE 

Tagiades 

1232 flesus ALF CO ATE 

Eagris 

1233 denuba denuba ALF CO ATE 

1234 decastigma WEF RA ATE 

1235 tigris liberti WEF RA ATE 

1236 subalbida subalbida WEF RA ATE 

1237 hereus quaterna MEF NR ATE 

1238 tetrastigma subolivescens MEF NR ATE 

Calleagris 

1239 lacteus dannatti WEF NR ate 

Procampta 

1241 rara MEF NR ATE 

Eretis 

1242 lugens GUI CO ATE 

1243 plistonicus ALF NR ATE 

1244 melania DRF NR ate 

Sarangesa 

1245 laelius GUI NR –– 

1246 phidyle SUD NR –– 

1247 tertullianus MEF NR ate 

1248 majorella MEF NR ate 

1249 tricerata tricerata MEF NR ooo 

1250 thecla thecla ALF CO ATE 

1251 bouvieri DRF CO ATE 

1252 brigida brigida MEF NR ATE 

Caprona 

1253 adelica GUI RA –– 

1254 pillaana SUD VR –– 

Netrobalane 

1255 canopus GUI RA –– 

Abantis 

1256 bismarcki GUI RA –– 

1257 leucogaster leucogaster WEF RA ATE 

1258 nigeriana GUI NR ooo 


165

Appendix 4 


1259 pseudonigeriana SUD RA –– 

1261 lucretia lucretia MEF RA ATE 

1262 elegantula elegantula DRF RA ATE 

1263 ja WEF VR ATE 

1263 tanobia WEF VR ooo en 

Spialia 

1265 spio SUD CO ooo 

1267 diomus diomus SUD NR ooo 

1268 dromus GUI NR ooo 

1269 ploetzi occidentalis ALF NR ATE 

Gomalia 

1270 elma elma DRF NR ooo 

HESPERIINAE 

Astictopterus 

1276 anomoeus WEF NR ATE ww x x 

1277 abjecta GUI CO ooo 

Prosopalpus 

1278 debilis MEF RA ATE 

1279 styla DRF NR ate 

1280 saga WEF RA ate 

Kedestes 

1282 protensa GUI VR –– 

Gorgyra 

1284 aretina ALF NR ATE 

1285 heterochrus MEF NR ate 

1286 mocquerysii ALF NR ATE 

1287 aburae WEF RA ATE 

1289 bina MEF NR ATE 

1290 sola MEF RA ooo 

1291 afikpo MEF VR ATE 

1292 diversata MEF NR ate 

1293 bule MEF RA ooo 

1294 minima DRF NR ooo 

1295 sara ALF NR ATE 

1296 subfacatus ALF NR ATE 

1297 pali MEF RA ATE 

Gyrogra 

1299 subnotata ALF NR ATE 

Ceratrichia 

1301 phocion phocion MEF CO ATE x x x 

1302 semilutea MEF RA ATE x x x 

1303 clara clara WEF NR ATE x x x 

1305 crowleyi WEF RA –– ww 

1306 nothus nothus WEF NR ate 





1307 argyrosticta argyrosticta WEF NR ATE 

1308 maesseni WEF RA ATE en x 

Teniorhinus 

1309 watsoni MEF RA ate 

1310 ignita MEF NR ooo 

Pardaleodes 

1311 incerta murcia GUI CO ooo 

1312 edipus ALF VC ATE 

1313 sator sator MEF NR ATE 

1314 tibullus tibullus MEF NR ATE 

1315 xanthopeplus WEF VR ATE 

Xanthodisca 

1317 rega ALF NR ate 

1318 astrape MEF NR ATE 

Parosmodes 

1320 morantii axis SUD RA –– 

1321 lentiginosa ALF RA ATE 

Rhabdomantis 

1322 galatia MEF NR ATE 

1323 sosia MEF NR ATE 

Osmodes 

1324 laronia ALF CO ATE 

1325 omar DRF NR ate 

1326 lux WEF NR ATE 

1328 thora ALF CO ATE 

1329 distincta WEF RA ATE 

1330 adon WEF RA ATE 

1332 adosus WEF RA ATE 

1333 lindseyi occidentalis MEF NR ATE 

1334 costatus WEF RA ATE 

1335 banghaasi WEF RA ATE 

Osphantes 

1336 ogowena ogowena WEF VR ate 

Paracleros 

1337 placidus MEF NR ate ww 

1338 biguttulus ALF CO ATE 

1339 substrigata MEF RA ate 

1340 maesseni MEF NR ATE 

Acleros 

1341 ploetzi ALF CO ATE 

1342 mackenii olaus ALF CO ATE 

1343 nigrapex MEF NR ATE 

1344 bala MEF RA ate en 


167

Appendix 4 


Semalea 

1345 pulvina ALF CO ATE x 

1346 sextilis WEF NR ATE 

1347 atrio WEF RA ATE 

1349 arela DRF NR ATE 

Hypoleucis 

1350 ophiusa ophiusa ALF CO ATE 

1351 tripunctata tripunctata MEF NR ATE 

1352 sophia WEF RA ate 

Meza 

1353 indusiata MEF NR ate 

1354 meza ALF VC ATE 

1355 mabea MEF VR ooo 

1356 leucophaea MEF NR ATE 

1357 elba MEF RA ATE 

1358 mabillei WEF RA ATE 

1359 cybeutes volta ALF NR ATE 

Paronymus 

1361 xanthias xanthias WEF RA ATE 

1363 ligora MEF NR ATE 

1364 nevea WEF VR ooo 

Andronymus 

1365 neander ALF NR ATE 

1367 caesar caesar ALF CO ATE 

1368 hero MEF NR ATE 

1369 helles MEF NR ATE 

1370 evander MEF NR ATE 

Zophopetes 

1373 ganda DRF RA ooo 

1374 cerymica ALF NR ATE 

1376 quaternata DRF RA ooo 

Gamia 

1377 buchholzi WEF NR ATE 

1378 shelleyi WEF NR ate 

Artitropa 

1379 comus MEF NR ATE 

Mopala 

1380 orma MEF RA ate 

Gretna 

1381 waga ALF CO ate 

1383 cylinda ALF NR ate 

1386 balenge zowa MEF RA ate 

Pteroteinon 

1387 laufella ALF CO ATE 





1388 iricolor WEF RA ATE 

1389 laterculus WEF RA ate 

1390 capronnieri WEF VR ooo 

1391 caenira ALF CO ATE 

1392 ceucaenira WEF RA ATE 

1393 concaenira WEF RA ate 

1394 pruna WEF RA ate 

Leona 

1395 binoevatus WEF RA ate 

1397 lota WEF VR ooo 

1399 leonora leonora WEF RA ate 

1401 stoehri WEF RA ate 

1402 meloui WEF RA ate 

1403 halma WEF 

1405 luehderi luehderi WEF RA ate 

Caenides 

1406 soritia WEF RA ATE 

1407 kangvensis MEF NR ATE 

1408 xychus MEF RA ate 

1409 benga WEF RA ate 

1410 otilia WEF RA ate 

1411 dacenilla MEF RA ate 

1412 dacela ALF CO ATE 

1413 hidarioides WEF RA ATE 

1414 dacena MEF CO ATE 

Monza 

1415 alberti ALF VC ATE 

1416 cretacea ALF CO ATE 

Melphina 

1417 noctula WEF RA ate 

1419 unistriga WEF NR ATE 

1420 tarace MEF RA ATE 

1421 flavina MEF RA ate 

1422 statirides MEF NR ATE 

1423 statira WEF RA ooo 

1425 malthina WEF RA ate 

1426 maximiliani MEF RA ooo ww 

Fresna 

1427 netopha DRF NR ATE 

1428 maesseni MEF RA –– 

1429 nyassae DRF RA ATE 

1430 cojo ALF NR ATE 

1431 carlo MEF VR ate 

Platylesches 


169

Appendix 4 


1432 galesa ALF NR ATE 

1434 moritili GUI NR ate 

1435 rossi DRF VR ooo ww 

1437 picanini ALF NR ATE 

1438 lamba MEF RA ooo 

1439 affinissima DRF NR ooo 

1440 chamaeleon chamaeleon DRF NR ooo 

1441 batangae DRF RA ooo 

Pelopidas 

1444 mathias UBQ CO ATE 

1445 thrax UBQ CO ATE 

Borbo 

1446 fallax GUI NR ooo 

1447 fanta GUI NR ate 

1448 perobscura GUI NR ATE 

1449 micans SPE RA ATE 

1450 borbonica borbonica GUI NR ate 

1451 gemella GUI NR ooo 

1452 binga WEF RA ooo 

1453 fatuellus fatuellus ALF CO ATE 

1454 holtzi GUI NR ooo 

Parnara 

1456 monasi GUI RA ate 

Gegenes 

1457 ‘pumilio’ gambica SUD NR –– 

1459 niso brevicornis GUI NR ooo 

1460 hottentota DRF NR ooo 


Appendix 5 

Ant species collected from the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve during 

the 2006 RAP survey 

Lloyd R. Davis Jr. and Leeanne E. Alonso 

Species 

Collection date 

Number of 

specimens 

Collector 

Method 

Atiwiredu 

Asiakwa So. 

Asiakwa No. 

Other sites 

Ankylomyrma coronacantha 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Calyptomyrmex brevis 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Calyptomyrmex kaurus 9-Jun-06 2 Winkler X 

Calyptomyrmex nummuliticus 16-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Calyptomyrmex sp. 1 16-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Calyptomyrmex tensus 22-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Camponotus sp. 1 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright By hand X X X 

Camponotus sp. 2 8-Jun-06 2 L. Alonso By hand X 

Carebara B 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Carebara C 11-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X 

Carebara sp. 1 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Carebara sp. 2 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Cataulacus adpressus 10-Jun-06 1 H. Wright By hand X X 

Cataulacus egenus 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Cataulacus moloch 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Cataulacus sp. 1 10-Jun-06 14 N. Granier By hand X 

Cerapachys foreli 9-Jun-06 2 Winkler X 

Crematogaster sp. 3 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Crematogaster sp. 4 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Crematogaster sp. 1 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Crematogaster sp. 2 8-Jun-06 25 L. Alonso By hand X 

Discothyrea sp. 1 9-Jun-06 1 Winkler X 

Dorylus sp. 1 8-Jun-06 16 L. Alonso By hand X 

Dorylus sp. 2 8-Jun-06 24 L. Alonso By hand X 

Dorylus sp. 3 12-Jun-06 11 N. Granier By hand X 



Hypoponera sp. 1 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Hypoponera sp. 2 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Lepisiota sp. 2 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Lepisiota sp. 1 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Leptogenys occidentalis 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Monomorium sp. 1 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 


171

Chapter 5 

Species 

Collection date 

Number of 

specimens 

Collector 

Method 

Atiwiredu 

Asiakwa So. 

Asiakwa No. 

Other sites 

Monomorium sp. 2 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Pachycondyla sp. 4 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Pachycondyla sp. 1 16-Jun-06 5 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Pachycondyla sp. 2 9-Jun-06 2 Winkler X 

Pachycondyla tarsata 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Paratrechina sp. 3 8-Jun-06 2 L. Alonso By hand X 

Paratrechina sp. 1 22-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler 

Pheidole sp. 1 14-Jun-06 3 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Pheidole sp. 2 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Pheidole sp. 3 16-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Pheidole sp. 4 11-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 




Phrynoponera gabonensis 10-Jun-06 1 H. Wright By hand X 

Polyrhachis rufipalpis 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Pristomyrmex sp. 1 14-Jun-06 3 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Pyramica concolor 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Pyramica lujae 14-Jun-06 10 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Pyramica minkara 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Pyramica sp. 1 22-Jun-06 6 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Solenopsis sp. 1 22-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Strumigenys petiolata 20-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Strumigenys sp. 2 20-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Strumigenys sp. 3 16-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X 

Technomyrmex sp. 1 14-Jun-06 4 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Technomyrmex sp. 2 20-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X 

Temnothorax sp. 1 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 

Tetramorium aculeatum 14-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Tetramorium guineense 20-Jun-06 3 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Tetramorium invictum 16-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X 

Tetramorium lanuginosum 14-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Tetramorium simillimum 22-Jun-06 2 H. Wright Winkler X X X 

Tetramorium sp. 1 22-Jun-06 1 H. Wright Winkler X X 

Tetramorium sp. 2 8-Jun-06 1 L. Alonso By hand X 


Appendix 6 

List of bird species recorded in the 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 


Encounter 

Rate 

Threat 

Status 

Endemism 

GC Forests 

Biome 

ACCIPITRIDAE (7) 

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture R a 

Dryotriorchis spectabilis Congo Serpent Eagle U GC f 

Polyboroides typus African Harrier Hawk U f, a 

Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk U f 

Urotriorchis macrourus Long-tailed Hawk U GC f 

Spizaetus africanus Cassin’s Hawk Eagle R GC f 

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle U f, a 

PHASIANIDAE (1) 

Francolinus lathami Latham’s Forest Francolin F GC f 

NUMIDIDAE (1) 

Guttera pucherani Crested Guineafowl R f 

RALLIDAE (2) 

Himantornis haematopus Nkulengu Rail R GC f 

Sarothrura pulchra White-spotted Flufftail C GC w 

COLUMBIDAE (4) 

Treron calvus African Green Pigeon C f, e 

Turtur brehmeri Blue-headed Wood Dove C GC f 

Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove U f, e 

Columba iriditorques Western Bronze-naped Pigeon F GC f 

PSITTACIDAE (1) 

Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot R f, a 

MUSOPHAGIDAE (2) 

Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco U f 

Tauraco macrorhynchus Yellow-billed Turaco C GC f 

CUCULIDAE (6) 

Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo R f 

Chrysococcyx cupreus African Emerald Cuckoo U f 

Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo U f, e 

Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill C f, e 

Centropus leucogaster Black-throated Coucal U GC f, e 

Centropus monachus Blue-headed Coucal R e 

STRIGIDAE (1) 

Strix woodfordii African Wood Owl R f 

CAPRIMULGIDAE (1) 

Habitat 

A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Coppename River Basin, Suriname 

173

Appendix 6 

Encounter 

Rate 

Threat 

Status 

Endemism 


Biome 

Veles binotatus Brown Nightjar R GC f 

APODIDAE (5) 

Rhaphidura sabini Sabine’s Spinetail R GC a 

Neafrapus cassini Cassin’s Spinetail R GC a 

Cypsiurus parvus African Palm Swift R a 

Apus batesi Bates’s Swift R GC a 

Apus affinis Little Swift U a 

TROGONIDAE (1) 

Apaloderma narina Narina’s Trogon F f 

ALCEDINIDAE (5) 

Halcyon badia Chocolate-backed Kingfisher C GC f 

Halcyon malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher R f 

Ceyx lecontei African Dwarf Kingfisher R GC f 

Ceyx pictus African Pygmy Kingfisher R o 

Alcedo leucogaster White-bellied Kingfisher U GC f, w 

MEROPIDAE (1) 

Merops muelleri Blue-headed Bee-eater F GC f, e 

CORACIIDAE (1) 

Eurystomus gularis Blue-throated Roller R GC f 

PHOENICULIDAE (1) 

Phoeniculus bollei White-headed Wood-hoopoe R f 

BUCEROTIDAE (4) 

Tropicranus albocristatus White-crested Hornbill F GC f 

Tockus camurus Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill U GC f 

Tockus fasciatus African Pied Hornbill F GC f, e 

Bycanistes cylindricus Brown-cheeked Hornbill U NT UG GC f 

CAPITONIDAE (7) 

Gymnobucco calvus Naked-faced Barbet C GC f, e 

Pogoniulus scolopaceus Speckled Tinkerbird C GC f, e 

Pogoniulus atroflavus Red-rumped Tinkerbird C GC f 

Pogoniulus subsulphureus Yellow-throated Tinkerbird C GC f, e 

Buccanodon duchaillui Yellow-spotted Barbet C GC f 

Tricholaema hirsuta Hairy-breasted Barbet C GC f 

Trachylaemus purpuratus Yellow-billed Barbet C GC f 

INDICATORIDAE (3) 

Prodotiscus insignis Cassin’s Honeybird U GC e 

Indicator (minor) 

conirostris 

Thick-billed Honeyguide U f 

Indicator willcocksi Willcocks’s Honeyguide R GC e 

PICIDAE (4) 

Campethera nivosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker U GC f 

Campethera caroli Brown-eared Woodpecker U GC f 

Dendropicos gabonensis Gabon Woodpecker F GC f, e 

Dendropicos pyrrhogaster Fire-bellied Woodpecker U GC f, e 

EURYLAIMIDAE (1) 

Smithornis rufolateralis Rufous-sided Broadbill U GC f 

HIRUNDINIDAE (2) 

Psalidoprocne nitens Square-tailed Saw-wing F GC o 

Habitat 


List of bird species recorded in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Encounter 

Rate 

Threat 

Status 

Endemism 


Biome 

Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow R a 

CAMPEPHAGIDAE (2) 

Campephaga quiscalina 

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike 

F f 

Coracina azurea Blue Cuckoo-shrike U GC f 

PYCNONOTIDAE (19) 

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul C e 

Andropadus gracilis Little Grey Greenbul U GC e 

Andropadus ansorgei Ansorge’s Greenbul F GC f 

Andropadus curvirostris Cameroon Sombre Greenbul C GC f 

Andropadus gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul C f, e 

Andropadus latirostris Yellow-whiskered Greenbul C f 

Calyptocichla serina Golden Greenbul C GC f, e 

Baeopogon indicator Honeyguide Greenbul C GC f, e 

Chlorocichla simplex Simple Leaflove R GC o 

Thescelocichla leucopleura Swamp Palm Bulbul U GC f 

Phyllastrephus icterinus Icterine Greenbul C GC f 

Bleda syndactylus Red-tailed Bristlebill F GC f 

Bleda eximius Green-tailed Bristlebill R VU UG GC f 

Bleda canicapillus Grey-headed Bristlebill C GC f 

Criniger barbatus Western Bearded Greenbul C GC f 

Criniger calurus Red-tailed Greenbul C GC f 

Criniger olivaceus Yellow-bearded Greenbul U VU UG GC f 

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul U o 

Nicator chloris Western Nicator C GC f 

TURDIDAE (6) 

Stiphrornis erythrothorax Forest Robin C GC f 

Sheppardia cyornithopsis Lowland Akalat R GC f 

Alethe diademata 

White-tailed (Fire-crested) 

Alethe 

C / b GC f 

Alethe poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe R f 

Neocossyphus poensis White-tailed Ant Thrush F GC f 

Stizorhina finschi Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush C GC f 

SYLVIIDAE (12) 

Apalis nigriceps Black-capped Apalis C GC f, e 

Apalis sharpii Sharpe’s Apalis C UG GC f, e 

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera R e, o 

Camaroptera superciliaris Yellow-browed Camaroptera C GC e 

Camaroptera chloronota Olive-green Camaroptera C GC f, e 

Macrosphenus kempi Kemp’s Longbill C GC f, e 

Macrosphenus concolor Grey Longbill C / b GC f, e 

Eremomela badiceps Rufous-crowned Erememela C / b GC f, e 

Sylvietta virens Green Crombec F GC e 

Sylvietta denti Lemon-bellied Crombec U GC f, e 

Hyliota violacea Violet-backed Hyliota R GC f, e 

Hylia prasina Green Hylia C GC f, e 

MUSCICAPIDAE (6) 

Fraseria ocreata Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher U GC f, e 

Habitat 


175

Appendix 6 

Encounter 

Rate 

Threat 

Status 

Endemism 


Biome 

Melaenornis annamarulae Nimba Flycatcher R VU UG GC f 

Muscicapa epulata Little Grey Flycatcher U / b GC f 

Muscicapa ussheri Ussher’s Flycatcher U GC f, e 

Myioparus griseigularis Grey-throated Flycatcher R GC e 

Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher R e 

MONARCHIDAE (4) 

Erythrocercus mccallii Chestnut-capped Flycatcher F GC f 

Elminia nigromitrata Dusky Crested Flycatcher F GC f 

Trochocercus nitens 

Blue-headed Crested 

Flycatcher 

F GC f, e 

Terpsiphone rufiventer 

Red-bellied Paradise 

Flycatcher 

C GC f, e 

PLATYSTEIRIDAE (4) 

Megabyas flammulatus Shrike Flycatcher U GC f 

Dyaphorophyia castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye C / b GC f 

Dyaphorophyia blissetti Red-cheeked Wattle-eye U GC f 

Batis poensis Bioko Batis U GC f, e 

TIMALIIDAE (4) 

Illadopsis rufipennis Pale-breasted Illadopsis C f 

Illadopsis fulvescens Brown Illadopsis F GC e 

Illadopsis cleaveri Blackcap Illadopsis C GC f 

Illadopsis rufescens Rufous-winged Illadopsis C NT UG GC f 

PARIDAE (1) 

Parus funereus Dusky Tit R / b GC f, e 

REMIZIDAE (1) 

Pholidornis rushiae Tit-hylia U GC f, e 

NECTARINIIDAE (10) 

Anthreptes rectirostris Green Sunbird C GC f, e 

Anthreptes seimundi Little Green Sunbird R GC f 

Deleornis fraseri Fraser’s Sunbird C / b GC f 

Cyanomitra cyanolaema Blue-throated Brown Sunbird C GC f, e 

Cyanomitra olivacea Olive Sunbird C f, e 

Chalcomitra adelberti Buff-throated Sunbird U GC f, e 

Hedydipna collaris Collared Sunbird F f, e, o 

Cinnyris chloropygius Olive-bellied Sunbird U o 

Cinnyris johannae Johanna’s Sunbird U GC f 

Cinnyris superbus Superb Sunbird R GC e 

ZOSTEROPIDAE (1) 

Zosterops senegalensis Yellow White-eye R e 

MALACONOTIDAE (4) 

Malaconotus cruentus Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike U GC f 

Malaconotus multicolor Many-coloured Bush-shrike F f 

Dryoscopus sabini Sabine’s Puffback U GC f 

Laniarius leucorhynchus Sooty Boubou U GC f, e 

PRIONOPIDAE (1) 

Prionops caniceps Red-billed Helmet-shrike U GC f 

ORIOLIDAE (2) 

Oriolus nigripennis Black-winged Oriole U GC f 

Habitat 


List of bird species recorded in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana 

Encounter 

Rate 

Threat 

Status 

Endemism 


Biome 

Oriolus brachyrhynchus Western Black-headed Oriole C GC f 

DICRURIDAE (2) 

Dicrurus atripennis Shining Drongo C GC f 

Dicrurus modestus Velvet-mantled Drongo F f, e 

STURNIDAE (3) 

Poeoptera lugubris Narrow-tailed Starling R GC f, e 

Onychognathus fulgidus 

Forest Chestnut-winged 

Starling 

U GC f 

Lamprotornis cupreocauda Copper-tailed Glossy Starling F NT UG GC f, e 

PLOCEIDAE (8) 

Malimbus malimbicus Crested Malimbe F GC f 

Malimbus nitens Blue-billed Malimbe U GC f 

Malimbus rubricollis Red-headed Malimbe F GC f, e 

Ploceus nigricollis Black-necked Weaver R GC o 

Ploceus nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver R GC o 

Ploceus tricolor Yellow-mantled Weaver U / b GC f, e 

Ploceus albinucha Maxwell’s Black Weaver F / b GC f, e 

Ploceus preussi Preuss’s Weaver U / b GC f 

ESTRILDIDAE (4) 

Nigrita canicapillus Grey-headed Negrofinch C f, e 

Nigrita bicolor Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch C GC f, e 

Parmoptila rubrifrons Red-fronted Antpecker R / b GC f 

Pyrenestes ostrinus Black-bellied Seedcracker U GC e 

Habitat 

Encounter rate: 

C = Common: encountered daily, either singly or in significant numbers 

F = Fairly common: encountered on most days 

U = Uncommon: irregularly encountered and not on the majority of days 

R = Rare: rarely encountered, one or two records of single individuals 

Breeding: 

b = evidence of breeding observed (juveniles with parents) 

Threat Status: 

VU = Vulnerable 

NT = Near Threatened 

Endemism: 

UG = endemic to the Upper Guinea forest block 

Biome: 

GC = restricted to the Guinea-Congo Forests biome 

Habitat: 

f = forest interior 

e = forest edge 

o = open areas (large clearings, cultivation, etc) 

w = streams, swamps and ponds 

a = aerial and flying overhead 


177

Appendix 7 

Bats collected during the Atewa RAP 

survey and deposited in the research 

collection of Jakob Fahr, University of 

Ulm 


Species Locality F-N° Date 

Scotonycteris zenkeri Asiakwa South NW 17 11.06.2006 

Megaloglossus woermanni Atiwiredu NW 10 09.06.2006 

Myonycteris torquata Atiwiredu NW 06 08.06.2006 

Nycteris grandis Asiakwa South NW 22 13.06.2006 

Rhinolophus alcyone Asiakwa North NW 28 17.06.2006 

Hipposideros ruber Atiwiredu NW 04 08.06.2006 

Hipposideros beatus Asiakwa North NW 37 21.06.2006 

Hipposideros cyclops Asiakwa North NW 29 17.06.2006 

Hipposideros gigas Atiwiredu NW 08 09.06.2006 

Hypsugo (crassulus) bellieri Asiakwa North NW 35 20.06.2006 

Atiwiredu NW 05 08.06.2006 

Pipistrellus aff. grandidieri Asiakwa North NW 36 20.06.2006 


Appendix 8 

Shrews and rodents collected during the 

Atewa RAP survey and deposited in the 

collections of the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum 

Alexander Koenig, Bonn 

(ZFMK) 


Species Locality Catalogue N° 

Crocidura grandiceps Atiwiredu ZFMK 2006.100, -.101 

Praomys tulbergi Atiwiredu ZFMK 2006.102 

Asiakwa South ZFMK 2006.103 

Asiakwa North ZFMK 2006.104 

Malacomys edwardsi Atiwiredu ZFMK 2006.105 

Asiakwa South ZFMK 2006.106 

Asiakwa North ZFMK 2006.107 – .109 


179

Appendix 9 

List of small mammal species reported from Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve in previous surveys 


Abedi-Lartey and Guba-Kpelle (2005) present the following list of species recorded during an earlier survey of the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve. The identification of shrews as Sylvisorex granti is certainly an error as this species is only known from 

Central and East Africa. The occurrence of both T. swinderianus and C. emini in the Atewa Range is likely but apparently not 

documented by voucher specimens (see below). 

Order Family Species Atiwiredu 

Chiroptera Pteropodidae Eidolon helvum X 

Hypsignathus monstrosus 

Asiakwa 

North 

Soricomorpha Soricidae Sylvisorex granti x x x 

Rodentia Thryonomyidae Thryonomys swinderianus x x 

Muridae Cricetomys emini x x x 

Asiakwa 

South 

Praomys tullbergi x x x 

x 

Atiwiredu: 6°13.9’N, 0°34.4’W; Asiakwa North: 6°13.9’N, 0°33.5’W; Asiakwa South: 6°15.3’N, 0°34.0’W. 

Additionally, the otherwise excellent management plan for Atewa Range Forest Reserve by Abu-Juam et al. (2003) listed the 

following terrestrial small mammals for Atewa Range (excluding squirrels [Sciuridae] and scaly-tailed squirrels [Anomaluridae], 

which are not considered in the present report). Several of these species would be typical for savanna habitats, farmbush or highly 

degraded forest (like other mammal species listed by Abu-Juam et al. (2003): patas monkey [Erythrocebus patas], Senegal galago 

[Galago senegalensis] and rock hyrax [“Procavia ruficeps”]). If these species should have indeed been recorded from the Atewa Range, 

we suspect that they were sampled in highly degraded or disturbed areas along the periphery of the forest reserve. Consequently, we 

exclude species records for Atewa Range that are not yet reliably documented with voucher specimens: 

[Crocidura crossei possible but difficult to distinguish from C. jouvenetae] 

[Cricetomys gambianus possibly mistaken for C. emini] 

[Lemniscomys striatus usually in farmbush and disturbed areas; could be also L. bellieri] 

[Lophuromys sikapusi possible, but more in disturbed sites] 

[Mastomys erythroleucus unlikely savanna / farmbush species] 

[Myomys daltoni unlikely savanna species; now Praomys daltoni] 

[Mus musculus commensal, in disturbed areas; possibly confused with Mus (Nannomys) spp.] 

Praomys tullbergi accepted, also recorded during the present RAP-survey 

Thryonomys swinderianus also recorded by Abedi-Lartey and Guba-Kpelle (2005) 


Appendix 10 

Atewa Range Forest Reserve Initial Biodiversity 

Assessment and Planning (IBAP) Working Group 

Results from the Consultative Workshop held at 

Okyehene’s Palace, Kibi 

Following the RAP survey, a one-day consultative workshop was held on 26 June, 2006 at the Palace of Paramount 

Chief Okyehene in Kibi. The following summarizes some of the workshop results. 

Uses of Atewa’s 

Biodiversity 

Animals 

Users/Stakeholders 

Impact of use on Biodiversity 

Suggested Conservation 

Actions 

Consumption - Bushmeat 

Communities; Hunters 

Decreased fertility of soil; 

Negative impact on pollination / 

seed dispersal 

Breeding locally (snails, 

grasscutter, etc); Ban on 

hunting periods by Forestry 

Commission; Increased 

aquaculture; Empower 

local authorities (chiefs 

and elders) to protect 

biodiversity 

Plants 

Pet trade (e.g., parrots for 

export 

Consumption - wild 

growing plants 

Communities 

Herbal uses 

Local and other 

communities; Traditional 

doctors 

Educate practitioners; Make 

alternative health facilities 

available, accessible, and 

affordable 

Building - furniture, 

roofing, bridges, boats 

Carpenters; Fishermen 

Deforestation; Soil degradation; 

Invasion of non-native species; 

Increased dryness; Migration of 

Fauna; Lack of Shade; Decrease 

in air quality 

Chieftancy control 

of forestry resources; 

Planned logging; Adopting 

alternative building 

methods; Education; Report 

chain saw operations; 

Government support in law 

enforcement 

Firewood and charcoal 

All (within communities) 

Use of gas as alternate 

domestic fuel source; make 

alternatives available, 

affordable and accessible; 

Report chain saw 

operations; Government 

support in law enforcement 

Chewing sticks 

All (within communities) 

Pestle/fufu pounding All (within communities) Afforestation 

Baskets 

Market women, farmers 


181

Uses of Atewa’s 

Biodiversity 

Users/Stakeholders 

Impact of use on Biodiversity 

Suggested Conservation 

Actions 

Water 

General 

ecosystem 

Drinking 

Washing 

Bathing 

All (communities 

throughout Ghana, 

animals, plants) 

All 

All 

Decrease in water leads to 

migration of fauna; Protection 

of Atewa’s watersheds will have 

immense positive impacts for the 

country, whereas activities that 

decrease/degrade the water supply 

here will have a highly negative 

impact 

Education; Regulation; 

Restriction of Farming 

along stream and river banks 

Good environment 

Tourism 

International 

community; Ghanaians 

Positive image for Ghana; 

Education; Recreation 

Windbreak 

Communities east and 

west of Atewa 

Heritage 

Traditional uses (drums 

and hide) 

Absorption of carbon 

dioxide 

Positive 

Prevent logging through 

education; enforcement of 

laws; prohibition of charcoal 

burning 

Kaolin 

Pottery Communities Erosion / soil depletion 

Illegal farming 

Scientific research 

Villagers, hunters, 

communities 

Scientific community 

Forest destruction; Fire; Animal 

migration 


Appendix 11 

Participants in the Consultative 

Workshop held at Okyehene’s 

Palace, Kibi 

Name 

Institution 

1. Alahasi M. M. Karikari Okyehene Councilor 

2. OP. J. B. Frempong Okyehene Councilor 

3. Abubarkari Moro II Nsong Chief 

4. Okyeame Ampofo Okyehene Kyeame 

5. BA. Kwante Agyemang Mnenapofohene 

6. Torgbe Gborchie Eve Com. Chief 

7. Mame Adwoa Botwe Okyehene Councilor 

8. Dr. Omane Okyehene Councilor 

9. OP. Benjamin Danfo Ankobea Abusuapanin 

10. OP. Kwaku Boakye Okyehene 

11. Osabarima Agyemang III Nifahene Akyem Abuakwa 

12. Osabarima Twiretwie B. Dankwa Abontendomhene 

13. Nana Adutwumwaa Dokua Okyehene 

14. Osabarima Apegya Ofori Amantoameasa 

15. Okyeame Atta Nifahene 

16. Baafour Afoakwa 

17. Okyeheneba OP. Yaw Takyi Okyehene Councilor 

18. Nana Amankrado Larbi Amankrado 

19. Baafour Kyere Koranteng Amankrado 

20. OP. Yeboa Abusuapanin 

21. Baafour Agyei Awoako Okyehene Councilor 

22. Nana Mintah Brakohiapa Okyeman State Secretary 

23. OP. Kwame Kwapong Asokwahene Councilor 

24. OP. Kwapi Amonkoapta Nsafoahene 

25. Madam Dora Nima Asokwahemaa 

26. Joseph Yaw Aboagye Minerals Commission 

27. Dr. Steve Amisah (Dean) Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, KNUST 

28. Frank Kopi Botehway OEF 

29. Kwame Dauguah Okyehenefie 

30. Biagya Yakubu Min. Lands, Forestry, and Mines 

31. Joyce R. Aryee Chamber of Mines 

32. Eric Black Alcoa 

33. Oumar Toguyeni Alcoa 

34. John Gardner Alcoa 

35. Ibrahima Danso Alcoa 

36. Hon. Abraham Osbem Dep. Minister LGRD 

37. Hon. I. V. Asihene DCE EADA 

38. Maxwell Apeakoromg Info. Serv. Dept. 

39. Nana Osusu EADA 

40. Owusu Akyem Security 

41. Mr. Taw Sardong C. L. S. Staff 

42. OP. Foratour Okyehene Councilor 

43. Asare Hayford A. A. T. C. 

44. Madam Mina Owusua Okyehene Councilor 

45. OP. Rexford Afoakwa Okyehene Councilor 


183

Name 

Institution 

46. Okyeame Kofi Brako Okyehene Kyeame 

47. Okyeame Otsibu Darko Abontendomhene / Kyeame 

48. Madam Afia Donkor Okyehene Councilor 

49. Baafour Yeboa Okyehene Councilor 

50. Baafour Aboafe Dampare Akwasrayene 

51. Nana Akua Dokua Gyasehemau 

52. Nana Akuffo Okyehene Councilor 

53. Abena Twumwaa Okyehemaa Kyeame 

54. Adwoa Marteki Okyehemaa Kyeame 

55. Edith Abrufuah Forest Service Dir. 

56. Rosemound Dansoa Okyehemaa Ouifii 

57. Kwame Twum 

58. Beatrice Ankomaa Okyehene Councilor 

59. OP. Kwame Asamoah Kyidom Asusuapanin 

60. Emmanuel Owusu Conservation International 

61. Yaw Osei-Owusu Conservation International 

62. Marielle Canter Conservation International 

63. Madam Alice Andam A.A.T.C. 

64. Solomon Osei Danso E.A.D.A. 

65. Ansah William P.P.T.A.P. 

66. OP. Asafori Kyidomhene. 

67. Nana Duah Okyemam Bailiff 

68. OP. Yaw Mortey Okyehene Councilor 

69. Madam Aboagyewaa J. Okyehene Councilor 

70. Okyeame Anyam Okyehene / Okyeame 

71. Baafour Sagemase Samansuhene 


Appendix 12 

IUCN Red-listed amphibian, bird and 

mammal species recorded from 16 

reserves studied during West African 

RAP surveys 

Threat Status based on the IUCN Red List categories which include, from most to least threatened: 

Critically Endangered (CR) 

Endangered (EN) 

Vulnerable (VU) 

Near Threatened (NT) 

Lower Risk/near threatened (LR/nt) 

Data Deficient (DD) (IUCN 2007) 

#IUCN = total number of species recorded in the above categories that are listed on the 

IUCN Red List 

* = not of conservation concern during this survey 

** = possibly present 


185

Appendix 12 

Taxon Species Name Common Name 

Threat 

status 

Cote d’Ivoire Guinea Liberia Ghana 

Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 

Krokosua Atewa 

Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 

# sites 1 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 

# survey days 8 8 11 3 8 6 18 6 7 5 5 5 5 16 7 5 

# IUCN 29 40 27 14 31 25 7 26 24 39 19 13 14 28 1 4 

# CR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 

# EN 3 4 0 0 4 0 2 4 2 4 3 2 1 2 0 0 

# VU 6 7 4 3 5 6 0 4 5 10 5 3 2 5 0 1 

Amphibian Conraua derooi CR X 

Amphibian 

Amnirana 

occidentalis 

EN X X X X 

Amphibian 

Hyperolius 

bobirensis 

EN X 

Amphibian 

Phrynobatrachus 

annulatus 

EN X X X X 

Amphibian 


ghanensis 

EN X X X 

Bird 

Malimbus 

ballmanni 

Gola Malimbe EN X X 

Small Mammal 

Micropotamogale 

lamottei 

Mt. Nimba Otter 

Shrew 

EN x** 

Bat 

Hipposideros 

marisae 

Aellen’s 

Roundleaf Bat 

EN 

Bat 

Rhinolophus 

ziama 

EN 

Primate 

Cercopithecus 

diana diana 

Diana Monkey EN X X x** X x** X X 

Primate 

Pan troglodytes 

verus 

West African 

Chimpanzee 

EN X X x** X x** X X X X X 

Primate Procolobus badius 

Western Red 

Colobus 

EN X x** x** X X X 

Large mammal Liberiictis kuhni EN X 

Amphibian Conraua alleni VU X X X X 

Amphibian Kassina arboricola VU X 

Amphibian Kassina lamottei VU X 

Amphibian 

Hyperolius 

laurenti 

VU X X 


IUCN Red-listed amphibian, bird and mammal species recorded from 

16 reserves studied during West African RAP surveys 


Threat 

status 


Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 


Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 

Amphibian 

Hyperolius 

viridigulosus 

VU X X 

Amphibian 


villiersi 

VU X X X X X 

Bird 

Agelastes 

meleagrides 

White-breasted 

Guineafowl 

VU X X X 

Bird Bleda eximius 

Green-tailed 

Bristlebill 

VU X X X X X X X X 

Bird 

Campephaga 

lobata 

Ghana Cuckooshrike 

VU 

Bird Criniger olivaceus 

Yellow-bearded 

Bulbul 

VU X X X X X X X X X X X 

Bird Lobotos lobatus 

Western Wattled 

Cuckoo-shrike 

VU X X X X 

Bird 

Melaenornis 

annamarulae 

Nimba Flycatcher VU X X X X 

Bird 

Picathartes 

gymnocephalus 

Yellow-headed 

Picathartes 

VU X X 

Bird 

Schistolais 

leontica 

Sierra Leone 

Prinia 

VU X 

Bat Mops trevori 

Trevor’s Freetailed 

Bat 

VU X 

Bat 

Rhinolophus 

guineensis 

Guinean 

Horseshoe Bat 

VU X X X 

Bat 

Rhinolophus 

hillorum 

Hill’s Horseshoe 

Bat 

VU X X 

Bat 

Scotophilus 

nucella 

VU X 


187

Appendix 12 


Threat 

status 


Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 


Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 

Primate Colobus vellerosus 

Geoffroy’s pied 

colobus 

VU X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

zebra 

VU X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

jentinki 

Jentink’s Duiker VU X 

Large mammal 

Hexaprotodon 

liberiensis 

Pygmy 

Hippopotamus 

VU X X X 

Large mammal 

Loxodonta 

africana 

African Elephant VU X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Acanthixalus 

sonjae 

NT X X X X 

Amphibian 

Afrixalus 

nigeriensis 

NT X X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Afrixalus 

vibekensis 

NT X X 

Amphibian 

Amietophrynus 

togoensis 

NT X 

Amphibian Bufo togoensis NT X X X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Hyperolius 

chlorosteus 

NT X X X X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Hyperolius 

zonatus 

NT X X X 

Amphibian Kassina cochranae NT X X 

Amphibian 

Leptopelis 

macrotis 

Big-eared Forest 

Frog 

NT X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Leptopelis 

occidentalis 

Tai Forest Tree 

Frog 

NT X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Petropedetes 

natator 

NT X X X 

Amphibian 


alleni 

NT X X X X X X X X X X X X X 

Amphibian 


guineensis 

NT X X X X 

Amphibian 


liberiensis 

NT X X X X X X X X X X X 

Amphibian 


phyllophilus 

NT X X X X X X X 

Amphibian 

Ptychadena 

superciliaris 

NT X X X 





Threat 

status 


Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 


Bird 

Bathmocercus 

cerviniventris 

Black-headed 

Rufous Warbler 

NT X X X 

Bird 

Bycanistes 

cylindricus 

Brown-cheeked 

Hornbill 

NT X X X X X X X X 

Bird 

Ceratogymna 

elata 

Yellow-casqued 

Hornbill 

NT X X X X X X X X X 

Bird 

Illadopsis 

rufescens 

Rufous-winged 

Illadopsis 

NT X X X X X X X X X X X X 

Bird 

Lamprotornis 

cupreocauda 

Copper-tailed 

Glossy Starling 

NT X X X X X X X X X 

Bird 

Malaconotus 

lagdeni 

Lagden’s Bushshrike 

NT X 

Bird 

Pteronetta 

hartlaubii 

NT X 

Small Mammal 

Crocidura 

grandiceps 

Large-headed 

shrew 

NT X 

Bat 

Hipposideros 

fuliginosus 

Sooty Roundleaf 

Bat 

NT X X X X 

Bat 

Hipposideros 

jonesi 

Jones’s Roundleaf 

Bat 

NT X 

Bat Kerivoula cuprosa 

Copper Woolly 

Bat 

NT X 

Bat 

Kerivoula 

phalaena 

NT X 

Bat Saccolaimus peli Pel’s Pouched Bat NT 

Bat 

Scotonycteris 

zenkeri 

Zenker’s Fruit 

Bat 

NT X X X 

Primate 

Cercocebus atys 

atys 

Sooty Mangabey LR/nt X X X X X X X X 

Primate 

Colobus 

polykomos 

Western Blackand-White 

Colobus 

NT X x** x** X X 

Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 


189

Appendix 12 


Threat 

status 


Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 


Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 

Primate Papio papio LR/nt X 

Primate Procolobus verus Olive Colobus LR/nt X X X X X 

Large mammal Anomalurus pelii 

Pel’s flying 

squirrel 

NT X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

dorsalis 

Bay Duiker LR/nt X X x* X X X X X X X X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

maxwelli 

Maxwell’s Duiker LR/nt X X x* X X X X X X X X X X X X X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

niger 

Black Duiker LR/nt X X x* X X X X X X X X X X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

ogilbyi 

Ogilby’s Duiker LR/nt X X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

silvicultor 

Yellow-backed 

Duiker 

LR/nt x* X X X X X 

Large mammal 

Neotragus 

pygmaeus 

Royal Antelope LR/nt X X X X 

Large mammal 

Tragelaphus 

eurycerus 

Bongo LR/nt X X 

Large mammal 

Cephalophus 

rufilatus 

Red-flanked 

Duiker 

LR/cd X X 

Large mammal Syncerus caffer African Buffalo CD X X x* X X X 

Amphibian 

Ptychadena 

retropunctata 

DD X X 

Bird Lamprotornis iris Emerald Starling DD X X 

Bird 

Melignomon 

eisentrauti 

Yellow-footed 

Honeyguide 

DD X X 

Bird 

Phyllastrephus 

baumanni 

Baumann’s 

Greenbul 

DD X X X 

Bird 

Tigriornis 

leucolophus 

White-crested 

Tiger Heron 

DD X X 

Small Mammal Crocidura douceti 

Doucet’s Musk 

Shrew 

DD X 





Threat 

status 


Haute 

Dodo 

Cavally 

Pic de 

Fon 


Mt. 

Béro 

Boké 

North 

Lorma 

Gola Grebo 

Draw 

River 

Boi- 

Tano 


Small Mammal Epixerus ebii 

Western Palm 

Squirrel 

DD X X X X X 

Small Mammal 

Protoxerus 

aubinnii 

Slender-tailed 

Squirrel 

DD X 

Large mammal 

Hyemoschus 

aquaticus 

Water Chevrotain DD X X 

Bat 

Hypsugo 

(crassulus) bellieri 

Bellier’s 

Pipistrelle 

n.a. X X 

Bat 

Pipistrellus aff. 

grandidieri 

Grandidier’s 

Pipistrelle 

n.a. X X 

Ajenjua 

Bepo 

Mamang 

River 


191

Additional Published Reports of the Rapid Assessment Program 

All reports are available in pdf format at www.biodiversityscience.org 

South America 

* Bolivia: Alto Madidi Region. Parker, T.A. III and B. Bailey (eds.). 

1991. A Biological Assessment of the Alto Madidi Region and Adjacent 

Areas of Northwest Bolivia May 18 - June 15, 1990. RAP Working 

Papers 1. Conservation International, Washington, DC. 

§ Bolivia: Lowland Dry Forests of Santa Cruz. Parker, T.A. III, R.B. 

Foster, L.H. Emmons and B. Bailey (eds.). 1993. The Lowland Dry 

Forests of Santa Cruz, Bolivia: A Global Conservation Priority. RAP 

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§ Bolivia/Perú: Pando, Alto Madidi/Pampas del Heath. Montambault, 

J.R. (ed.). 2002. Informes de las evaluaciones biológicas de Pampas del 

Heath, Perú, Alto Madidi, Bolivia, y Pando, Bolivia. RAP Bulletin of 

Biological Assessment 24. Conservation International, Washington, 

DC. 

* Bolivia: South Central Chuquisaca Schulenberg, T.S. and K. Awbrey 

(eds.). 1997. A Rapid Assessment of the Humid Forests of South 

Central Chuquisaca, Bolivia. RAP Working Papers 8. Conservation 


* Bolivia: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Killeen, T.J. and T.S. 

Schulenberg (eds.). 1998. A biological assessment of Parque Nacional 

Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia. RAP Working Papers 10. Conservation 


* Bolivia: Río Orthon Basin, Pando. Chernoff, B. and P.W. Willink 

(eds.). 1999. A Biological Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystems of the 

Upper Río Orthon Basin, Pando, Bolivia. RAP Bulletin of Biological 

Assessment 15. Conservation International, Washington, DC. 

* Brazil: Abrolhos Bank. Dutra, G.F., G.R. Allen, T. Werner and S.A. 

McKenna (eds.). 2005. A Rapid Marine Biodiversity Assessment of the 

Abrolhos Bank, Bahia, Brazil. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 


* Brazil: Rio Negro and Headwaters. Willink, P.W., B. Chernoff, L.E. 

Alonso, J.R. Montambault and R. Lourival (eds.). 2000. A Biological 

Assessment of the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Pantanal, Mato Grosso 

do Sul, Brasil. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 18. Conservation 


* Ecuador: Cordillera de la Costa. Parker, T.A. III and J.L. Carr (eds.). 

1992. Status of Forest Remnants in the Cordillera de la Costa and 

Adjacent Areas of Southwestern Ecuador. RAP Working Papers 2. 


* Ecuador/Perú: Cordillera del Condor. Schulenberg, T.S. and K. 

Awbrey (eds.). 1997. The Cordillera del Condor of Ecuador and 

Peru: A Biological Assessment. RAP Working Papers 7. Conservation 


* Ecuador/Perú: Pastaza River Basin. Willink, P.W., B. Chernoff and 

J. McCullough (eds.). 2005. A Rapid Biological Assessment of the 

Aquatic Ecosystems of the Pastaza River Basin, Ecuador and Perú. 

RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 33. Conservation International, 


§ Guyana: Kanuku Mountain Region. Parker, T.A. III and A.B. Forsyth 

(eds.). 1993. A Biological Assessment of the Kanuku Mountain Region of 

Southwestern Guyana. RAP Working Papers 5. Conservation International, 


* Guyana: Eastern Kanuku Mountains. Montambault, J.R. and O. Missa 

(eds.). 2002. A Biodiversity Assessment of the Eastern Kanuku Mountains, 

Lower Kwitaro River, Guyana. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 26. 


* Paraguay: Río Paraguay Basin. Chernoff, B., P.W. Willink and J. R. 

Montambault (eds.). 2001. A biological assessment of the Río Paraguay 

Basin, Alto Paraguay, Paraguay. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 19. 


* Perú: Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone. Foster, R.B., J.L. Carr and 

A.B. Forsyth (eds.). 1994. The Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone 

of southeastern Perú: A Biological Assessment. RAP Working Papers 6. 


* Perú: Cordillera de Vilcabamba. Alonso, L.E., A. Alonso, T. S. 

Schulenberg and F. Dallmeier (eds.). 2001. Biological and Social 

Assessments of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba, Peru. RAP Working Papers 

12 and SI/MAB Series 6. Conservation International, Washington, DC. 

* Suriname: Coppename River Basin. Alonso, L.E. and H.J. Berrenstein 

(eds.). 2006. A rapid biological assessment of the aquatic ecosystems of the 

Coppename River Basin, Suriname. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 


* Suriname: Lely and Nassau Plateaus. Alonso, L.E. and J.H. Mol (eds.). 

2007. A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Lely and Nassau Plateaus, 

Suriname (with additional information on the Brownsberg Plateau). 



* Venezuela: Caura River Basin. Chernoff, B., A. Machado-Allison, K. 

Riseng and J.R. Montambault (eds.). 2003. A Biological Assessment of the 

Aquatic Ecosystems of the Caura River Basin, Bolívar State, Venezuela. 



* Venezuela: Orinoco Delta and Gulf of Paria. Lasso, C.A., L.E. Alonso, 

A.L. Flores and G. Love (eds.). 2004. Rapid assessment of the biodiversity 

and social aspects of the aquatic ecosystems of the Orinoco Delta and 

the Gulf of Paria, Venezuela. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 37. 


* Venezuela: Ventuari and Orinoco Rivers. Lasso, C.A., J.C. Señarìs, L.E. 

Alonso, and A.L. Flores (eds.). 2006. Evaluación Rápida de la Biodiversidad 

de los Ecosistemas Acuáticos en la Confluencia de los ríos Orinoco y 

Ventuari, Estado Amazonas (Venezuela). Boletín RAP de Evaluación 

Biológica 30. Conservation International, Washington, DC. 

192 Rapid Assessment Program 

pdf versions of all reports available at www.biodiversityscience.org

Central America 

Africa & Madagascar 

§ Belize: Columbia River Forest Reserve. Parker, T.A. III. (ed.). 1993. 

A Biological Assessment of the Columbia River Forest Reserve, Toledo 

District, Belize. RAP Working Papers 3. Conservation International, 


* Guatemala: Laguna del Tigre National Park. Bestelmeyer, B. and L.E. 

Alonso (eds.). 2000. A Biological Assessment of Laguna del Tigre National 

Park, Petén, Guatemala. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 16. 


Asia-Pacific 

* Indonesia: Wapoga River Area. Mack, A.L. and L.E. Alonso (eds.). 2000. 

A Biological Assessment of the Wapoga River Area of Northwestern Irian 

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* Available through the University of Chicago Press. To order call 

1-800-621-2736; www.press.uchicago.edu 

† Available only through Conservation International. To order email 

RAP@conservation.org 

§ PDF only 


193


A Rapid Biological 

Assessment of the Atewa 

Range Forest Reserve, 


Participants and Authors............................................................... 5 

Organizational Profiles.................................................................. 7 

Acknowledgements....................................................................... 9 

Report at a Glance........................................................................ 10 

Maps and Photos.......................................................................... 31 

Executive Summary...................................................................... 13 

Chapters......................................................................................... 35 

Appendices.................................................................................. 114 


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Rapid survey of the birds of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana

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