Notes on two brief surveys of the small mammal fauna on the Rooiberg, Ladismith, southern Cape Province

Abstract

Two brief (3½ days each) trapping surveys of the small mammal fauna in fynbos vegetation on the Rooiberg mountains were conducted at the beginning and end of the rodent breeding season in 1978. Four study areas were selected at different altitudes and in different vegetation types. A total of six rodent, three shrew and one small carnivore species were captured. Estimates of density and biomass are given and were found to be relatively high for fynbos communities at the end of the breeding season (March). Differences were found between the fauna inhabiting north-facing and south-facing slopes.