An ecological study on rodents of natural vegetation and farm lands in Siltie, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

An ecological study on species composition, distribution, relative abundance and habitat association of rodents was conducted in Siltie natural vegetation and nearby farmlands during July 2008 - March 2009. Five habitat types, three from natural and two from agricultural fields were randomly selected based on representation of the main vegetation zones. In each habitat type, one representative grid was selected for live trapping. In addition, rodents were also snap-trapped from these habitats. A total of 562 captures was made in 2940 live-trap nights and 87 in 1200 snap-trap nights. Species of small mammals trapped were Mastomys natalensis (33.3%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (23.0%), Mastomys erythroleucus (12.1%), Stenocephalemys albipes (8.4%), Desmomys harringtoni (6.0%), Mus mahomet (5.9%), Tatera robusta (5.1%), Lophuromys flavopunctatus (2.8%), Rattus rattus (2.5%) and Arvicanthis niloticus (0.9%). The trap success varied significantly from habitat to habitat. Population density of rodents was high in the bush land and forest habitats. Plant matters were the most common food items revealed from the stomach contents of snap-trapped individuals. A. dembeensis, M. Mahomet, D. harringtoni and M. natalensis were recorded as major pests in the study area. Breeding was seasonal for most of the species trapped. The number of embryos varied both within and among species.An ecological study on species composition, distribution, relative abundance and habitat association of rodents was conducted in Siltie natural vegetation and nearby farmlands during July 2008 - March 2009. Five habitat types, three from natural and two from agricultural fields were randomly selected based on representation of the main vegetation zones. In each habitat type, one representative grid was selected for live trapping. In addition, rodents were also snap-trapped from these habitats. A total of 562 captures was made in 2940 live-trap nights and 87 in 1200 snap-trap nights. Species of small mammals trapped were Mastomys natalensis (33.3%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (23.0%), Mastomys erythroleucus (12.1%), Stenocephalemys albipes (8.4%), Desmomys harringtoni (6.0%), Mus mahomet (5.9%), Tatera robusta (5.1%), Lophuromys flavopunctatus (2.8%), Rattus rattus (2.5%) and Arvicanthis niloticus (0.9%). The trap success varied significantly from habitat to habitat. Population density of rodents was high in the bush land and forest habitats. Plant matters were the most common food items revealed from the stomach contents of snap-trapped individuals. A. dembeensis, M. Mahomet, D. harringtoni and M. natalensis were recorded as major pests in the study area. Breeding was seasonal for most of the species trapped. The number of embryos varied both within and among species.