Spatial and temporal population dynamics of rodents in three geographically different regions in Africa: implication for ecologically-based rodent management

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dc.contributor.authorMassawe, Apia W.
dc.contributor.authorMulungu, Loth S.
dc.contributor.authorMakundi, Rhodes H.
dc.contributor.authorDlamini, Nomfundo
dc.contributor.authorEiseb, Seth J.
dc.contributor.authorKirsten, Frikkie
dc.contributor.authorMahlaba, Themb’alilahlwa
dc.contributor.authorMalebane, Phanuel
dc.contributor.authorMaltitz, Emil Von
dc.contributor.authorMonadjem, Ara
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Peter
dc.contributor.authorTutjavi, Vassana
dc.contributor.authorBelmain, Steven R.
dc.date.accessioned2016-12-07T09:11:04Z
dc.date.available2016-12-07T09:11:04Z
dc.date.issued2015-04-20
dc.descriptionAfrican Zoology, 2011; 46 (2):393-405en_US
dc.description.abstractAs part of a three-year study to develop ecologically-based rodent management (EBRM) in southern Africa, a capture–mark–recapture study was carried out in Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland to establish the demographic patterns and population dynamics of rodents. Two study grids were established in each country. In Tanzania, ten species of rodents and one shrew (Crocidura sp.) were identified in the study area. The rodent species consisted of Mastomys natalensis, Aethomys chrysophilus, Arvicanthis neumanni, Gerbilliscus vicina, Acomys spinosissimus, Lemniscomys griselda, Lemniscomys zebra, Rattus rattus, Graphiurus sp. and Mus minutoides. Mastomys natalensis was dominant and contributed more than 70% of the captures. In Namibia, five species were captured, namely Mastomys natalensis, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, Saccostomus campestris, Mus minutoides and Steatomys pratensis. Mastomys natalensis contributed about 50% of the captures. In Swaziland, only M. natalensis was captured in the study grids. There was a clear pattern in the population dynamics, with breeding confined to the wet seasons in the three countries. Mastomys natalensis was the dominant pest species, for which EBRM should focus on. The highest population density of M. natalensis occurred during and after the rains, which coincided with the most susceptible phenological stage of crops. The breeding seasonality and density fluctuations observed in the three countries conform with observations made elsewhere in Africa, which support the hypothesis that rainfall events promote primary productivity on which murid rodents depend. Development of EBRM in these countries will be determined by the local conditions and how they influence the demographic processes of the rodent populations. EBRM should make use of the available ecological knowledge of the local rodent pest species and the focus should be on (ecological) management practices applicable at the community level including community based intensive trapping, field hygiene, removing cover and sources of food for rodents.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1090
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTailor & Francisen_US
dc.subjectTanzaniaen_US
dc.subjectSwazilanden_US
dc.subjectNamibia.en_US
dc.subjectPest managementen_US
dc.subjectMastomys natalensisen_US
dc.subjectAethomys chrysophilusen_US
dc.subjectArvicanthis neumannien_US
dc.subjectGerbilliscus vicinaen_US
dc.subjectAcomys spinosissimusen_US
dc.subjectRodents population dynamicsen_US
dc.subjectLemniscomys griseldaen_US
dc.subjectRattus rattusen_US
dc.titleSpatial and temporal population dynamics of rodents in three geographically different regions in Africa: implication for ecologically-based rodent managementen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.urlhttp://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tafz20en_US

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