Food preferences of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, in irrigated rice habitats in Tanzania

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMulungu, L S
dc.contributor.authorNgowo, v
dc.contributor.authorMdangi, M
dc.contributor.authorKatakweba, S A
dc.contributor.authorTesha, P
dc.contributor.authorMrosso, F P
dc.contributor.authorMchomvu, M
dc.contributor.authorSheyo, P M
dc.contributor.authorKilonzo, B S
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-01T08:08:55Z
dc.date.available2021-06-01T08:08:55Z
dc.date.issued2014-01-16
dc.descriptionWork emanating from Research worken_US
dc.description.abstractWe investigated the composition of the diet of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, within irrigated rice and fallow field habitats at set time periods related to rice crop growth stages. In both habitats, vegetative plant material, i.e. leaves, stems and seeds, were the most abundant components of the rodent’s diet, while other food types (invertebrates, fruits) were observed only in low quantities. We conclude that vegetative plant material and seeds were the main types of food consumed not only due to their relatively higher abundance in the environments under study but also because of the highly specialised herbivorous/granivorous nature of the dominant rodent species, M. natalensis. Thus, the introduction and expansion of continuous rice-cropping using irrigation in Tanzania is likely to be severely constrained by the presence of M. natalensis. In our opinion, field hygiene, including the removal of alternative food resources and nesting sites for M. natalensis near cropping areas, may help to both lower rodent population numbers and reduce immigration potential. Nonchemical rodent control methods such as trap barrier systems developed for lowland irrigated rice in south-eastern Asia should, we argue, be evaluated for their effectiveness under African conditions.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipTanzanian Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Fund (ZARDEF).en_US
dc.identifier.citationMulungu, L.S. et al. (2014) Food preferences of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, in irrigated rice habitats in Tanzania, International Journal of Pest Management, 60:1, 1-8en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/3574
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTaylor & Francisen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesInternational Journal of Pest Management;60
dc.subjectBreedingen_US
dc.subjectDieten_US
dc.subjectIrrigated riceen_US
dc.subjectManagementen_US
dc.subjectRodentsen_US
dc.titleFood preferences of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, in irrigated rice habitats in Tanzaniaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.urlhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2013.871759en_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Food preferences of the multi-mammate mouse.pdf
Size:
539.35 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Main Article
Download

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.67 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

SUA Pest Management Centre Collection