Rodent population fluctuations in three ecologically heterogeneous locations in northeast, central and south- west Tanzania

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMakundi, Rhodes H.
dc.contributor.authorMassawe, Apia W.
dc.contributor.authorMulungu, Loth
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-30T09:46:00Z
dc.date.available2016-11-30T09:46:00Z
dc.date.issued2005-12
dc.descriptionBelg. J. Zool., 135 (supplement) : 159-165en_US
dc.description.abstractRodent population fluctuations and breeding patterns were investigated at localities in South-west, Central and North-east Tanzania. The three localities are ecologically heterogeneous in vegetation types, rodent species diversity, rainfall pattern and altitude. Capture-Mark-Release studies were conducted in 2001-2003 to com- pare rodent species composition and population trends. In North-eastern Tanzania, species composition is diverse and includes Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Grammomys dolichurus, Arvicanthis nairobae, Praomys delectorum and Mus sp.. Five species were recorded in South-western Tanzania namely, M. natalensis, Graphiurus murinus, Saccostomus elegans, Tatera leucogaster and Steatomys pratensis. In Central Tanzania M. natalensis was dominant, but a few Lemniscomys griselda were captured. Rodent abundance fluctuations were dis- tinctively seasonal, especially for M. natalensis in the three localities and T. leucogaster in South-west Tanzania. In North-eastern Tanzania, L. flavopunctatus, G. dolichurus, A. nairobae and P. delectorum had low, but relatively sta- ble populations throughout the year. In South-west Tanzania, population peaks of M. natalensis and T. leucogaster were reached in the dry season (June-September). In Central Tanzania, breeding of M. natalensis was seasonal, with highest population abundance during July-November. Female M. natalensis were reproductively active in January- May and males had scrotal testes in December-June. No males were sexually active during July-November. Female T. leucogaster in South-western Tanzania were reproductively active during November-April/May whereas sexually active males appeared in the population during November-March. In view of the observed rodent population fluctu- ations and breeding patterns, recommendations are given for pragmatic rodent control in South-west and Central Tanzania and for plague in North-eastern Tanzaniaen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1022
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherBelg. J. Zoolen_US
dc.subjectMastomys natalensisen_US
dc.subjectTatera leucogasteren_US
dc.subjectGrammomys dolichurusen_US
dc.subjectLophuromys flavopunctatusen_US
dc.subjectPraomys delectorumen_US
dc.subjectSaccostomus elegansen_US
dc.subjectGraphiurusen_US
dc.subjectArvicanthis nairobaeen_US
dc.subjectTanzaniaen_US
dc.subjectPopulation fluctuationen_US
dc.subjectCrop damage, plague.en_US
dc.titleRodent population fluctuations in three ecologically heterogeneous locations in northeast, central and south- west Tanzaniaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Makundi52.pdf.pdf
Size:
319.26 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

License bundle

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

Collections

Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection