Sokoine University of Agriculture

Small mammals distribution and diversity in a plague endemic area in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

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dc.contributor.author Ralaizafisoloarivony, Njaka A.
dc.contributor.author Kimaro, D. N.
dc.contributor.author Kihupi, Nganga I.
dc.contributor.author Mulungu, Loth S.
dc.contributor.author Leirs, Herwing
dc.contributor.author Deckers, J.
dc.contributor.author Msanya, B. M.
dc.contributor.author Gulinck, Hubert
dc.date.accessioned 2016-12-06T06:30:11Z
dc.date.available 2016-12-06T06:30:11Z
dc.date.issued 2014-07-03
dc.identifier.uri https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1087
dc.description.abstract Small mammals play a role in plague transmission as hosts in all plague endemic areas. Information on distribution and diversity of small mammals is therefore important for plague surveillance and control in such areas. The objective of this study was to investigate small mammals’ diversity and their distribution in plague endemic area in the West Usambara Mountains in north-eastern Tanzania. Landsat images and field surveys were used to select trapping locations in different landscapes. Three landscapes with different habitats were selected for trapping of small mammals. Three types of trap were used in order to maximise the number of species captured. In total, 188 animals and thirteen species were captured in 4,905 trap nights. Praomys delectorum and Mastomys natalensis both reported as plague hosts comprised 50% of all the animals trapped. Trap success increased with altitude. Species diversity was higher in plantation forest followed by shrub, compared to other habitats, regardless of landscape type. It would therefore seem that chances of plague transmission from small mammals to humans are much higher under shrub, natural and plantation forest habitats. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Tanzania Journal of Health Research en_US
dc.subject Plague en_US
dc.subject small mammals en_US
dc.subject species diversity en_US
dc.subject Tanzania en_US
dc.subject Plague transmission en_US
dc.title Small mammals distribution and diversity in a plague endemic area in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania en_US
dc.type Article en_US
dc.url Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v16i3.4 en_US


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