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Relationships between seasonal changes in diet of Multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and its breeding patterns in semi-arid areas in Tanzania

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dc.creator Makundi, Rhodes H
dc.creator Isabirye, Moses
dc.creator Kifumba, David
dc.creator Mdangi, Mashaka E
dc.creator Nakiyemba, Alice
dc.creator Leirs, Herwig
dc.creator Belmain, Steven R
dc.creator Mulungu, Loth S
dc.creator Massawe, Apia W
dc.creator Tarimo, , Akwilin J. P
dc.creator Kimaro, Didas N
dc.creator Mariën, Joachim
dc.creator Mlyashimbi, Emmanuel C. M
dc.date 2022-06-09T05:48:51Z
dc.date 2022-06-09T05:48:51Z
dc.date 2018-09
dc.date.accessioned 2022-10-25T08:53:40Z
dc.date.available 2022-10-25T08:53:40Z
dc.identifier https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/4235
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/94004
dc.description The diet and breeding patterns of Mastomys natalensis in semi-arid areas of Isimani division, Iringa region, Tanzania were investigated in maize fields and fallow land. The aim was to investigate the influence of diet on breeding patterns of M. natalensis. Removal trapping was used to capture rodents and analyse diet categories while Capture-mark-release trapping was used to investigate breeding patterns of female M. natalensis. Mastomys natalensis comprised 94% of the total capture, and the remaining 6% comprised of six other species. Statistical analysis of food preferences indicated that both vegetative materials and seeds were significantly higher in the overall diet of M. natalensis compared with other food materials. Significant differences in the proportions of vegetative materials and seeds were found between seasons (dry, wet), but not between habitats (fallow, maize). There was a clear seasonal pattern in the proportion of reproductively active females with peaks in April and troughs in October. The proportion of vegetative materials was highest during the wet season and correlated positively with reproductive activity, suggesting that vegetative materials contain certain compounds (e.g. 6-MBOA) that trigger reproductive activity in M. natalensis. The breeding activity of M. natalensis in semi-arid areas might, thus, be reduced by limiting access to fresh vegetative food (e.g. young sprouting grass).
dc.format application/pdf
dc.format application/pdf
dc.language en
dc.publisher Cogent food and agriculture
dc.subject Mastomys natalensis
dc.subject Tanzania
dc.subject Environment & Agriculture
dc.subject Plant & Animal Ecology
dc.subject Zoology
dc.subject Environmental Studies
dc.subject Management
dc.subject Breeding
dc.subject Diet
dc.subject Rodent pest
dc.subject Semi-arid
dc.title Relationships between seasonal changes in diet of Multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and its breeding patterns in semi-arid areas in Tanzania
dc.type Article


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