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

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dc.creatorMakundi, Rhodes H.
dc.creatorMassawe, Apia W.
dc.creatorMulungu, Loth
dc.date2016-11-30T09:46:00Z
dc.date2016-11-30T09:46:00Z
dc.date2005-12
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-25T08:53:45Z
dc.date.available2022-10-25T08:53:45Z
dc.descriptionBelg. J. Zool., 135 (supplement) : 159-165
dc.descriptionRodent 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 Tanzania
dc.formatapplication/pdf
dc.identifierhttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1022
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/94099
dc.languageen
dc.publisherBelg. J. Zool
dc.subjectMastomys natalensis
dc.subjectTatera leucogaster
dc.subjectGrammomys dolichurus
dc.subjectLophuromys flavopunctatus
dc.subjectPraomys delectorum
dc.subjectSaccostomus elegans
dc.subjectGraphiurus
dc.subjectArvicanthis nairobae
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.subjectPopulation fluctuation
dc.subjectCrop damage, plague.
dc.titleRodent population fluctuations in three ecologically heterogeneous locations in northeast, central and south- west Tanzania
dc.typeArticle

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