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

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dc.creator Ralaizafisoloarivony, Njaka A.
dc.creator Kimaro, D. N.
dc.creator Kihupi, Nganga I.
dc.creator Mulungu, Loth S.
dc.creator Leirs, Herwing
dc.creator Deckers, J.
dc.creator Msanya, B. M.
dc.creator Gulinck, Hubert
dc.date 2016-12-06T06:30:11Z
dc.date 2016-12-06T06:30:11Z
dc.date 2014-07-03
dc.date.accessioned 2022-10-25T08:52:32Z
dc.date.available 2022-10-25T08:52:32Z
dc.identifier https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1087
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/92685
dc.description 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.
dc.format application/pdf
dc.language en
dc.publisher Tanzania Journal of Health Research
dc.subject Plague
dc.subject small mammals
dc.subject species diversity
dc.subject Tanzania
dc.subject Plague transmission
dc.title Small mammals distribution and diversity in a plague endemic area in West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
dc.type Article


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