Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T14:06:54.493Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A population study of small rodents in a dry sub-humid grassland in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

G. H. G. Martin
G. H. G. Martin
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University, Po Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Estimates were made of rodent longevity, population biomass and production in a dry sub-humid grassland area in Kenya, The results were based on a live-trapping study made over a 27-month period. During this time fourteen species of rodents and four species of insectivores were recorded from the area of the trapping grid. The most numerous species were Praomys natalensis, Mus triton, Mus minutoides and Lemniscomys striatus.

Breeding took place in both wet seasons, coinciding with peaks in rodent populations. Densities ranged from 6.6 ha-1 to 52.4 ha-1, and estimates of net annual production varied from 5485 g ha-1 year-1 to 7221 g ha-1 year-1. Rodent populations appear to turn over every six to nine months.

The results are discussed in relation to studies in other tropical grassland areas of Africa.

Keywords

EcologygrasslandKenyapopulationsrodents
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , August 1985 , pp. 217 - 224
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1985

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

LITERATURE CITED

Bellier, L. 1967. Recherches écologiques dans la savane (Cotê d'Ivoire): densités et biomasse des petits mammifères. La Terre et la Vie 2:318–329.Google Scholar
Cheeseman, C. L. 1975. The population ecology of small rodents in the grassland of Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. Ph.D. thesis, Southampton University, England. 240 pp.Google Scholar
Cheeseman, C. L. & Delany, M. J. 1979. The population dynamics of small rodents in a tropical African grassland. Journal of Zoology, London 188:451–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coetzee, C. G. 1965. The breeding season of the multimammate mouse, Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis (P. Smith) in the Transvaal highveld. Zoologica Africana 1:29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Delany, M. J. 1964a. A study of the ecology and breeding of small mammals in Uganda. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 142:342–370.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Delany, M. J. 1964b. An ecological study of the small mammals in the Queen Elizabeth Park, Uganda. Revue de zoologie et de botanique africaines 73:339–344.Google Scholar
Delany, M. J. & Neal, B. R. 1969. Breeding seasons in rodents in Uganda. Journal of Reproductive Fertility, Supplement 6:229–236.Google Scholar
Delany, M. J. & Roberts, C. J. 1978. Seasonal changes in rodents in the Kenya Rift Valley. Bulletin of Carnegie Museum of Natural History 6:97–108.Google Scholar
Dieterlen, F. 1967. Ologische Populations studie an Murriden des Kivugebietes (Congo). Zoologische Jahrbucher 94:369–426.Google Scholar
Field, A. 1975. Seasonal changes in reproduction, diet and body composition of two equatorial rodents. East African Wildlife Journal 13:221–235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fleming, T. H. 1971. Population ecology of three species of neotropical rodents. Miscellaneous Publications of Museum of Zoology, Univeristy of Michigan 143:1–77.Google Scholar
Hanney, P. 1965. The Muridae of Malawi (Africa: Nyasaland). Journal of Zoology, London 146:577–633.Google Scholar
Happold, D. C. D. 1975. The effects of climate and vegetation on the distribution of small rodents in Western Nigeria. Zeitschrift für Saugetierkunde 40:221–242.Google Scholar
Happold, D. C. D. 1977. A population study on small rodents in the tropical rain forest of Nigeria. La Terre et la Vie 31:385–458.Google Scholar
Hubert, B. 1977. Ecologie des populations des rongeurs de Bandia (Senegal), en zone Sahelo-Souda-nienne. La Terre et la Vie 31:33–100.Google Scholar
Hubert, B., Adam, F. & Poulet, A. 1978. Modelling of the population cycle of two rodents in Senegal. Bulletin of Carnegie Museum of Natural History 6:88–89.Google Scholar
Martin, G. H. G. &Dickinson, N. M. (1985). Small mammal abundance in relation to microhabitat in a dry sub-humid grassland in Kenya. African Journal of Ecology 23:223–234.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neal, B. R. 1968. The ecology of small rodents in the grassland community of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Ph.D. thesis, Southampton University, England. 261 pp.Google Scholar
Poulet, A. R. 1972. Recherches écologique une savane sahelienne du ferlo septentrional, Senegal: les mammifères La Terre et la Vie 26:440–472.Google Scholar
Sheppe, W. A. C. 1972. The annual cycle of small mammal populations on a Zambian flood plain. Journal of Mammology 53:445–460.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stoddart, D. M. 1979. Ecology of small mammals. Chapman & Hall, London. 386 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, K. D. & Green, M. G. 1976. The influence of rainfall on diet and reproduction in four African rodent species. Journal of Zoology, London 189:367–389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar