Diet, seasonal abundance and microhabitats of Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) and other small rodents in a Kenyan sub‐humid grassland community

Abstract

The diet, seasonal abundance and microhabitats of Praomys natalensis, Tatera robusta, Mus minutoides and M. triton, live-trapped on a five ha grid over an eight-month period, were studied in a dry sub-humid grassland in Kahawa, Kenya.All the species were found to be omnivorous, feeding mainly on seeds and arthropods, with herbage forming a small but regular part of their diet. The diet of Praomys, though similar to that of M. minutoides, was significantly (P<O.O1) different from those of Tatera and M. triton.Rodent populations were low with trapping success for all the species ranging from 0.4 to 4.7% with Praomys being 73% of total captures.Habitat association among the rodents was evident given that Praomys was strongly (P<O.Ol) associated with Panicum maximum, and Tatera with Hyparrhenia spp. and Themeda triandra, respectively (P<0*05). Praomys and Tatera were not only negatively associated (P<O.Ol), but also showed a low overlap value (0.2) in their use of the microhabitats.It would appear that differences in microhabitat use and dietary habits among the rodents were important factors in resource partitioning. Availability of adequate cover associated with rainfall was a notable component influencing Praomys abundance in this habitat. RbsumbOn a etudie le regime alimentaire, l'abondance saisonniere et le micro-habitat de Praomys natalensis, Tatera robusta, Mus minutoides et M. triton, attrapis vivants sur un terrain de 5 ha, pendant une periode de huit mois, dans une savane semihumide asskchee de Kahawa, au Kenya. On a trouvk que toutes les especes etaient omnivores, se nourrissant principalement de graines et d'arthropodes, et I'herbe consituant une part restreinte mais regulikre de leur regime alimentaire. Le regime alimentaire de Praomys, assez semblable a celui de M. minutoides, etait significativement different (P<O,O1) de celui de Tatera et de M. triton. Les populations de rongeurs ettaient reduites, avec un taux de piegeage variant selon les especes de 0,4 a 4,7%, Praomys constituant 73% du total des captures. L'association des rongeurs avec un habitat particulier etait evidente, a savoir que Praomys etait fortement (P<O,Ol) associe a Panicum maximum, et Tatera avec 212 N. 0. Oguge Hyparrhenia spp. et Themeda triandra respectivement (p <0,05). Praomys et Tatera n'etaient pas seulement negativement associes (p <0,01), mais presentaient aussi une basse valeur de recouvrement (0,2) dans leur utilisation des microhabitats. It semblerait que les differences dans l'utilisation des micro-habitats et les habitudes alimentaires soient des facteurs importants pour le partage des ressources. La presence d'un couvert adequat, associk a des chutes de pluie, etait un element important qui influenCait l'abondance de Praomys dans cet habitat.

Environmental determinants of the composition of desert‐living rodent communities in the north‐east Badia region of Jordan

“…For rodent communities in general, vegetation cover and related productivity seem to be the main environmental determinants of community composition (Bian et al, 1994;Adler, 1995;Oguge, 1995). In the present study and other desert systems (south Bukhara desert, Uzbekistan, Shenbrot, 1992; Asian deserts, Shenbrot et al, 1994;Anix desert, China, Liu et al, 1994;Negev highlands, Israel, Krasnov et al, 1996) soil structure and content have also been shown to be important factors.…”

Dietary selection in Mastomys natalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) in the maize agro-ecosystems of central and southwestern Tanzania

“…The feeding habits of Mastomys natalensis have been reported by several workers from a wide range of localities and habitats (e.g., Nandwa 1973, Field 1975, Perrin and Curtis 1980, Leirs et al 1989, Leirs 1995, Oguge 1995, Monadjem 1997, 1998. The aims of most of these studies have been to elucidate the importance of food on ecological factors, such as breeding and population dynamics.…”

Abundance and community composition of small mammals in different habitats in Hugumburda forest, northern Ethiopia

“…In contrast, small mammal diversity tends to be lower in less diverse and open habitats (Oguge, 1995;Pearson et al, 2001). Thus, small mammal assessment is an important component of the study of forest ecosystems because they are indicators of habitat condition.…”