Diversity and distribution of rodent and shrew species associated with variations in altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mulungu, Loth S.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Massawe, Apia W.; Machang’u, Robert S.; Mbije, Nsajigwa E.

doi:10.1515/mamm.2008.021

Cited by 53 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Vegetation habitats and their associated characteristics are important indicators of the composition and abundance of small mammals (Mulungu et al, 2008) and fleas (Laudisoit, 2009) that play a role in plague transmission. Any change in vegetation through human activities could induce changes in the small mammal communities in an area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Small mammals are an integral part of biodiversity and ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa (Stanley et al, 1998;Mulungu et al, 2008). Certain species of small mammals are seen as pests for crops and livestock as well as transmitters and/or reservoirs of different zoonotic diseases such as plague (Kilonzo et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Certain species of small mammals are seen as pests for crops and livestock as well as transmitters and/or reservoirs of different zoonotic diseases such as plague (Kilonzo et al, 2005). Rodents exist in a wide diversity of species all over the world except Antarctica, and their overall ecological range is extremely broad and complex (Mulungu et al, 2008). Each rodent species has a specific adaptation capability to various environments in its feeding and living habits (USAID/Tchad, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation habitats and small mammals in a plague endemic area in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Ralaizafisoloarivony

Kimaro

Kihupi

et al. 2014

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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Human plague still exists in different parts of the world, including some landscapes in northeastern Tanzania. Wherever the hotspot of plague, small mammals seem to play a key role as host. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between vegetation habitats types and small mammals in a plague endemic area of Lushoto District in Tanzania. A combination of field survey and Landsat images was used to identify the vegetation habitats. Small mammals were trapped in the mapped vegetation units, and identified. In total, six main types of vegetation habitats were investigated. A total of 13 small mammal species, potentially related to plague were trapped. Results show that annual cultivated crops habitat accounted for 80% of Mastomys natalensis while natural forest accounted for 60% of Praomys delectorum. These findings have shed new light on the diversity of rodents in different habitats of natural and semi-natural vegetations, and agricultural crops in the study area, which is an important intermediate step in unravelling the complex human plague system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation habitats and small mammals in a plague endemic area in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Ralaizafisoloarivony

Kimaro

Kihupi

et al. 2014

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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“…However, there was a negative correlation between small mammals' abundance and slope aspect in the area; and this could be attributed to the influence of slope aspect on climatic factors negatively affecting vegetation habitat, food and water resources which are important for small mammals' habitation (Busch et al, 2000). Results of the current study indicate a strong influence of phosphorus on small mammals probably because of its availability in adequate levels which favours vegetation growth, hence providing cover and habitat to rodents (Mulungu et al, 2008) but also food and herbage (Krebs, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Predicting small mammal and flea abundance using landform and soil properties in a plague endemic area in Lushoto District, Tanzania

Meliyo

Kimaro

Msanya

et al. 2014

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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Small mammals particularly rodents, are considered the primary natural hosts of plague. Literature suggests that plague persistence in natural foci has a root cause in soils. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between on the one hand landforms and associated soil properties, and on the other hand small mammals and fleas in West Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, a plague endemic area. Standard field survey methods coupled with Geographical Information System (GIS) technique were used to examine landform and soils characteristics. Soil samples were analysed in the laboratory for physico-chemical properties. Small mammals were trapped on pre-established landform positions and identified to genus/species level. Fleas were removed from the trapped small mammals and counted. Exploration of landform and soil data was done using ArcGIS Toolbox functions and descriptive statistical analysis. The relationships between landforms, soils, small mammals and fleas were established by generalised linear regression model (GLM) operated in R statistics software. Results show that landforms and soils influence the abundance of small mammals and fleas and their spatial distribution. The abundance of small mammals and fleas increased with increase in elevation. Small mammal species richness also increases with elevation. A landform-soil model shows that available phosphorus, slope aspect and elevation were statistically significant predictors explaining richness and abundance of small mammals. Fleas' abundance and spatial distribution were influenced by hill-shade, available phosphorus and base saturation. The study suggests that landforms and soils have a strong influence on the richness and evenness of small mammals and their fleas' abundance hence could be used to explain plague dynamics in the area. _________________________________________________________________________________________

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“…(slope gradient (degrees), slope aspect (radians), slope length (m), and slope types (straight, convexity and concavity) and diferent types of land surface curvatures. [32]. Traps were inspected every morning to remove trapped animals and replace the bait.…”

Section: Determination Of Landform and Soil Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Biogeography of West Usambara Mountains: A Study on the Influence of Abiotic Factors to Spatial Distribution of Plant and Animal Species

Meliyo¹,

Masuki²,

Msanya³

et al. 2018

Pure and Applied Biogeography

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West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania are famous for rich biodiversity and endemic species of plants and animals. Although there have been extensive studies on plant and animals species, litle atention has been given on abiotic factors inluencing their spatial distribution. Given rampant degradation of vegetation and associated consequence on biodiversity, knowledge on abiotic factors inluencing distribution of species along the landscape become pertinent for conservation. A study was carried out to explore abiotic factors impacting plant and animals species distribution. Soil, landform and land use/ cover were studied using grids of 20 m × 20 m using FAO Guidelines for Soil Proile and Habitat Descriptions. Soils were described, sampled for laboratory analysis. Spatial distribution of plant species were determined in the grids, and along the transects, every time estimating the percent cover and describing the habitat. Distribution of animal species was studied using both small mammals and rodent burrows as proxies. Trapping was done using diferent traps sizes, checking daily for animal caught, counting and retrapping. Rodent burrows were estimated in same grids by examining a width of 0.5 m from end to end of grid and total number of burrows recorded. Determination of species distribution was done using GLM regression. Results show that species are inluenced by elevation, which was common to both plants and animals. Topsoil soil depth was positive to plant species whereas hillshade, surface stones, cultivation and atmospheric temperature were negatively inluencing plant species. Rock outcrops, surface stones and cultivation were positively inluencing small mammals distribution. It is concluded that factors inluencing distribution of small mammals are elevation, surface stones, rock outcrop and cultivation. Factors inluencing plant species are elevation soil depth whereas cultivation, hillshade, surface stone and rock out crops negatively impact distribution. For conservation, it is recommended that the best steps are to stop human activities leading to depletion of plant species and accelerating soil erosion and allow for self-regeneration. Control of soil erosion strongly recommended as way of plant species re-establishment.

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Diversity and distribution of rodent and shrew species associated with variations in altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Cited by 53 publications

References 16 publications

Vegetation habitats and small mammals in a plague endemic area in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Vegetation habitats and small mammals in a plague endemic area in Western Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Predicting small mammal and flea abundance using landform and soil properties in a plague endemic area in Lushoto District, Tanzania

Ecological Biogeography of West Usambara Mountains: A Study on the Influence of Abiotic Factors to Spatial Distribution of Plant and Animal Species

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