Habitat preferences of small mammals in the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania

Fitzherbert, Emily; Gardner, Toby; Caro, Tim; Jenkins, Paula

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2006.00699.x

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…On the other hand, higher relative abundance of rodents in areas of human activity, with constantly present food resources, than in natural habitats, were described in other studies in eastern Africa (Salvatori et al. , 2001; Fitzherbert et al. , 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Indications of higher diversity and abundance of small rodents in human‐influenced Sudanian savannah than in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal)

Konečný¹,

Koubek²,

Bryja³

2010

African Journal of Ecology

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Expansion of human activities in the Sudanian savannah is changing natural habitats together with their animal communities. The abundance and diversity of small mammal communities were investigated in human‐influenced savannahs in close proximity to Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP) in south‐eastern Senegal and compared with those from NKNP. Two localities were sampled in natural and two in human‐influenced areas during two dry and two rainy seasons. Total sampling effort was 5400 trap‐nights. Ninety‐eight individuals of eleven species were captured outside NKNP, while only 28 individuals of five rodent species were caught inside the park (all of which were found also outside NKNP). The most abundant species outside NKNP was Mastomys erythroleucus, while inside NKNP it was Praomys daltoni. Both relative abundance and diversity were significantly higher in human‐influenced landscape than in natural savannahs of NKNP. The difference in species richness may be linked with lower population densities of certain species in NKNP and the effect of traditional agriculture, which may support the presence of species typical for deforested landscape. Furthermore, food availability, and predator abundances are discussed as possible reasons for the higher rodent abundances outside NKNP.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Indications of higher diversity and abundance of small rodents in human‐influenced Sudanian savannah than in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal)

Konečný¹,

Koubek²,

Bryja³

2010

African Journal of Ecology

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“…To determine the efficacy of national parks in protecting other taxa, we trapped and surveyed small mammals (Fitzherbert et al 2007), amphibians (Gardner et al 2007), butterflies (Fitzherbert et al 2006), and birds (P. Lalbhai et al, unpublished data) across 41 sites distributed equally across the national park, game‐controlled area, forest reserve, and open area in wet and dry seasons of 2002 and 2003. Findings show that species richness of most taxa is similar under different forms of protection but that species composition differs markedly (T. Gardner, T.C., E. Fitzherbert, T. Banda, P. Lalbhai, unpublished data; see also Sinclair et al 2002).…”

Section: Current Conservation Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Research in Evaluating Conservation Strategies in Tanzania: the Case of the Katavi‐Rukwa Ecosystem

Mulder

Caro

Msago³

2007

Conservation Biology

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Word count: abstract to end of acknowledgements 6494; refs 1336; total 7720 2 Abstract: Strict protectionism, resource extraction, protected-area community outreach, ecotourism, an integrated conservation and development program, comanagement schemes, and citizen-science initiatives are all being used to help conserve the remote Katavi-Rukwa ecosystem in western Tanzania. Biological and social research shows that protectionism is successful in the conservation of large mammals but fails to capture diverse species communities; extractivism is appropriate for some resources but not for others; that protectedarea outreach can be effective for some communities; and devolved control over wildlife, in conjunction with ecotourism and citizen science, has considerable potential in the area. The long-term nature of the research provides the necessary time frame to evaluate outcomes of different conservation strategies; uncovers dynamics within communities that affect attitudes and responses to conservation initiatives; provides impartial recommendations because changing research personnel offer different viewpoints; and, probably most importantly, enhances trust among stakeholders. Currently, there are limited institutional mechanisms for ensuring the input of biological and social science in shaping conservation practice in Tanzania and long-term research can help informally bridge the gap.

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“…The present study was undertaken to unravel the reproductive biology of the spiny mouse (Acomys spinosissimus). The spiny mouse is a small, nocturnal rodent which inhabits rocky outcrops and riverine habitats where it finds shelter under boulders and rocks as well as in termite mounds (Sheppe, 1973;Pienaar et al, 1980;Fitzherbert et al, 2007). It has a widespread distribution across Africa, south of the equator, and is found in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Malawi and in southern Africa in Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa (Skinner and Chimimba, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes in reproductive development in male spiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus) from South Africa

2012

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Seasonal reproduction is a common characteristic of many small mammals which inhabit seasonal environments in temperate regions, the sub-tropics as well as the tropics. It is important for an animal to reproduce during the most favourable time of the year to ensure the survival of the young and maximize reproductive success. In southern Africa, female spiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus) breed during the warm and wet spring and summer months, whereas the reproductive pattern of males is unknown although an opportunistic breeding pattern has been implicated. We investigated testes mass and volume, seminiferous tubule diameter, spermatogenesis and plasma testosterone concentrations in a South African population of male spiny mice on a 2-monthly basis over one year. Testes mass and volume started to increase in July/August and was high from September until December. Seminiferous tubule diameter and spermatogenesis increased during the same months. Plasma testosterone concentration was elevated from July/August to November/December. Development of the reproductive characteristics of male spiny mice was correlated with high rainfall and high ambient temperatures, but reproductive development had already started during the dry season and the coldest months. This shows that reproductive development in males may not be dependent on climatic conditions, and other factors, such as photoperiod, may trigger the onset of reproduction. The data, however, suggest that A. spinosissimus is a true seasonal breeder with reproduction confined to the spring and summer months in southern Africa.

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Habitat preferences of small mammals in the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania

Cited by 23 publications

References 35 publications

Indications of higher diversity and abundance of small rodents in human‐influenced Sudanian savannah than in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal)

Indications of higher diversity and abundance of small rodents in human‐influenced Sudanian savannah than in the Niokolo Koba National Park (Senegal)

The Role of Research in Evaluating Conservation Strategies in Tanzania: the Case of the Katavi‐Rukwa Ecosystem

Seasonal changes in reproductive development in male spiny mice (Acomys spinosissimus) from South Africa

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