Habitat preferences, seasonal abundance and diets of rodents in Alage, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

To understand habitat preferences, seasonal abundance and diets of rodents in wet and dry season surveys were conducted in Alage, Southern Ethiopia. Sherman and snap traps were used to capture rodents from the four habitats: bushland, Acacia woodland, maize and wheat farmlands. A total of 3312 trap nights, from the four trapping habitats, yielded 776 individuals that represented 11 species of rodents. The distribution of rodents varied between habitats and seasons. Wet season rodent abundance was 52.3% while in the dry season it was 47.7%. Seasonal differences in species abundance were insignificant. Bushland habitat had high wet and dry season abundances with 137 and 211 individuals, respectively. Abundance was low in maize farm (57 individuals) in the wet season and wheat farm (10 individuals) in the dry season. Stomach content composition analysis of snap-trapped rodents from different habitats showed differences between species and across seasons. Six rodent species were recorded as pests on the farmlands in this study area. In conclusion, variation in habitat preferences and diet of rodents in different habitats and across seasons might be due to the role of ground cover and food sources.

Population structure of rodents in Alage, Southern Ethiopia

“…This might be due to suitable vegetation cover, food source, and moderate temperature and moisture contents as well as habitat heterogeneity in bushland rather than homogeneous farmlands. This is agrees with other findings by Chekol et al (2012) and Addisu and Bekele (2013).…”

“…These fluctuations could be associated with the basic demographic processes such as reproduction, survival, mortality, emigration and immigration (Lima et al, 2001). Habitat heterogeneity as well as suitable vegetation coverage increases species richness, number and diversity by providing more niches, shelter and continuous supply of food that has been exploited by several species of rodents (Makundi et al, 2009;Addisu and Bekele, 2013).The quantity and quality of vegetation have been considered as prime factors that determined population size (Makundi et al, 2009). Rodents naturally have high reproduction potential and ability to invade all habitats.…”

Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize‐growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda

“…For example, due to constant human activities in cultivated fields, the rodent populations fluctuated more highly as opposed to fallow land where it was observed to have had minimal human interaction. Similar observations are reported by Addisu and Bekele () who report that crop harvesting and grazing were perhaps the considerable factors for the reduction in rodent's abundance in maize fields during the dry season in their study in Ethiopia. Specifically, increased animal grazing has been widely shown to affect rodent species composition and abundance (Cao et al, ; La Morgia, Balbo, Memoli, & Isaia, ; Yihune & Bekele, ).…”

Composition and seasonality of rodent diet in Chimit Kola, Blue Nile Gorge, Ethiopia

“…The food items observed from stomach content were grouped into six categories: leaves and stems, seeds, invertebrates (mostly insects), fruits (flesh fruits), hairs (rodent hairs) and unidentified food matter [ 19 ]. The recognition of epidermal tissue under the microscope is considered a positive indication of the presence of plant food fragments [ 10 , 21 ]. Seeds were identified by the presence of a seed coat or intact seed.…”