Abundance, Composition and Habitat Association of Rodents in Wonji Sugarcane Area; Ethiopia
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A study on the ecology of rodents was carried out in Wonji Sugarcane
Plantation from August 2005 to March 2006. Three trapping grids were
randomly selected in the sugarcane plantation based on the growth stage
of the cane as- immature sugarcane plant (ISP), young sugarcane plant
(YSP), and old sugarcane plant (OSP). An additional grid was selected
from bushland area outside the sugarcane plantation. A total of 629
captures were made in 2940 trap nights. Out of these, 557 individuals
represented eight species of rodents: Mastomys natalensis, Arvicanthis
dembeensis, Arvicanthis niloticus, Stenocephalemys albipes, Pelomys
harringtoni, Mus mahomet, Mus musculus, and Rattus rattus. The
remaining 72 individuals represented two insectivore species; Crocidura
flavescence and Crocidura fumosa. Abundance of species varied in
different growth stages of the sugarcane plantation and bushland area.
There was seasonal difference in the abundance of the rodents. However,
species composition was the same in all the three growth stages of the
sugarcane plants and in bushland area. Variation in trap success with
different growth stages of the of sugarcane plantations was significant.
All age groups were represented in the population of most species.
Breeding was seasonal for most of the species. The pest status of rodents
in the sugarcane plantation was assessed. Analysis of the stomach
contents of snap trapped rodents from the plantations showed sugarcane
fibers that confirm the pest status of rodents in the sugarcane plantation
while monocot plants were dominant in rodents captured from bushland
area. Population estimation using minimum number alive (MNA) showed
decline in each trapping session.
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Keywords
Biology, Rodents