Species composition, abundance, distribution and habitat association of rodents of Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on small mammal community of Wondo Genet was carried out from August, 2005 to March, 2006 encompassing both wet and dry seasons. This was undertaken using both live-trapping and snap-trapping techniques in farmlands, plantations, grasslands, forest and bushes. There were 371 captures of rodents and shrews from live-trapping and 73 captures from snaps. Seven species of rodents (Stenocephalemys albipes, Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys harringtoni, Mastomys natalensis, Mus mahomet and Rattus rattus) and two species of shrews (Crocidura flavescens and C. fumosa) were recorded. S. albipes and L. flavopunctatus were the most abundant species, whereas M. mahomet, R. rattus, C. flavescens and C. fumosa were rare. Males comprised 55% and females 45% of the total capture. Among the rodents captured, 76.8% were adults, 3.6% sub-adults and 19.6% young. Estimates of population size on the live trapping grids using minimum number alive (MNA) technique varied from 59 in January to 103 in November. Peak density was recorded for S. albipes (226/ha) and lowest for R. rattus (16/ha). Maximum biomass was recorded during November (5,256 g) and minimum during January (2,314 g). Most of the rodents in the present study tended to prefer bushes and scrubs.