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Ron Verhagen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Community structure and seasonal abundance of rodents of maize farms in Southwestern Tanzania
2014Co-Authors: Richard Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:ABSTRACT. Community characteristics and seasonal abundance of rodents were investigated in a small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaic in southwestern Tanzania between February 2001 and May 2002. During the study, a total of 2568 rodents were captured in 9150 trapnights giving a 28 % trap success. Also shrews of the genus Croci-dura (Soricidae) were recorded. Mastomys natalensis comprised the highest proportion of rodents caught account-ing for 82.9 % of all captures. Other rodent genera captured included: Tatera, Saccostomus, Graphiurus, and Steat-omys. Relative densities as measured by both trap success and the number of rodents per hectare, and biomass varied between seasons with and without crop in the field but not between habitat types. The work reports seasonal-ity in breeding for the two most commonly trapped species, Mastomys natalensis and Tatera leucogaster
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demography reproductive biology and diet of the bushveld gerbil tatera leucogaster rodentia gerbillinae in the lake rukwa valley south western tanzania
Integrative Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Richard O Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:Seasonal abundance, reproductive biology and feeding ecology of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster (Peters, 1852) were investigated in small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaics in south-western Tanzania. The gerbils were collected over a 2-year period using Sherman live and Victor hold-fast snap traps in permanent 4.5-ha grids. A total of 664 individuals were captured over 13 650 trap nights, giving an overall trap success rate of 4.9%. Trap success varied between seasons with and without crops in the field but not between habitat types. At this site, the breeding activity of this species is seasonal. All individuals whose stomachs were analyzed ate a wide range of items, indicating omnivory in this species at this site; however, seeds were the most preferred diet category, with a mean contribution of 50.4%, followed by arthropods, with a mean contribution of 25.7%. Other plant materials became important during the very dry periods.
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spatial dynamics of mastomys natalensis in a field Fallow mosaic in tanzania
Belgian Journal of Zoology 127(Suppl. ), 1997Co-Authors: Herwig Leirs, Ron Verhagen, Christopher A Sabuni, Patrick Mwanjabe, Walter VerheyenAbstract:The population dynamics of Mastomys natalensis rats is reported for a 3-year study of monthly CMR-trapping in a small scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaic in Tanzania. The seasonal evolution of rodent presence was the same in both habitat types and it was not affected by agricul- tural activities in the fields. About one week after planting, there was a short increase of rodent cap- tures in the maize fields, but this disappeared again after a few days. Recolonisation of fields was achieved very fast after a rodent control operation. Radiotelemetry indicated that many individuals were active in the maize field as well as in the Fallow Land. We concluded that, in a small scale set- up, the field and Fallow Land rodent populations are not separated and the latter should not be con- sidered as necessary refuges. This renders several rodent control approaches unsuitable.
Richard O Odhiambo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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demography reproductive biology and diet of the bushveld gerbil tatera leucogaster rodentia gerbillinae in the lake rukwa valley south western tanzania
Integrative Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Richard O Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:Seasonal abundance, reproductive biology and feeding ecology of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster (Peters, 1852) were investigated in small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaics in south-western Tanzania. The gerbils were collected over a 2-year period using Sherman live and Victor hold-fast snap traps in permanent 4.5-ha grids. A total of 664 individuals were captured over 13 650 trap nights, giving an overall trap success rate of 4.9%. Trap success varied between seasons with and without crops in the field but not between habitat types. At this site, the breeding activity of this species is seasonal. All individuals whose stomachs were analyzed ate a wide range of items, indicating omnivory in this species at this site; however, seeds were the most preferred diet category, with a mean contribution of 50.4%, followed by arthropods, with a mean contribution of 25.7%. Other plant materials became important during the very dry periods.
Rhodes H. Makundi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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soil type influences population dynamics and survival of the multimammate rat mastomys natalensis in semi arid areas in tanzania
Crop Protection, 2019Co-Authors: Emmanuel C M Mlyashimbi, Apia W. Massawe, Rhodes H. Makundi, Bram Vanden Broecke, Joachim Marien, Didas N Kimaro, A J P Tarimo, Robert S Machangu, Moses Isabirye, Proches HieronimoAbstract:Abstract Rodent population dynamics and survival in semi-arid areas of Tanzania were investigated in Fallow Land and maize fields (Land use) and two soil types (sandy loam and black clay). Capture-Mark-Release (CMR) methods with four 60 m × 60 m trapping grids, (two in maize and two in Fallow mosaic fields) were used. Mastomys natalensis comprised >94% of the total captures, and the remaining six percent comprised 11 other small mammals species. The number of M. natalensis was higher in sandy loam (7.82) than in black clay (2.89) soils and higher in Fallow Land (40.25) than in maize fields (26.49). Highest rodent abundance was observed during the dry season (from June to August) of each year, while the lowest abundance was recorded during the wet seasons (February to April) in both habitats. A significantly different proportion of reproductively active female M. natalensis was observed in sandy loam than in black clay soils. It was observed that female M. natalensis are found to breed almost throughout the year. Survival of M. natalensis differed between dry and wet seasons and was lower in clay soils during the wet season compared to sandy soils. However, there were no significant effects with respect to interactions between soil type and Land use, soil type and month, Land use and month and soil type, Land use and month. Management strategies should therefore, be aimed at emphasizing the importance of targeting March-May in order to interrupt reproduction and young rearing.
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Community structure and seasonal abundance of rodents of maize farms in Southwestern Tanzania
2014Co-Authors: Richard Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:ABSTRACT. Community characteristics and seasonal abundance of rodents were investigated in a small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaic in southwestern Tanzania between February 2001 and May 2002. During the study, a total of 2568 rodents were captured in 9150 trapnights giving a 28 % trap success. Also shrews of the genus Croci-dura (Soricidae) were recorded. Mastomys natalensis comprised the highest proportion of rodents caught account-ing for 82.9 % of all captures. Other rodent genera captured included: Tatera, Saccostomus, Graphiurus, and Steat-omys. Relative densities as measured by both trap success and the number of rodents per hectare, and biomass varied between seasons with and without crop in the field but not between habitat types. The work reports seasonal-ity in breeding for the two most commonly trapped species, Mastomys natalensis and Tatera leucogaster
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dietary differences of the multimammate mouse mastomys natalensis smith 1834 across different habitats and seasons in tanzania and swaziLand
Wildlife Research, 2011Co-Authors: Loth S. Mulungu, Apia W. Massawe, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ara Monadjem, Abdul Katakweba, Jan Kennis, Thembalilahlwa A M Mahlaba, Dieter Crauwels, Seth J Eiseb, Herwig LeirsAbstract:Context. The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834), is an important agricultural pest in southern and eastern Africa where it can cause significant crop losses. Mastomys natalensis is known to consume a variety of food in response to the availability of food items. However, it is currently unknown whether maize crop growth stages affect the spatio-temporal diet of this species. Aims. We examined the foods consumed by M. natalensis in different habitats and seasons in central Tanzania and SwaziLand. Methods. Diet was investigated in Tanzania in four different habitats (woodLand, vegetable gardens, maize fields and Fallow Land) during different maize crop growth stages between March 2008 and February 2009. In SwaziLand, this was conducted in three habitats (Fallow Land, cultivated fields and pristine Land) during three crop growth stages (pre-planting, vegetative stage and post-harvest) between March 2008 and April 2009. Micro-histological examination of undigested fragmentsfromthestomachsoftrappedanimalswasmadewherebythepreservedstomachcontentwasplacedinaPetridish andsortedusinga25� or50� magnificationbinocularstereoscope.Stomachcontentswereidentifiedas:grainand/orseeds (both grassesandmaize),plantmaterial(roots,stems andleaves),invertebrates, podsofseeds,fruits(vegetablefruit suchas tomato), animal hairs and unidentified matter. If necessary, a lugol solution was used to determine the presence of starch for maize and grass seeds or grains. Keyresults.Inbothcountries,grainpredominatedinthedietofM.natalensis.Statisticalanalysesshowedthattherewere no differences due to seasons or habitats. Therefore, the percentage volume and relative importance were the same across habitats and seasons in both countries. Conclusions. Our findings highlight clearly that M. natalensis is a generalist species feeding on available resources depending on the season and the habitat. Its preference for grain may account for its abundance in maize plantations and confirms it as one of the major pests in crop plantations, especially grain. Implications.Thisinformationoffersausefultoolfordeterminingthepeststatusindifferenthabitatsand/orseasons.The findings of this study have implications for agriculture and conservation.
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differences in diet between two rodent species mastomys natalensis and gerbilliscus vicinus in Fallow Land habitats in central tanzania
African Zoology, 2011Co-Authors: Loth S. Mulungu, Apia W. Massawe, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ara Monadjem, Abdul Katakweba, Jan Kennis, Thembalilahlwa A M Mahlaba, Dieter Crauwels, Seth J Eiseb, Herwig LeirsAbstract:Differences in the ecological niche requirements among rodent species competing in the same habitat may result from differences in the use of one to three resources: space, time and food or some combination of these. Alternatively, differences in resource use utilization among animal species may simply reflect availability of food, and when food is limited, different animal species compete. In this study, the diet of two rodent pest species, Mastomys natalensis and Gerbilliscus vicinus, coexisting in Fallow Land in central Tanzania were studied to assess the degree of diet differentiation among them. Dietary niche breadth of G. vicinus was greater than that of M. natalensis in all stages of the maize cropping seasons. The rodent species studied overlapped considerably in the food items consumed ranging from niche overlap (Ojk) of 0.77–0.89. Grains/seeds featured high in the diet of M. natalensis while plant material occurrence was high in G. vicinus. These two food categories may have contributed to diffe...
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demography reproductive biology and diet of the bushveld gerbil tatera leucogaster rodentia gerbillinae in the lake rukwa valley south western tanzania
Integrative Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Richard O Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:Seasonal abundance, reproductive biology and feeding ecology of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster (Peters, 1852) were investigated in small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaics in south-western Tanzania. The gerbils were collected over a 2-year period using Sherman live and Victor hold-fast snap traps in permanent 4.5-ha grids. A total of 664 individuals were captured over 13 650 trap nights, giving an overall trap success rate of 4.9%. Trap success varied between seasons with and without crops in the field but not between habitat types. At this site, the breeding activity of this species is seasonal. All individuals whose stomachs were analyzed ate a wide range of items, indicating omnivory in this species at this site; however, seeds were the most preferred diet category, with a mean contribution of 50.4%, followed by arthropods, with a mean contribution of 25.7%. Other plant materials became important during the very dry periods.
Stephen Harris - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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conservation of european hares lepus europaeus in britain is increasing habitat heterogeneity in farmLand the answer
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2004Co-Authors: Rebecca K Smith, Nancy Jennings, Anthony Robinson, Stephen HarrisAbstract:1. Agricultural intensification has had dramatic effects on farmLand biodiversity and has caused declines in many taxa. Habitat changes are thought to be the main cause of the decline in numbers of European hares, Lepus europaeus, throughout Europe. In Britain there is greater potential to increase hare numbers in pastural Landscapes than in arable Landscape. Hares in pasture have lower population densities, poorer body condition and participate less in breeding than in arable habitats. We aimed to investigate habitat selection and home range size in a mainly pastural area in order to reveal why the habitat is suboptimal, and how it could be managed to benefit the species. 2. A seasonal radio-tracking study was used to determine the importance of heterogeneity at the between- and within-habitat scales. Habitat selection by active and resting hares was quantified. Selection was investigated by categorizing habitats by type, and by structure in terms of vegetation height. 3. Mean home range size was 34 ha. Winter and spring ranges were larger than summer and autumn ranges. Hares selected Fallow Land and pasture grazed by cattle in preference to arable crops throughout the year, except during the winter when crops were suitable as forage. Pasture grazed by sheep was avoided in all seasons but winter. Heterogeneity at the between-habitat scale was less important to hares than heterogeneity at the within-habitat scale in the pastural Landscape studied. 4. Hares selected habitats with taller vegetation during the spring and summer. Many of the habitats selected were heterogeneous in structure mainly due to cattle grazing, and hares avoided short homogeneous vegetation in all seasons. Hares are more likely to be limited by habitat in terms of cover than food in these Landscapes. 5. Synthesis and applications. Increasing habitat heterogeneity at the farm scale may benefit hares, especially in highly homogeneous, intensively managed Landscapes. However, managers of pastural farmLand should aim to increase habitat heterogeneity at the within-habitat (or within-field) scale in particular, to provide better cover throughout the year. Agri-environment schemes should target the regeneration of heterogeneity in pastural Landscapes, by encouraging changes such as an increase in Fallow Land and a reduction in livestock density. Such shifts in management are likely to benefit both hares and farmLand biodiversity in general.
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habitat associations of european hares lepus europaeus in engLand and wales implications for farmLand management
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2003Co-Authors: Nancy Vaughan, Stephen Harris, Elizabethann Lucas, Piran C L WhiteAbstract:Summary 1 Numbers of European hares Lepus europaeus have declined throughout Europe as a result of agricultural intensification. Ecological research to inform agricultural management policy is needed. We aimed to identify agricultural Land management practices that may benefit this species, which is of conservation concern and of value as a game animal. 2 A postal survey of farmers was used to investigate relationships between the abundance of hares on farmLand and current Land management, the abundance of a possible competitor (rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the abundance of two predators (buzzard Buteo buteo and fox Vulpes vulpes). 3 Questionnaires were sent to 3000 farms in EngLand and Wales selected from the annual agricultural census database held by the UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Assembly for Wales. One-thousand and fifty farmers (35%) responded. Non-respondents were statistically similar to respondents, so the questionnaire data were considered representative of the opinions of farmers in EngLand and Wales. 4 Hares were relatively common on arable farms, especially on those with wheat Triticum aestivum, beet Beta vulgaris or Fallow Land. They were less common on pastural farms, where the likelihood of seeing hares was increased if improved grass, woodLand or, in some cases, arable Land was present. The association of relatively frequent sightings of hares with arable Land was consistent at four spatial scales (farm, parish group, county and region). 5 Hares were seen rarely where foxes were seen frequently. Hares were generally only hunted on farms where they were common. Hence, records of numbers of hares shot may be used as indices of hare abundance but only in areas where hares are common. 6 Forty-two per cent of farmers believed that hares were declining. Hare numbers were most likely to be increasing on arable farms. 7 Synthesis and applications. Changes in Land management that provide year-round cover and forage may make farms more attractive to hares. To benefit hares, pastural farms should have some woodLand, improved grass and arable crops; arable farms should have wheat, beet and Fallow Land.
Herwig Leirs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Community structure and seasonal abundance of rodents of maize farms in Southwestern Tanzania
2014Co-Authors: Richard Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:ABSTRACT. Community characteristics and seasonal abundance of rodents were investigated in a small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaic in southwestern Tanzania between February 2001 and May 2002. During the study, a total of 2568 rodents were captured in 9150 trapnights giving a 28 % trap success. Also shrews of the genus Croci-dura (Soricidae) were recorded. Mastomys natalensis comprised the highest proportion of rodents caught account-ing for 82.9 % of all captures. Other rodent genera captured included: Tatera, Saccostomus, Graphiurus, and Steat-omys. Relative densities as measured by both trap success and the number of rodents per hectare, and biomass varied between seasons with and without crop in the field but not between habitat types. The work reports seasonal-ity in breeding for the two most commonly trapped species, Mastomys natalensis and Tatera leucogaster
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dietary differences of the multimammate mouse mastomys natalensis smith 1834 across different habitats and seasons in tanzania and swaziLand
Wildlife Research, 2011Co-Authors: Loth S. Mulungu, Apia W. Massawe, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ara Monadjem, Abdul Katakweba, Jan Kennis, Thembalilahlwa A M Mahlaba, Dieter Crauwels, Seth J Eiseb, Herwig LeirsAbstract:Context. The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834), is an important agricultural pest in southern and eastern Africa where it can cause significant crop losses. Mastomys natalensis is known to consume a variety of food in response to the availability of food items. However, it is currently unknown whether maize crop growth stages affect the spatio-temporal diet of this species. Aims. We examined the foods consumed by M. natalensis in different habitats and seasons in central Tanzania and SwaziLand. Methods. Diet was investigated in Tanzania in four different habitats (woodLand, vegetable gardens, maize fields and Fallow Land) during different maize crop growth stages between March 2008 and February 2009. In SwaziLand, this was conducted in three habitats (Fallow Land, cultivated fields and pristine Land) during three crop growth stages (pre-planting, vegetative stage and post-harvest) between March 2008 and April 2009. Micro-histological examination of undigested fragmentsfromthestomachsoftrappedanimalswasmadewherebythepreservedstomachcontentwasplacedinaPetridish andsortedusinga25� or50� magnificationbinocularstereoscope.Stomachcontentswereidentifiedas:grainand/orseeds (both grassesandmaize),plantmaterial(roots,stems andleaves),invertebrates, podsofseeds,fruits(vegetablefruit suchas tomato), animal hairs and unidentified matter. If necessary, a lugol solution was used to determine the presence of starch for maize and grass seeds or grains. Keyresults.Inbothcountries,grainpredominatedinthedietofM.natalensis.Statisticalanalysesshowedthattherewere no differences due to seasons or habitats. Therefore, the percentage volume and relative importance were the same across habitats and seasons in both countries. Conclusions. Our findings highlight clearly that M. natalensis is a generalist species feeding on available resources depending on the season and the habitat. Its preference for grain may account for its abundance in maize plantations and confirms it as one of the major pests in crop plantations, especially grain. Implications.Thisinformationoffersausefultoolfordeterminingthepeststatusindifferenthabitatsand/orseasons.The findings of this study have implications for agriculture and conservation.
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differences in diet between two rodent species mastomys natalensis and gerbilliscus vicinus in Fallow Land habitats in central tanzania
African Zoology, 2011Co-Authors: Loth S. Mulungu, Apia W. Massawe, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ara Monadjem, Abdul Katakweba, Jan Kennis, Thembalilahlwa A M Mahlaba, Dieter Crauwels, Seth J Eiseb, Herwig LeirsAbstract:Differences in the ecological niche requirements among rodent species competing in the same habitat may result from differences in the use of one to three resources: space, time and food or some combination of these. Alternatively, differences in resource use utilization among animal species may simply reflect availability of food, and when food is limited, different animal species compete. In this study, the diet of two rodent pest species, Mastomys natalensis and Gerbilliscus vicinus, coexisting in Fallow Land in central Tanzania were studied to assess the degree of diet differentiation among them. Dietary niche breadth of G. vicinus was greater than that of M. natalensis in all stages of the maize cropping seasons. The rodent species studied overlapped considerably in the food items consumed ranging from niche overlap (Ojk) of 0.77–0.89. Grains/seeds featured high in the diet of M. natalensis while plant material occurrence was high in G. vicinus. These two food categories may have contributed to diffe...
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demography reproductive biology and diet of the bushveld gerbil tatera leucogaster rodentia gerbillinae in the lake rukwa valley south western tanzania
Integrative Zoology, 2008Co-Authors: Richard O Odhiambo, Herwig Leirs, Rhodes H. Makundi, Ron VerhagenAbstract:Seasonal abundance, reproductive biology and feeding ecology of the bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster (Peters, 1852) were investigated in small-scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaics in south-western Tanzania. The gerbils were collected over a 2-year period using Sherman live and Victor hold-fast snap traps in permanent 4.5-ha grids. A total of 664 individuals were captured over 13 650 trap nights, giving an overall trap success rate of 4.9%. Trap success varied between seasons with and without crops in the field but not between habitat types. At this site, the breeding activity of this species is seasonal. All individuals whose stomachs were analyzed ate a wide range of items, indicating omnivory in this species at this site; however, seeds were the most preferred diet category, with a mean contribution of 50.4%, followed by arthropods, with a mean contribution of 25.7%. Other plant materials became important during the very dry periods.
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spatial dynamics of mastomys natalensis in a field Fallow mosaic in tanzania
Belgian Journal of Zoology 127(Suppl. ), 1997Co-Authors: Herwig Leirs, Ron Verhagen, Christopher A Sabuni, Patrick Mwanjabe, Walter VerheyenAbstract:The population dynamics of Mastomys natalensis rats is reported for a 3-year study of monthly CMR-trapping in a small scale maize field-Fallow Land mosaic in Tanzania. The seasonal evolution of rodent presence was the same in both habitat types and it was not affected by agricul- tural activities in the fields. About one week after planting, there was a short increase of rodent cap- tures in the maize fields, but this disappeared again after a few days. Recolonisation of fields was achieved very fast after a rodent control operation. Radiotelemetry indicated that many individuals were active in the maize field as well as in the Fallow Land. We concluded that, in a small scale set- up, the field and Fallow Land rodent populations are not separated and the latter should not be con- sidered as necessary refuges. This renders several rodent control approaches unsuitable.