Population structure of small mammals with different seasons and habitats in Arditsy Forest, Awi Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study on the population structure of small mammals was carried out in Aridtsy Forest, Awi Zone from August 2011 to February 2012 incorporating both wet and dry seasons. Sherman live traps and snap traps in four randomly selected different trapping grids where distinct habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, grassland and farmland were employed. During this study a total of 468 individuals, including eight species of small mammals (live traps) and 89 individuals counting six species of small mammals (snap traps) were trapped in a total of 2352 and 1200 trap nights, respectively. From overall trap, seven species of small mammals were under family muridae and a single species was belonging to family Soricidae. There was also a variation in trap success among different habitat types, with the highest in the bushland. There was an affinity to caught more males comprised 59.7% and females 40.3% of the total capture. There was a statistically significant variation in the capture of adults between seasons, but no statistical variation for subadult and young age groups was recorded between seasons.

Preliminary checklist on species composition of small mammals and birds in Marine Research Excellence Centre (MAREC), Pulau Tuba.

“…We also found that the number of females was more abundant than the males in most species captured. This study was in line with [23] which reported the high number of females during the wet season. This is due to the reproductive rates being higher during the rainy season in both sexes of small mammals as it is related to the polygyny behaviour in small mammals [24].…”

“…The sex ratio is likely biased towards females since females are more likely to travel farther than males do, increasing their risk of getting trapped. This leads to seasonal reproduction which causes newborn recruitment to peak near the end of the breeding season and results in a surge in the number of juveniles [23]. A study by [25] reported that the neuroendocrine mechanisms affect how birds and mammals regulate their seasonal reproductive cycles.…”