Species composition and abundance of rodents in Kafta-Sheraro National Park, Ethiopia: preliminary results

Abstract

An ecological survey was conducted to assess the species composition and abundance of rodents in Kafta-Sheraro National Park, Ethiopia from June 2017 to April 2018 covering wet and dry seasons. Rodents were trapped using Sherman live traps from five selected habitat types—natural forest, bushland, grassland, farmland, and human settlement. A total of 209 individuals of rodents belonging to seven species were captured over 2940 trap nights, and three species of rodents were only observed. The trapped rodent species include Mastomys natalensis, Stenocephalemys albipes, Rattus rattus, Mastomys awashensis, Acomys cahirinus, Arvicanthis niloticus dembeensis, and Mastomys erythroleucus. Lemniscomys striatus, Hystrix cristata, and Xerus rutilus were only sighted during the study. Mastomys natalensis was the most abundant species (41.1%), followed by Stenocephalemys albipes (26.3%) and Rattus rattus (18.2%), whereas Mastomys erythroleucus (1.4%) was the least abundant species. The abundance of female (59.8%) was higher than male (40.2%). Of the total trapped rodents, 52.2% were adults, 32% sub-adult and 15.8% young. The abundance of rodents was varied among habitat types and between seasons. The results of the study revealed that the park has diverse species of fauna including rodents.

Seasonal variation of non-volant small mammals in Gibe Sheleko national park, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…In this study, during both seasons, the abundance of adult small mammals was higher than the number of sub-adult and young small mammals. This is in agreement with the studies of Redwan Mohammed et al (2017) and Alembrhan Assefa and Srinivasulu (2019), where capturing of more adult small mammals may be associated with their body size making it suitable for trappings or adults may have higher smelling capacity to human induced food items such as mixed peanut butter bait, as well as utilization of relatively larger home ranges.…”

Species composition, abundance and habitat association of non‐volant small mammals in Gibe Sheleko National Park, southwestern Ethiopia

“…From the 10 documented species, M. natalensis wa s numerically the most abundant and widely distributed species. Similar results were reported by Datiko et al (2007); Bantihun and Bekele (2015) and Assefa and Srinivasulu (2019a). In the study area, high population of M. natalensis was recorded in farmland habitat.…”

“…This might be associated with the presence of food availability and the decline of natural predators due to human pressure. According to Byrom et al (2014Byrom et al ( , 2015 Similar results were reported by Datiko et al (2007); Bantihun and Bekele (2015) and Assefa and Srinivasulu (2019a). In the study area, high population of M. natalensis was recorded in farmland habitat.…”

“…Species richness (13 species) in the present study was lower than the findings of Habtamu and Bekele (2008) 29 species in Alatish National Park, Workeneh et al (2011) 24 species in Nechisar National Park and, Datiko and Bekele (2014) 18 species in Chebera Churchura National Park. But it was higher than the findings of Yimer and Yirga (2013) 9 species in Mazie National Park and, Assefa and Srinivasulu (2019a) 10 species in Kafta Sheraro National Park. Such variation may be related to the variation in habitat diversity and productivity, degree of human‐induced disturbances, diversity and abundance of natural predators, trapping effort, kinds of traps and baits used (Assefa & Srinivasulu, 2019a; Datiko & Bekele, 2014; Habtamu & Bekele, 2008).…”

Effects of prescribed burning on rodent community ecology in Serengeti National Park

“…In addition, this study observed an increase in the number of adults in the burned area. This may be due to their larger home range, more active movement, and higher social ranking as identified by Assefa & Srinivasulu (2019). A decrease of subadults in the burned fields could be argued to be due to decreased vegetation and predation.…”