The distribution of two medically and agriculturally important cryptic rodent species, <i>Mastomys natalensis</i> and <i>M. coucha</i> (Rodentia: Muridae) in South Africa

Venturi, Federico; Chimimba, Christian T.; Aarde, Rudi J. van; Fairall, N.

doi:10.1080/15627020.2004.11657220

Cited by 19 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…These sites represent the core distributional range of each of the species see Venturi et al (2004). Electrophoresis and chromosomal analyses of individuals from these two sites confirmed their taxonomic status.…”

Section: Micementioning

confidence: 92%

“…From earlier studies (Gordon, 1984;Dippenaar et al, 1993;Smit et al, 2001;Jackson and van Aarde, 2003;Venturi et al, 2004) it seems that M. natalensis is confined to the mesic warm regions of the savana biome, while M. coucha is confined to the drier grasslands (Rutherford and Westfall, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…M. natalensis are primarily distributed in the mesic eastern parts of southern Africa, while M. coucha are abundant in the more arid central parts (Smit et al, 2001;Venturi et al, 2004). Therefore, Haim and Fourie (1980, 1981 and Fourie and Haim (1981) incorrectly refer to M. coucha collected outside Pretoria, as Praomys natalensis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Daily rhythms of body temperature and heat production of sibling mastomys species from different ecosystems — The response to photoperiod manipulations

Haim

Zubidat

Aarde

2008

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular &

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We compared body temperature (T b ) and metabolic rates, measured as oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), daily rhythms of two sibling species of the genus Mastomys. We also studied their responses to long day (16L: 8D, LD) and short day (8L: 16D, SD) photoperiod manipulations at a constant ambient temperature of 26 + 1°C. We noted significant differences in T b and VO 2 daily rhythm patterns, under SD and LD-acclimation between the sibling species. These differences explain adaptation to the climatic conditions that prevail in the different ecosystems where these species live. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that physiological differences between the two siblings are measured by using chronobiological methods.

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Section: Micementioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Daily rhythms of body temperature and heat production of sibling mastomys species from different ecosystems — The response to photoperiod manipulations

Haim

Zubidat

Aarde

2008

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular &

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“…They are also considered to be agricultural pests and vectors of disease (e.g. Stenseth et al 2003;Venturi et al 2004). Despite this, small mammals are generally under-represented in mammal research, particularly so in southern Africa (Du Toit and Broomhill 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Untangling the roles of fire, grazing and rainfall on small mammal communities in grassland ecosystems

et al. 2007

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In grassland systems across the globe, ecologists have been attempting to understand the complex role of fire, grazing and rainfall in creating habitat heterogeneity and the consequences of anthropogenic control of these factors on ecosystem integrity and functioning. Using a South African grassland ecosystem as a model, we investigated the impact of fire and grazing pressure on small mammal communities during three differing periods of a rainfall cycle. Over 2 years, 15,203 trap nights revealed 1598 captures of 11 species (nine rodents, one macroscelid and one insectivore). Results highlighted the importance of the interplay between factors and showed that the role of fire, grazing and rainfall in determining small mammal abundance was species-dependant. While no two species were affected by the same environmental variables, grass cover or height was important to 56% of species. Considered independently, high rainfall had a positive influence on small mammal abundance and diversity, although the lag period in population response was species-specific. High grazing negatively affected overall abundance, but specifically in Mastomys coucha; fire alone had little immediate impact on small mammal diversity. Six months after the fire, vegetation cover had recovered to similar levels as unburned areas, although small mammal diversity and richness were higher in burned areas than unburned areas. Grazing levels influenced the rate of vegetation recovery. In conclusion, low-level grazing and burning can help to maintain small mammal biodiversity, if conducted under appropriate rainfall levels. A too high grazing pressure, combined with fire, and/or fire conducted under drought conditions can have a negative impact on small mammal biodiversity. To maintain small mammal diversity in grassland ecosystems, the combined effects of the previous year's rainfall and existing population level as well as the inhibition of vegetation recovery via grazing pressure need to be taken into consideration before fire management is applied.

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“…Because both M. coucha and M. natalensis occur in the area (Venturi et al 2004), and it is impossible to distinguish between them using external characteristics, all multi-mammate mice trapped during this study will be referred to as Mastomys spp. This 'species' was expected in relatively high numbers in the burnt areas as it has been reported to numerically dominate the terrestrial small mammal fauna in recently disturbed areas (see Meester et al 1979;Bronner et al 1988;Linn 1991;Rowe-Rowe 1995;Leirs et al 1996;Monadjem 1997;Ferreira & Van Aarde 2000;Caro 2001;Avenant 2011).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of fire on rodent abundance at the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

et al. 2012

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The relative population numbers of rodents were studied in nine habitats in and outside the N'washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, before and after burning the firebreaks that surround the enclosure. Trap success was exceptionally high, and the field work is suspected to have coincided with a Mastomys population explosion. This genus dominated the small mammal communities before and after the burn, and never disappeared from the burnt patches. Its numbers also did not crash directly after the burn, as have been reported in most other studies. Movement from the burnt areas was observed, which may have had a significant impact on the numbers of rodents caught both inside the enclosure and in the more natural areas outside. Our study suggests that fire can be investigated as a tool to keep rodent densities down in areas where they are nuisance animals, especially when used in conjunction with models that forecast outbreaks of Mastomys. It also emphasizes the value of long-term studies informing management strategies for animal damage control and biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

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The distribution of two medically and agriculturally important cryptic rodent species, Mastomys natalensis and M. coucha (Rodentia: Muridae) in South Africa

Cited by 19 publications

References 15 publications

Daily rhythms of body temperature and heat production of sibling mastomys species from different ecosystems — The response to photoperiod manipulations

Daily rhythms of body temperature and heat production of sibling mastomys species from different ecosystems — The response to photoperiod manipulations

Untangling the roles of fire, grazing and rainfall on small mammal communities in grassland ecosystems

The influence of fire on rodent abundance at the N’washitshumbe enclosure site, Kruger National Park, South Africa

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