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- Publisher
- Wiley
- Copyright
- Copyright © 1995 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
- ISSN
- 0141-6707
- eISSN
- 1365-2028
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1365-2028.1995.tb00798.x
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
Summary The diet, seasonal abundance and microhabitats of Praomys natalensis, Tatera robusta, Mus minutoides and M. triton, live‐trapped on a five ha grid over an eight‐month period, were studied in a dry sub‐humid grassland in Kahawa, Kenya. All the species were found to be omnivorous, feeding mainly on seeds and arthropods, with herbage forming a small but regular part of their diet. The diet of Praomys, though similar to that of M. minutoides, was significantly (P<0·01) different from those of Tatera and M. triton. Rodent populations were low with trapping success for all the species ranging from 0·4 to 4·7% with Praomys being 73% of total captures. Habitat association among the rodents was evident given that Praomys was strongly (P<0·01) associated with Panicum maximum, and Tatera with Hyparrhenia spp. and Themeda triandra, respectively (P<0·05). Praomys and Tatera were not only negatively associated (P<0·01), but also showed a low overlap value (0·2) in their use of the microhabitats. It would appear that differences in microhabitat use and dietary habits among the rodents were important factors in resource partitioning. Availability of adequate cover associated with rainfall was a notable component influencing Praomys abundance in this habitat. Résumé On a étudié le régime alimentaire, l'abondance saisonnière et le micro‐habitat de Praomys natalensis, Tatera robusta, Mus minutoides et M. triton, attrapés vivants sur un terrain de 5 ha, pendant une période de huit mois, dans une savane semihumide asséchée de Kahawa, au Kenya. On a trouvé que toutes les espèces étaient omnivores, se nourrissant principalement de graines et d'arthropodes, et l'herbe consituant une part restreinte mais régulière de leur régime alimentaire. Le régime alimentaire de Praomys, assez semblable à celui de M. minutoides, était significativement différent (p<0,01) de celui de Tatera et de M. triton. Les populations de rongeurs éttaient réduites, avec un taux de piégeage variant selon les espèces de 0,4 à 4,7%, Praomys constituant 73% du total des captures. L'association des rongeurs avec un habitat particulier était évidente, à savoir que Praomysétait fortement (p<0,01) associéàPanicum maximum, et Tatera avec Hyparrhenia spp. et Themeda triandra respectivement (p<0,05). Praomys et Tatera n'étaient pas seulement négativement associés (p<0,01), mais présentaient aussi une basse valeur de recouvrement (0,2) dans leur utilisation des microhabitats. It semblerait que les différences dans l'utilisation des micro‐habitats et les habitudes alimentaires soient des facteurs importants pour le partage des ressources. La présence d'un couvert adéquat, associéà des chutes de pluie, était un élément important qui influençait l'abondance de Praomys dans cet habitat.
Journal
African Journal of Ecology – Wiley
Published: Sep 1, 1995