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Ecology of the small mammals in the riverine forests of the Jubba Valley, Southern Somalia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Nigel Varty
Nigel Varty
Affiliation:
Somalia Research Project, c/o Ecology and Conservation Unit, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, England
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Abstract

Seven species of rodent, Paraxerus ochraceus, Tatera robusta, Saccostomus meamsi, Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis, Acomys dimidiatus, Thamnomys (Grammomys) dolichurus and Hystrix cristata were recorded in the riverine forests of the Jubba Valley, southern Somalia, in the dry season of 1986. Acomys dimidiatus was the most common of the five species trapped. Overall trap success was low, but increased over successive days. Saccostomus mearnsi, Praomys natalensis, Acomys dimidiatus and Thamnomys dolichurus all showed signs of breeding, and pregnant females of A. dimidiatus and T. dolichurus were trapped until the end of the dry season. Analysis of stomach contents revealed that all five trapped species relied heavily on seeds and, where comparisons could be made, the degree of overlap in diets was high. The findings are discussed in relation to the environmental conditions in the forest and neighbouring habitats.

Keywords

dietecologyfloodingJubba Valleyreproductionriverine forestsmall mammalsSomalia
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , May 1990 , pp. 179 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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