Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T15:31:40.621Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The ecology of small mammals in Ogba Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

John Giobaguan Iyawe
John Giobaguan Iyawe
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A total of 392 small mammals belonging to five species of small rodents and four species of shrews were caught. The small mammals and their percentage composition were Crocidura nigeriae (20.9%), Crocidura grandiceps (11.7%), Crocidura crossei (9.7%), Crocidura flavescens manni (20.4%), Mus musculoides (39.0%), Praomys tullbergi (11.5%), Lophuromys sikapusi (3.6%), Lemniscomys striatus (1.3%), and Arvicanthis niloticus (0.3%).

There were monthly variations in the number of Mus musculoides and Crocidura nigeriae.

In Mus musculoides breeding was at a maximum at the beginning and towards the end of the wet season and early dry season. In Crocidura nigeriae breeding was maximal during the wet season and low in the dry season.

The seasonal changes in the age structure of the two most common species: Mus musculoides and Crocidura nigeriae, are described.

Keywords

lowland rain forestNigeriarodentsshrews
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 5 , Issue 1 , February 1989 , pp. 51 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

LITERATURE CITED

Anadu, P. A. 1974. The ecology and breeding biology of small rodents in the derived savanna zone of South-Western Nigeria. Ph.D. thesis, University of Ibadan.Google Scholar
Delany, M. J. 1972. The ecology of small rodents in tropical Africa. Mammal Review, 2(I): 1–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Delany, M. J. & Roberts, C. J. 1978. Seasonal population changes of rodents in the Kenya rift valley. Bulletin of Carnegie Museum of Natural History 6:79–108.Google Scholar
Everard, C. O. R. 1968. A report on the rodent and other vertebrate pests of cocoa in Western Nigeria. Report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Western Nigeria, Resources Division, Zoology Section, 123 pp.Google Scholar
Funmilayo, O. 1973a. Control of rats and mice in domestic premises and on farms. Publicity and information section, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ibadan, Nigeria. 20 pp.Google Scholar
Funmilayo, O. 1973b. A general survey of the incidences and control methods of vertebrate pests of crop plants in Western Nigeria. Research Bulletin, No. 1, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, University of Ife, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
Funmilayo, O. & Akande, M. 1974. The ecology, economic impact and control of vertebrate pests of upland rice in the Western State of Nigeria. Research Bulletin 5, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, University of Ife, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
Greaves, J. H. 1964. Report on rodent damage to oil palms on an estate in Eastern Nigeria. Mimeo report of Infestation Control Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Tolworth, Surrey, England.Google Scholar
Happold, D. C. D. 1975. The effects of climate and vegetation on the distribution of small rodents in Western Nigeria. Zeitschrift f&ör Saugetierkunde 40:221–242.Google Scholar
Happold, D. C. D. 1977. A population study on small rodents in the tropical rain forest of Nigeria. Terre et vie 31:385–458.Google Scholar
Hayne, D. W. 1949. Two methods of estimating population from trapping records. Journal of Mammalogy 30 (4):399–411.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hutterer, R. & Happold, D. C. D. 1983. The shrews of Nigeria. Mammalia: Soricidae Bonner Zoologische Monographien 18:1–79.Google Scholar
Hutchinson, J. & Dalziel, J. M. 1954-1972. Flora of West Tropical Africa 2nd ed., vols 1–3 (Revised by Keay, R. W. J. & Hepper, F. N.). Crown agents, London.Google Scholar
Jewell, P. A. & Oates, J. F. 1969. Breeding activity in prosimians and small rodents in West Africa. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Supplement 6:23–38.Google Scholar
Negus, N. C. & Pinter, A. J. 1966. Reproductive responses of Microtus montanus to plants and plant extracts in the diet. Journal of Mammalogy 47:596–601.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Newsome, A. E. 1966. The influence of food on breeding in the red Kangaroo in Central Australia. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Wildlife Research 11:184–196.Google Scholar
Prasad, M. R. N. 1956. Reproductive cycle of the male Indian gerbills, Tatera indica cuvierii (Waterhouse). Acta Zoologica Stockholm 37:87–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rosevear, D. R. 1969. The rodents of West Africa. British Museum (Natural History), London.Google Scholar