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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
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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

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