Population dynamics of small mammals at Mlawula, Swaziland

摘要

Population density, biomass and composition of a small mammal community in an Acacia nigrescens savanna were studied over 12 months from August 2000. The community consisted of Mus minutoides (A. Smith 1834), Mastomys natalensis (A. Smith 1834), Lemniscomys rosalia (Thomas 1904), Crocidura hirta (Peters 1952), Steatomys pratensis (Peters 1846); and on one occasion, Graphiurus murinus (Desmarest 1822) was caught. M. minutoides was the dominant species in the site. Species richness was found to vary significantly with the time of the year. The density of M. minutoides was significantly high in winter and low in the other seasons, the ratio of males to females was found to be equal, and pregnant females were caught from November to May. The biomass of small mammals in the area (also density and numbers) was generally low (mean biomass 212 g ha(-1)). The occurrence of new individuals in catches remained high throughout the study, suggesting a high mortality or emigration rate or a combination of the two.