Seasonal breeding in three sympatric rodent species in semi-arid Tigray, northern Ethiopia

Abstract

We investigated the breeding activity of three sympatric rodent species: Stenocephalemys albipes, Mastomys awashensis, and Acomys cahirinus, in the semi-arid region of Tigray in northern Ethiopia, using mark-recapture data, to determine the influence of rainfall on their breeding patterns within exclosure (i.e., protected area from livestock grazing). Breeding activities of S. albipes and M. awashensis commenced during the wet season, continued into the early dry season, and ceased during the subsequent dry season. The proportion of breeding females reached its peak during the wet season, gradually declining until the dry season. In contrast, A. cahirinus exhibited a different breeding strategy, with year-round breeding, including during the dry season, a period characterized by limited resources. A significant difference in the proportion of breeding females among the three species was observed across seasons. Furthermore, all species shared a common trend of heightened breeding activity, particularly at the conclusion of the wet season and the onset of the early dry season. These findings enhance our understanding of the interplay between rainfall and seasonal breeding within exclosures, while other variables remain constant. Moreover, the region's future plans for managing rodents and the establishment of exclosures must take this information into account.

Keywords

breeding; exclosure; rodents; rainfall; Tigray

Published in

Mammalia
2024, volume: 88, number: 4, pages: 2391-2401
Publisher: WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH

SLU Authors

• Meheretu, Yonas

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Mekelle University

UKÄ Subject classification

Zoology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2023-0100

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129398