Habitat associations and competition in Mastomys‐Saccostomus‐Aetlwmys assemblages on coastal dune forests

Abstract

SummaryThe northern coastal dune forests of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, are inhabited by several rodent species. Three of these (Mastomys natalensis, Saccostomus campestris and Aethomys chrysophilus) occur commonly. The hypothesis was investigated that habitat characteristics, and not species interactions, explain most of the variation in species‐specific densities of these three species. Existing data were collated and the relationships between species‐specific densities determined. In addition, a trapping programme was established between July 1993 and February 1995, during which species‐specific densities were estimated and 16 habitat variables measured. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship (i.e. not causation) between species‐specific densities and a suite of habitat variables. No additional explanation of variation in species‐specific densities by densities of other species were evident when habitat variables have been accounted for. It is concluded that most of the variation in species‐specific densities of a Mastomys‐Saccostomus‐Aethomys assemblage can be explained by habitat variables rather than species interactions.