Graphiurus Murinus Research Articles

The mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered enigmatic Kazakhstani endemic Selevinia betpakdalaensis (Rodentia: Gliridae) and its phylogenetic relationships with other dormouse species

Dormice (family Gliridae) are an ancient group of rodents. It was fully dominant in the Oligocene and Early Miocene, and its current diversity is represented by a few extant species. A Kazakhstani endemic, the desert dormouse Selevinia betpakdalaensis is one of the most enigmatic dormouse species. Lack of genetic data has not allowed Selevinia to be included in previous molecular phylogenetic analyses. In the current study, we report the first genetic data on S. betpakdalaensis as well as mitochondrial genomes of Myomimus roachi and Glirulus japonicus (retrieved from museum specimens) and a mitogenome of Graphiurus murinus (assembled from SRA data). The assembled mitochondrial genomes were combined with available mitochondrial data from GenBank to reconstruct the mitochondrial phylogeny of Gliridae. Taking into account a distortion of the phylogeny as a result of an analysis of the saturated third codon position, we obtained for the first time a resolved phylogeny of the family. The first split within Gliridae was estimated as an average of 34.6 Mya, whereas divergence time of subfamilies Graphiurinae and Glirinae was assessed at 32.67 Mya. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the relationship (previously shown based on cranial and mandibular morphology) between Selevinia and the Myomimus.

Trypanosome diversity in small mammals in Uganda and the spread of Trypanosoma lewisi to native species

Uganda’s diverse small mammalian fauna thrives due to its rich habitat diversity, which hosts a wide range of blood parasites, including trypanosomes, particularly the subgenus Herpetosoma typical for rodent hosts. We screened a total of 711 small mammals from various habitats for trypanosomes, with 253 microscopically examined blood smears and 458 tissue samples tested by nested PCR of the 18S rRNA gene. Of 51 rodent and 12 shrew species tested, microscopic screening reaches 7% overall prevalence (with four rodent species positive out of 15 and none of the shrew species out of four), while nested PCR indicated a prevalence of 13% (17 rodent and five shrew species positive out of 49 and 10, respectively). We identified 27 genotypes representing 11 trypanosome species, of which the majority (24 genotypes/9 species) belong to the Herpetosoma subgenus. Among these, we detected 15 new genotypes and two putative new species, labeled AF24 (found in Lophuromys woosnami) and AF25 (in Graphiurus murinus). Our finding of three new genotypes of the previously detected species AF01 belonging to the subgenus Ornithotrypanum in two Grammomys species and Oenomys hypoxanthus clearly indicates the consistent occurrence of this avian trypanosome in African small mammals. Additionally, in Aethomys hindei, we detected the putative new species of the subgenus Aneza. Within the T. lewisi subclade, we detected eleven genotypes, including six new; however, only the genotype AF05b from Mus and Rattus represents the invasive T. lewisi. Our study has improved our understanding of trypanosome diversity in African small mammals. The detection of T. lewisi in native small mammals expands the range of host species and highlighting the need for a broader approach to the epidemiology of T. lewisi.

Microhabitat, altitude and seasonal influence on the abundance of non-volant small mammals in Mount Rungwe forest nature reserve

A study on microhabitat, altitudinal and seasonal influences on small mammal abundance in Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania was carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 during the wet and dry seasons. Live traps were used in six grids and six transect lines for capturing small mammals at the low, mid, and high elevations (1700–2600 m.a.s.l.). Generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of microhabitat characteristics, altitude, and seasons on the relative abundance of small mammals. A total of 444 rodents and shrews were recorded on 4320 trap nights. Rodent species recorded included Beamys hindei, Cricetomys ansorgei, Dendromus insignis, Grammomys ibeanus, Graphiurus murinus, Lophuromys machangui, Praomys delectorum, and one shrew, Crocidura sp . Overall, P. delectorum was the most dominant species in all elevations, with 68.9% of all captures. Mid elevation had a higher abundance of small mammals (Estimate ± SE = 1.17 ± 0.49, Z = 2.37, p = 0.0176). Species abundance was influenced differently by elevation. While P. delectorum decreases with increasing elevation, L. machangui increases with an increase in elevation. Although overall small mammal abundance was not affected by microhabitat variables (Estimate ± SE = −0.08 ± 0.13, Z = −0.67, p = 0.5050), individual species ( P. delectorum and L. machangui ; Estimate ± SE = 0.13 ± 0.06, Z = 1.95, p = 0.05 and −0.31 ± 0.09, Z = 3.34, p = 0.0008 respectively) were affected differently. While P. delectorum abundance showed a positive correlation and increased with an increase in PCA1 in GLM, L. machangui had a negative trend that shows they were affected differently. Small mammal abundance, on the other hand, was affected by season and, in particular, rain, with low abundance during heavy rains and dry cold periods (Estimate ± SE = 0.51 ± 0.14, Z = 3.6, p = 0.0003 and 0.3 ± 0.15, Z = 2.08 p = 0.04 respectively). In general, the results show that microhabitat parameters, elevation, and season influenced small mammals’ abundance in MRFNR. This outcome indicates that altering the microhabitat could have an impact on the small mammal assemblage and particularly their abundance. Thus, microhabitat, elevation, and season influence small mammal abundance and can be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of montane tropical small mammal communities.

Monkeypox virus: A comprehensive review of taxonomy, evolution, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and control regiments so far

Poxviruses as a group have variable levels of host ranges and virulence. For example, smallpox, which is caused by the variola virus, only infects humans with fatal outcomes, whereas related viruses, such as cowpox viruses can infect multiple hosts, but only cause mild disease in humans. Recently, the monkeypox virus (MPXV) re-emerged and infected over 780 human cases in over 20 countries worldwide at the time of writing this review. It has been shown before not only monkeys play a role in the transmission of MPXV to humans, but also rodents (Cricetomys gambianus, and Graphiurus murinus) and squirrels (Heliosciurus spp, Funisciurus spp). In addition, anthropogenic actions, such as deforestation, climatic changes, animal-human interfacing, globalization, and the cessation of smallpox vaccination, could contribute to the re-emergence of MPXV. Herein, we review the current nomenclature, epidemiology, genetic diversity of poxviruses, particularly MPXV, and the control regiments, including available antivirals and vaccines. We further highlight the genetic relatedness of the emergent MPXV viruses to know viral lineage using phylogenetic analysis.

Dietary Protein Deficiency Affects Food Consumption and Torpor in the African Woodland Dormouse (Graphiurus murinus)

Many heterotherms employ torpor to conserve energy to cope with food shortage. Food shortage affects not only energy budgets but also other aspects of nutritional status. In addition to serving as an energy substrate, dietary proteins also provide vital nutrients including essential amino acids, some of which cannot be synthesized de novo. We evaluated the hypothesis that dietary protein deficiency induces torpor as a means of adjusting protein metabolism in the African woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus), a rodent with a protein-rich diet and lacking a cecum, which limits the potential for hindgut fermentation and coprophagy. Dormice were fed control and non-protein diets with equivalent energy content every two weeks under thermoneutral conditions. While the dormice did not express torpor under control conditions, some did under protein-deficient conditions. Among dormice expressing torpor, one maintained energy intake comparable to that during the control diet period, whereas the other reduced energy intake due to spontaneously reduced food consumption. These results suggest that torpor can be induced directly or indirectly by dietary protein deficiency even in the absence of energy constraints and thermal stress. In either case, torpor in response to deficiency in certain nutrients can reduce demands of the nutrient.

Land use and habitat selection by small mammals in the Tanzanian Greater Serengeti Ecosystem

Habitat selection is central to shaping the abundance and distribution of organisms in space and time. We analysed land use (National Park, pastoralism and agriculture) and habitat selection by small mammals in the Tanzanian Serengeti Ecosystem, and how selection varies with rainfall seasonality and characteristics of used microhabitats. We trapped 612 small mammals in five habitat types distributed over the three land uses in the wet and dry seasons. The majority of the nine commonest species selected at least two of the three land uses and several habitat types, indicating wide distribution in the ecosystem. Crocidura spp., Dendromus melanotis, Graphiurus murinus, Mus sorella and Mus sp. selected the more intact and least disturbed National Park and apparently avoided the disturbed pastoral or agricultural lands while Aethomys sp., Arvicanthis niloticus, Gerbilliscus vicinus and Mastomys natalensis mainly selected the pastoral and agricultural lands. Land use and habitat selection patterns were consistent between seasons for four species. Thus, D. melanotis, G. murinus, Crocidura spp. and Mus sp. selected the park in both seasons but had lower relative abundances in the dry season. Pest and opportunistic species that prefer seeds mainly selected either the shrubland and cropland in both seasons (A. niloticus and G. vicinus), or the cropland in both the pastoral and agricultural lands but had higher relative abundances in the dry season (Aethomys sp. and M. natalensis). Most habitat specialists selected the park, which comprised of more diverse and less disturbed habitats. In contrast, generalist and pest species selected the disturbed pastoral and agricultural lands, implying that intensifying human activities near protected area edges favor opportunistic and pest species less sensitive to disturbance. These findings show that human disturbance alters ecological communities, impoverishing them by displacing specialist species to the benefit of pest species, which, in turn, may negatively affect human activities and livelihoods.

Patterns of nest box sharing in woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): Evidence for intra-sexual tolerance and communal nesting

Nest sharing in rodents and other vertebrates is believed to be promoted by the gain of thermoregulatory advantages, reproductive imperatives or to be a by-product of other benefits to group living. Here, we studied the patterns of nest box sharing over a yearly cycle in a wild population of the arboreal, nocturnal and heterothermic woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus). We evaluated whether the timing of dormouse aggregations and group composition were compatible with thermoregulatory or reproductive imperatives. Nest box sharing between two or more dormice was observed throughout the year and was not correlated with monthly minimum temperatures. Therefore, the observed aggregations could not be exclusively related to the gain of a thermoregulatory advantage. All-male and all-female aggregations were more frequent during the mating season, following which some females seemed to engage in communal nesting and continued to share nests with some of their offspring well beyond the weaning period. Our data suggest that nest sharing was only partly affected by basic reproductive needs. We hypothesize that dormouse aggregations were ultimately favoured by a high level of intra-sexual tolerance elicited by the presence of numerous kin-related and familiar individuals in the population. This seems to stem from the high inter-individual spatial overlaps and the promiscuous mating system previously reported in this species. Further studies focusing on natural resting sites and genetic relatedness between individuals are needed to confirm our findings and test our hypothesis.

The nocturnal activity of a commonly housed rodent: How African pygmy dormice (Graphiurus murinus) respond to an enriched environment?

Exotic rodents are becoming increasingly popular in industry; however, there is limited empirical evidence to guide husbandry practices. African pygmy dormice (Graphiurus murinus) are typical in this respect. This research aimed to determine the effect of environmental enrichment on the behavior (including stereotypical scratching at the glass walls of the enclosure) and space use of a group of eight African pygmy dormice at Sparsholt College Hampshire, UK. An apple-wood climbing grid and three raised (at various heights above the substrate) woven-wicker nest boxes were provided. Instantaneous scan sampling was used to record 150 hours of nocturnal behavior (19:00–07:00 daily) over five experimental phases (phase 1 baseline; phase 2 climbing grid provided; phase 3 lower nest box provided; phase 4 middle nest box provided; phase 5 higher nest box provided). Space use was determined using the modified Spread of Participation Index. Nest box use was recorded continually. The provision of the climbing grid significantly increased the groups' time spent eating, digging, gnawing, and climbing and significantly decreased stereotypic scratching at glass. It also significantly changed the use of all enclosure zones, with mice utilizing the highest zones as soon as they were accessible. The addition of raised nesting opportunity saw the highest zones of the enclosure become those preferentially used. It also totally diminished stereotypic scratching at glass. The highest nest box was preferentially used and use of terrestrial nest boxes (those placed directly on top of the substrate) reduced significantly when raised alternatives were provided. This study suggests those working with African pygmy dormice should provide an enriched enclosure via “arboreal” opportunity to increase active behaviors and reduce stereotypy.

Population biology of the woodland dormouse Graphiurus murinus in a riverine Combretum forest, South Africa

Until recently, very little was known of the biology and ecology of the woodland dormouse Graphiurus murinus, a nocturnal and arboreal rodent belonging to the family Gliridae. Here, we aimed to increase our knowledge on its population biology in a riverine Combretum forest of the Albany Thicket Biome, South Africa. Data were collected between February 2006 and June 2007 by means of a monthly live-trapping and nest-box monitoring programme, but complementary information on reproduction was opportunistically obtained in 2008–2011 and 2017. During the main study period, the dormouse population showed a steady increase from winter to spring, and a peak of 16 ind. ha−1 in summer, as a result of the influx of juveniles. Winter mortality and/or spring dispersal accounted for the disappearance of 55% of subadults. The annual adult:juvenile ratio was 1.08, whereas the overall sex ratio was 1.94 females per one male. In females, reproductive activity was observed from September to end January (spring– summer). The pattern observed in males was similar, because dormice with descended testes were exclusively found from October to end January. Parturition occurred from the second half of October to the beginning of December, but observations made in 2009 and 2011 indicated that births can take place as late as mid-February. Litters (n = 15) consisted of an average (± SD) of 3.88 ± 0.81 young. We provide evidence that some females can give birth to two litters during the same breeding period, with a 5- to 6-week interval, hence indicating the occurrence of post-partum mating in woodland dormice. Multi-year data from different habitat types are needed in order to confirm and advance our knowledge on this species’ population biology and dynamics.

Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize-growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda.

Pest rodents remain key biotic constraints to cereal crops production in the East African region where they occur, especially in seasons of outbreaks. Despite that, Uganda has scant information on rodents as crop pests to guide effective management strategies.A capture–mark–recapture (CMR) technique was employed to study the ecology of small rodents, specifically to establish the species composition and community structure in a maize‐based agro ecosystem. Trapping of small rodents was conducted in permanent fallow land and cultivated fields, with each category replicated twice making four study grids. At each field, a 60 × 60 m grid was measured and marked with permanent trapping points spaced at 10 × 10 m, making a total of 49 trapping points/grids. Trapping was conducted monthly at 4‐week interval for three consecutive days for two and half years using Sherman live traps.Eleven identified small rodent species and one insectivorous small mammal were recorded with Mastomys natalensis being the most dominant species (over 60.7%). Other species were Mus triton (16.1%), Aethomys hendei (6.7%), Lemniscomys zebra (5.2%), Lophuromys sikapusi (4.8%), Arvicanthis niloticus (0.9%), Gerbilliscus kempi (0.1%), Graphiurus murinus (0.1%), Steatomys parvus (0.1%), Dasymys incomtus (0.1%), and Grammomys dolichurus (0.1%). Spatially, species richness differed significantly (p = 0.0001) between the studied field habitats with significantly higher richness in fallow land compared with cultivated fields.Temporally, total species richness and abundance showed a significant interaction effect over the months, years, and fields of trapping with significantly (p = 0.001) higher abundances during months of wet seasons and in the first and third year of trapping. In terms of community structure, higher species diversity associated more with fallow field habitats but also with certain rare species found only in cultivated fields.Synthesis and applications. Based on these findings, management strategies can be designed to target the key pest species and the most vulnerable habitats thus reducing the impact they can inflict on field crops.

Some Initial Observations Concerning the African Wild Banana Ensete ventricosum as a Resource for Vertebrates

The ecological role and significance of “African wild bananas” Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae) are unknown. We considered if E. ventricosum, with its sustained flowering and fruiting, might act in some ways like a keystone species by supporting animal populations during periods of resource scarcity. We deployed camera traps facing flowers or fruits of E. ventricosum for a total of 40 camera months in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. We recorded 1,691 visitor events by 11 vertebrate species to flowers and fruits (1,129 events by five species to flowers and 562 events by eight species to fruits); these visitors included potential pollinators and seed dispersers. Frequent visitors to flowers were the African dormouse Graphiurus murinus (53.3%), Nectar bat Megaloglossus woermanni (43.8%), and sunbirds (family Nectariniidae) (2.4%) while those to fruits were Carruther’s mountain squirrel Funisciurus carruthersi (54.1%), L'hoest's monkey Allochrocebus l’hoesti (18.7%), and Forest giant pouched rat Cricetomys emini (18.6%). Flower visitors were mainly nocturnal (with birds favoring dusk), while fruit visitors exhibited both diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns. The data indicate that by producing flowers and fruits continuously, E. ventricosum should support animal populations when other flower and fruit resources are scarce. We speculate that establishing these plants in degraded areas may facilitate forest resilience and recovery while providing fallback resources to many species. Such plant species are prime contenders for protection and restoration.

Animal welfare aspects in the trade of (exotic) mammals on German animal fairs and pet markets

Several hundred animal fairs and pet markets annually take place in Germany . As part of the EXOPET-I-Study, we visited 17 animal fairs in 2016 to gain insight into the traded (exotic) mammal species. Furthermore, we assessed whether the accommodation of the mammals was compliant with the ‘Guidelines for Animal Fairs under Animal Welfare Aspects’ (Guidelines for Animal Fairs) issued by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture in 2006. At the visited fairs, 25 mammal species were offered for sale. Among them were rarely kept (exotic) mammals such as forest African dormouse (Graphiurus murinus) or grey shorttailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). At all fairs, we found animal welfare problems concerning feed and water supply, sufficiently sized cages, adequate litter, and retreat possibility. At only one animal fair, water was freely available for each animal in all cages. Adequate feed was missing in over 20 % of the cages at nine animal fairs. At 11 animal fairs, the required cage size did not comply with the Guidelines for Animal Fairs in over 60 % of the cages. Sturdy retreat possibilities were missing in over 60 % of the cages at 16 animal fairs. The Guidelines for Animal Fairs should be implemented more stringently at animal fairs to guarantee standardized procedures throughout Germany and improve animal welfare. A main objective here is to improve on-site quality control by competent authorities and by experts (e.g. specialized veterinarians) from veterinary inspection offices assisting the authorities during on-site welfare inspections.

Individual vs. non-individual acoustic signalling in African woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus)

Animals that live in cohesive groups often use social calls for long-distance communication, particularly in low-visibility habitats, whereas other call types are only used to communicate over short distances. According to the “distance-communication hypothesis” only the former should encode individual information while the latter should not because individuals are in visual or olfactory contact when calls are broadcast. We used the African woodland dormouse Graphiurus murinus, a social rodent whose vocal repertoire is still poorly known, as a model species to test the hypothesis that long-range but not short-range calls will structurally differ across individuals. By conducting controlled video- and audio recordings in captivity, we associated calls to non-vocal behaviours in G. murinus and selected two call types (contact and aggressive calls) that clearly served long- and short-range communication respectively. In agreement with the distance-communication hypothesis, only contact but not aggressive calls differed significantly among subjects. Although we did not test the actual function of such variation, the latter provides a structural basis for the transmission of individual information. This is the first time this hypothesis is tested in a small non-volant mammal. Our study also provides the first description of acoustic behaviour in G. murinus.

English

An ecological study on population structure of rodents was conducted in Alage, Southern Ethiopia. Sherman live traps were used to capture rodents in four habitats and trapping sessions. A total of 684 rodents that represented 11 species were captured. Regarding population size and density, Mastomys natalensis was the dominant species followed by Arvicanthis dembeensis while the least was observed in Graphiurus murinus in the study period. The highest biomass was recorded in A. dembeensis (6771.43 g/ha) followed by M. natalensis (6246.63 g/ha) and M. erythroleucus (3257.14 g/ha) while the least was recorded for G. murinus (10.2 g/ha) followed by Mus musculus (35.36 g/ha).The largest and lowest biomasses per habitat type were recorded for M. natalensis and M. musculus, respectively from bushland. There was variation in the population size, density and biomass among trapping sessions and habitats with the highest estimate in the second trapping session and bushland habitat type. All age groups were represented in the population with seasonal and age group variation. In conclusion, there was variation in population size, density and biomass of rodents among habitats and seasons. These population fluctuations might be mostly due to variation in rainfall, habitat heterogeneity, vegetation cover, reproductive patterns, quality and quantity of food and water.   Key words: Age, biomass, density, population, rodents

Plague in Tanzania: An overview

Human plague remains a public health concern in Tanzania despite its quiescence in most foci for years, considering the recurrence nature of the disease. Despite the long-standing history of this problem, there have not been recent reviews of the current knowledge on plague in Tanzania. This work aimed at providing a current overview of plague in Tanzania in terms of its introduction, potential reservoirs, possible causes of plague persistence and repeated outbreaks in the country. Plague is believed to have been introduced to Tanzania from the Middle East through Uganda with the first authentication in 1886. Xenopsylla brasiliensis, X. cheopis, Dinopsyllus lypusus, and Pulex irritans are among potential vectors while Lophuromys spp, Praomys delectorum, Graphiurus murinus, Lemniscomys striatus, Mastomys natalensis, and Rattus rattus may be the potential reservoirs. Plague persistence and repeated outbreaks in Tanzania are likely to be attributable to a complexity of factors including cultural, socio-economical, environmental and biological. Minimizing or preventing people's proximity to rodents is probably the most effective means of preventing plague outbreaks in humans in the future. In conclusion, much has been done on plague diagnosis in Tanzania. However, in order to achieve new insights into the features of plague epidemiology in the country, and to reorganize an effective control strategy, we recommend broader studies that will include the ecology of the pathogen, vectors and potential hosts, identifying the reservoirs, dynamics of infection and landscape ecology.

DIETS OF SMALL MAMMALS IN A SOUTHERN AFRICAN TEMPERATE FOREST

ABSTRACT Diets of the five common small mammal species of the Karkloof Forest, Natal, South Africa, were investigated using stomach content analysis. Rhabdomys pumilio and Mastomys natalensis were omnivorous, though the latter showed a preference for invertebrates. Graphiurus murinus and Myosorex varius were predominantly insectivorous but ate some plant material and fruits. Grammomys dolichurus fed primarily on fruits and plant material although they ate some invertebrates. Seasonal trends in body fat content and the timing of breeding activity of all these species were associated with changes in their diets. Mastomys natalensis ate fruits when these were available in winter, while R. pumilio, M. varius, and G. murinus showed no seasonal increase in fruit consumption. It is suggested that R. pumilio and M. natalensis obtain their energy for breeding primarily from invertebrates, green plant material and flowers. Only Grammomys dolichurus increased its fruit consumption in summer when availability was low...

Heterothermy in Afrotropical Mammals and Birds: A Review

Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the number of Afrotropical endotherms known to avoid mismatches between energy supply and demand by using daily torpor and/or hibernation. Among mammals, heterothermy has been reported in 40 species in six orders, namely Macroscelidea, Afrosoricida, Rodentia, Eulipotyphla, Primates and Chiroptera. These species span a range in body mass of 7-770 g, with minimum heterothermic body temperatures ranging from 1-27°C and bout length varying from 1 h to 70 days. Daily torpor is the most common form of heterothermy, with true hibernation being observed in only seven species, Graphiurus murinus, Graphiurus ocularis, Atelerix frontalis, Cheirogaleus medius, Cheirogaleus major, Microcebus murinus and Microcebus griseorufus. The traditional distinction between daily torpor and hibernation is blurred in some species, with free-ranging individuals exhibiting bouts of > 24 h and body temperatures < 16 °C, but none of the classical behaviours associated with hibernation. Several species bask in the sun during rewarming. Among birds, heterothermy has been reported in 16 species in seven orders, and is more pronounced in phylogenetically older taxa. Both in mammals and birds, patterns of heterothermy can vary dramatically among species occurring at a particular site, and even among individuals of a single species. For instance, patterns of heterothermy among cheirogalid primates in western Madagascar vary from daily torpor to uninterrupted hibernation for up to seven months. Other examples of variation among closely-related species involve small owls, elephant shrews and vespertilionid bats. There may also be variation in terms of the ecological correlates of torpor within a species, as is the case in the Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma.

Female in space, or female in space and time? First data on the socio-spatial organization and mating system of the woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus)

We studied the socio-spatial organization of the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, by means of a monthly live-trapping and nest-box monitoring programme. Adult male (N = 5) home ranges were almost twice as large as those of females (N = 8), and both intra and intersexual home-range overlap was significantly larger in males than in females. However, the dispersion pattern of females was rather clumped, even during the breeding period, suggesting that females are not territorial. Sexual receptivity in females was asynchronous. In such circumstances, the Female in Space and Time hypothesis predicts that males will be non-territorial, a scenario which is matched by our data. Therefore, it is likely that the woodland dormouse has a promiscuous mating system.

Nest box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): the influence of life cycle and nest box placement

The use of nest boxes by the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, was investigated over a 13-month period in a riverine forest of the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa. We predicted that some characteristics of nest box placement would affect nest box use and that the seasonal pattern of nest box use would be linked to the species' life cycle and physiological and socioecological characteristics. Generalized linear models indicated that the time since nest box installation and nest box height above ground positively affected the frequency and intensity of nest box use. Male and female dormice, as well as adults and juveniles, did not differ in the number of nest boxes used and equally occupied individual nest boxes. The percentage of nest boxes used peaked during spring and summer (breeding period) and dropped during winter (hibernation). However, whereas significantly more males were caught during the mating season (spring), the number of females occupying nest boxes was constant during the year. As female dormice successfully bred in the nest boxes, the observed sexual patterns suggest that (artificial) nest sites represent an important resource for females, whereas females seem to constitute the main resource for males, as predicted by the socioecological model.

Diversity and abundance of small mammals in the Serengeti kopjes, Tanzania

Diversity and abundance of small mammals in the Serengeti kopjes were studied between November 2000 and February 2002. From 22,500 trap-nights and 3,300 bucket-nights, 4,903 small mammals in 18 species, 14 genera, 6 families and 3 orders were recorded. Muridae was the most dominant family with nine species. The highest number of species was recorded in the Maasai (14), Mbuzi Mawe (13) and Seronera (12) kopjes. The least number of species recorded in the Simba, Barafu and Wogakuria kopjes, with eight species each. Species diversity was highest in the Maasai kopjes (H'=2.337) and lowest in the Wogakuria kopjes (H'=1.794), with fourteen and eight species, respectively. No significant difference in species diversity was detected between woodland and grassland kopjes, or between seasons. Distribution of species did not vary significantly between the kopjes, with most species being widespread. These include Tatera boehmi, Arvicanthis lacernatus, Graphiurus murinus and Crocidura sp. Catch rate varied from 0.519 in the Seronera kopjes to 0.103 in the Barafu kopjes. However, the difference in catch rate between the kopjes was not significant. Catch rate was significantly higher during the dry season, particularly in the grassland kopjes. The most abundant species included Mastomys anatalensis, Acomys wilsoni, G. murinus and Crocidura sp. Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 32 (1) 2006: pp. 1-12