ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Rodents
;
Savanna
;
Biomass
;
Population density
;
Energetics
;
Trappability
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Dry season densities of small non-fossorial rodents in five different savanna habitats ranged from 11 to 41 animals ha-1 with corresponding live weights ranging from 310 g to 1557 g ha-1. Average biomasses of small frodents in two representative savanna types, Burkea and Acacia savanna, were 912 g ha-1 and 816 g ha-1 respectively. These biomasses were similar to or even exceeded biomasses of other important consumers (birds, cattle, impala, and grasshoppers) in the savanna. Due to allometric relationships 1 kg of small savanna rodents is equivalent in energy consumption to 8 kg of impala (Aepyceros melampus) or 12.7 kg of cattle. The potential effect of small rodents on the savanna is therefore much larger than previously thought and needs further investigation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00377572
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