Browsing by Author "Machang'u, Robert S."

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Diversity and distribution of rodent and shrew species associated with variations in altitude on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(Walter de Gruyte, 2008) Mulungu, L.S.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Massawe, Apia W.; Machang'u, Robert S.; MbiJe, Nsajigwa
A total of 750 rodents and shrews were trapped in sev- eral sites on Mount (Mt.) Kilimanjaro and in two lowland sites between October 2002 and August 2003. Species diversity variations with altitude and their distribution were established. Diversity of species varied with vege- tation type, being highest in the forest and lowest in the lowland areas. The distribution patterns and species diversity of the rodents and shrews were also influenced by habitat complexity and heterogeneity. Species rich- ness was higher in the forest compared to the other areas. The study generally shows that the Mt. Kilimanjaro has high rodent and shrew species diversity and richness.
A faunal survey in Kingu Pira (south Tanzania), with new karyotypes of several small mammals and the description of a new Murid species (Mammalia, Rodentia)
(ZOOSYSTEMA, 2011) Denys, Christiane; Lalis, Aude; Lecompte, Emilie; Cornette, Raphaël; Moulin, Sibyle; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Volobouev, Vitaly; Machang'u, Robert S.; Aniskine, Vladimir M.
A multidisciplinary approach combining morphology, classical morphometry and cytogenetics allowed to establish an updated taxonomic inventory of small mammals from Kingu Pira in the Selous region (south Tanzania). Among the 229 rodents and 21 shrews that were captured during the fi eldwork in Ngarembe village in July 2003, 45 specimens were karyotyped. Concerning rodents, this allowed the description of a new karyotype of Acomys and Grammomys, while the cytotypes of Paraxerus fl avovittis and Pelomys fallax are here fi gured for the fi rst time. Taxonomic revisions of the literature allowed to clarify the status of Lemniscomys rosalia and Aethomys chrysophilus in Tanzania. Using a combination of morphological and cytogenetical characters, a new species of Grammomys is described. For shrews, we provide here the fi rst description of C. hirta karyotype. Comparisons with voucher of genetically typed specimens of diff erent east African collections confi rmed the important biodiversity of this region for conservation and the necessity to preserve the coastal forest of south Tanzania.
Soil type limits population abundance of rodents in crop fields: case study of the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis Smith, 1834 in Tanzania
(Blackwell Publishing, 2008) Massawe, Apia W.; RWAMUGIRA, Winnie; LEIRS, Herwig; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Mulungu, Loth; Ngowo, V.; Machang'u, Robert S.
Studies of populations of the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis in Morogoro, Tanzania, show that soil texture appears to influence the population abundance and distribution of these rats in agricultural fields. The lowest rodent population abundance was found on sandy clay soils (F (2, 5) = 8.42; P = 0.025). The population abundances of M. natalensis on sandy clay loam and sandy loam soils did not differ significantly (P ≤ 0.05), possibly because these soils have a very similar texture. The results of this study suggest that M. natalensis prefers loam-textured soils with a high percentage of sand, which are probably better than clay soils for burrowing and nesting, particularly in the rainy season. The lower preference for clay soils is probably related to the poor aeration in these soils and the waterlogging that occurs during the wet season.