Comparison of rodent community between natural and modified habitats in Kafta-Sheraro National Park and its adjoining villages, Ethiopia: implication for conservation

Abstract

Abstract Background Distribution and diversity of rodents vary across habitats due to different environmental factors. An ecological comparative study on diversity and abundance of rodents was conducted in Kafta-Sheraro National Park and its nearby villages from August 2017 to April 2018. Materials and methods Modified and natural habitats were randomly selected and two representative live trapping grids were set at each habitat to collect rodents using Sherman live trap. Results In 2352 trap nights of trapping, a total of 185 individuals of 7 species of rodents were trapped from the modified and natural habitats. The identified species were Mastomys natalensis (38.9%), Stenocephalemys albipes (29.7%), Rattus rattus (17.8%), Mastomys awashensis (9.2%), Acomys cahirinus (1.6%), Mastomys erythroleucus (1.6%), and Arvicanthis dembeensis (1.1%). The overall abundance of rodents was high in modified habitat 95 (51.4%) and low in natural habitat 90 (48.6%). The distribution and abundance of each species varied between habitats and seasons. In modified habitat, the most abundant species were Mastomys natalensis 49 (51.6%) and Rattus rattus 21 (22.1%), respectively. Stenocephalemys albipes 46 (51.1%) was the most abundant species in natural habitat, followed by Mastomys natalensis 23 (25.6%) and both Acomys cahirinus and Arvicanthis dembeensis were the least abundant species 1 (1.1%). Higher abundance was recorded during the wet season (64.3%) than the dry season (34.7%). Conclusions Kafta-Sheraro National Park and its adjoining areas support a diverse rodent fauna. Ecological- or habitat-based management of rodents is important for conservation.

Keywords

• Abundance
• Diversity
• Modified habitat
• Natural habitat
• Rodents
• Kafta-Sheraro