The Gambian pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) as a synanthropic rodent species in western Africa

Abstract

We present the general description of features of the species’ biology under conditions of synanthropic localities in Guinea. The Gambian pouched rat is one of the four synanthropic rodent species common in Guinea, all of them belong to the family Muridae. However, this species is the least synanthropic among the others, because it occurs not in buildings but around manors. The possible reasons for synanthropization are considered, including the presence in synanthropic localities of a large feeding source and of low predatory pressure.

Keywords

• gambian pouched rat
• cricetomys gambianus
• synanthropy
• western africa