Dietary differences of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834), across different habitats and seasons in Tanzania and Swaziland

摘要: Context. The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834), is an important agricultural pest in southern and eastern Africa where it can cause significant crop losses. known to consume a variety of food response the availability items. However, currently unknown whether maize growth stages affect spatio-temporal diet this species. Aims. We examined foods consumed by M. different habitats seasons central Tanzania Swaziland. Methods. Diet was investigated four (woodland, vegetable gardens, fields fallow land) during between March 2008 February 2009. In Swaziland, conducted three (fallow land, cultivated pristine (pre-planting, vegetative stage post-harvest) April Micro-histological examination undigested fragmentsfromthestomachsoftrappedanimalswasmadewherebythepreservedstomachcontentwasplacedinaPetridish andsortedusinga25� or50� magnificationbinocularstereoscope.Stomachcontentswereidentifiedas:grainand/orseeds (both grassesandmaize),plantmaterial(roots,stems andleaves),invertebrates, podsofseeds,fruits(vegetablefruit suchas tomato), animal hairs unidentified matter. If necessary, lugol solution used determine presence starch for grass seeds or grains. Keyresults.Inbothcountries,grainpredominatedinthedietofM.natalensis.Statisticalanalysesshowedthattherewere no differences due habitats. Therefore, percentage volume relative importance were same across both countries. Conclusions. Our findings highlight clearly that generalist species feeding on available resources depending season habitat. Its preference grain may account its abundance plantations confirms as one major pests plantations, especially grain. Implications.Thisinformationoffersausefultoolfordeterminingthepeststatusindifferenthabitatsand/orseasons.The study have implications agriculture conservation.