Diet, seasonal abundance and microhabitats of Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis (Rodentia: Muridae) and other small rodents in a Kenyan sub‐humid grassland community

摘要: Summary The diet, seasonal abundance and microhabitats of Praomys natalensis, Tatera robusta, Mus minutoides M. triton, live-trapped on a five ha grid over an eight-month period, were studied in dry sub-humid grassland Kahawa, Kenya. All the species found to be omnivorous, feeding mainly seeds arthropods, with herbage forming small but regular part their diet. The diet Praomys, though similar that minutoides, was significantly (P<0·01) different from those triton. Rodent populations low trapping success for all ranging 0·4 4·7% being 73% total captures. Habitat association among rodents evident given strongly associated Panicum maximum, Hyparrhenia spp. Themeda triandra, respectively (P<0·05). not only negatively (P<0·01), also showed overlap value (0·2) use microhabitats. It would appear differences microhabitat dietary habits important factors resource partitioning. Availability adequate cover rainfall notable component influencing this habitat. Resume On etudie le regime alimentaire, l'abondance saisonniere et micro-habitat de attrapes vivants sur un terrain 5 ha, pendant une periode huit mois, dans savane semihumide assechee au Kenya. On trouve que toutes les especes etaient omnivores, se nourrissant principalement graines d'arthropodes, l'herbe consituant restreinte mais reguliere leur alimentaire. Le alimentaire assez semblable celui etait significativement (p<0,01) triton. Les rongeurs ettaient reduites, avec taux piegeage variant selon 0,4 4,7%, constituant du des captures. L'association habitat particulier evidente, savoir Praomysetait fortement associeaPanicum triandra respectivement (p<0,05). n'etaient pas seulement negativement associes (p<0,01), presentaient aussi basse valeur recouvrement (0,2) utilisation microhabitats. It semblerait l'utilisation micro-habitats habitudes alimentaires soient facteurs importants pour partage ressources. La presence d'un couvert adequat, associea chutes pluie, element qui influencait cet habitat.