Aspects of the Ecology of Rodents in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghana: Sex-ratio, Age Structure and Reproductive Characteristics

Authors

  • Reuben Akwei Garshong Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science University of Ghana, Legon
  • Daniel Attuquayefio Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana

Keywords:

rodents, sex-ratio, age structure, reproductive characteristics, Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated aspects of the ecology (sex-ratio, age structure and reproductivecharacteristics) of four rodent species in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary (OWS). Collapsible Sherman live traps (22.5 x8.8 x 7.5 cm) were used to capture the rodent species in 12 grids, measuring 20 × 20 m and covering different habitattypes identified in the sanctuary from October, 2009 to April, 2010. Trapping effort covered 1,500 trap-nights and 119individuals belonging to four species were captured. There were 77 individuals of Praomys tullbergi (Tullberg’s softfurredrat), 16 were Lophuromys sikapusi (Rusty-bellied brush-furred mouse) and 13 were Hybomys trivirgatus(Temminck’s hump-nosed mouse) and Malacomys edwardsi (Edward’s long-footed rat), with male-to-female ratios of1.5:1, 1.7:1, 1:1.6 and 2.3:1 respectively. Adults dominated in the age structure of all the rodents captured. All the 50adult males of the four rodents were in reproductive condition. Of the adult females, 5.6% of P. tullbergi, 33.3% of M.edwardsi and 25.0% of H. trivirgatus were pregnant while 22.2% of P. tullbergi and 50% of H. trivirgatus werelactating. The reproductive characteristics indicated a stable and thriving rodent community at the OWS. It is howeverrecommended that a whole-year study be conducted to provide a sounder basis for the conclusions of this study.

Author Biography

Reuben Akwei Garshong, Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science University of Ghana, Legon

Former Grduate Student

Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science

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Published

2013-10-16

How to Cite

Garshong, R. A., & Attuquayefio, D. (2013). Aspects of the Ecology of Rodents in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghana: Sex-ratio, Age Structure and Reproductive Characteristics. Asian Journal of Applied Sciences, 1(4). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAS/article/view/498

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 4 (2013): October 2013

Section

Articles

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