Aspects of the ecology of the Tullberg’s soft-furred Mouse (Praomys tullbergi: Thomas 1894) in Mount Afadjato, Ghana.

Abstract

The relative abundance, age-structure, sex-ratio, biomass and breeding activity of Praomys tullbergi (Tullberg’s soft-furred mouse) were studied over an eight-month period (June 2008 to January 2009) at Mount Afadjato Conservation Area in the Volta Region of Ghana. The methodology involved the use of live-trapping techniques using Sherman collapsible traps. There were 183 captures of 80 individual mice in 3,360 trap-nights, giving overall trapping success and relative abundance of 5.4% and 2.4%, respectively. Adults constituted about 93% of the total number of individuals captured, while the remaining 7% were all sub-adults. Majorities (59%) of the individuals recorded were males, and these were generally slightly heavier than their non-pregnant female counterparts. Breeding activity was evident throughout the study period, peaking during the wet season. All the captured female individuals showed evidence of breeding activity (perforate vaginas, enlarged nipples, pregnancy), whereas 84% of the males had scrotal testes. The highest number of individuals was recorded in August. The year-round breeding activity of P. tullbergi may, to a large extent, account for their dominance in most forests in Ghana.