| Abstrakt: |
Studies on rodents in eight crop seasons of 4 years in the rocky and piedmont habitats of the Indian desert revealed a predominance of gerbils over murids and sclurids. Meriones hurrianae Jerdon was the predominant rodent followed by Tatera indica indica Hardwicke. In the summer season, M. hurrianae was collected in highest relative abundance, whereas T. indica was predominant during winter months. The small mammal fauna in summer was more diversified (12 species) than in the winter season (eight species). Funambulus pennanti Wroughton, Rattus meltada pallidior (Ryley) and T. indica infested rocky and piedmont habitats in higher numbers in winter season, whereas Rattus gleadowi (Murray), Gerbillus nanus indus (Thomas), Mus platythrix sadhu (Bennett), Rattus rattus rufescens Gray, Golunda ellioti gujerati Thomas, M. hurrianae and Suncus murinus sindensis Anderson were represented in higher numbers in summer months. Prevalence of pregnancy among rodents ranged from 31.25 to 75.0%. The mean number of implanted embryos per pregnant female varied from 2.0 to 6.5. Zinc phosphide (2%) treatment provided about 88% rodent control success, ranging from 80 to 100% for different rodent species. |
