Department of Biology

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    Small Mammal Diversity and Farmers Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Southern Part of Tigray.
    (Mekelle University, 2025-10-28) Mebrahte Berhe
    Small mammals are divided into Volant and non-Volant species. Among the non-Volant mammals, rodents and shrews are the most common and widespread across all continents except Antarctica. They play vital ecological roles as bio indicators, model organisms, and, in some cases, agricultural pests. Diversity of small mammals across an altitudinal gradient and smallholder farmers' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding rodent pests were studied in south Tigray starting from June 2024- October 2025. This study aimed to assess the diversity of small mammals across varying altitudinal gradients and to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of smallholder farmers along these gradients. The study area was divided into four sites based on altitude, starting from 1500 – 2900 m.a.s.l, with an interval of ~500m. Both Sherman and snap traps were used to collect small mammals. The traps were baited with peanut butter and barley flour and then placed in a horizontal line transect with an average distance between traps of about 2m. Traps were set for three consecutive nights per elevation. In addition, KAP of smallholder farmers was assessed using semi-structured questionnaires. Fifty respondents were randomly selected from three kebeles across two districts, based on their altitudinal proximity to the rodent trapping sites. A total 138 individual small mammals (rodents and shrews) were captured. Of these 138 small mammals, 84 were males and 54 were females. Nine species of small mammals (eight rodent species and one shrew species) belonging to two families were recorded. The relative abundance of captured small mammals were Stenocephalemys albipes (70.2%), Arvicanthis niloticus (7.8%), Mastomys awashensis (7.25%), Lophuromys simensis (6.52%), Mus mohamet (4.35%) and Rattus rattus (1.4), Acomys cahirinus (0.72%), Desmomys harringtoni (0.72%), Crocidura olivieri (0.72%). Overall, Stenocephalemys albipes was the most abundant species in the study area. Diversity and distribution of small mammals were varied across altitude. The highest species diversity was recorded in 2000m (H=1.29) and the least in 2500m elevation (H=0.34). The highest number of individual rodent species was recorded at 2900 m.a.s.l (60.9%) and the least was at 2000m elevation (9.42%). There was variation in age and sex of small mammals but, age variation statistically not significant (ANOVA; df = 3, F=2.392, p = 0.071) unlike sex variation (ANOVA; df = 3, F=3.879, p = 0.01). Questionnaires from 50 farmers discovered that most were males (76%), aged 36-50, with no formal education (72%). Crop types varied significantly (p=0.000) between districts (Emba Alaje and Raya Azebo). All farmers (100%) recognized significant post and pre-harvest rodent losses, with damage reported in both fields and homes. The control methods relied on rodenticides, trapping, and cats, with limited satisfaction. This study shows different kinds and numbers of small mammals live at different elevations and reveals significant rodent-induced crop losses with limited effective management strategies among farmers. Targeted interventions considering both ecological and farmer’s KAP are essential for sustainable pest management in this region.