SPATIAL PATTERNS IN MASTOMYS-NATALENSIS IN TANZANIA (RODENTIA, MURIDAE)

We investigated habitat preference, dispersal and movement patterns of Mastomys natalensis in fallow land and maize fields in Tanzania. Duri ng periods of low densities, the animals seemed to avoid open spaces a nd were concentrated in areas with rich vegetation cover. A high turn- over rate, even in periods without reproduction, indicated a high degr ee of dispersal. Resident animals had a limited home range with most m ovements within 30 m of the burrow; however, excursions and movements over large distances were observed. Animals living on the border of ma ize fields and fallow land are active in both habitats and may have th eir burrow in any of them. Home ranges overlap both intra- and interse xually and there is no indication for territoriality. The obtained res ults are disappointing for the development of new pest control strateg ies.