IDENTIFICATION OF THE RODENT SPECIES INVOLVED IN TREE DAMAGE IN COMMERCIAL FORESTRY IN THE NATAL MIDLANDS, SOUTH-AFRICA

Although it has been estimated that small mammal damage to commercial forests in South Africa costs the industry R 50 million per annum, the re is little positive evidence implicating any particular species. Fro m stomach content analysis, data are presented which show that of 5 sp ecies commonly captured within forests, only Rhabdomys pumilio, Otomys irroratus and Mastomys natalensis seasonally gnaw the bark of Pinus p atula. This behaviour is correlated with a lack of availability of the natural food requirements of these species. Gnawing is seasonal and t ree bark is not considered a preferred food item.