THE EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD ON THE HOME-RANGE OF THE MULTIMAMMATE MOUSE MASTOMYS-NATALENSIS

The effect of supplementary food on the home range area of multimammat e mice Mastomys natalensis was investigated. A population of M. natale nsis was live-trapped on two experimental grids (food added) and a con trol grid (no food added) for a twelve month period. Home range area w as estimated using the minimum convex polygon and the harmonic mean me thods. Home range estimates from these two methods were highly correla ted (p < 0.001). The mean distance between successive captures was als o calculated and correlated closely with the home range estimates (p < 0.001). Mice on the experimental grids had smaller home ranges and sh orter mean distance between captures than those on the control grid. T he home range estimates obtained in this study compare well with those from Tanzania.