Impact of Soil Types on the Abundance of Murid Population in North Punjab, Pakistan
Impact of Soil Types on the Abundance of Murid Population in North Punjab, Pakistan
Abu ul Hassan Faiz1,*, Fakhar-i-Abbas2 and Lariab Zahra Faiz2
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to study impact of soil types on rodent distribution and abundance in North Punjab. The survey was conducted from February to December, 2015 using snap traps by applying line transect technique in wild area by using over 3840 trap nights in eight type of soil (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, loam, clay loam, silt loam, silty clay loam). A total of 1571 animals were captured belonging to species of Nesokia indica, Mus musculus, Mus budooga, Millardia meltada, Tatera indica and Golunda elliotti. The maximum number of rodents was captured in loamy soil type with population density (53.3±19.8) per hectare. The lowest rodent population density was captured in silty clay loam soil type with population density (22.5±5.7) per hectare. The population density in other soil types differ significantly (P≤ 0.05). The statistical results of this study found the following habitat preference of the species: clay loam for N. indica, sand for Mus musculus and Mus booduga, respectively, loam for Tatera indica and silty clay loam for Golunda ellioti and Millarda meltada, respectively. The PCA results indicate loam as a preferred soil type for N indica and T. indica). The species G. elliotti and M. meltada prefer soil containing silt and clay (silty clay loam). The species M. musculus and M. booduga prefer sand and positively correlated with two soil type (sandy loam and sandy clay loam). The present study provides baseline abiotic soil data for conservation needs and harboring of studied species.
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February 2018
Vol. 50, Iss. 1, Pages 1-400
