Recent scientific publications by the EcoRodMan team
Williams, S.T, Kathryn S. Williams, K.S., Constant, N., Swanepoel, L.H., Taylor, P.J., Belmain, S.R., Evan, S.W. (in press) Low-intensity environmental education can enhance perceptions of culturally taboo wildlife. Ecosphere.
Selemani, M., Makundi, R.H., Massawe, A.W., Mhamphi, G., Mulungu, L.S. and Belmain S.R. (2021) Impact of contraceptive hormones on the reproductive potential of male and female commensal black rats (Rattus rattus Linnaeus, 1758). Integrative Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12563
Imakando, C.I., Fernández-Grandon, M., Singleton, G.R. and Belmain S.R. (submitted) Impact of fertility vs. mortality control on the demographics of Mastomys natalensis in maize fields. Integrative Zoology.
Ademola, O.J., Vanden Broecke, B., Leirs, H., Mulungu, L.S., Massawe, A.W., Makundi, R.H., 2021. Effects of forest disturbance on the fitness of an endemic rodent in a biodiversity hotspot. Ecol. Evol. 11, 2391–2401. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7214
Baril, L., Vallès, X., Stenseth, N.C., Rajerison, M., Ratsitorahina, M., Pizarro-Cerdá, J., Demeure, C., Belmain, S., Scholz, H., Girod, R., Hinnebusch, J., Vigan-Womas, I., Bertherat, E., Fontanet, A., Yazadanpanah, Y., Carrara, G., Deuve, J., D’Ortenzio, E., Angulo, J.O.C., Mead, P., Horby, P.W., 2019. Can we make human plague history? A call to action. BMJ Glob. Heal. 4, e001984. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001984
Brown, P.R., Singleton, G.R., Belmain, S.R., Htwe, N.M., Mulungu, L., Mdangi, M., Cavia, R., 2020. Advances in understanding rodent pests affecting cereal grains, in: Maier, D.E. (Ed.), Advances in Postharvest Management of Cereals and Grains. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK, pp. 93–122. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0072.04
Chidodo, D.J., Kimaro, D.N., Hieronimo, P., Makundi, R.H., Isabirye, M., Leirs, H., Massawe, A.W., Mdangi, M.E., Kifumba, D., Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Application of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to forecast rodent population abundance in smallholder agro-ecosystems in semi-arid areas in Tanzania. Mammalia 84, 136–143. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2018-0175
Chidodo, S., Kilawe, C.J., Mnyone, L.L., Broecke, B. Vanden, Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Factors affecting the composition of rodent assemblages in the North Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. J. Vertebr. Biol. 69, 20047.1. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20047
Thomas, C.A., Katakweba, A.A.S., Massawe, A.W., Makundi, R.H., Machang’u, R.S., and Kessy, S.T., 2020. Prevalence of Rickettsia typhi in rodent fleas from areas with and without previous history of plague in Mbulu district, Tanzania. African J. Microbiol. Res. 14, 65–70. https://doi.org/10.5897/ajmr2019.9198
Constant, N.L., Swanepoel, L.H., Williams, S.T., Soarimalala, V., Goodman, S.M., Massawe, A.T., Mulungu, L.S., Makundi, R.H., Mdangi, M.E., Taylor, P.J., Belmain, S.R., 2020. Comparative assessment on rodent impacts and cultural perceptions of ecologically based rodent management in 3 Afro-Malagasy farming regions. Integr. Zool. 15, 578–594. https://doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12447
Eiseb, S.J., Taylor, P.J., Zeller, U., Denys, C., Nicolas, V., 2021. Rapid peripatric speciation linked with drainage evolution in a rare African rodent, Mastomys shortridgei (Rodentia: Muridae). J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Res. 59, 522–542. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12441
Ganem, G., Dufour, C.M.S., Avenant, N.L., Caminade, P., Eiseb, S.J., Tougard, C., Pillay, N., 2020. An update on the distribution and diversification of Rhabdomys sp. (Muridae, Rodentia). J. Vertebr. Biol. 69, 1. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20013
Manyonyi, A.M., Mariki, S.B., Mnyone, L.L., Belmain, S.R., Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Effects of prescribed burning on rodent community ecology in Serengeti National Park. J. Vertebr. Biol. 69. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20001
Martynov, A.A., Bryja, J., Meheretu, Y., Lavrenchenko, L.A., 2020. Multimammate mice of the genus Mastomys (Rodentia: Muridae) in Ethiopia – diversity and distribution assessed by genetic approaches and environmental niche modelling. J. Vertebr. Biol. 69, 1. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20006
Massawe, A.W., Makundi, R.H., Zhang, Z., Mhamphi, G., Liu, M., Li, H.J., Belmain, S.R., 2018. Effect of synthetic hormones on reproduction in Mastomys natalensis. J. Pest Sci. (2004). 91, 157–168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-017-0894-4
Mayamba, A., Byamungu, R.M., Makundi, R.H., Kimaro, D.N., Isabirye, M., Massawe, A.W., Kifumba, D., Nakiyemba, A., Leirs, H., Mdangi, M.E., Isabirye, B.E., Mulungu, L.S., 2019. Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize‐growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda. Ecol. Evol. 9, 7849–7860. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5371
Mayamba, A., Byamungu, R.M., Vanden Broecke, B., Leirs, H., Hieronimo, P., Nakiyemba, A., Isabirye, M., Kifumba, D., Kimaro, D.N., Mdangi, M.E., Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Factors influencing the distribution and abundance of small rodent pest species in agricultural landscapes in Eastern Uganda. Folia Zool. 69. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20002
Mayamba, A., Byamungu, R.M., Leirs, H., Moses, I., Makundi, R.H., Kimaro, D.N., Massawe, A.W., Kifumba, D., Nakiyemba, A., Mdangi, M.E., Isabirye, B.E., Mulungu, L.S., 2021. Population and breeding patterns of the pest rodent: Mastomys natalensis in a maize dominated agroecosystem in Lake Victoria crescent zone, Eastern Uganda. African Zool. 56, 76–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2021.1879675
Mayamba, A., Mayamba, A., Mayamba, A., Broecke, B. Vanden, Leirs, H., Isabirye, B.E., Byamungu, R.M., Nakiyemba, A., Isabirye, M., Kifumba, D., Massawe, A.W., Kimaro, D.N., Mdangi, M.E., Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Fitness of the pestiferous small rodent Mastomys natalensis in an agroecosystem in Mayuge district, Lake Victoria Crescent, Uganda. Mammalia 84, 344–353. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2019-0101
Mlyashimbi, E.C.M., Mariën, J., Kimaro, D.N., Tarimo, A.J.P., Isabirye, M., Makundi, R.H., Massawe, A.W., Mdangi, M.E., Kifumba, D., Nakiyemba, A., Leirs, H., Belmain, S.R., Mulungu, L.S., Yildiz, F., 2018. Relationships between seasonal changes in diet of Multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and its breeding patterns in semi-arid areas in Tanzania. Cogent Food Agric. 4, 1507509. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2018.1507509
Mlyashimbi, E.C.M., Vanden Broecke, B., Mariën, J., Kimaro, D.N., Tarimo, A.J.P., Machang’u, R.S., Isabirye, M., Makundi, R.H., Massawe, A.W., Hieronimo, P., Kifumba, D., Leirs, H., Mdangi, M.E., Belmain, S.R., Mulungu, L.S., 2019. Soil type influences population dynamics and survival of the Multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas in Tanzania. Crop Prot. 124, 104829. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.05.023
Mlyashimbi, E.C.M., Mariën, J., Kimaro, D.N., Tarimo, A.J.P., Machang’u, R.S., Makundi, R.H., Isabirye, M., Massawe, A.W., Leirs, H., Mdangi, M.E., Belmain, S.R., Mulungu, L.S., 2019. Home ranges, sex ratio and recruitment of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas in Tanzania. Mammalia. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2019-0048
Ssuuna, J., Makundi, R.H., Isabirye, M., Sabuni, C.A., Babyesiza, W.S., Mulungu, L.S., 2020. Rodent species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. Folia Zool. 69, 20021.1. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20021
Tomass, Z., Shibru, S., Yonas, M., Leirs, H., 2020. Farmers’ perspectives of rodent damage and rodent management in smallholder maize cropping systems of Southern Ethiopia. Crop Prot. 136, 105232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105232
Tomass, Z., Shibru, S., Yonas, M., Megaze, A., Woldu, Z., Van Houtte, N., Feleke, G., Belmain, S.R., Leirs, H., 2021. Season and habitat affect diversity, abundance and reproductive state of small mammals near Lake Abaya, Ethiopia. Mammalia. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2020-0128
Vallès, X., Stenseth, N.C., Demeure, C., Horby, P., Mead, P.S., Cabanillas, O., Ratsitorahina, M., Rajerison, M., Andrianaivoarimanana, V., Ramasindrazana, B., Pizarro-Cerda, J., Scholz, H.C., Girod, R., Joseph Hinnebusch, B., Vigan-Womas, I., Fontanet, A., Wagner, D.M., Telfer, S., Yazdanpanah, Y., Tortosa, P., Carrara, G., Deuve, J., Belmain, S.R., D’ortenzio, E., Baril, L., 2020. Human plague: An old scourge that needs new answers. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 14, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008251
Welegerima, K., Meheretu, Y., Haileselassie, T.H., Gebre, B., Kidane, D., Massawe, A.W., Mbije, N.E., Makundi, R.H., 2020. Abundance and microhabitat use of rodent species in crop fields and bushland in Ethiopia. J. Vertebr. Biol. 69, 1. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20054
Yonas, M., Ashenafi, F., Kidane, D., Welegerima, K., 2020. Stored-grain losses and management practices among smallholder cereal farmers in Northern Ethiopia. Int. J. Pest Manag. 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2020.1795301
Yonas, M., Leirs, H., 2019. Raptor Perch Sites for Biological Control of Agricultural Pest Rodents, in: Nyssen, J., Jacob, M., Frankl, A. (Eds.), Geo-Trekking in Ethiopia’s Tropical Mountains. Springer, Cham, pp. 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04955-3_18
Williams, Samual T., Maree, Naudene, Taylor, Peter, Belmain, Steven R., Keith, Mark and Swanepoel, Lourens H. (2018) Camera trap and questionnaire dataset on ecosystem services provided by small carnivores in agro-ecosystems in South Africa. Data in Brief. 18:753-759.
Williams, S., Swanepoel, L., Keith, M., Maree, N., Taylor, P., Belmain, S.R. (2018) Predation by small mammalian carnivores in rural agro-ecosystems: An undervalued ecosystem service? Ecosystem Services.30(c):362-371
Krijger, Inge M., Belmain, Steven R., Singleton, Grant R., Groot Koerkamp, Peter W. G. and Meerburg, Bastiaan G. (2017) The need to implement the landscape of fear within rodent pest management strategies. Pest Management Science. 73(12): 2397-2402.
Swanepoel, Lourens H., Swanepoel, Corrie M., Brown, Peter R., Eiseb, Seth J., Goodman, Steven M., Keith, Mark, Kirsten, Frikkie, Leirs, Herwig, Mahlaba, Themb’alilahlwa A. M., Makundi, Rhodes H., Malebane, Phanuel, von Maltitz, Emil F., Massawe, Apia W., Monadjem, Ara, Mulungu, Loth S., Singleton, Grant R., Taylor, Peter J., Soarimalala, Voahangy and Belmain, Steven R. (2017) A systematic review of rodent pest research in Afro-Malagasy small-holder farming systems: Are we asking the right questions? PLoS ONE, 12 (3):e0174554.
Mahlaba T.A.M., Monadjem A., McCleery R. and Belmain S.R. (2017) Domestic cats and dogs create a landscape of fear for pest rodents around rural homesteads. PLoS ONE 12(2): e0171593.
Mulungu, L. S., Ngowo, V., Mdangi, M. E., Kapingu, M., Mbukwa, E., Mgina, C. A., et al. (2017). Effectiveness of the Domestic Cat (Felis silvestris catus) Urine Extracts Odour against Commensal Rodents. Huria. 2:110–121.
Labuschagne, L., Swanepoel, L.H., Taylor, P.J., Belmain, S.R. and Keith, M. (2016). Are avian predators effective biological control agents for rodent pest management in agricultural systems? Biological Control. 101: 94-102.
Mgode, G., Machang'u, R.S., Mhamphi, G.G., Katakweba, A., Mulungu, L., Durnez, L., Leirs, H., Hartskeerl, R.A. and Belmain, S.R. Leptospira serovars for diagnosis of leptospirosis in humans and animals in Africa: Common leptospira isolates and reservoir hosts. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 9(12): e0004251.
Mulungu, L.S., Borremans, B., Ngowo, V., Mdangi, M.E., Katakweba, A.S., Tesha, P., Mrosso, F.P., Mchomvu, M. and Kilonzo, B.S. (2015) Comparative study of movement patterns of Mastomys natalensis in irrigated rice and fallow fields in eastern Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology. online first.
Makundi, R. H., Massawe, A. W., Borremans, B., Laudisoit, A., and Katakweba, A. S. (2015). We are connected: flea – host association networks in the plague outbreak focus in the Rift Valley, northern Tanzania. Wildlife Research 42, 196–206.
Mulungu, L.S., Ngowo, V., Mdangi, M.E., Katakweba, A.S., Tesha, P., Mrosso, F.P., Mchomvu, M., Massawe, A.W., Monadjem, A., Kilonzo, B. and Belmain, S.R. (2015) Survival and recruitment of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (Smith 1834), in a rice agro-ecosystem. Mammalia. online first
Mulungu, L.S, Lagwen, P.P., Mdangi, M.E., Kilonzo, B.S. and Belmain, S.R. (2014). Impact of spatio-temporal simulations of rat damage on yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and implications for rodent pest management. International Journal of Pest Management. 60(4): 269-274.
Mulungu, L.S., Sixbert, V., Ngowo, V, Mdangi, M, Katakweba, A.S., Tesha, P., Mrosso, F.P. Mchomvu, M., Kilonzo B.S. and Belmain S.R. (2014) Spatio-temporal patterns in the distribution of the multi-mammate mouse. Mammalia. online first.
Mulungu, L.S., Mlyashimbi, E.C.M, Ngowo, V., Mdangi, M., Katakweba, A.S., Tesha, P., Mrosso, F.P. Mchomvu, M., Kilonzo B.S. and Belmain S.R. (2014) Food preferences of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, in irrigated rice habitats in Tanzania. International Journal of Pest Management. 60(1): 1-8.
Lamb, J., Downs, S., Eiseb, S., and John Taylor, P. (2014). Increased geographic sampling reveals considerable new genetic diversity in the morphologically conservative African Pygmy Mice (Genus Mus; Subgenus Nannomys) Mammalian Biology 79, 24–35.
Outreach materials
Training manual on How to Control Rodents in ecologically sustainable ways
How to control rodents - in English Ethiopia version
How to control rodents - in Amharic
How to control rodents - in Luganda
How to control rodents - in Oromo
Videos on How to Control Rodents can be dowloaded from here by clicking on the language you require
How to control rodents - in English
Comment contrôler les rongeurs - en français
Jinsi ya kudhibiti panya - katika Kiswahili
StopRats-produced policy discussion papers covering some of the major challenges in controlling rodent pests in Africa and elsewhere.
StopRats rodent population outbreak discussion paper
StopRats stakeholder network discussion paper
StopRats biological control discussion paper
StopRats how to control rodents discussion paper
WHO (2019) Expert Meeting Report on Innovative Control Approaches Of Rodent-Borne Epidemic Diseases And Other Public Health Consequences Of Rodents’ Proliferation, World Health Organisation, Geneva, 50 p.
Belmain, S.R, Ndiaye, C.F., Diallo, B., Rakotonjanabelo, L.A. Anoko, J.N., Rakotondrazafy, S., Forbin, E.E and Chêne, S. (2018) A New Rat Control Strategy for Madagascar to Prevent Plague Outbreaks, Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, Antananarivo, 23 p.