Population Dynamics of Soft-Furred field rat, Millardia meltada, in Rice and wheat Fields in Central Punjab, Pakistan

Authors: SHAHER BANO LATHIYA, ABDUL RAUF KHOKHAR, SYED MUZAFFAR AHMED

Abstract: Data on the abundance, reproduction, diet and damage index of the soft-furred field rat Millardia meltada were collected during the rice and wheat seasons. The abundance of Millardia meltada remained high at the post-harvest stage of the rice and wheat crops. The ploughing of fields did not affect the abundance of Millardia. The mean annual prevalence of pregnancy was 50% and the mean embryonic litter size 6.2 ± 0.4. Millardia continued to eat wheat and rice grains over a long period even when there was no crop standing in the fields. The damage indices in rice and wheat crops were 17.8 and 28.3% respectively.

Keywords: Millardia meltada, abundance, reproduction, diet, rice, wheat, Punjab

Full Text: PDF