Species composition, relative abundance and habitat association of rodents in Yekoche Forest, East Gojjam, Ethiopia

A study on species composition, relative abundance and habitat association of rodents in Yekoche Forest was carried out from September, 2014 to April, 2015 during both wet and dry seasons. Data were collected using live trap and snap trap. A total of 841 individual of rodents were trapped using both live trap and snap trap. Rodent species such as yellow spotted brush-furred rate (Lophuromys flavopunctatus) (24.5%), African grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus), (23.5%), Broad beaked dolphins (Pelomys harringtoni) (19.1%), Ethiopian narrow headed rat (Stenocephalemys albicaudata) (20.7%) and house mouse (Mus musculus) (12.1%) were recorded. Most of the rodent species prefer Acacia grassland habitats and agricultural farmland. Bushland and riverine vegetation provided less number of rodent individuals. Highest numbers of rodents were recorded during the wet season (56.8%) than the dry season (43.2%). All age groups were represented in the population of the captured species. Abundance of rodents was significantly differed between dry and wet seasons. The study area was highly affected by human activity, as a result rodents species were reduced. Therefore, community based conservation need to be implemented in the study area. Key words: Habitat association, relative abundance, rodents, species diversity, Yekoche Forest.