Recherches ecologiques sur une savane sahélienne du Ferlo septentrional, Sénégal : quelques effets de la sécheresse sur le peuplement mammalien

Overview & Synopsis

The results of the 1972-73 drought on the mammal populations of the IBP study area, at Fété Olé, Sénégal, are summarized. Some desert species, like Desmodilliscus braueri and Gazella dama were observed more often than usual. The numbers of Taterillus pygargus, the commonest granivorous rodent, decreased sharply but the species succeeded to breed despite the almost complete lack of grass cover : these rodents probably fed upon the surplus of seeds of the preceeding year remaining on the ground. Most Carnivore populations declined in numbers during this unusually dry period.