Rhabdomys pumilio in the fynbos

The fynbos is a biome that is at great risk to invasive alien plants such as Acacia
cyclops. The rooikrans seed weevil had been introduced as a form of biocontrol and
appears to be effective. Rhabdomys pumilio is a seed-eating rodent that is abundant
in the fynbos and preys on seeds from the A. cyclops. One concern that arises is,
whether reduction in the A. cyclops (through effective insect biocontrol) will lead to
reduced populations of R. pumilio and consequent reductions in birds of prey that
may rely on the rodents as a food source. We discovered that there were no
significant differences in habitat choice, weight, gender, and trap success of R.
pumilio in adjacent areas of the acacia and fynbos vegetations. Furthermore, rodent
densities were high. Effective control of A. cyclops would not appear to be a threat to
R. pumilio populations.
Second Language Abstract: Fynbos i biome leyi yinga nghozi kuya emahlweni na swimilana
leswi swinga tumbulukangiki eka yona ku fana na Acacia cyclops.
Mbewu ya rooikrans weevil yi tivisiwe ku fana na biocontrol naku
tlhela yi humelela kahle. Rhabdomys pumilio ixi hatyana lexi xi
tyaka mbewu na swona swihadyana leswi switele endzhawini ya
fynbos na kona swidya mbewu ya A. cylcops. Lexi xingha ha
humelelaka i ku, R. pumilio nhloyo ya swona loko kuri na
swinyenyana leswi swiswi dyaka yinga ha andza njhana loko
kungari na biocontrol. Hiku lavisisa hikume leswaku aku ngari
naku hambana ka kahle eka ndzhawa leyi ku tshamaka swihadyana,
ntiko rimbewu na switlhaka leswi aswi tirha eka R. pumilio e
xikarhi ka swimilani swa acacia na fynbos.