Commensal small mammal trapping data in Northern Senegal, 2011-2014

Data were collected as part of the ANR project ENEMI, which aimed at investigating the role of parasitism and immunology in the invasion success of the house mouse Mus musculus domesticus in Senegal. They were issued from 6 field campaigns conducted between November 2011 and July 2014 in villages and towns of the northern part of the country: in the anciently invaded area along the coast from Saint-Louis to Mbour, and along two invasions routes, one along the northern road in the Senegal River valley, and the second along the main road across the Ferlo region. Using standard trapping procedures, commensal small mammals were captured, then euthanized, sexed and measured, identified using morphological or molecular tools, and finally autopsied in order to take a number of samples intended for the detection of parasites and pathogens, the characterization of immune profiles, as well as the study of the population genetics of some species. Commensal habitat characteristics were recorded at each trap position. The dataset reports the results of 9660 trapnights, leading to the capture of 1987 small mammals (mainly native and exotic rodents - 7 species, and a few species of shrews and hedgehogs) and the collection of associated biological, geographical and environmental data. It should provide opportunities for studies in population and community ecology at various spatial scales. It perfectly supplement the dataset already deposited by Granjon & Fossati entitled "Commensal small mammal trapping data in Southern Senegal, 2012-2015", and collected at the same period using exactly the same protocol during another research program. Combined with data obtained through the treatment of associated biological samples (concerning immune profiles and parasite/pathogen detection, see references), both datasets may contribute to characterise zoonotic risks related to small mammals in Senegal.