Density of commensal rodent species in Baghdad area

Abstract

Commensal rodents are important medically & economically in human life .Estimation of commensal rodent species densities in districts of Baghdad area. Baited trap/night method campaign lasted about 4 months in 1988 ; density equation & soft ware statistical analysis programs were applied.Density means were 30.16 ± 4.2 , 2.067 ± 0.989 , 0.695 ± 0.548 & 32.92 ± 4.18 for Rattus norvigecus , Rattus rattus , Mus musculus & the sum means of rodents respectively ; Only Rattus norvigecus & the sum of means have normal distribution (A-D normality test) . R. norvigecus, R. rattus, M. musculus & the sum of means, in addition to the negative Correlations between the three species were not significant at 0.05 levels respectively. Differences between R. norvigecus and each of R. rattus & M. musculus or between R. rattus & M. musculus density means were significant at 0.05 level; where the R. norvigecus mean was the highest.Species densities varies among Baghdad's districts , where the R. norvigecus mean was the highest then R. rattus & finally M. musculus . Given parameters are useful for rodents control and minimizing its transmissible diseases.