282 TELFORD: MULTIMAMMATE RAT POPULATION BIOLOGY IN TANZANIA




TABLE 14. Mean weights of female Praomys natalensis compared with rainfall, 1981-85.


 Mean weight (g) + 1 S.E. Mean
rainfall (mm)


Months 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1971-80


October 27.81.1 28.21.0 28.21.3 24.11.4
 No. exam. (96) (84) (70) (72)
 Nov-Dec
 rainfall 147.1 332.4 159.3 183.6 158.6

Dec-Feb 28.4 0.6 29.70.7 32.70.9 28.90.5
 No. exam. (140) (189) (290) (282)
 Jan-Feb
 rainfall 44.4 70.2 298.7 169.5 212.1

Mar-Apr 30.1 0.5 31.5 0.6 38.9 1.3
 No. exam. (87) (174) (164)
 Mar-Apr
 rainfall 162.3 218.2 408.4 -307.8

May-June 51.81.6 51.02.6 47.41.5
 No. exam. (60) (24) (71)
 May-June
 rainfall 88.7 155.2 86.2 -102.1






TABLE 15. Summary of annual variation in rainfall and reproductive patterns, with trap
success prior to normal onset of Praomys natalensis reproduction in April


 April trap
year rainfall pattern reproductive pattern success (%)


1981-82 < normal Dec.,very dry Jan.- no reproduction from Sept.
 Feb. to April 5.0
1982-83 very wet Oct.-Dec., < normal 1 litter Jan., then none until
 Jan.-Apr. April 7.6
1983-84 very wet Dec.-Jan., normal Feb.- continuous reproduction Jan.
 April through August 34.4
1984-85 very wet Nov., then dry Dec.- 1 litter Jan., none in
 Jan. February