Les mammifères

size is 4 young. A female may have a litter every 6 weeks changing its burrow each time. However births only take place after the rains, from November to March. The population turnover is high, mortality rate among adults averaging 25 % per month. Data are given on population fluctuations over two consecutive years. Net production in a given year is strongly influenced by the importance of the previous rains. On quadrat QR, production (fresh weight) was 392.8 g/ha in 1969-70 after « normal » rains, and only 42.4 g/ha in 1970-71 after sub-normal rains. On quadrat QF, the respective figures were 599.0 g/ha in 1969-70 and 63.6 g/ha in 1970-71. A first estimation of the trophic impact of Taterillus pygargus on the production of seeds is made : out of the 40- 60 Kg/ha produced, 2.1 to 6.6 Kg/ha arc consumed by this species alone. Size is 4 young. A female may have a litter every 6 weeks changing its burrow each time. However births only take place after the rains, from November to March. The population turnover is high, mortality rate among adults averaging 25 % per month. Data are given on population fluctuations over two consecutive years. Net production in a given year is strongly influenced by the importance of the previous rains. On quadrat QR, production (fresh weight) was 392.8 g/ha in 1969-70 after « normal » rains, and only 42.4 g/ha in 1970-71 after sub-normal rains. On quadrat QF, the respective figures were 599.0 g/ha in 1969-70 and 63.6 g/ha in 1970-71. A first estimation of the trophic impact of Taterillus pygargus on the production of seeds is made : out of the 40- 60 Kg/ha produced, 2.1 to 6.6 Kg/ha arc consumed by this species alone