DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION, AND ABUNDANCE OF RODENT SPECIES A CASE STUDY AT BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY GADAU MAIN CAMPUS.

This study investigates the distribution and relative abundance of rodent species in a designated study area. A total of 117 rodents were captured and identified across six different locations within the study site. The species identified include Mus musculus, Cricetomys gambianus, Thryonomys swinderianus, Arvicanthis niloticus, Lemniscomys striatus, and Graphiurus spp. Among these, Mus musculus was the most dominant species, representing 42.73% of the total rodent population, followed by Hystrix spp. (23.93%) and Arvicanthis niloticus (12.82%). The remaining species, Thryonomys swinderianus, Cricetomys gambianus, and Lemniscomys striatus, contributed less significantly to the overall population, with relative abundances of 10.26%, 9.40%, and 0.85%, respectively. The study reveals a significant variation in species distribution across the different locations, with Mus musculus being most prevalent in New site Quarters (NSQ) and Old side forest (OSF), while Graphiurus spp. were more evenly distributed. The data suggest that rodent management strategies should be species-specific and location-sensitive, particularly focusing on Mus musculus due to its high prevalence and potential public health implications. Further research is recommended to explore the ecological roles and control measures for less abundant species to ensure effective rodent population management and biodiversity conservation within the study area.