Abstract

This study was carried out to identify rodent species in the old areas of Al-Dahsa village in Farshout district, Qena governorate, in field crops and buildings during two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). The study revealed the presence of two rodent species (such as Arvicanthis niloticus and Rattus rattus frugivorus) in the field crops. While the study revealed the presence of three species of rodents (Mus musculus, Rattus rattus frugivorus, and Rattus norvegicus) in the buildings. The study also revealed an increase in the density of rodents in field crops in the first and second years as follow: R. r. frugivorus (55.46 and 55.65%), A. niloticus (44.54 and 44.35%) for the first and second year, respectively. In buildings, the domestic mouse M. musculus was the most widespread species, accounting for 48.39% and 44.44% of the total rodents trapped for each of the first and second years. It is followed by Rattus norvegicus with 29.03% and 34.19%. R. r. frugivorus was the last species occurring 23.39% and 21.37%. This study is useful for choosing the most appropriate control methods for the rodent species spread in the study area