[Study of the diet of a pest rodent [Meriones shawii Duvernoy, 1842 Mammalia, Rodentia] in Algeria]

ABSTRACT

In order to better understand and control Meriones shawii population outbreaks in Algeria, a study of its diet was undertaken both in field and in laboratory experiment. The annual survey of faeces composition displays diet differences according to season with a preference for leaves and seeds of Graminea in spring [53,12%] and summer [92%]. This could be related to cereals cycle. In autumn and winter, these are replaced by Leguminose, Composacea, Malvacea. In captivity, M. shawii prefers barley [Hordeum vulgare] grains to Triticum durum and Triticum aestivum. This work allows one to make some recommendations to improve rodent control of this agronomic pest.