Investigation on the ecology of nocturnal rodents in plague epidemic area,Shaanxi province

Objective To grasp the ecological feature of nocturnal rodents in plague epidemic areas, Shaanxi province. Methods The nocturnal rodents were captured in different habitat every month. The parasitic fleas were collected, dissected and observed, as well as do plague bacillus culture and serum detection. Results 192 nocturnal rodents of 8 species were captured. Of which, the Cricetulus barabensis was the dominant specie. The quantity of nocturnal rodents was higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The Cr.barabensis inhabits adult woods and the Meriones meridianus inhabits dikes and semifixed dunes. 188 parasitic fleas, which belonged to 8 species of 8 genera of 4 families, were collected from the nocturnal rodents. The Neopsylla bidentatiformis and Xenopsylla conformis conformis were dominant species. The reproduction peak of nocturnal rodents was in summer. The dominant nocturnal rodents could be infected by the plague bacillus. Conclusion The ecological feature of nocturnal rodents in plague epidemic areas, Shaanxi province is different from that in other areas. It is important for the efficient prevention and control of plague to monitor systematically rodent density and detect serum.