Survey of rodent diversity in different habitats in the central border area of China and Russia

Objective To investigate species composition and ectozoa of rodents in different habitats in the central border area of China and Russia in 2008.Methods Night trap method.Results A total number of 266 rodents were caught belonging to 4 families 7 genera,in addition 371 external parasitoids and fleas of rodents,133 mites and 1 tick were collected.The diversity of rodents species were different in 4 major habitats,with the highest diversity in farmland,and both grassland and forest district had the second highest diversity,while the port area had the most homogeneity.Meanwhile,of the total population collected from all 4 kinds of habitats,there was 21% of Apodemus agrarius,21% of Cricetulus barabensis,16% of Spermophilus undulatus,13% of Microtus fortis,11% of Apodemus peninsulae,10% of Clethrionomys rufocanus,7% of Eutamias sibiricus and 1% of Rattus norvegicus.Conclusion Important evidence for rodents control in border region of China and Russia is provided from this survey.