OCCUPATION ET UTILISATION DE L'ESPACE DANS LE GENRE MA57-¿7Hf5AU SENEGAL : ETUDE A TROIS NIVEAUX DE PERCEPTION

A preliminary systematic study had shown that populations of the genus ,%WL?..-S in Senegal belong to 3 species. Their geographical distribution is detailed and areas of sympatry between 2 or 3 of the species are indicated. At a regional level, f1 ergthrakx-mis being present in all the sampled biotopes. On the contrary, A! J+&&k?.!-tiis characteristic of humid zones. M cf. fl8t8Iws1's is strictly commensal in southeastern Senegal. The observed habitat distribution could be explained by the demographic, physiologic and behavictural characteristics of each species. At a local level, the spatial structure is compared between a continental population display lerger home ranges and movements which can be due to the absence of interspecific competition and the decrease of predatiori. The higher mean population density in the island does not lead to an increased intraspecific competi tion.