The biology, behaviour, and ecology of Mastomys natalensis in southern Africa.

The multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis, is the most widespread and common rodent in Africa south of the Sahara. It is an ideal carrier of normally non-human diseases to the domestic environment, not only because of its semi-commensal habit but also because of a combination of other behavioural and ecological factors. Of these, the most important is an exceptionally high propagation rate.