Functional responses of an invasive top predator Mustela erminea to invasive meso-predators Rattus rattus and Mus musculus, in New Zealand forests

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Jones ◽  
Roger Pech ◽  
Guy Forrester ◽  
Carolyn M. King ◽  
Elaine C. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Passage Time ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Functional Responses ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Mustela Erminea ◽  
Rodent Prey

Context Management of suites of invasive mammal species can lead to perverse outcomes, such as meso-predator release, or can achieve desirable reductions in the abundance of top-order predators by controlling their prey. Predictive models for predator–prey systems require estimates of predator functional responses, i.e. predation rates as functions of prey density. Aims In New Zealand, estimates of the functional responses of stoats (Mustela erminea) to mice (Mus musculus) and ship (black) rats (Rattus rattus) are required to improve management models for these invasive species. Methods We derived fitted relationships between the presence or absence of mouse or ship-rat remains in stoat guts and corresponding indices of prey abundance in beech and podocarp forests, respectively. To convert field data on stoat-gut contents to minimum kill rates, we used data on feeding activity and estimates of gut-passage time, observed in captive stoats. Key results The most parsimonious fitted curves were Type II functional responses, with a steeper stoat–mouse curve for autumn–winter, indicating a more specialist feeding habit than that in spring–summer. Estimated kill rates of mice per stoat per day reached an asymptote of 1.13 during autumn–winter. Our maximum observed kill rate for spring–summer was 11% less than the extrapolated upper limit of 1.04 mice per stoat per day for New Zealand ecosystems. No asymptote was reached within the limits of the data for the stoat–rat relationship. Conclusions Recent models for trophic interactions between stoats and the primary rodent prey have overestimated kill rates by stoats in forested ecosystems, particularly at very low and very high densities of mice. We show how data on stoat-gut contents can be rescaled to estimate minimum kill rates of rodent prey. Implications The functional-response relationships we have derived can be used to improve modelled predictions of the effects of natural or management-driven perturbations of invasive stoats and their primary rodent-prey populations.

Secondary poisoning of stoats (Mustela erminea) at low mouse (Mus musculus) abundance in a New Zealand Nothofagus forest

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. Brown ◽  
N. Alterio ◽  
H. Moller
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Secondary Poisoning ◽  
Mustela Erminea ◽  
Nothofagus Forest ◽  
Tracking Tunnels

Two different brodifacoum (Talon 20 P™) poisoning regimes effectively killed 100% of resident radio-tagged stoats (Mustela erminea) by secondary poisoning in a New Zealand Nothofagus forest when mice (Mus musculus) were scarce. Resident possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and ship rats (Rattus rattus) were also killed. The relative importance of different prey species as sources of poison for stoats has not been clearly identified but availability of poisoned prey will determine the efficacy of secondary poisoning in years of low prey abundance. Tracking tunnels did not accurately measure the decline in the stoat population and were probably influenced by immigrant stoats that were kill-trapped and contained high levels of poison. This study corroborates the findings of several other similar studies that secondary poisoning using brodifacoum effectively kills stoats.

Secondary poisoning of stoats (Mustela erminea) in a South Island podocarp forest, New Zealand: implications for conservation

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Alterio ◽  
H. Moller
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Secondary Poisoning ◽  
Mustela Erminea ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Bait Stations

This study tested the efficacy of secondary poisoning using Talon 20 P™ (20 ppm brodifacoum) in bait stations for killing predators in a New Zealand podocarp forest. Nine of 10 resident radio-tagged stoats (Mustela erminea) were killed after poisoning operations that killed mice (Mus musculus), ship rats (Rattus rattus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Possums were an important source of the poison, with six stoats dying 1–2 weeks after scavenging on poisoned carcasses. New male stoats rapidly invaded the poisoned areas, but few were killed because poisoned carcasses were scarce. Most resident stoats died before possums were poisoned in other New Zealand trials when Talon 20 P was hand-broadcast. Prey abundance is potentially an important determinant of efficacy of the method, so pulse baiting is likely to be more successful than press (sustained) baiting operations for controlling stoats. Use of bait stations delayed indirect poisoning of stoats, but reduced risks to non-target native species compared with hand-broadcast operations. Talon 20 P poisoning operations using bait stations could be an especially useful way of restoring New Zealand’s mainland communities of native biota because several species of predators are killed in the same operation, but potential risks to non-target native wildlife and humans should be intensively researched before the method is routinely used. This research also demonstrates the potential hazards of the new anticoagulant poisons like brodifacoum to conservation of small native predators elsewhere.

scholarly journals Morphometric Study of Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Rattus rattus in Qatar

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2162
Author(s):  
Md Mazharul Islam ◽  
Elmoubashar Farag ◽  
Ahmad Mahmoudi ◽  
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan ◽  
Muzzamil Atta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Morphometric Study ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Commensal Rodents ◽  
External Body

The current study was undertaken to estimate the morphometric pattern of three commensal rodents, i.e., Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Rattus rattus in Qatar. One hundred forty-eight rodents were captured from different facilities throughout Qatar. The captured rodents were used to identify the external body and cranio-mandibular morphometry. The study found that R. norvregicus was the most prevalent (n = 120, 81%, 95% CI: 73.83–87.05). Most of the rodents were collected from Al Rayan municipality (n = 92, 62%), were adults (n = 138, 93.2%, 95% CI: 87.92–96.71), and were from livestock farms (n = 79, 49%, 95% CI: 41.02–57.65). The rodents’ average body weights were 18.8 ± 2.2 gm, 264.3 ± 87.5 gm, and 130 ± 71.3 gm for M. musculus, R. norvegicus, and R. rattus, respectively. The research found that the studied rodents are smaller than those of other countries such as Turkey, Tunisia, and Iran. The study of morphometry is a useful tool for the traditional identification of small mammal species, including rodents. The average morphometric measurements of the external body and skull were normally distributed and can be used as a reference of R. norvegicus and R. rattus for Qatar. A further comprehensive study is required to investigate the rodent population index, eco-friendly control program, and public health importance in Qatar.

Impact of Feeding Activity of Silver Carp on Plankton Removal from a High-Rate Pond Effluent

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Berday ◽  
Driss Zaoui ◽  
Abdeljaouad Lamrini ◽  
Mustapha Abi
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Silver Carp ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Fish Pond ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix ◽  
Technology System ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Plankton Communities

Abstract The effect of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Val.) feeding activity on the plankton communities in a high-rate pond technology system (HRPTS) effluent was investigated over a period of 100 days. The experiment was conducted at the experimental wastewater treatment plant of the Agronomic and Veterinary Medicine Institute (AVI) of Rabat, Morocco, using a HRPTS in a fish pond receiving the plant effluent. The effluent was highly dominated by phytoplankton (99.95%). Silver carp could survive and grow in the fish pond. Production was 37 kg with a very low mortality rate (12%). The high specific intestine weight (7%) and intake rates of biomass and phytoplankton by silver carp (616 g kg-1 of fish day-1 and 1.6 x 1011 cell kg-1 of fish day-1, respectively) demonstrated the importance of the feeding activity of the fish. Zooplankton intake rates were lower (2 x 107 bodies kg-1 of fish day-1). The high intestine index (3 to 4.3 for fish sizes of 14 to 22 cm) and the dominance of phytoplankton in the gut contents (99.95%) confirmed an omnivorous/ phytoplanctivorous diet. Silver carp were efficient in removing plankton from the HRPTS effluent. The net removal yields of biomass were 285 g m-3 day-1 and 322 g kg-1 of fish day-1, 7 x 1010 algal cells kg-1 of fish day-1 and 8.7 x 107 zooplankton bodies kg-1 of fish day-1, with net removal rates of 47, 64 and 62%, respectively. The total suspended solids concentration decreased from 211 in the inflow to 112 mg L-1 in the fish pond.

scholarly journals First Detection of Bartonella spp. in Small Mammals from Rice Storage and Processing Facilities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Inga Böge ◽  
Martin Pfeffer ◽  
Nyo M. Htwe ◽  
Pyai P. Maw ◽  
Siriwardana Rampalage Sarathchandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Suncus Murinus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
D 12 ◽  
Zoonotic Bacteria

(1) Background: Bartonella spp. are zoonotic bacteria with small mammals as main reservoirs. Bartonella spp. prevalence in small mammals from Myanmar and Sri Lanka are yet unknown. (2) Methods: Small mammals were snap trapped in Sri Lanka and Myanmar in urban surroundings. Spleens-derived DNA was screened for Bartonella spp. using conventional PCR based on three target genes. Positive samples were sequenced. (3) Results: 994 small mammals were collected comprising 6 species: Bandicota bengalensis, Bandicota indica, Rattus exulans, Rattus rattus, Mus booduga, and Suncus murinus. In Myanmar, the Bartonella prevalence in Bandicoot rats (68.47%) was higher than in Rattus rattus (41.67%), Rattus exulans (21.33%), and Suncus murinus (3.64%). Furthermore the prevalence in Myanmar (34%, n = 495) was twice as high as in Sri Lanka (16%, n = 499). In Sri Lanka, Bartonella spp. occurred almost exclusively in R. rattus. In Myanmar, Bartonella kosoyi was mainly detected (56%), followed by Bartonella sp. KM2529 (15%), Bartonella sp. SE-Bart D (12%) and Bartonella henselae (1%). In Sri Lanka, B. phoceensis (60%) and Bartonella sp. KM2581 (33%) were predominant. (4) Conclusions: Bartonella spp. were detected in all investigated small mammal species from Myanmar and Sri Lanka for the first time. Bartonella kosoyi and B. henselae are zoonotic. As these small mammals originated from urban settlements, human bartonellosis seems likely to occur.

scholarly journals Feeding activity and diet composition of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) in the coastal waters of SE Baltic Sea

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artūras Skabeikis ◽  
Jūratė Lesutienė
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Macoma Balthica ◽  
Round Goby ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Neogobius Melanostomus ◽  
The Body ◽  
Gut Contents

AbstractFeeding activity and diet composition of round goby were investigated in the south-eastern Baltic Sea, the Lithuanian coastal waters during May-October 2012 in order to determine main feeding objects and seasonal periods when native fauna could be most affected by predation of this highly invasive species. In total, prey represented by 18 taxa was found in the gut contents of dissected fish. Feeding activity of round goby varied depending on the body size, sex and stage of the reproduction period. The gut contents of < 50 mm specimens were dominated by zooplanktonic and meiobenthic organisms, whereas larger individuals (50–99 mm) shifted to amphipods and mollusks. Individuals of the intermediate 100-200 mm length had a variable diet, changing depending on the season; in spring they mostly preyed on Macoma balthica, in summer − on polychaetes, while in autumn the contribution of Mytilus trossulus and fish considerably increased in their diet. Diet composition of individuals ≥ 200 mm was relatively constant in the course of the study with substantial preference to M. balthica. These findings imply that benthic fauna, particularly a newly settled generation of epibenthic mollusks in autumn is under strong predatory pressure of the round goby.

scholarly journals Prevalencia de leptospirosis en roedores sinantrópicos de la Ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina. Período mayo 2005–junio 2008

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Marder ◽  
R. M. Ruiz ◽  
O. R. Bottinelli ◽  
H. A. Peiretti ◽  
L. Zorzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Rattus Rattus

<p>La leptospirosis es una zoonosis causada por bacterias del género Leptospira sp., las cuales regularmente provocan brotes de la enfermedad en Argentina, donde el conocimiento de su epidemiología es incompleto. Los roedores (ratas y ratones sinantrópicos y silvestres) son los principales reservorios de leptospirosis en nuestro medio. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la presencia de Leptospira sp. en roedores de la Ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina, así como la especie, sexo y edad de los ejemplares positivos a leptospirosis. Fueron capturados 101 especimenes, cuyo tejido renal fue utilizado para demostrar la presencia de Leptospira sp. mediante microscopio de campo oscuro a partir de cultivos de 15 días hasta un máximo de 6 meses. La tasa de positividad detectada fue de 58,4%, con una alta proporción de animales machos de la especie Rattus rattus. Solamente pudo capturarse un ejemplar de Mus musculus, que resultó infectado. Se concluye que la alta prevalencia de leptospirosis en roedores del área en estudio constituye un alarmante factor de riesgo de infección en animales domésticos y seres humanos.</p>

scholarly journals Glodavci u skladištima poljoprivrednih proizvoda – štetnost i suzbijanje

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Dinka Grubišić ◽  
Ivan Juran ◽  
Mirjana Brmež ◽  
Maja Šurlog ◽  
Viktorija Sever ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mus Musculus ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Rattus Rattus

Glodavci su važni štetnici uskladištenih poljoprivrednih proizvoda. Uz zadovoljenje osnovnih prehrambenih potreba, štetne vrste u skladištima nalaze povoljne uvjete za razvoj i razmnožavanje te zaštitu od prirodnih neprijatelja. Najštetnije vrste glodavaca u skladištima Republike Hrvatske jesu štakori vrsta Rattus norvegicus i Rattus rattus te domaći miš Mus musculus. Osim što se hrane uskladištenim proizvodima, rasipaju ih, onečišćuju urinom, izmetom, dlakom i slinom, navedene vrste rezervoari su zoonozama koje utječu na zdravlje ljudi, te domaćih i divljih životinja. U Republici Hrvatskoj u populacijama sitnih glodavaca dokazani su uzročnici Lajmske borelioza, trihineloze, leptospiroze, Q groznice i hemoragijske vrućice s bubrežnim sindromom. Utvrđene su i višestruke infekcije glodavaca uzročnicima zoonoza. Redovito praćenje brojnosti glodavaca važno je u svrhu pravovremenog suzbijanja te smanjenja materijalnih gubitaka, ali i u svrhu sprječavanja pojave epidemija zoonoza. Uz preventivne mjere koje podrazumijevaju održavanje higijene prostora te održavanje infrastrukture, čime sprječavamo privlačenje i nastanjivanje glodavaca u skladištima, provodi se i kontinuirana deratizacija koja uključuje primjenu mehaničkih, fizikalnih i kemijskih mjera zaštite.

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