Plant Protection Bulletin (Taipei) (2001) 43, 205-214

H.Y. Wu, I.H. Wu, J.H. Chu and Y.S. Lin (2001)
Status and control of Rattus exulans in Taiwan
Plant Protection Bulletin (Taipei) 43 (4), 205-214
Abstract: Invasion by exotic species is of high concern because it may bring about diverse adverse consequences on economy, agriculture, human health, native biota and ecosystem. Rattus exulans, a widely-distributed rodent species in South-eastern Asia and Pacific islands, was found in Haulien in 1999 and was thought to be a new invader of unknown origin. The discovery of the species and the concern for potential impact called for various survey projects and immediate control measures. The range of occurrence of the species in Hualien in the past two years was within an area of 25 km² bordered by natural and anthropogenic barriers. Capture rates of R. exulans were higher in plots located in the central part of the range. R. exulans were captured in plots in grassland, shrubs and agricultural fields and were most often accompanied by Mus calori. Partial sequences of mtDNA control region of the specimens captured in Hualein were analyzed. Seven haplotypes were found in 35 samples. The genetic distances between haplotypes are less than 0.5%. Compared with the sequences information in NCBI, the rats in Hualien are more related to those in New Zealand, less related to those in Oceanic islands. The ecology of R exulans, examples of and debates on exotic species eradication are reviewed. The pros and cons of the eradication of R. exulans are discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
new introduction of pest

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rattus exulans		Taiwan