"Social influences on the selection of a protein-sufficient diet by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)": Correction to Beck and Galef (1989).

1990 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-139
Author(s):  
Matthew Beck ◽  
Bennett G. Galef
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Social Influences ◽  
Norway Rats ◽  
Selection Of

Distribution, biology and prey selection of the introduced Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus at Kiska Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L. Major ◽  
Ian L. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
Aethia Pusilla ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Norway Rats ◽  
Selection Of

At Kiska Island, Alaska, USA we quantified age, sex, size, distribution and predation of Least Auklets Aethia pusilla by non-indigenous Norway Rats Rattus norvegicus, to evaluate their impact on auklet reproductive success. Rat distribution was assessed by surveying accessible parts of Kiska Island for rat sign and prey hoards. To quantify prey selection and infer diet, the contents of all hoards found were identified. Age, sex and size structure of the rat population was assessed using limited snap trapping on and off the Sirius Point auklet colony. Norway Rat sign was abundant in all areas near breeding seabirds and marine sources of food but rat sign abundance varied among years at Sirius Point. Although we found a larger proportion of juvenile to adult rats (0.54 : 0.46, p < 0.01) at Sirius Point, no significant differences were found in the proportion of reproductive to non-reproductive females (0.50 : 0.27, p > 0.05) or in overall adult body size (257 g and 37 cm : 236 g and 35 cm, p > 0.05) between Sirius Point and Christine Lake where breeding auklets are absent. Surplus killing and food hoarding by rats was noted in all years during the auklet laying period, with adult Least Auklets being the principal prey taken (4-148 individuals per hoard, n = 16 hoards). Our observations were consistent with the notion that rats have a negative impact on auklet populations, but for management purposes further information on whether rats are the sole cause of auklet reproductive failure is required.

scholarly journals Field trials of flocoumafen against warfarin-resistant infestations of the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus Berk)

1986 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Buckle
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Anticoagulant Rodenticide ◽  
Complete Control ◽  
Norway Rat ◽  
Norway Rats ◽  
Farm Buildings

SUMMARYThe anticoagulant rodenticide flocoumafen was tested against warfarin-resistant Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) infesting farm buildings. Complete control was obtained in 10–21 days (mean 14·2 days) in six treatments in which baits poisoned with 0·005% flocoumafen were maintained, in surplus, until rats ceased to feed from them. A further six treatments, in which the application of poisoned bait was restricted to periodic placements of 50 g, were also completely successful in 15–30 days (mean 21·0 days). Less poisoned bait was used in the restricted flocoumafen treatments than in the unrestricted treatments but the time taken to control the rat infestations was significantly longer.

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS IN CAPTURED WILD NORWAY RATS: III. PRODUCTION OF ADRENAL STEROIDS IN VITRO

1963 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1147-1153
Author(s):  
J. S. Willmer ◽  
O. Héroux
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Seasonal Adjustment ◽  
Adrenal Steroids ◽  
Steroid Secretion ◽  
Adrenal Steroid ◽  
White Rats ◽  
Norway Rats

The in vitro adrenal steroid secretion of wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) captured during the winter differed in quantity, but not in quality, from that of similar rats captured during the summer. Whereas there was no evident seasonal effect on adrenal weight either in males or in females, adrenals of both sexes secreted at a faster rate during the winter than during the summer, this increase involving the four groups of steroids characterized chromatographically during both seasons and in both sexes; the predominant steroid secreted was corticosterone. This seasonal adjustment in adrenal activity is similar to that observed in white rats kept in group cages exposed outdoors to the natural summer and winter environmental conditions, but it differs from that found in white rats cold-acclimated in the laboratory, in which adrenal activity is lower than normal after cold acclimation.

Factors determining the distribution of introduced mammals in nature reserves of the southern province, New Caledonia

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Rouys ◽  
Jörn Theuerkauf
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Nature Reserves ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Mus Musculus Domesticus ◽  
Southern Province ◽  
Feral Populations ◽  
Norway Rats

We studied the distribution of introduced mammals in six nature reserves of New Caledonia's southern province. Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans) were common in both rainforest and shrubland but their abundance decreased with increasing altitude. Ship rats (Rattus rattus) were abundant in rainforest but less numerous in shrubland and their abundance did not increase with altitude. We found no Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) or house mice (Mus musculus domesticus) in reserves. Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) used mainly rainforest but also shrubland and preferred foraging in valleys with alluvial soils. Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) selected shrubland over rainforest. Feral cats (Felis catus) were widely distributed in the reserves, whereas dogs (Canis familiaris) strayed into reserves but did not form feral populations.

scholarly journals The smell of cooperation: rats increase helpful behaviour when receiving odour cues of a conspecific performing a cooperative task

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1939) ◽  
pp. 20202327
Author(s):  
Nina Gerber ◽  
Manon K. Schweinfurth ◽  
Michael Taborsky
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Food Exchange ◽  
Olfactory Information ◽  
Cooperative Partner ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Per Se ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Norway Rats

Reciprocity can explain cooperative behaviour among non-kin, where individuals help others depending on their experience in previous interactions. Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) cooperate reciprocally according to direct and generalized reciprocity. In a sequence of four consecutive experiments, we show that odour cues from a cooperating conspecific are sufficient to induce the altruistic help of rats in a food-exchange task. When rats were enabled to help a non-cooperative partner while receiving olfactory information from a rat helping a conspecific in a different room, they helped their non-cooperative partner as if it was a cooperative one. We further show that the cues inducing altruistic behaviour are released during the act of cooperation and do not depend on the identity of the cue provider. Remarkably, olfactory cues seem to be more important for cooperation decisions than experiencing a cooperative act per se . This suggests that rats may signal their cooperation propensity to social partners, which increases their chances to receive help in return.

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