Demographic drivers of Norway rat populations from urban slums in Brazil

Zeppelini, CG, Carvalho-Pereira, T, Alves, R Sady, Santiago, DCC, Santo, VF Espirito, Begon, M ORCID: 0000-0003-1715-5327, Costa, F and Khalil, Hussein (2020) Demographic drivers of Norway rat populations from urban slums in Brazil. Urban Ecosystems, 24 (4). pp. 801-809.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-01075-2

Abstract

The Norway rat is a globally distributed pest, known for its resilience to eradication and control programs. Efficient population control, especially in urban settings, is dependent on knowledge of rat demography and population ecology. We analyzed the relationship between four demographic outcomes, estimated by live-trapping data, and fine-scale environmental features measured at the capture site. Wounds, a proxy for agonistic interactions, were associated with mature individuals. Areas with environmental features favorable to rats, such as open sewers and unpaved earth, were associated with more mature individuals with a better body condition index. The control measures (environmental stressors) are likely to be disrupting the social structure of rat colonies, increasing the frequency and distribution of agonistic interactions, which were common in both sexes and maturity states. The relationship between the favorable environmental conditions and the demographic markers analyzed indicate possible targets for infestation control through environmental manipulation, and could be incorporated into current pest management programs to achieve long-term success. Our study indicate that urban interventions focused on removal of potential resources for rats could be potential long-term solutions by reducing the carrying capacity of the environment.<h4>Supplementary information</h4>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11252-020-01075-2.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Rattus norvegicus, Urban ecology, Demography, Tropics, Slums, Zoonotic disease, Salvador
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	19 May 2021 08:56
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:46
DOI:	10.1007/s11252-020-01075-2
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-01075-2
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3123268