William B. Jackson

Feeding Patterns of Rattus rattus and Rattus exulans on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands

In conjunction with studies of the rodent populations of the former nuclear test site at Eniwetok Atoll, the feeding patterns of Rattus rattus and Rattus exulans were determined by food acceptance tests, histological examination of stomach contents, and observation of animals under both natural and cage conditions. Both species were active in all community types from the early successional stages to the shrub-tree stage. R. exulans was found mainly on islets having the remnants of coconut plantations, whereas R. rattus occurred on those extensively disturbed by nuclear testing. Plant foods predominated in the diets of both species; however, R. rattus used a wider range of foods, including a variety of insects. The apparent narrower preferences of R. exulans might explain its absence from islets that suffered habitat destruction and restriction of food sources during the nuclear test program.

A review of commensal rodents and their control

(1973). A review of commensal rodents and their control. C R C Critical Reviews in Environmental Control: Vol. 3, No. 1-4, pp. 405-453.

The tools and techniques of wildlife damage management—changing needs: an introduction

Abstract A wide array of tools and techniques is available for managing the growing variety of conflict situations among humans and wildlife. However, changing social dynamics and the emergence of the animal rights movement have led to increasing restriction or elimination of many of the traditional strategies or materials used by wildlife managers, creating a demand for new approaches to wildlife damage management. The challenge to wildlife scientists is to provide data to maintain the broadest array of appropriate, science-based techniques and management options, while fostering the rapid development and application of new technology.

A new era of vertebrate pest control? An introduction

Abstract Vertebrate pest control has made substantial progress, worldwide, in the past century – moving from what were once uncoordinated private efforts to trap, shoot, or poison animal pests to organized IPM approaches employing a variety of pest control tactics. Some of the tools of the past are still critically important in these programs, but as new pest problems and new constraints arise, these tools are often found wanting. This paper, introducing a special issue of International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation , briefly examines developments in vertebrate pest control in the past 100 years and summarizes some of the current lines of research that will carry us into the future.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR COMMENSAL RODENTS

The commensal rodents (literally, those with whom we share our table) conventionally are the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), roof rat (R. rattus), and house mouse (Mus musculus). All are of Asian origin, introduced to North America by early European immigrants and traders; and these populations now have been augmented from around the world. Native rodents, such as white-footed and deer mice (Peromyscus spp.) and various species of squirrels, frequently invade structures, but their management is much the same as for the traditional commensal species.

Age-related differences in reproductive behaviour of male Mandarin Ducks

Dabbling ducks which breed in their first summer (second calendar year) show reduced productivity compared with older conspecifics. Can this be related to the drakes inexperience of courtship and fertilisation?

Use of burrows for evaluating rodenticide efficacy in urban areas

Conditions in urban environments often preclude the use of traditional research methods for determining rodent numbers and thus impede the efficacy determinations on rodenticides in research or management programs. However, in these situations the numbers of active rat burrows before and after bait placement provide a relative population measure. This procedure, used in field trials with Vacor (DLP-787) acute rodenticide in selected blocks in Cleveland and Chicago, permitted an estimate to be made of a reduction of Norway rat activity in excess of 85 percent, following the treatment.

Protocol for field tests of ultrasonic devices for rodent management

Testing ultrasonic devices for rodent repellency in closed environments results in contradictory responses. Without alternative environments, such efficacy tests cannot approximate actual conditions, and can result in erroneous conclusions. Conducting observations in actual rodent-infested environments provides the best circumstances in which to measure the efficacy of high-frequency sound as a rodent management tool. Ideally, the installation of ultrasonic devices should be the only environmental variable. Rodent activity, measured with tracking patches, food consumption, or motion monitors before and after activation of units, is correlated with sound pressure patterns in the environment. Both frequency and sound pressure are important parameters. Preferably, two on/ off cycles should be used.

Suggested Methods for Determining the Efficacy of Vertebrate Control Agents in Developing Countries

Toxic and repellent chemicals and devices are available in some countries as tools for reducing agricultural crop losses to vertebrate pests. Determining the benefits of these materials usually requires testing and evaluation programs in many environments and against many species. In developing countries, however, replicated test designs and the associated sophisticated statistics normally cannot be used. Varied sizes of test sites, nonuniformity of cultural practices, limited staff, varied ability of technicians, and the multiplicity of depredating species are some of the more important reasons for this. Some method of demonstrating efficacy, using acceptable procedures, needs to be conducted under the conditions of actual use. Systematic-random sampling patterns and simplified data collection procedures are suggested. Many examples are drawn from field trials conducted in developing countries, primarily in Africa, over the past several years.

Considerations in Testing Vertebrate Pesticides To Be Used in Disease-Control Activities

Many factors related to disease etiology, animal behavior, and comparative physiology combine to complicate the testing of vertebrate pesticides for use in disease control. Several case histories and documented events arereferred to as a means of delineating the diverse nature of these difficulties. Because of the great variety of experiences and formal education necessary to evaluate these problems effectively, it is obvious that a multidisciplinary, consensus effort is required. The exceedingly high cost and low return for investment and labor in research would indicate that no single agency, company, nor group of scientists are capable of, nor can afford, undertaking pesticidal registration for vertebrate disease control under the usual criteria. Therefore, special consideration for a multiagency, multidisciplinary approach to the development of pesticides for disease control in vertebrate animals is mandatory, if catastrophes to human and environmental health are to be minimized.