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Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans) Populations in the Northern Marshall Islands

Temme, Manfred
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1570783750511412

Abstract Details

1979, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Over 3600 Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans) were trapped and necropsied between 1964 and 1978 at Enewetak Atoll and several other atolls in the Northern Marshall Islands. Data were gathered on the reproductive condition of both sexes, population density, habitat, feeding patterns, palatal ridge patterns, and stomach parasites. A trapping method developed for islet conditions resulted in numbers between 7.1 and 85.0 rats/100 traps/night. Breeding activity in the Northern Marshalls was significantly correlated with rainfall. The average "true" prevalence of pregnancy was 0.14 (range 0.04—0.50). The average litter size was 3.3. In males seminal vesicles regressed significantly in nonbreeding seasons. Undisturbed islets with natural vegetation and coconut trees had dense populations with signs of crowding such as low prevalence of pregnancy, diurnal activity, delayed maturity, extended age structure, and regressed seminal vesicles. Islets with Marshallese villages usually had actively reproducing, less dense populations. The mean measure of divergence of palatal ridge patterns indicated the similarity of rat populations on neighboring islets and greater distinctiveness on islets with stronger physical barriers. The antemolar ridge deformations found in rat populations on seven islets (Enewetak Atoll) correlated significantly with radiation indices of these islets. This supports the hypothesis that these mutations resulted from the testing of nuclear devices between 1948 and 1958. Stomach content analyses showed that plant matter was the principle diet component on these islets. The Polynesian rat did not inflict as severe damage to coconuts as the roof rat (R. rattus). Polynesian rat populations in the Northern Marshalls are similar to populations elsewhere in the Pacific basin. However, variations among islet populations exist, depending upon food supply, shelter, population density, and degree of human interference.
William B. Jackson (Advisor)
Biology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Temme, M. (1979). Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans) Populations in the Northern Marshall Islands [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1570783750511412

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Temme, Manfred. Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans) Populations in the Northern Marshall Islands. 1979. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1570783750511412.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Temme, Manfred. "Polynesian Rat (Rattus exulans) Populations in the Northern Marshall Islands." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1979. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1570783750511412

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1570783750511412
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