The rodent species of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines - Target or non-target species for management?

Stuart, A. M., Prescott, C. V., Singleton, G. R., Joshi, R. C. and Sebastian, L. S. (2007) The rodent species of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines - Target or non-target species for management? International Journal of Pest Management, 53 (2). pp. 139-146. ISSN 0967-0874 doi: 10.1080/09670870701192433

Abstract/Summary

We investigated the species diversity and habitat use of rodents in the Ifugao Rice Terraces (IRT), Luzon, Philippines, as a first step in their assessment either as pest species of rice or as potential non-target species of rodent control practice. Trapping was carried out in caneland and forest habitats adjacent to rice cropland using trap lines of 10 - 15 cage-traps. Four trapping rounds, each consisting of 5 nights trapping, were replicated at two sites during the months of May and June. A diverse rodent fauna was recorded, including the non-native pest species, Rattus tanezumi, and the native species, Rattus everetti and Chrotomys mindorensis. Results from trapping and spool-and-line tracking suggested that these native species do not contribute to rice damage and that several may actually be beneficial in the ricefield ecosystem as vermivores that feed on invertebrate pests. Control should therefore be directed at the pest species, R. tanezumi, minimising non-target effects on the non-pest rodent species.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/10094
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords	rodent control, Philippines, biodiversity, endemic species, conservation, CHROTOMYS
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item