Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (2): 123-128.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb20191200956

Special Issue: 畜牧兽医

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Rattus norvegicus in Farmhouses in Central Guizhou: Morphological Characteristics

Li Mei1(), Yin Wenshu1, Song Zhishu1, Yang Zaixue2()   

  1. 1Guizhou Xifeng Plant Protection Station, Xifeng Guizhou 551199
    2Guizhou Yuqing Plant Protection Station, Yuqing Guizhou 564400
  • Received:2019-12-17 Revised:2020-02-06 Online:2021-01-15 Published:2021-01-14
  • Contact: Yang Zaixue E-mail:251762086@qq.com;329694564@qq.com

Abstract:

Rattus norvegicus is a dominant pest rodent in farmhouses in central Guizhou. The knowledge on the morphological characteristics of R. norvegicus of different age groups and different seasons contribute to the population ecology research of R. norvegicus and the forecast of the population dynamics, which can provide a basis for making control strategy of R. norvegicus. We captured R. norvegicus monthly using snap-trap method from 1986 to 2019 in farmhouses in central Guizhou. A total of 1746 rats were captured during these years. The indices of the morphological characteristics including body weight, body length, tail length, hind foot length and ear length were detected, and the indices’ differences among gender, age groups and season were analyzed. The results showed that the body weight of the captured rats was mainly between 30.01 and 160.00 g, accounting for 83.62% of the total population. The number of sub-adult and adult I accounted for 69.76% of the total population. There was no significant difference in body weight, body length, tail length, hind foot length and ear length between male and female. Body characteristics among different age groups were greatly significant, and the difference of body characteristics was also found in different seasonal cohorts. The results suggest that the growth rate is equal between male and female rats in the same environment, the body weight and length increase with the age. Seasonal change has certain effects on the growth of R. norvegicus.

Key words: farmhouses, Rattus norvegicus, morphological characteristics, age structure, central Guizhou

CLC Number: