The Distribution and Status of Rattus rattus L. in the United Kingdom in 1951 and 1956

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1959
Authors:Bentley, EW
Journal:Journal of Animal Ecology
Volume:28
Pagination:299-308
Date Published:1959
ISBN Number:00218790
Keywords:Rattus rattus
Abstract:

1. The distribution of Rattus rattus in the United Kingdom in 1951 and 1956 has been elucidated, mainly from the replies to a questionnaire sent to all local authorities. 2. In 1951 the ship rat was well established ashore in the London area and in about forty localities outside it, and occurred sporadically in about thirty other places. 3. By 1956 it had decreased in range and frequency in most localities and disappeared from some. 4. The main factors responsible for its loss of ground between 1951 and 1956 are though to be the continuous reduction in the number of rats arriving in the ports in ocean-going vessels, the introduction of measures to reduce rat infestation in coastal vessels, improvements in dockside building construction, and improved methods of rat control on land.

URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/2085
Taxonomic name: 
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Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith