Journal article
Temporal and Space-Use Changes by Rats in Response to Predation by Feral Cats in an Urban Ecosystem
Frontiers in ecology and evolution, v 6, 146
27 Sep 2018
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Feral cats (Felis catus) are predators that cause widespread loss of native wildlife in urban ecosystems. Despite these risks, cats are commonly released as control agents for city rats (Rattus spp.). Cats can influence their prey directly by killing or indirectly through changes to feeding or space-use. However, cats prefer defenseless prey, and there are no data suggesting that cats influence large (>300 g) urban rats. We used a pre-existing radiofrequency identification assay (microchipped rats and field cameras) and ethograms to assess the impact of cats, including temporal and space use patterns, on an active rat colony. From Dec 27, 2017 through May 28, 2018 we captured 306 videos of pre-identified cats and/or rats that shared the same space. There were three instances of predation and 20 stalking events. Logistic regression showed the likelihood of a rat being seen on a particular day is associated with the number of cats seen on the same day (OR = 0.1, p < 0.001) or previous day (OR = 0.15, p < 0.001). Space-use was also impacted. For every additional cat sighting, a rat is 1.19 times more likely to move in the direction of shelter. Our findings of low levels of predation support why ecologists believe the risks to native wildlife outweighs any benefits of releasing cats. Even though rats were less likely to be seen, they simply shifted their movements and remained present in the system. Our findings that cat presence led to fewer rat sightings may explain the common perception of their value as rat-predators despite the associated risks.
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Details
- Title
- Temporal and Space-Use Changes by Rats in Response to Predation by Feral Cats in an Urban Ecosystem
- Creators
- Michael H. Parsons - Fordham UniversityPeter B. Banks - University of SydneyMichael A. Deutsch - College Station Medical CenterJason Munshi-South - Fordham University
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in ecology and evolution, v 6, 146
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media Sa
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- National Pest Management Association
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000451909700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85064712487
- Other Identifier
- 991021903866304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology