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Click here to go back Details of this species in Montserrat Status: Alien Invasiveness: Invasive Occurrence: Reported Source: Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006 Arrival Date: Introduction: Species Notes for this Location: Black rat, Rattus rattus is found to occur mainly in forests though there may be some present in agricultural and residential areas (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Management Notes for this Location: Experimental rat control is ongoing at a small sample of Montserrat oriole nesting sites in the Centre Hills. There are plans to revive rat control in agricultural areas (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Location Notes: Impacts: Agricultural: Rats are also considered to be major agricultural and public health pests (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Disease transmission: Rats are also considered to be major agricultural and public health pests (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Ecosystem change: Rattus rattus can affect forest ecology through predation of seeds, fruits, flowers, seedlings and invertebrates (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Reduction in native biodiversity: Rattus rattus is likely to be significant predator of other birds and herptiles (some endemic). Threat to endangered species: Rattus rattus is known to predate nests of the 'Vulnerable (VU)' forest thrush (seee Cichlherminia lherminieri in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) and the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' endemic Montserrat oriole (see Icterus oberi in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Rat predation is a major factor in the decline of the oriole in recent years (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). R. rattus are known to attack and kill mountain chicken the near-endemic 'Critically Endangered (CR)' (see Leptodactylus fallax in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) though the population impact is not known (Hilton, 2004 in Varnham, 2006). Last Modified: 17/06/2008 9:57:30 a.m.