Abstract

Biological invasions are a growing threat to biodiversity. The black rat, one of the worst pest in the world, is responsible for extensive population decline of many autochthonous and endemic species, particularly in island ecosystems. A number of rat eradication campaigns have been conducted, however, such endeavors do not always result in a complete removal of the pest. This may be due to the occurrence of individuals resistant to common rodenticides and/or a re-invasion of the same environment from interconnected areas when appropriate eradication units are not defined before starting an eradication campaign. Our study is a multidisciplinary approach whereby genetic and epidemiological methods were used to provide background information for successful eradication of black rats. We investigated the occurrence of mutations in the VKORC1 gene known to confer resistance to rodenticides and evaluated the spread of zoonoses across three islands of the Pontine Archipelago, an Italian hotspot of endemic Mediterranean biodiversity and a possible mainland source of invasion. As part of an eradication campaign, we also assessed patterns of genetic diversity at 10 microsatellite loci in order to identify eradication units. We recorded a strong population structure and revealed at least two distinct eradication units. Some degree of admixture was recorded on Ponza, the largest island and likely the main source of rats invading the other two islands. We did not record the occurrence of rats resistant to anticoagulants, but we revealed transmission of vector-borne pathogens in commensal habitats of the Archipelago.

中文翻译：

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评估地中海生物多样性热点地区（蓬汀群岛）黑鼠种群的杀鼠剂抗药性，根除单位和病原菌患病率

摘要

生物入侵对生物多样性构成越来越大的威胁。黑鼠是世界上最严重的害虫之一，是造成许多本地和特有物种特别是岛屿生态系统种群大量减少的原因。已经进行了许多消除大鼠的运动，但是，这种努力并不总是导致有害生物的完全清除。这可能是由于在开始根除运动之前未定义适当的根除单位时，出现了对普通杀鼠剂有抗药性的个体和/或从互连区域再次入侵同一环境。我们的研究是一种多学科方法，其中遗传和流行病学方法被用来为成功根除黑鼠提供背景信息。我们调查了突变的发生已知VKORC1基因可赋予对杀鼠剂的抗性，并评估人畜共患病在Pontine群岛三个岛上的传播，这是意大利特有的地中海生物多样性热点地区，也是大陆入侵的可能来源。作为根除运动的一部分，我们还评估了10个微卫星基因座的遗传多样性模式，以便确定根除单位。我们记录了强大的人口结构，并揭示了至少两个不同的根除单位。在最大的岛屿Ponza上记录到某种程度的混合，这可能是老鼠入侵其他两个岛屿的主要来源。我们没有记录对抗凝剂有抗药性的大鼠的发生，但是我们揭示了载体传播的病原体在群岛的共生栖息地中的传播。