Commensal and wild rodents in an urban areas of Argentina

CASTILLO ERNESTO; PRIOTTO JOSÉ; ABROSIO A; PROVENSAL M. CECILIA; PINI NOEMÍ; MORALES M; STEINMANN ANDREA; POLOP JAIME

INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION

Año: 2003 p. 135 - 141

0964-8305

<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:ES; mso-fareast-language:ES;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:120073386; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:1879055428;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-text:%1-; mso-level-tab-stop:18.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:18.0pt; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Arial; color:black; mso-ansi-font-weight:bold; mso-ansi-font-style:normal;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> The aim of this study was to determine the rodent species, distribution, and abundance in an urban area, in relation to epidemiology riskor damage, so as to elaborate a control program. The /rst sampling was done between May and July of 1998 on 31 vacant lots, 5 rubbishdumps, 15 stream banks, 18 railway banks and 28 vacant areas. Between August 1999 and June 2000 seasonal samples were taken inthe same habitats. At each capture site 20 snap traps and 10 live traps were installed. Of 1253 animals captured, 74% were commensalrodents (Mus domesticus, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvergicus) and 26% were wild rodents (Calomys musculinus, Akodon dolores,A. azarae and C. venustus). M. domesticus was the population that numerically predominated in every sampled habitat. C. musculinuswas the second most abundant species and its distribution was related to open space (vacant areas, railway banks, stream banks and rubbishdumps). The basic information found by this work will allow us to consider and measure the risk of a possible human infection in a speci/carea. Thus, human diseases can be prevented by controlling rodent reservoirs and/or by avoiding contact between rodents and humans.? 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.