Question

Use the framework of invasion biology to explain how rats have invaded New Zealand so successfully

Answer 1

Rattus norvegicus & Rattus Rattus arrived in Newzealand with European travellers through ships ,initially they were introduced to be used as food source and now they have increased so much in population that they are being responsible for depleting our food sources .3Rat species-Pacific or Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans),the Norway or brown rat (R.norvegius) &ship or black rat have together invaded over 80%of the world's oceanic islands group.These invasive rats may pose greatest threat to island biodiversity.Rats move by transport globally by ships or some species like Norway rats are also capable of swimming .Rats have now spread so successfully in new Zealand that the government there is now running major strategic targeted plans focussing on different levels to get rid of them .People are paid when they kill and catch rats ,large scale pesticide spraying and trap laying are done .The major concern with rats is they reproduce at a fast rate and these mammals interfere with evolution and diversification of other species in their area ,new Zealand for eg is in great concern regarding this.Some genetic intervention like adding a gene to a population to make them sterile and this trait move across generations are also being tested ,also keeping in mind what all threats such techniques may pose .