Husking stations provide evidence of seed predation by introduced rodents in Tongan rain forests

Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 11.Rattus rattus,the Black Rat (Rodentia: Muridae)

“…Evidence of rat-gnawed seeds is commonly found in habitats where R. rattus has invaded; the spatial distribution of such rat-gnawed seeds is often clumped due to their presence in "husking stations," which are sheltered areas where rats process food items after collection (McConkey et al 2003, Elmouttie and Wilson 2005, Wegmann 2009) ( Figure 6). Rats may use husking stations to hide from predators or competitors while they consume food items (Campbell et al 1984).…”

Dietary niche differentiation among three species of invasive rodents (Rattus rattus, R. exulans, Mus musculus)

“…Techniques commonly used to assess the diets of introduced rodents include field observations of partially consumed prey (e.g., seeds, mollusks, arthropods ;Norman 1970;McConkey et al 2003;Meyer and Shiels 2009), captive-feeding trials (Bunn and Craig 1989;Williams et al 2000;Pérez et al 2008;Shiels 2011), and stomach content analysis (Clark 1981(Clark , 1982Amarasekare 1994;Pisanu et al 2011). Additionally, the analysis of naturally-occurring stable isotope ratios (i.e., d…”

Plant Dispersal, Introduced Species, and Vegetation Change in the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga

“…Our data demonstrate that seed predation by rats may inhibit dispersal among native rain forest trees in particular. Thus, predispersal rodent predation, well documented on Pacific islands (e.g., McConkey et al 2003, Meyer and Butaud 2009, Prebble and Wilmshurst 2009, has pervasive ecological implications for the continued regeneration of native rain forest species. Fruit bats are crucially important seed dispersers in many tropical ecosystems (Banack 1998, Muscarella andFleming 2007).…”

“…Associated animal introductions include the domestic goat, the ship rat (Rattus rattus), the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), and several species of birds, leading to further ecological disruption. Seed predation in tropical forests, particularly by rats (as demonstrated on Polynesian islands [McConkey et al 2003, Meyer and Butaud 2009, Prebble and Wilmshurst 2009), has renewed the alteration of Tongan seed dispersal guilds. As one of many cases with ecological consequences, the Friendly Ground-Dove (Gallicolumba stairi) is restricted to some islands in Tonga that lack ship rats (Rinke 1991), although it does occur on the main island in Vava'u where ship rats have been observed (Twibell 1973.…”