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Ecology, management and conservation in natural and modified habitats
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 33(6)

Rapid assessment for a new invasive species threat: the case of the Gambian giant pouched rat in Florida

Richard Engeman A G , John W. Woolard B , Neil D. Perry C , Gary Witmer A , Scott Hardin D , Lawrence Brashears B , Henry Smith E , Britta Muiznieks F and Bernice Constantin B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A National Wildlife Research Center, 4101 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154, USA.

B USDA/Wildlife Services, 2820 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32641, USA.

C Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.

D Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA.

E Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Park Service, 13798 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, USA.

F US Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 370, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA.

G Corresponding author. Email: richard.m.engeman@aphis.usda.gov

Wildlife Research 33(6) 439-448 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06014
Submitted: 2 February 2006  Accepted: 26 July 2006   Published: 4 October 2006

Abstract

The Gambian giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) is a large rodent that has established a breeding population in the Florida Keys. Should it successfully disperse to mainland Florida, it could continue spreading through much of North America where significant negative ecological and agricultural consequences could result. We rapidly developed the information for implementing an efficient and successful eradication program before dispersal to the mainland occurs. This included development of monitoring and indexing methods and their application to define the animal’s range, the development of baits attractive to Gambian giant pouched rats, efficacy testing of toxicants, and development of bait-delivery devices that exclude native animals. Gambian giant pouched rats appeared confined to the western two-thirds of Grassy Key, but have dispersed across a soil-filled causeway west to Crawl Key. We identified preferred habitat characteristics and potential dispersal pathways. We developed photographic and tracking tile methods for detecting and indexing Gambian giant pouched rats, both of which work well in the face of high densities of non-target species. We identified a commercial anticoagulant bait and we developed a zinc phosphide (an acute toxicant) bait matrix that were well accepted and effective for controlling Gambian giant pouched rats. We also developed a bait station for delivering toxic bait to Gambian giant pouched rats without risk to native species. We consider that the criteria are met for a successful eradication to commence.


Acknowledgments

Britta Hanson and Craig Okraska provided enthusiastic help and expertise. Darin Carroll of the Centers for Disease Control provided excellent insight into the Gambian giant pouched rat. Phil Frank, Dominique Watts, and Israel Parker of the National Key Deer Refuge provided logistical support and volunteered labour. Chris Bergh, Alison Higgins and Chuck Byrd of The Florida Keys Nature Conservancy contributed invaluable help in the field and persistent pressure to get this work started. Bruce Warburton of Landcare Research, New Zealand, advised on possible control methods. We thank the two referees for valuable suggestions that greatly improved this paper.


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