Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection
Date of this Version
March 1980
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Investigations on damage, losses and diseases attributed to rodents in India are well documented by Barnett and Prakash (1975), Fitzwater and Prakash (1973). The toxicity of rodenticides on the rodents have been studied by several investigators such as Cowan (1978), Marsh and Howard (1975, 1977). Some rodenticides are less potent and induce overall deleterious effects on biological systems but not on mortality. Therefore, studies on the effects of these agents on the reproductive biology would be of significance as reported by D'souza and Batra (1975). Srivastava et al. (1979) investigated the bait shyness as shown by rodents in case of zinc phosphide; it does not appear to be present in Vacor since the rodents continue to feed throughout the course of investigation. However, in contrast to zinc phosphide, Vacor acts relatively slowly. Rattus rattus is one of the most common agricultural, commercial and domestic pest, ranging over almost the whole of India. Despite recognition of the serious losses caused by this species, little information is available on its susceptibility to rodenticides. Studies on the effects of Vacor on the reproductive biology and post-natal development to understand the expression of these effects were conducted.