Study on the Variation of Community Structure of Commensal Rodents After Continuously Applying Anticoagulant Rodenticides in 15 Years

Objective To inquire into the influence of continuous application of rodenticides on the community structure of commensal rodents. Methods Anticoagulant rodenticides were used to ontrol rodents from 1988 to 2002. Meanwhile, investigations were carried out on the variation of commensal rodents' community structure year by year. Results Before the large scale deratization, Rattus norvegicus were dominant in the community of commensal rodents. After the application of diphacine Na and bromadiolone, the number of Mus musculus began to increase and became the dominant species. While bromadiolone, brodifacoum and difenacoum were used, R.flavipectus became dominant and the number of R.norvegicus rose obviously again. Conclusion Long term application of Anticoagulant rodenticides can result in the variation of community structure of commensal rodents.