New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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Notes on New Zealand mammals 7. An extension of the known range for Pacific rat (Rattus exulans, kiore) in New Zealand

C. Golding^*

Department of Conservation
PO Box 93
Wanaka 9343, New Zealand

G. A. Harper

Department of Conservation
PO Box 743
Invercargill 9840, New Zealand
gharper@doc.govt.nz

^*Present address: Department of Conservation, PO Box 97, Motueka 7143, New Zealand.

Keywords    distribution; kiore; Pacific rat; Rattus exulans; South Island

Pacific rats or kiore (Rattus exulans) were commensal with Polynesians, and accompanied them to New Zealand in the 13th century or possibly earlier (Atkinson & Towns 2005). Apart from endemic bats no terrestrial mammals lived on the New Zealand archipelago at that stage. Pacific rats colonised both main islands and many others, and had a deleterious impact on native plant seeds, invertebrates, lizards and birds. With the introduction, by Europeans, of other rodent species and mustelids during the 18th century, the previously ubiquitous distribution of Pacific rats became severely restricted (Atkinson & Towns 2005). On mainland New Zealand, Pacific rats are now known only from seven sites in south-west South Island (Atkinson & Towns 2005). All other locations are on Stewart Island and small offshore islands. It has been suggested that the real distribution of Pacific rats may be more extensive, but disguised by misidentification or lack of trapping effort (Ruscoe 2004).

Z08004; Online publication date 12 May 2008; Received 14 January 2008; accepted 1 February 2008

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2008, Vol. 35: 189–190
0301–4223/08/3502–189 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

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