Distribution, Relative Abundance, Food Habits, and Parasite Patterns of Giant Rats (Rattus) in West Malaysia

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Abstract
Altitudinal zonation studies of four species of giant rats in West Malaysia have shown that Rattus sabanus and R. muelleri are essentially lowland species, R. bowersii inhabits both lowland and highland forests, but R. edwardsi is confined to high elevations. It was found that R. edwardsi and R. sabanus are partially arboreal in habit and tend to prefer the drier parts (upland) of the forest, whereas R. bowersii and R. muelleri are strictly ground-dwellers. R. bowersii is equally common in both dry and wet habitats (near streams) in forests, whereas R. muelleri prefers wetter habitats. Analysis of stomach contents and laboratory feeding experiments were carried out to determine the natural diets and food preferences of these giant rats. Insects are taken by all four species, but particularly by R. sabanus and R. edwardsi. All eat some molluscs (especially R. muelleri ). R. muelleri also feeds on crabs, but the other three species apparently do not. R. bowersii is the most vegetarian. Data are presented on the endoparasite patterns of these giant rats and are discussed with respect to criteria for “ecological labelling” the relative incidence of nematode and cestode infestations appears to be associated with the frequency with which insects and other animal foods are taken.