Ecological and Geographical Studies of Rattus rattus in Malaya

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Abstract
As the systematic status of three so-called “forms” of Rattus rattus in Malaya is uncertain, the ecological and geographical distribution of two of these rats, diardii and jalorensis, was studied. Trapping of rats on Singapore Island showed that diardii occurred in a much wider range of habitats than on the mainland, due primarily to the absence of jalorensis and argentiventer from most of Singapore Island. The race jalorensis was trapped for the first time on the northwest coast of Singapore Island; it must have moved here from the mainland recently, as it was not trapped in other parts of the island. A detailed study of two areas where both diardii and jalorensis occurred showed that jalorensis was more successful in mangrove forest and belukar (or scrub), from which diardii appeared to be driven out. There was very little overlapping between the two types of rats in these areas. The geographical distribution of diardii and jalorensis in Malaya indicates that the former is spreading northward and the latter southward. On the basis of ecological preferences, it is concluded that diardii and jalorensis are subspecies of Rattus rattus.

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