The effects of experimental manipulation of food supplies on a population ofRattus exulans

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Abstract
The influence of supplemental food on Rattus exulans populations was investigated by comparing results on a long established live trapping grid (control) with an experimental grid where a constant amount of wheat was provided each month. Parameters such as time of sexual maturity, length of breeding season, growth rates, body weights, and population cycles were compared and all appeared affected by additional food. The large seasonal fluctuations in natural food still exerted an important influence on demographic patterns.