Food habits of introduced rodents in high-elevation shrubland of Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai'i

Pacific Science
By: , and 

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Abstract

Mus musculus and Rattus rattus are ubiquitous consumers in the high-elevation shrubland of Haleakala National Park. Food habits of these two rodent species were determined from stomach samples obtained by snaptrapping along transects located at four different elevations during November 1984 and February, May, and August 1985. Mus musculus fed primarily on fruits, grass seeds, and arthropods. Rattus rattus ate various fruits, dicot leaves, and arthropods. Arthropods, many of which are endemic, were taken frequently by Mus musculus throughout the year at the highest elevation where plant food resources were scarce. Araneida, Lepidoptera (primarily larvae), Coleoptera, and Homoptera were the main arthropod taxa taken. These rodents, particularly Mus musculus, exert strong predation pressure on populations of arthropod species, including locally endemic species on upper Haleakala Volcano.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Food habits of introduced rodents in high-elevation shrubland of Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai'i
Series title Pacific Science
Volume 54
Issue 4
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher Pacific Science Association
Publisher location Honolulu, HI
Contributing office(s) Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Description 17 p.
First page 313
Last page 329
Country United States
State Hawaii
County Maui
Other Geospatial Haleakala National Park
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