Rat spatial distribution pattern and its relation to pod damage in a cocoa-coconut planting system

Kamal Adzham Kamarudin, . and Lee C.H., . Rat spatial distribution pattern and its relation to pod damage in a cocoa-coconut planting system. pp. 75-82. ISSN 0128-0686

The spatial distribution pattern of rats and cocoa pod damage in a cocoa-coconut planting system was studied in two 30-ha fields for 20 months. Assessments of rat numbers visitation patterns pod damage and incidence of trees attacked were undertaken in a rectangular grid with 10 x 10 cocoa trees as co-ordinates in each field. The total number of animals caught and marked in the two fields were 215 and 307 respectively. A majority of the animals were caught on the jorquettes. The estimated intra-population dispersion had K values of 3.9 and 8.7 respectively. Not all co-ordinates were visited and the visitation pattern studied showed animals to aggregate. Based on animals caught on four or more occasions equal number of males and females showed clumped distribution. A few animals exhibited random movement of which most were males. No animals showed hyperdispersion. Damaged pods were scattered and unevenly distributed in the two areas. The K values for both fields were 1.16 and 2.05 respectively indicating clumped damage. The incidence of trees attacked also showed low to moderate clumping with K values of 2.86 and 3.06. Slight correlation was observed between visitation pattern and pod damage.

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Abstract

The spatial distribution pattern of rats and cocoa pod damage in a cocoa-coconut planting system was studied in two 30-ha fields for 20 months. Assessments of rat numbers visitation patterns pod damage and incidence of trees attacked were undertaken in a rectangular grid with 10 x 10 cocoa trees as co-ordinates in each field. The total number of animals caught and marked in the two fields were 215 and 307 respectively. A majority of the animals were caught on the jorquettes. The estimated intra-population dispersion had K values of 3.9 and 8.7 respectively. Not all co-ordinates were visited and the visitation pattern studied showed animals to aggregate. Based on animals caught on four or more occasions equal number of males and females showed clumped distribution. A few animals exhibited random movement of which most were males. No animals showed hyperdispersion. Damaged pods were scattered and unevenly distributed in the two areas. The K values for both fields were 1.16 and 2.05 respectively indicating clumped damage. The incidence of trees attacked also showed low to moderate clumping with K values of 2.86 and 3.06. Slight correlation was observed between visitation pattern and pod damage.

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Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	6 tables; 18 ref. Summary (En Malay)
AGROVOC Term:	THEOBROMA CACAO
AGROVOC Term:	COCOS NUCIFERA
AGROVOC Term:	RATA
AGROVOC Term:	FRUTO/ ORDENACION DE CULTIVOS
AGROVOC Term:	DISTRIBUCION NATURAL
AGROVOC Term:	MAMIFEROS NOCIVOS
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/20054

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