PMC:6403350 / 5110-6136 JSONTXT

{"target":"https://pubannotation.org/docs/sourcedb/PMC/sourceid/6403350","sourcedb":"PMC","sourceid":"6403350","source_url":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/6403350","text":"In this study, we add to existing literature on both predation cues and pest control techniques, by exploring the efficacy of applying light to manage pest activities. We assessed wild rodents’ perception of predation risk by investigating if ship rats avoided illuminated areas. We also examined if artificial illumination influenced foraging and movement patterns differentially, and if a rat’s sex influenced responses. We predicted that ship rats would minimise the number of visits to an artificially illuminated chamber and spend less time exposed to the light. We expected that rats would decrease the number of foraging visits, total feeding duration and foraging rates under illumination; we also predicted that, when exposed to light, females might be more sensitive to predation cues than males. Our findings identify contexts where the careful application of artificial light may provide conservationists with a behaviourally-based management solution (see45) for protecting biodiversity within natural ecosystems.","tracks":[]}