Effect of interspecific competition on Mus musculus in an urban area

Abstract

In this study, we examined the role of interspecific competition between native species and Mus musculus by a removal experiment conducted in vacant areas of the city of Rio Cuarto. Abundance, demographic parameters, and habitat occupancy of M. musculus were recorded in grids where native species were removed (experimental grids) and in grids without removal (control grids) from November 2004 to April 2005. During the study period, we observed an increasing trend in the abundance and habitat occupancy by M. musculus in experimental grids, suggesting that interspecific competition could be determining the numbers and habitat use of M. musculus in vacant areas of the city of Rio Cuarto. Understanding the population ecology of M. musculus in an urban area is crucial to the development of ecologically based pest management to provide effective management of a pest species.