Rattus Tanezumi Research Articles

Ascertaining Suspected Wildlife Trade from Detained Parcels Under International Shipment

Wildlife hunting has been in practice since the colonial phase of India which caused a great loss to the nation’s biodiversity. In last few years, several incidences have been reported where live animals and their parts and products were confiscated from the international airports being shipped to meet the emerging demand of wildlife in grey market. Several wild animals have been in a constant demand following the belief that wildlife and its parts have the potential to cure several ailments. In this study, we investigated two detained parcels confiscated by the Customs Authority in the suspicion of illegal wildlife trade containing mysterious animal products of wild origin. The parcels were in transit and were being shipped via air-mail to the United States of America from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, India. We sequenced the partial fragments of cytochrome b gene and surprisingly, the confiscated specimens showed a 99% homology with the known sequences of Oriental house rat (Rattus tanezumi). On phylogenetic analysis, the confiscated specimens clustered with the known sequences Rattus tanezumi with 100% bootstrap support. These specimens also showed least genetic divergence (DA 0.003–0.013) with Rattus tanezumi, thus identified specimens to be originated from Oriental house rat. This study has proven the imperativeness of the molecular diagnostics tools in ascertaining the species identity from morphologically disfigured and unrecognisable specimens.

ANALISIS FAKTOR LINGKUNGAN TERHADAP DISTRIBUSI JENIS TIKUS YANG TERKONFIRMASI SEBAGAI RESERVOIR LEPTOSPIROSIS DI TIGA KABUPATEN DI PROVINSI SUMATERA SELATAN

The role of rats as a potential reservoir of the disease remains negative impacts on the routine life, safety, welfare and economic communities. Rattus tanezumi, R. norvegicus, R. exulans, R. hoffmani, R. argentiventer and Maxomys bartelsi have been confirmed as leptospirosis reservoirs in Indonesia. Some rat species suspected as leptospirosis reservoirs were reported in Lahat, Banyuasin and Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI) districts. It puts those three districts on high risk of leptospirosis transmission in the community. The aim of the study was to identify the environmental factors associated with the distribution of the leptospirosis-confirmed rats in the three districts of South Sumatera Province. Data used in this study were obtained from surveillance of the Specific Research on Vector and Reservoir Diseases Special Research" (Rikhus Vektora) conducted in 2015. A total of 308 captured rats was tested for leptospirosis using MAT and PCR methods. The environmental variables were recorded during the surveillance. Data were analysed using chi-square. The laboratory results demonstrated that 44 of 308 rats captured in the three districts were positive for leptospirosis. In addition, there was a significant correlation between the distribution of the positive leptospirosis-confirmed rats with ecosystem variables, trap location, altitudes and temperature. However, they were not correlated to the weather variables and pH. Unfortunately, the topographic variables could not be analysed because all rats were found in the lowlands. The early warning of leptospirosis transmission should be addressed to the three districts due to the presence of the positive leptospirosis-confirmed rats in those areas.

Community structure and distribution pattern of small mammals in agricultural area of Yunnan Province, China.

To understand the characteristics of community structure and spatial distribution of small mammals in agricultural area of Yunnan Province, a systematic investigation was carried out in 104 quadrats of 25 regions in Yunnan Province from August 2010 to April 2018 by rat trap night method. The spatial variation of community characteristics along environmental gradients was analyzed by community ecological indicators. The results showed that a total of 3240 small mammals were captured and cold be classified into 42 species in 21 genera, 9 families, and 4 orders. The largest number of small mammal was rodents, dominated by Apodemus chevrieri and Rattus tanezumi. The 25 regions were clustered into three classes. The altitudinal distribution of small mammals was similar to the latitudinal distribution in agricultural areas. The number of species was relatively less in the low latitude and altitude range, with Rattus spp. and Mus spp. as the dominant species. In the high latitude and altitude region, the dominant species changed into Apodemus, Niviventer and Eothenomys. With the increases of altitude, the diversity index showed unimodal distribution, with the highe-st species diversity occurred in the mid-altitude area. The diversity index of small mammal showed the "V" type pattern in longitude, being the highest in the 98°-99° E gra-dient zone. At the latitude level, it showed an overall upward trend from south to north. Results from the GAM analysis showed that the degree of influence on the small animals in the agricultural area was in order of longitude, altitude and latitude. The similarity analysis in the composition of small mammals showed that the moderate similarity occurred in the adjacent gradient zone, and the highest similarity occurred in middle altitude zone, middle latitude zone, and low longitude zone. The farther the distance between different gradient zones, the lower the similarity of community structure. There was high spatial heterogeneity in different dimensions of small mammals' community structure in Yunnan Province. The geographical distribution trend of species diversity showed different distribution patterns across environmental gradients.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. Isolates and Heavy Metal Traces from Rodent Meat Purchased from Roadside Markets, Central Thailand.

Although game meat consumption is widespread across the globe, involving a great diversity of species in very different ecological and sociocultural environments, the safety of wild meat products is rarely assessed routinely. We conducted a survey to evaluate the safety of two rodents products (Rattus tanezumi and Bandicota indica) purchased from roadside markets in central Thailand. Total aerobic bacteria and Escherichia coli counts measured were above Thai poultry product standards for 83.3% and 100% of the samples, respectively (n = 108), although there was no difference between rat species (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p > 0.05). Salmonella spp. were isolated from 32% of the swabs collected (67/208), including 19 different serovars. All strains were resistant or partially resistant to at least 2 of the 16 antibiotics tested, with levels of resistance varying greatly among antibiotics (e.g., 97% of strains sensitive to ciprofloxacin and 98.5% of strains resistant to cloxacillin). Detectable traces of Cd and Pb were found in 98% and 46% of the samples analyzed, respectively (n = 61). Pb and Cd concentrations measured in the kidneys of R. tanezumi were significantly higher than in the liver and muscles and significantly higher than B. indica muscles and kidneys but not liver (ANOVA, p < 0.05). These results highlight potential health hazards that may be associated with rodent-meat consumption, including contamination by coliform bacteria, multiresistant Salmonella spp. strains, and heavy metals. The significance of these results for public health cannot be determined precisely in the absence of appropriate standards, and information gaps remain regarding the frequency of rodent-meat consumption and the origin of bacterial and heavy metal contaminations (i.e., capture environment or during carcass handling and processing). We suggest that appropriate information and training on best hygienic practices for preparing, cooking, and preserving rodent meat should be provided to the producers and to the consumers.

Identification of Rodent Species That Infest Poultry Houses in Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa

Rodents cause serious adverse effects on farm production due to destruction of food, contamination of feed, and circulation of diseases. The extent of damage or the diseases spread will depend on the type of rodents that invade the farm. This study was conducted in order to find out the species of rodents that infest poultry farms around Mafikeng, North West Province of South Africa. The study was part of a broader project that was investigating Salmonella vectors in the poultry farms around the province. The study trapped 154 rodents from selected farms and used the Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) barcoding genes for species identification. Two rodent pest species, namely, Rattus rattus (the black rat) and Rattus tanezumi (the Asian Rat/Asian House Rat) were identified. A total of 99 (64.3%) were identified as Rattus rattus and 55 (35.7%) were Rattus tanezumi. Between the two target genes, Cyt-b gene was only able to identify 40 (25.97%) of the total samples while COI was more efficient and amplified all the samples and thus was a better target gene for this kind of identification. The two rat species identified are known vectors of serious diseases; thus their presence should be regarded as an indication of high risk for diseases. Despite having been detected in the country before, finding R. tanezumi as the second largest rat species in the area was unexpected since this species is known to be indigenous to Asia.

Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rats (Rattus spp.) from the Hainan Province, China: Molecular detection, species/genotype identification and implications for public health.

Wild rats (Rattus spp.) carry many zoonotic pathogens including Cryptosporidium. Due to the close proximity of rats to humans in urban environments, the potential for disease transmission is high. Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite which when ingested causes serious human illness. Despite its importance, genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium in wild rats in the Hainan province of China has not been performed. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence and genetics of Cryptosporidium in wild rats from Hainan, China. From December 2017 to October 2018, 150 wild rats were captured and fresh fecal material was collected from intestinal sections. Rat species were identified by PCR-based amplification and analysis of the vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) gene. Cryptosporidium was examined by PCR amplification of the partial small subunit of ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA). C. viatorum were subtyped by PCR analysis of the gp60 gene. A total of four rat species were identified including Asian house rats (Rattus tanezumi) (n = 46), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) (n = 56), Edward's long-tailed rats (Leopoldamys edwardsi) (n = 38) and muridae (Niviventer fulvescens) (n = 10), with Cryptosporidium positive rates of 73.9%, 28.6%, 55.3% and 40.0%, respectively (average infection rate: 50.0%, 75/150. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of four Cryptosporidium species and two genotypes including C. viatorum (n = 11); C. occultus (n = 2); C. muris (n = 1); and C. erinacei (n = 1); rat genotypes III (n = 13) and IV (n = 47). Three novel subtypes of C. viatorum were identified in 6 of the 11 infected Edward's long-tailed rats: XVcA2G1a (n = 4), XVcA2G1b (n = 1) and XVdA3 (n = 1). The identification of human pathogenic C. viatorum and zoonotic C. occultus, C. muris and C. erinacei, suggested that wild rats infected with Cryptosporidium pose a threat to human health. Taken together, these findings highlight the need to control the rat population in Hainan, China. The need to improve the public awareness of the risk of disease transmission from wild rats to humans is also highlighted.

Dispersal route of the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) on mainland China: insights from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA

BackgroundRattus tanezumi is a common commensal rat and an important host animal of bubonic plague in South China and Southeast Asia. The northward dispersal of this species in mainland China has been reported in recent decades, along with more recent intercontinental expansion. Population genetics of R. tanezumi in mainland China were studied to explain the relationship between dispersal history and the ancient and modern transportation networks of China.ResultsIn total, 502 individuals belonging to 18 populations were collected from 13 provincial areas. Nine microsatellite loci and two mtDNA sequences were analyzed. The results indicate that R. tanezumi populations from Yunnan have highest genetic diversity and populations from Tibet with lowest genetic diversity. 18 populations can be divided into four clusters, the first cluster including populations from southwest Yunnan, the second including two populations of Tibet, the third for populations from middle and east of mainland China, and the forth for two populations from north Yunnan. Both microsatellite and mtDNA data reveal that the populations from coastal areas are closely related to populations from Yunnan, whereas populations from Tibet are closely related with populations from Sichuan.ConclusionsThe results suggest that early dispersal of R. tanezumi in mainland China depended on shipping transportation, with subsequent expansion from coastal areas into Central China occurring along the Yangzi River. Further, the linkages between populations in Tibet and Sichuan point to a modern era introduction via the Chuan-Zang highway, rather than along the Tea Horse Ancient Road.

Leptospira spp. in Rodents and Shrews from Afghanistan.

Leptospirosis is an occupational risk for military personnel and many cases have been reported worldwide. Rodents are the most important maintenance hosts for Leptospira spp. and may infect both animals and humans. To determine the occurrence and identity of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in rodent and shrew populations in German military camps in Afghanistan, we examined 751 animals ( Mus musculus, Cricetulus migratorius, Meriones libycus, Rattus tanezumi, Crocidura cf. suaveolens, and Suncus etruscus) from four military camps in Northern Afghanistan from 2009-12. Leptospiral DNA was found in 1.1% of the animals and only in Mus musculus. Partial secY sequencing identified Leptospira borgpetersenii and Leptospira kirschneri as infecting genomospecies. Multilocus sequence typing was successful in the L. borgpetersenii samples, which were identified as sequence type 155. The low prevalence we observed suggested that the exposure risk of military personnel to infectious Leptospira spp. in the region is low.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of porcine bocaviruses carried by murine rodents and house shrews in China.

Bocaparvovirus infections of humans and both wild and domestic animals have been widely reported around the world. In this study, we detected and genetically characterized porcine bocavirus (PBoV) carried by murine rodents (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, and Rattus losea) and house shrews (Suncus murinus) in China. Between May 2015 and May 2017, 496 murine rodents and 23 house shrews were captured in four Chinese provinces. Nested polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the prevalence of PBoV in throat swab, faecal and serum samples. A total of 7.5% (39/519) throat swab samples, 60.5% (309/511) faecal samples, and 22.9% (52/227) serum samples were PBoV-positive. The prevalence among R.norvegicus and R.tanezumi was higher than that among R.losea and house shrews. PBoV-positive samples were found in all four provinces. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial viral capsid protein 1/2 (VP1/VP2) showed that sequences obtained in this study formed a novel group (PBoV G4). In addition, five near full-length PBoV genomes (4,715-4,798nt) were acquired. These genomes encoded two non-structural proteins, NS1 (1,908nt in four genomes and 1,923nt in the remaining genome) and NP1 (600nt), and the structural proteins, VP1/VP2 (1,851nt). Phylogenetic analysis showed that PBoV G4 is distinct from rodent, human, and other bocaviruses. In conclusion, PBoV G4 prevalence was high among two common murine rodents in China, and the pathogenecity of PBoV G4 need to be further clarified.

IDENTIFIKASI HEWAN RESERVOIR LEPTOSPIROSIS DI DAERAH PENINGKATAN KASUS LEPTOSPIROSIS DI DESA PAGEDANGAN ILIR, KECAMATAN KRONJO, KABUPATEN TANGERANG TAHUN 2015

In Indonesia, leptospirosis often causes outbreaks. Three important sources of transmission of leptospirosis are the environment contaminated with leptospira, the presence of rats and presence of livestock as reservoirs. This study aims to determine the reservoir that plays a role in the leptospirosis transmission in increased case areas of leptospirosis in the Pagedangan Ilir Village, Kronjo Sub-district, Tangerang. Rat traping was done twice. Each trapping was done two times, in consecutive days. Livestock sampling was also conducted in the study area. Rat and livestock serum specimens were collected for leptospirosis detection using MAT, while rat kidneys were collected for PCR test. Leptospirosis detection was performed by PCR and MAT. The results of the first and second rat traping showed relative density of 17% and 20% in the houses, as well as 14% and 10% in outdoor area. Rat traped consist of two species, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi. The prevalence of pathogenic leptospira in rat (with PCR assay) was 33% in the first trap and 26% in the second trap. The MAT test showed a positive 14% on R. norvegicus in the first trap, but negative in the second trap. While livestock did not show PCR positive, but one serological positive sample (by MAT) with low titers (1:20) was found against the serovar Robinsoni&#x0D;

Genetic differentiation of the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, from two sympatric host species

BackgroundThe oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), which infests several mammals, primarily rats (Rattus spp.), is the most notorious vector of human plague. In this study, we measured the genetic differentiation among populations of fleas from the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) and the brown rat (R. norvegicus) using microsatellite markers in order to investigate the extent of host-switching in this parasite.ResultsWe developed 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci for our study, nine of which showed high potential for inbreeding. AMOVA showed that the majority (84.07%, P < 0.001) of the variation was derived from within populations, followed by variation among groups (14.96%, P < 0.001); in contrast, variation within groups of populations was nearly absent (0.97%, P > 0.05). Analyses of the pairwise fixation index revealed that most of the ten allopatric population pairs but none of the five sympatric population pairs were significantly differentiated. Moreover, based on genetic structure clustering analysis, there was obvious differentiation between allopatric populations but not between sympatric population pairs.ConclusionsThese results indicate the presence of frequent migrations of the oriental rat flea between the sympatric Asian house rat and brown rat, causing a high rate of gene flow and limited genetic differentiation. We suggest that there is no clear boundary limiting the migration of oriental rat fleas between the two hosts, and thus both rat species should be monitored equally for the purposes of plague prevention and control.

Occurrence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rodents from the rice granary of the Philippines and associated risk factors for zoonotic transmission.

Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus are the most common rodent species in the Philippines, with the former mainly inhabiting agricultural land and the latter in urban areas. Generating information on the Angiostrongylus cantonensis harbored by these rodents would be useful for public health. A total of 600 rodents were collected from traps placed each month from July to December 2012 in selected villages of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; the rice granary of the Philippines. The prevalence of A. cantonensis in R. tanezumi and R. norvegicus was, 100%; all the rodents from the five villages were infected. The study shows that regardless of stages, body weight and length, rodents are vulnerable to infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis present in the environment. However in terms of sex, results revelead that the male and female in R. tanezumi has no statistically significance while R. norvegicus revealed that male and female has statistically significance.This study also show that, rodents that were caught in the agricultural area has higher mean intensity compared to rodents that were trapped in the residential areasbut found to be insignificant. Also through survey interviews the various risk factors with zoonotic implication of A. cantonensis in the area was also discussed.

Molecular characterization of cosmopolitan and potentially co-invasive helminths of commensal, murid rodents in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Concurrent studies of helminth parasites of introduced and native rodent species are few and miss the opportunity to identify potential co-invasive parasite species. This study employed molecular tools to infer the phylogeny and elucidate the origin of potentially co-invasive parasites of commensal, murid rodents by assessing introduced Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, Rattus tanezumi, and native Mastomys coucha in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Genotypes of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis recovered from R. norvegicus are nearly identical to those recovered from elsewhere in the world. The pinworms, Aspiculurus tetraptera, recovered from introduced R. tanezumi and R. rattus, Syphacia muris recovered from R. tanezumi, and Syphacia obvelata recovered from indigenous M. coucha have affiliations to those recovered of laboratory rodents from the USA and China. Syphacia obvelata was previously only known as a commensal endoparasite of laboratory rodents, and the S. muris genotype recovered from R. tanezumi in this study shows an affiliation to a genotype recovered from the same host species in Indonesia which is part of the native range. The study emphasizes the need for surveillance of potential co-invasive species and contributes in documenting genetic diversity of endoparasites of well-known hosts.

Detection and phylogenetic analysis of torque teno virus (TTV) carried by murine rodents and house shrews in China

Between May 2015 and May 2017, 496 animals (473 murine rodents and 23 house shrews) were captured in six regions of China. A total of 22.8% (113/496) of throat swabs, 29.1% (142/488) of fecal samples and 23.8% (54/227) of serum samples tested positive for rodent torque teno virus 3 (RoTTV3). The positive rate in Rattus norvegicus was higher than the rate in Rattus tanezumi and Rattus losea. Of 23 house shrews, one throat swab and one serum sample were positive for RoTTV3. Ten murine rodents were simultaneously positive for RoTTV3 in throat swab, fecal and serum samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 12 near-full length genomes of RoTTVs sequences obtained in this study represented a novel RoTTV genotype (RoTTV3). In conclusion, high prevalence rates of RoTTV3 were found in three common murine rodents in China, and the RoTTV3 obtained in this study were classified as a novel genotype of RoTTV.

Landscapes with different biodiversity influence distribution of small mammals and their ectoparasitic chigger mites: A comparative study from southwest China

From a previous field investigation in Yunnan, southwest China between 2001 and 2015, we selected two types of landscapes to make a retrospectively comparative study on the distribution of small mammals and their ectoparasitic chigger mites. One landscape is “mountainous uncultivated land (MUL)” with higher biodiversity, which is located in a famous “World Nature Heritage Site”, the Three-Parallel-Rivers Region in the northwest of Yunnan. The other is “cultivated flatland landscape (CFL)” with lower biodiversity, which is located in the south of Yunnan. The landscapes with different biodiversity apparently influenced the distribution of small mammals and their ectoparasitic chigger mites. Much more species of small mammals and mites were found in MUL than in CFL. A total of 3,177 small mammals captured from MUL were identified as 55 species, 30 genera and 10 families in five orders. From these small mammal hosts, 5,882 chigger mites were collected and identified as 127 species, 15 genera and 3 subfamilies in two families. A total of 1,112 small mammals captured from CFL were identified as 19 species, 12 genera and 5 families in three orders. From these hosts, 17,742 chiggers were collected and identified as 86 species, 12 genera and 3 subfamilies in two families. Both the species diversity (S = 55) and community diversity (H = 2.673) of small mammals in MUL were much higher than those in CFL (S = 19; H = 0.926). There were also higher values of β diversity in MUL than in CFL. Different main reservoir rodent hosts of zoonoses (including tsutsugamushi disease) were found in two types of landscapes. Rattus tanezumi (one main reservoir host) was most abundant in CFL, which accounted for 80.22% of all the small mammals. Another two main reservoir hosts, Eothenomys miletus and Apodemus chevrieri were the dominant species in MUL, but they were not as abundant as R. tanezumi in CFL. Different vector species of chigger mites also existed in MUL and CFL. Leptotrombidium deliense (a main and powerful vector of tsutsugamushi disease in China) and Ascoschoengastia indica (a potential vector of tsutsugamushi disease) were the dominant species of chigger mites in CFL (Cr = 25.81% for A. indica; Cr = 23.47% for L. deliense). Leptotrombidium scutellare (also a main vector of tsutsugamushi disease in China) was the dominant chigger species in MUL (Cr = 26.09%). Higher infestation of vector mites on small mammals was found in the simple landscape with lower biodiversity (CFL) than in the complex landscape with higher biodiversity (MUL). The overall prevalence (P), mean abundance (MA) and mean intensity (MI) of chigger mites on small mammals were much higher in CFL than in MUL. The main vector mite species on their main rodent hosts also showed a higher P, MA and MI in CFL than in MUL.

New record of the Oriental house rat, Rattus tanezumi, in Nepal inferred from mitochondrial Cytochrome B gene sequences

This study determines the presence of R. tanezumi from in Nepal using morphological and molecular analyses. Morphologically, it is indistinguishable with R. rattus owing to similar fur colour and morphometric data. However, molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis using sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cytochrome B (CytB) gene revealed two different species R. rattus and R. tanezumi from collected specimens. The genetic distance between R. rattus and R. tanezumi was found 0.043. In phylogenetic tree, the clade of R. tanezumi is distinguished into two sub-clades, R. tanezumi found in Nepal, and East Asian countries, China, Laos, Thailand, Viet Nam, and South Korea have genetic distance 0.031, suggesting the different lineages of R. tanezumi. This study confirmed the R. tanezumi present in Nepal. Our findings suggest that morphological analysis and molecular study should be carried out simultaneously for accurate identification of small sized cryptic mammals like R. tanezumi and R. rattus.

Detection and genetic characterization of diverse Bartonella genotypes in the small mammals of Singapore.

Bartonella species are arthropod-borne bacterial pathogens that infect numerous mammalian species. Small mammals play an important role as natural reservoirs of many Bartonella species, maintaining the greatest diversity of Bartonella described to date. Although Bartonella research has been conducted in Southeast Asia, no studies have been undertaken on small mammals in Singapore. Here, we report the detection and description of Bartonella in small mammals in Singapore during the period of November 2011 to May 2014. BartonellaDNA was detected in 20.8% (22/106) of small mammal spleens with a PCR amplifying the beta subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (rpoB) gene. Commensal species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi had the highest prevalence, 75% (3/4) and 34,5% (10/29), followed by Suncus murinus 30% (6/20), Tupaia glis 16,7% (1/6) and Mus castaneus 13.3% (2/15). Phylogenetic analysis of 18 rpoB gene sequences revealed five Bartonella genotypes circulating in the small mammals of Singapore. Bayesian tip-significance testing demonstrated strong structuring in the geographical signal, indicating that distribution of Bartonella species is correlated to the distribution of their hosts. Major deforestation and fragmentation in Singapore favour synanthropic species that traverse habitats and increase the possibility of spillover to incidental hosts.

Leptospirosis: New Emerging Disease in Sukoharjo District

Leptospirosis in Sukoharjo was discovered in 2014. Examination with RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test) leptotek supported by clinical symptoms showed 6 positive cases of Leptospira, and until March 2015 one person was found to be Leptospira positive. The aim of this study was to identify rats as the main reservoir of leptospirosis, calculate the catching rate of rats and to detect the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in rats. This study was a cross-sectional survey, and was conducted in Pabelan village Kartasura Sukoharjo on May 2015. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay was conducted in Bacteriology Laboratory Balai Litbang P2B2 Banjarnegara to detect leptospira in the kidney of the rats. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results of rats and shrew catching obtained Rattus tanezumi, Rattus norvegicus and Suncus murinus. The species most commonly found was balanced between R. tanezumi and S.murinus (46%). The trap success rate inside and outside the house are 1.50% and 5%, respectively. Result of laboratory test showed from 13 rats kidneys, two kidneys were found to be Leptospira positive and was from R.tanezumi and R.norvegicus.

The stadium effect: rodent damage patterns in rice fields explored using giving-up densities.

Rodents are globally important pre-harvest pests of rice. In Southeast Asia, rodent damage to growing rice crops is commonly concentrated towards the center of rice fields, away from the field edge, resulting in a clear pattern known as the "stadium effect." To further understand this behavior of rodent pests and to develop recommendations for future research and management, we examined the relation between giving-up densities (GUDs) and damage patterns. In Tanay, Luzon, Philippines, GUD trays containing pieces of coconut in a matrix of sand were placed at 4 different distances from the field edge to quantify the perceived risk of predation in a rice field pest, Rattus tanezumi. GUDs were recorded during a dry and wet season crop at the reproductive and ripening stages of rice. In addition, assessments of active burrows, tracking tile activity and rodent damage to the rice crop, were conducted in the dry season. GUDs were significantly lower in the center of the rice fields than on the field edges, suggesting that rodent damage to rice is greater in the middle of rice fields due to a lower perceived predation risk. Furthermore, this perception of predation risk (or fear) increases towards the field edge and was greatest on the rice bund, where there was no vegetation cover. We discuss the implications for rodent management and rodent damage assessments in rice fields. This is the first documented use of GUDs in a rice agro-ecosystem in Asia; thus we identify the challenges and lessons learned through this process.

New Record of the Scrub Typhus Vector, Leptotrombidium rubellum, in Southwest China.

There are several main vectors of scrub typhus in China, and Leptotrombidium rubellum Wang et Liao, 1984 is one of them, which was previously considered to be restricted to the coastal regions of Changle to Xiamen, Fujian province of east China. Ecological investigation of chigger mites in recent years demonstrated the presence of L. rubellum also in Yunnan province. Chigger mites were collected from 34 counties, in which 127,460 larval mites were collected from 14,381 small mammal hosts. A total of 277 species belonging to 26 genera and three subfamilies were identified. A total of 705/127,460 (0.55%) L. rubellum were collected from eight counties. Leptotrombidium rubellum was collected mainly at low elevations in southern Yunnan. A total of 663/705 (94.04%) of L. rubellum were collected from Rattus flavipectus (Milne-Edwards, 1871) found in outdoor habitats with relatively high infestation prevalence and mean intensity. Although it was collected from several hosts, the primary host was Rattus tanezumi. This represents a new distribution record of L. rubellum for Yunnan province.