http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04232.x/abstract
GARDNER-SANTANA, L.C. “Commensal Ecology, Urban Landscapes, and Their Influence on the Genetic Characteristics of City-dwelling Norway Rats (Rattus Norvegicus).” Molecular Ecology. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 2766-778. Wiley Online Library. July 2009. Web. <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04232.x/abstract>.
Very little is known about wild Norway rats even though they live in urbanized communities and may spread disease and invade new areas. The movement of people can spread these infectious diseases that these pests contain. Wild Norway rats are also known as Rattus norvegicus. The experiment sampled 11 individuals different locations within Baltimore, Maryland to characterize the genetic structure and extent of gene flow between areas within the city. Most people were assigned to their area of capture, and the rats were of an axial dispersal distance of 62meters, which fell within typical alley length. There were some rats that were assigned to area which were 2-11.5 kilometers away and demonstrated long distance movement within the city. Although the individual movement of each rat seems to be limited, locations up to 1.7 kilometers are made up of relatives. The differentiation between identified clusters of rats indicates that the regular genes flow either via recruitment of other rats or migration leading to the prevention of isolation. This information shows that the ecology of rodents in urban areas and the life-history characteristics of Norway rats likely counter many expected effects of isolation. This is important to public health because these rodents possess the ability to spread diseases and now that they show signs of movement within urban areas, people should be aware that their health is at risk.
