Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 85 (2): 155-159, 2012
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Predation by Rattus norvegicus on a native small mammal in an
Araucaria araucana forest of Neuquén, Argentina
Few previous studies document Rattus predation as a mechanism
of impact on native small mammals. In a mixed Araucaria araucana (Molina) Koch -Nothofagus
forest in Parque Nacional Lanín in southwestern Neuquén Province, Argentina, we discovered the remains of long-
clawed mice, Chelemys macronyx Thomas, cached in a burrow of Rattus norvegicus
Berkenhout. We discuss this evidence of predation in light of Rattus biology and invasion ecology.
Predation on native small mammals by invasive rats is easily underestimated or overlooked and deserves more careful
attention.
Key words:
Argentina,
Chelemys macronyx, invasive species
