Where did you get that rat? Using genetics to study the origins and swimming patterns of invasive pests 
(Seminars)
10 May 2012
3.30pm
Venue: Room 234, Building 733, Tamaki Campus
Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity seminar by Associate Professor Rachel Fewster.
When a rat appears on a pest-free sanctuary island, the first question asked is, "Where did it come from?" I will describe genetic assignment methods to estimate the origin of individuals, and show examples from around the Hauraki Gulf. With DOC and Auckland Council, we are establishing a database of rat genetics from around the region. One of the database's first tasks has been to find the source of a Norway rat found dead on Tiritiri Matangi island in March. I will show how care must be applied in statistical analysis, as an off-the-shelf analysis would give entirely the wrong answer for this rat. With Landcare Research / EcoGene, and programmer Sunil Patel, we are now working to develop map-linked database software and statistical analysis tools for pest surveillance and genetic analysis. I will give a demo of the software under development, which is intended to serve all needs from scientific research to community-based volunteer projects.
Feedback from the audience is welcome.
