Description of the Study Smithers Viscient, in collaboration with and Rice University is embarking on a second year of collecting samples of Norway rats (a.k.a. gray- or brown- rats, Rattus norvegicus); roof rats (a.k.a. black rats, R. rattus); and house mice (Mus muscus) from select cities in the United States. Specimens must be of these species only. The rat samples may consist of the tails, so long as the collector/trapper is absolutely certain of the species identity. Otherwise the sample will consist of the whole body. In all cases the mouse samples will consist of whole bodies. Field personnel will be paid $50 for each properly documented, correctly identified sample in good condition. Generally if an animal is put in a freezer within 48 hours of its death it will be in good enough condition for the study. Additionally if the tail on a carcass is still rubbery, then that sample is probably good enough for the study.
Below is a list of cities from which we would like samples. However, almost any city with a population of approximately 200,000 or more is acceptable. The cities marked with and X on the list are high priority cities. Coastal cities are also high priority. Samples can also come from any suburb contiguous with a city meeting the above criteria. IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR LOCATION, EMAIL THE PROJECT COORDINATOR LISTED BELOW. The emphasis is on collecting rats and in getting samples from across the nation. With that in mind, no more than 15 rats and/or 10 mice should be collected from any one city. Our goal is to obtain 500 specimens for genetic analysis to verify the genetic characteristics of those animals which have become resistant to first generation anti-coagulant rodenticides. When we reach our goal of 500 specimens, you will be notified and at that point you can stop trapping. The Team Smithers Viscient, LLC (www. smitherviscient.com) is managing the field operations. Smithers is an ecotoxicology firm with research facilities in Massachusetts and North Carolina Andrew Rupiper will represent Smithers Viscient for this study. Andrew is serving as a logistical coordinator for the specimen collections. He is a field biologist from the Des Moines, Iowa area, and has prior experience trapping rats and mice. Andrew will be your main contacts for the study. Responsibilities of the Field Personnel If you are selected to be a trapper for the study, you will be considered an independent consultant and paid, by Smithers Viscient for each specimen you collect. We can provide references of individuals who trapped for us in 2012-2013. Your main responsibilities will be to 1) trap target species, 2) keep accurate records, 3) label specimens, 4) store samples in a freezer until they are ready to be shipped, and 5) pack and ship samples by UPS. We will send you labeling, storing and shipping supplies. However you will need to supply your own traps and pay your own mileage expenses. Although you wont be reimbursed for mileage and other incidentals, Smithers Viscient will supply shipping containers and pay the UPS fees for shipping samples to the Smithers Viscient Carolina Research Center where specimens will be logged, verified to species and then transferred to Rice University. In some cases you may be asked to send digital or hard copy photos of the rat from which a tail was taken. We recommend you be as opportunistic as possible. For example, trap rats and mice in your neighborhood that youd want to get rid of anyway. Use inexpensive snap traps (unless you have pets that make using the more expensive traps a safer option). Ask RELIABLE friends and family members to volunteer to help you. Point out to them that every time they provide a rodent to you, they have one less pest to contend with. Use inexpensive bait. House mice usually prefer cheap oatmeal mixed with peanut butter, over more expensive bait such as cheese. Most rats love pizza. Unfortunately they seem to ignore any pizza more than one day old. Fortunately theyre omnivores and will eat a wide variety of grains, seeds, and other relatively inexpensive foods. By being opportunistic, you should be able to make a profit at $50 per individual rat or mouse. How to Get Involved If you are interested in trapping rats and/or mice for our study, please send Andrew an email with your contact information and one or two paragraphs describing your qualifications/interests. If you are selected to help, Andrew will have Smithers Viscient send you supplies for labeling, storing and shipping samples. You will also receive a set of instructions providing information on how to identify our target species and how to process them for shipping. In addition you will receive some hints on how to trap the target species. $50/SPECIMEN WILL BE PAID TO THE FIRST PROPERLY IDENTIFIED RATS/MICE FROM A GIVEN CITY. Please email with any questions. Andrew Rupiper Field Logistics Coordinator [email protected]
