A new location record for kiore (Rattus exulans) on New Zealand's South Island

Abstract

Thirteen kiore (Rattus exulans), also known as the Pacific or Polynesian rat, were trapped in Waitutu Forest, Southland, New Zealand in November 2002 and February 2003. This is a new mainland location for kiore, approximately 75 km south of the closest recorded extant population in the Borland Valley. Kiore remained undetected at Waitutu Forest during the first 18 months of trapping, until the population responded to tree seeding. Morphological characters of the trapped animals are compared with those of previously reported kiore and ship rats (R. rattus), to aid in the correct identification of future captures. Kiore may be more widespread in mainland New Zealand than presently known for reasons of misidentification or trapping when numbers are very low. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004.