Response of Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769) (Rodentia: Muridae) to entomopathogenic bacteria infected insect cadavers

Authors : Derya ULUĞ

Pages : 51-58

Doi:10.16970/entoted.1199313

View : 19 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2023-04-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Xenorhabdus Thomas & Poinar insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae); and Photorhabdus Thomas & Poinar insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae); bacteria are mutualistically associated with Steinernema Travassos, 1927 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Rhabditida: Steinernematidae); and Heterorhabditis Poinar, 1976 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae); nematodes, respectively, and are known to produce several secondary metabolites that protect nematode-killed insects from different competitors. One of these compounds called “the scavenger deterrent factor” insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SDF); is known to deter different arthropod, bird, and fish species from feeding on insects killed by Xenorhabdus or Photorhabdus bacteria. The effects of SDF from five different Xenorhabdus and one Photorhabdus species against the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Berkenhout, 1769); insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Rodentia: Muridae); were investigated using either a one-choice or two-choice experimental design during 2019-2020 in Aydın Adnan Menderes University. Rats were given four-day-old bacteria-killed Galleria mellonella insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(L., 1758); insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); larvae and feeding behavior was observed and recorded. The results demonstrate that the Norway rat is deterred from feeding on insects killed by certain Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus species and it is likely due to the distastefulness of these cadavers. Ecologically, the data suggest that insects killed by the entomopathogenic nematode/bacterium complex in nature may be protected from attack from insectivorous mammals, especially those that feed on soil-dwelling insects.
Keywords : Photorhabdus, yağmacı uzaklaştırıcı faktör, Xenorhabdus