@article{fdi:010049709,
  title = {{A}ssessment of {R}hodamine {B} for labelling the plague reservoir {R}attus rattus in {M}adagascar},
  author = {{R}ahelinirina, {S}. and {D}uplantier, {J}ean-{M}arc and {R}atsimba, {M}. and {R}atovonjato, {J}. and {R}amilijaona, {O}. and {P}apillon, {Y}ves and {R}ahalison, {L}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he black rat is the main plague reservoir in rural foci in {M}adagascar, inside the villages as well as in the cultivated areas around. {W}e have evaluated the potentialities of mass-marking of rats, using baits containing {R}hodamine {B} ({RB}) in order to get a tool to study the movements of rats and to understand the spread of plague. {L}aboratory experiments demonstrated that: (i) rats were more attracted by the rodent granules and peanut butter; (ii) incorporation of {RB} in baits did not reduce their appetence; (iii) {RB} lasted for 60 days in rat vibrissae and 180 days in rat hairs; and (iv) consumption of baits during a week was under the lethal dose. {F}ield tests have been realized comparatively among 24 highland villages where plague is endemic, in different contexts: baits inside houses or around the village, baits with and without {RB}, rats captured 1, 2 and 3 months after the marking. {N}o negative effect of the {RB} on population dynamics of rats or fleas on them was observed. {T}he effectiveness of the marking was comparable between males and females. {T}his technique of collective marking appears very valuable for monitoring rat movements in plague foci.{R}esume {L}e rat noir est le principal reservoir de la peste dans les foyers ruraux de {M}adagascar, dans les villages comme dans les zones cultivees environnantes. {N}ous avons evalue les potentialites de marquage en masse de rats avec des appats contenant de la {R}hodamine {B} ({RB}) afin de disposer d'un outil pour etudier les deplacements des rats et de comprendre la dispersion de la peste. {L}es experiences en laboratoire ont montre que : (i) les rats etaient plus attires par les granules pour rongeurs et le beurre de cacahuete; (ii) l'adjonction de {RB} dans les appats ne reduisait pas leur appetence; (iii) la {RB} persistait pendant 60 jours dans les vibrisses des rats, et 180 jours dans leurs poils; et (iv) la consommation des appats pendant une semaine restait en dessous de la dose letale. {D}es tests sur le terrain dans 24 villages des hauts plateaux ou la peste est endemique etaient realises dans differents contextes: appats dans les maisons et autour des villages, appats avec ou sans {RB}, rats captures un, deux ou trois mois apres le marquage. {A}ucun effet negatif de la {RB} sur la dynamique de population des rats ou des puces qui les parasitent n'a ete observe. {L}'efficacite du marquage etait comparable chez les males et les femelles. {C}ette technique de marquage collectif apparait tres interessante pour suivre les deplacements des rats dans les foyers de peste.},
  keywords = {{M}adagascar ; mass-marking ; plague ; {R}attus rattus ; {R}hodamine {B}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}frican {J}ournal of {E}cology},
  volume = {48},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {662--666},
  ISSN = {0141-6707},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01162.x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010049709},
}