Stomach Nematodes (Mastophorus muris) in Rats (Rattus rattus) Are Associated with Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Habitat at Palmyra Atoll

Research at Palmyra Atoll reveals that stomach nematodes (Mastophorus muris) in black rats (Rattus rattus) are significantly more abundant in habitats dominated by coconut trees (Cocos nucifera). The study, conducted across 13 islets with varying sizes and habitat types, found that 59% of rats were parasitized, with an average of 12 worms per infected rat. While islet size did not substantially influence parasite dynamics or rat condition, coconut-dominated sites consistently showed higher nematode abundance. This suggests a strong association between the introduced species—both the rats and potentially the coconuts—and their parasitic relationships in this Pacific Line Island ecosystem.

Lafferty, K. D., Hathaway, S. A., Wegmann, A. S., Shipley, F. S., Backlin, A. R., Helm, J., & Fisher, R. N. (2010). Stomach Nematodes (Mastophorus muris) in Rats (Rattus rattus) Are Associated with Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Habitat at Palmyra Atoll. Journal of Parasitology, 96(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1645/ge-2180.1