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Effects of quinestrol and levonorgestrel on populations of plateau pikas, Ochotona curzoniae , in the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Author(s) -
Liu Ming,
Qu Jiapeng,
Yang Min,
Wang Zengli,
Wang Yanling,
Zhang Yanming,
Zhang Zhibin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.2302
Subject(s) - biology , plateau (mathematics) , population , pika , reproduction , ecology , seasonal breeder , culling , zoology , medicine , mathematical analysis , national park , mathematics , environmental health , herd
BACKGROUND: Plateau pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae , Hodgson, 1858) are viewed as a pest in the Tibetan Plateau meadow ecosystem when their population densities are high. Traditional culling using rodenticides often poses a high risk to non‐target species and even to humans. In this study, an investigation was made of the infertility effects of quinestrol (E), levonorgestrel (P) and a combination of the two (EP, ratio E:P = 1:2) on plateau pikas during 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: Treatment with E or EP significantly decreased the pregnancy rate of female pikas in 2007. In 2008, there was a cross‐year effect that still suppressed male reproduction in treated groups. Treatment with E obviously reduced the reproduction of pikas but not their population abundance in 2007; the reduction in population size was significant in 2008. CONCLUSIONS: Single baiting of quinestrol in early breeding season reduced the reproduction and population size of pikas throughout 2007. The effect of infertility lasted into the next breeding season through a cross‐year effect, which resulted in a significant reduction of population size in 2008. Quinestrol is a very promising non‐lethal approach to managing pika populations; however, several factors need to be investigated further to improve the practicality of this method. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry