Pre-Independence Warfare: Brown Rats’ Domination in North America

A fascinating exploration into North America’s rodent history reveals a lesser-known battle raging long before the Declaration of Independence: the war of the rats. Contrary to previous beliefs, a new study unveils that brown rats arrived much earlier than anticipated, swiftly overpowering black rats to establish dominance on the continent.
Researchers delved into centuries-old rodent bones from shipwrecks and settlements, unraveling the surprising narrative of the rodents’ invasion. While black rats were early colonizers, brown rats emerged as formidable contenders in the mid-1700s, initiating a seismic shift in North America’s rodent hierarchy.
Contrary to previous estimations placing brown rats’ arrival around the American Independence era, evidence suggests they infiltrated as early as 1740. Their swift ascendancy, documented through a decline in black rat presence and a surge in brown rat prevalence, unfolded over a mere few decades.
The study’s analysis spanned 32 settlements and seven shipwrecks, scrutinizing bone collagen and isotopic signatures to discern rat species and dietary patterns. Notably, a pivotal discovery within the wreck of the French vessel Le Machault, sinking in 1760, unveiled the earliest biomolecular confirmation of brown rat presence in the Americas.
While black rat populations dwindled, brown rats asserted dominance, possibly due to monopolizing resources and displaying territorial aggression. This rapid transition underscores the ecological impact of invasive species and sheds light on historical ecological dynamics in North America.
The study not only reshapes our understanding of rodent colonization but also offers insights into contemporary ecological processes, highlighting the enduring influence of invasive species and the intricacies of ecological succession.

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