The Pacific rat is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and spread to Pacific islands. In New Zealand it is known as kiore.
It is small, with a brown to dark-brown back and a greyish to pale underside. Body size varies among islands and with latitude.
Pacific rats are invasive on many islands. On Tetiaroa Atoll in French Polynesia, researchers collected environmental DNA from lake and beach water on three islands with different invasion histories. The genetic test distinguished Pacific rats from ship rats on neighboring islands.
Before eradication, the estimated sample counts needed for at least 95% detection probability of Pacific rats were four lake-water samples and seven beach-water samples. After the operation, local DNA sampling and trail cameras along the same transects detected no survivors. Seven days later, wider camera monitoring recorded a surviving Pacific rat about 310 metres from the nearest water-sampling point.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
After the operation on Tetiaroa Atoll, local DNA samples and cameras along the survey transects detected no survivors. Seven days later, wider camera monitoring recorded a Pacific rat about 310 metres from the nearest water sample.