| Summary: | Considering alien and invasive species are major threat to indigenous species, the recent status of these type of vertebrates were reviewed along with the current rodent management application in Turkey. More than twenty-five alien, potentially invasive freshwater fish species have been reported in Turkey. Of these, seven were recorded from inland waters as alien and two as translocated. Eighteen marine fishes from the Mediterranean and three from the Black Sea have previously been reported as invasive or alien. In this study, of twelve fishes, eleven were determined as potential invader in our long term observations in Mediterranean Sea; puffer fish and Vanikoro sweeper (Pempheris vanicolensis) were evaluated as considerably successful invasive ones. Two reptile species are known as alien in Turkey: the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta) is an imported species in south-western rivers of Anatolia; İstanbul Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus) is a transported species found in the Marmara region in Turkey. Four bird species are alien and potential invaders; Laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis), Ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameria), White-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos) and Common myna (Acridotheres tristis). Mammalian species; nutria (coypu-Myocastor coypus) which is introduced to two rivers in Turkey, black and Norway rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) along with house mouse (Mus musculus) are alien and also synanthropic species. According to the rodent management report released in 2013 for agricultural areas, 1.202 kg zinc phosphide was used for rodent control in 73 provinces of Turkey; Konya province was most active against rodents, using 400 kg zinc phosphide in 19 956 kg poisoned baits. Only anticoagulant rodenticides are permitted to use in urban areas. Application doses of 50 mg/kg of anticoagulant rodenticides caused death three days later after poisoned baits were given to rats. In our experiments, no resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides was determined in black and Norwaybrown rats around Ankara provices. Control of other potential vertebrate pests such as snakes, Egyptian fruit bat and porcupine is not legally permitted in Turkey.
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