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Ondatra zibethicus

Basic information
Scientific name Ondatra zibethicus

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マスクラット
Common names muskrat
Higher taxon Muridae, Rodentia, Mammalia
Natural range North America.
Habitat Lake or pond, stream, swamp.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama Prefs. Range in Japan
Origin N America
Date Imported before W.W.II. The first record of naturalization in Japan is in 1947.
Route Deliberate: Bred for fur before the W. W. II, and released after the War.
Impact Actually: Predation on aquatic plants such as lotus. In Europe, destruction of bank and dam by nest building.
Regulation in Japan Import, transport and keeping are prohibited in Japan by the Invasive Alien Species Act.
Introduced range in other countries C & N Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia, China, and NE Korea.
Reference Notes
  • Abe et al. (1994) A Pictorial Guide to the Mammals of Japan. Tokai University Press, Tokyo. (in Jpn)
  • Izawa et al. (ed) (1996) Encyclopedia of Animals in Japan 2, Mammals 2. Heibonsha. (in Jpn)
  • DECO (ed) (2006) Dictionary of Alien Species. Tokyo-Shoseki. (in Jpn)
  • Ohdachi et al. (eds) (2009) The Wild Mammals of Japan. Shoukabou, Kyoto.
  • JWRC (ed) (2008) A Photographic Guide to the Invasive Alien Species in Japan. Heibonsha. (in Jpn)