Determination of the biotic potential of rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Bioterium of the Jorge Basadre Grohmann National University

Abstract

The population of rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the Bioterium of the Jorge Basadre Grohmann National University was installed in microenvironments and conditioned according to the crossbreeding factor, in order to determine abundance and evaluate the role of the litter in biotic potential. The aim of the study was to describe the biotic potential of rats and their expansion of their genes in one way or another. For the development of this study, a sample of 25 female rats paired with a male (stallion) was considered, which allowed a 4-generation litter to be obtained during the period from March 2021 to June 2022. The reproduction rate of this population of rodents depended on of the environmental conditions and the adequate management of the researcher or the personnel in charge. This rodent population finally reflected the biotic potential. The litters recorded in this study were the pups that grew and developed under completely normal conditions, which maintained the number of pups until they matured. As a result, it is possible to characterize the traces of the generations of mice following in function of their offspring, having developed their own behavior and anatomical adaptation.