Phylogeography, evolution and taxonomy of humanity's greatest pest, Rattus rattus: Epidemiological, archaeological and conservation implications

该项目将描述澳大利亚生物安全和健康面临的主要威胁，并确定引入不同的黑鼠“品系”可能带来的一系列疾病风险。它将为世界各地的管理工作提供关键数据，特别是为邻近东南亚国家的战略合作伙伴，以及澳大利亚境内的保护工作提供关键数据。这些数据还将提供新的方法来跟踪整个地区史前人类活动的时间和路线。它将在动物学、医学、流行病学、遗传学和保护领域的研究人员之间建立战略研究合作，进行一项独特的多学科研究。

This project will characterise a major threat to Australian biosecurity and health, and identify the range of likely disease risks associated with introductions of different 'strains' of black rat. It will provide critical data for management efforts around the world, especially for strategic partners in neighbouring Southeast Asian nations, as well as for conservation efforts within Australia. The data will also provide novel means to track the timing and routes of human prehistoric movements throughout the area. It will establish strategic research collaborations between researchers in zoological, medical, epidemiological, genetics, and conservation fields in a unique multi-disciplinary study.