SUPPORTING RESEARCH


Each field program maintained under this project is currently staffed
by one resident U.S. technician. The undertaking of a major research
project at an overseas field station is a sizable task for one or two
persons. But a unique feature of the DWRC international programs is
the backup research capability available to assist the resident field
personnel. The Section of Supporting Sciences, along with other
sections of the DWRC, provide this backup research and support for the
field units. Specialists in several scientific disciplines and modern
scientific instrumentation and facilities provide the capability for
investigation into many facets of a vertebrate pest problem. It would
be difficult, if not impossible, and certainly illogical to attempt to
duplicate this staff and physical capability at the overseas field
stations. DWRC research activities pertinent to, or in support of
this project are summarized in the following reports.

Toxicity of 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol (DFP)

The active ingredient of gliftor, a rodenticide widely used in the
Soviet Union, is 1,3-difluoro-2-propanol (DFP). Detailed studies on
the pharmacology of DFP have not been published but judging from its
structure it would appear to be metabolized to fluoroacetic acid (FA).
Unlike FA, however, DFP has a wide range of toxicity which is prob-
ably dependent upon whether animals can metabolize DFP to FA. The
data reported herein is part of the toxicity profile we are obtaining
for gliftor. Two groups of ground squirrels (Spermophilus richard-
soni; three males and five females per group) were individually caged
and prebaited for one night with untreated rolled oats. The next
night the animals had a choice between treated and untreated bait.
One group received 1 percent gliftor, the other 2 percent. Consump-
tion of treated bait was substantially less with the 2-percent con-
centration and mortality was also less than with the 1-percent bait
(Table 6). These data indicate that gliftor may be unpalatable at
the 2-percent level.

Table 6. Consumption and mortality with gliftor baits when offered to
 ground squirrels in a free-choice test for one night.


Concen-
tration Mean bait consumed g (range) Gliftor consumed (mg/kg)
 (%) Treated Untreated Mean (range) Mortality

 1 3.7 (2.1-6.9) 6.9 (1.1-16.6) 137.2 (80-231) 8/8

 2 0.7 (0.01-2.3) 4.1 (0.6-9.2) 30.1 (0.3-84) 5/8