Research interests
My main interests are ecology and conservation, with particular emphasis on the behaviour of small mammals in relation to pest control. There is a global reliance on anticoagulant rodenticides for the management of invasive rodents. These compounds are not species specific and this can lead to the poisoning of many non-target species such as bank voles, field voles and wood mice. If these animals are then eaten by a predator, secondary poisoning can occur. My PhD research aims to understand the interactions between non-targets and pest control strategies and to identify the impacts these strategies are having on non-targets. From this we hope to develop mitigation which can be applied to pest control. There is a need to manage invasive rodents but we must find a way that is effective and reduces the harm to wildlife.
Education and Career
• BSc (Hons), Biology and Forensic Science, Keele University, UK (2004 – 2007)
• Laboratory Technician, Northampton College at Daventry, UK (2008 – 2010)
• MSc, Wildlife Management and Conservation, University of Reading, UK (2010 – 2011)
• Research Intern, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (2012 – 2013)
• Research Intern (Principle Investigator), International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (2013 – 2014)
• Field Ecologist, Aspect Ecology Ltd, UK (2015)
• Assistant Research Officer, Vertebrate Pests Unit, University of Reading, UK (2016 – 2018)
• ASPel PIL license holder (E1L, PIL A, PIL B specialising in Mice and Rats) (1st March 2016)
• Research Officer, Vertebrate Pests Unit, University of Reading, UK (2018 – 2020)
• ASPel PPL license holder (31st July 2019)
• PhD, NERC ACCE DTP Studentship, Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, University of Liverpool, UK (2020 – 2024). Supervisors: Prof. Jane Hurst, Prof. Paula Stockley (University of Liverpool) and Lee Walker (UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology).
Publications
Buckle, A., Jones, C., Talavera, M., and Prescott, C. (2020). Anticoagulant Resistance in Rats and Mice in the UK – Summary Report with new data for 2019-2020.
Technical report VPU/20/002 for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK for the Government Oversight Group.
Buckle, A.P., Jones, C.R., Rymer, D.J., Coan, E.E. and Prescott, C.V. (2020). The Hampshire-Berkshire focus of L120Q anticoagulant resistance in the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and field trials of bromadiolone, difenacoum and brodifacoum. Crop Protection. 137. 105301.
Jones, C., Talavera, M., Buckle, A. and Prescott, C. (2019). Anticoagulant Resistance in Rats and Mice in the UK – Summary Report with new data for 2019.
Technical report VPU/19/012 for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK for the Government Oversight Group.
Jones, C. and Talavera, M. (2019). Understanding and tackling resistance.
PEST Magazine. Issue 65, October/November 2019; 13-15.
Jones, C. and Talavera, M. (2019). Rodenticide resistance: Will you help fill the gaps?
PEST Magazine. Issue 64, August/September 2019; 10-11.
Prescott, C., Coan, E., Jones, C., Baxter, M., Rymer, D., and Buckle, A. (2018). Anticoagulant Resistance in Rats and Mice in the UK – Current Status in 2018.
Technical report VPU/18/015 for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK for the Government Oversight Group.
Prescott, C., Baxter, M., Coan, E., Jones, C., Rymer, D., and Buckle, A. (2017). Anticoagulant Resistance in Rats and Mice in the UK – Current Status in 2017.
Technical report VPU/17/026 for the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK for the Government Oversight Group.
Jones, C.R., Lorica, M. R., Villegas, J.M., Ramal, A.F., Horgan, F.G., Singleton, G.R. and Stuart, A.M. (2017). The stadium effect: rodent damage patterns in rice fields explored using giving up densities. Integrative Zoology 2017; 12: 438-445.
Stuart, A. M., Jones, C.R., Lorica, M. R., Villegas, J., Horgan, F.G., Singleton, G.R. (2016). Rodents and rice: techniques to further understand rodent-rice interactions in response to crop management. International Symposium of Integrative Zoology, Xilinhaote, Inner Mongolia, China, 25-28 July 2016.
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