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Mann-Vollrath F, Correa-Cuadros JP, Ávila-Thieme MI, Duclos M, Jaksic FM. The ecological roles of the European rabbit in the Magellanic/Fuegian ecosystem of southernmost Chile. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19581. [PMID: 39179722 PMCID: PMC11344046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The European rabbit has invaded numerous ecosystems worldwide, but rarely steppes. Since its various introduction attempts into the ecosystems of the Magallanes/Fuegian region, the rabbit has become a key player, interacting with species at different trophic levels and generating impacts on ecosystems. To better understand the role of the rabbit in steppe and scrub ecosystems, we characterised the food web in the Magallanes/Fuegian region to understand the identity of their interacting species, the mechanisms and complexities of their interactions to demonstrate that rabbit management may become more complex than just controlling a single species. Based on a bibliographic review and wildlife specialists' opinions, we built the Magellanic/Fuegian food web, evaluated their topological properties and performed a rabbit extinction simulation to assess the possible short-term ecological mechanisms operating in the community. We found that the network had 206 nodes (64% native, 13% exotic, and 22% mixed) and 535 links among nodes. The European rabbit was the most connected node of the food web, had the second largest dietary breadth, and ranked as the seventh prey item with more predators. A rabbit extinction simulation shows a possible release of herbivory pressure on plants, including that on several native plants (e.g., Gunnera tinctoria, Pratia repens, Gavilea lutea, Tetroncium magellanicus), and a possible release of competition for some herbivores that share resources with the rabbit (e.g., Ovis aries, Lama guanicoe, Bos taurus). Although rabbit predators have a broad and generalist diet, some such as the native Galicitis cuja, could face a 20% reduction in their trophic width and could intensify predation on alternative prey. These results show that the European rabbit is strongly embedded in the Magellanic/Fuegian ecosystem and linked to several native species. Therefore, rabbit management should consider ecosystem approaches accompanied by monitoring programs on native fauna and experimental pilot studies on native flora to conserve the Chilean Patagonia community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Mann-Vollrath
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Mención Ecología, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
| | - Jennifer Paola Correa-Cuadros
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Mención Ecología, Santiago, Chile.
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile.
| | - M Isidora Ávila-Thieme
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Mención Ecología, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Negocios, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Artes, Universidad Mayor, Temuco, Chile
- Center for Resilience, Adaptation and Mitigation (CReAM), Universidad Mayor, Temuco, Chile
- Instituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera (SECOS), Santiago, Chile
| | - Melanie Duclos
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabian M Jaksic
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Mención Ecología, Santiago, Chile
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile
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Gübelin P, Correa-Cuadros JP, Ávila-Thieme MI, Flores-Benner G, Duclos M, Lima M, Jaksic FM. European Rabbit Invasion in a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of Chile: How Relevant Is Its Role in Food Webs? Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040916. [PMID: 37109445 PMCID: PMC10144028 DOI: 10.3390/life13040916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is one of the main invasive species in Chile, where it became naturalized ca. 150 years ago. Their high reproductive capacity, lack of specialist predators, and great adaptability favored the settlement of rabbits in diverse mainland and island ecosystems of the country. Recently, rabbits have become central players in semi-arid ecosystems, such as those represented in Las Chinchillas National Reserve in north-central Chile. We undertook to analyze the place and role of rabbits in the food web of that Reserve, based on a bibliographic review and long-term annual data gathered from 1987 until 2022 (36 years). Results showed that the network comprised 77 species, where 69% were primary producers (plants), 18% were mid-level consumers (herbivores), and 13% were top-level consumers (predators). The most connected species in the food web was the rabbit, which positively or negatively affected the species interacting with it. Predators such as Galictis cuja, Geranoaetus polyosoma, Leopardus colocolo, and Puma concolor, and the scavenger Vultur gryphus, could be negatively affected by an eventual decrease (natural or human-caused) in the rabbit population of the Reserve. To the contrary, primary producers such as Oxalis perdicaria, Plantago hispidula, Schizanthus parvulus, Senna cumminggi, and Tropaeolum azureum could be positively affected by an increase in their biomass in response to a decrease in rabbits, favoring native rodents. We consider that analyzing the rabbit-centered food web and its impacts on native interacting species allows a better understanding of the relevance of invasive species in the local community, providing conceptual tools for rabbit management.
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Allmert T, Jeschke JM, Evans T. An assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of alien rabbits and hares. AMBIO 2022; 51:1314-1329. [PMID: 34709588 PMCID: PMC8931149 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Directly comparable data on the environmental and socio-economic impacts of alien species informs the effective prioritisation of their management. We used two frameworks, the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) and Socio-Economic Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (SEICAT), to create a unified dataset on the severity and type of impacts caused by alien leporids (rabbits and hares). Literature was reviewed to collate impact data, which was categorised following EICAT and SEICAT guidelines. We aimed to use these data to identify: (1) alien leporid species with severe impacts, (2) their impact mechanisms, (3) the native species and local communities vulnerable to impacts and (4) knowledge gaps. Native species from a range of taxonomic groups were affected by environmental impacts which tended to be more damaging than socio-economic impacts. Indirect environmental impacts were particularly damaging and underreported. No impact data were found for several alien leporid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Allmert
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Present Address: Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstr. 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonathan M. Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Evans
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Mori E, Carbone R, Viviano A, Calosi M, Fattorini N. Factors affecting spatiotemporal behaviour in the European brown hare
Lepus europaeus
: a meta‐analysis. Mamm Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri Via Madonna del Piano 10 Sesto Fiorentino (FI)50019Italia
| | - Roberto Carbone
- Università degli Studi di Parma Parco Area delle Scienze 11a Parma43124Italia
| | - Andrea Viviano
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri Via Madonna del Piano 10 Sesto Fiorentino (FI)50019Italia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie Alimentari e Agro‐ambientali Produzioni Agroalimentari e Gestione degli Agroecosistemi Università degli Studi di Pisa Via del Borghetto 80 Pisa56124Italia
| | - Martina Calosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università degli Studi di Siena Via P.A. Mattioli 4 Siena53100Italia
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita Università degli Studi di Siena Via P.A. Mattioli 4 Siena53100Italia
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Hartley R, Blanchard W, Schroder M, Lindenmayer DB, Sato C, Scheele BC. Exotic herbivores dominate Australian high‐elevation grasslands. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Renée Hartley
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Wade Blanchard
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Mellesa Schroder
- Southern Ranges Branch National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW Jindabyne Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Chloe Sato
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Canberra Australia
| | - Ben C. Scheele
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University Canberra Australia
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Thulin CG, Winiger A, Tallian A, Kindberg J. Hunting harvest data in Sweden indicate precipitous decline in the native mountain hare subspecies Lepus timidus sylvaticus (heath hare). J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Schlater SM, Ringenberg JM, Bickford N, Ranglack DH. WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBITS: A REVIEW AND CALL FOR RESEARCH. SOUTHWEST NAT 2021. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-65.2.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Schlater
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Jourdan M. Ringenberg
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Nate Bickford
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
| | - Dustin H. Ranglack
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, 2401 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849 (SMS, JMR, NB, DHR)
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Bedson CP, Devenish C, Symeonakis E, Mallon D, Reid N, Edwin Harris W, Preziosi R. Splitting hares: Current and future ecological niches predicted as distinctly different for two congeneric lagomorphs. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2021.103742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Viviano A, Mori E, Fattorini N, Mazza G, Lazzeri L, Panichi A, Strianese L, Mohamed WF. Spatiotemporal Overlap between the European Brown Hare and Its Potential Predators and Competitors. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:562. [PMID: 33669965 PMCID: PMC7924828 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of spatiotemporal partitioning is pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence. Most research effort has involved large-sized carnivores and their prey, whereas little attention has been devoted to lagomorphs. We assessed spatiotemporal overlap among the European brown hare Lepus europaeus and its potential competitors and predators through camera-trapping in an area in Central Italy. We estimated the interspecific patterns of the spatiotemporal activity rhythms of brown hares, its potential predators (the red fox Vulpes vulpes, the pine marten Martes martes, the domestic cat Felis catus, and the domestic dog Canis familiaris), and a competitor, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus. Brown hare activity was studied in natural conditions as well as in a fenced area that excluded terrestrial predators and competitors. Free-ranging hares developed a more nocturnal behavior to avoid diurnal predators (i.e., domestic carnivores and martens). Although high temporal overlap was observed between free-ranging brown hares and both red foxes (82%) and roe deer (81%), hares avoided fox by being more active on darkest nights, as well as avoided roe deer through spatial partitioning. We suggest that hares may adapt their spatiotemporal behavior to avoid potential predators and competitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viviano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Università degli Studi di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e Politiche–ESP, Università di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Lazzeri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Panichi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, dell’Università di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Luigi Strianese
- Associazione Nazionale Libera Caccia, 58100 Grosseto, Italy;
| | - Walid Fathy Mohamed
- Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
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Pasqualotto N, Boscolo D, Versiani NF, Paolino RM, Rodrigues TF, Krepschi VG, Chiarello AG. Niche opportunity created by land cover change is driving the European hare invasion in the Neotropics. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02353-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Grattarola F, Rodríguez-Tricot L. Mammals of Paso Centurión, an area with relicts of Atlantic Forest in Uruguay. NEOTROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/neotropical.15.e53062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Paso Centurión is one of the most diverse areas of Uruguay. It is legally protected at local and national level, however, there are different interests competing for its land use and management. With the aim to document the biodiversity of the area together with the local people, the NGO JULANA has been conducting a participatory monitoring process with camera traps since 2013. Here, we present a list of 23 medium and large-size mammal species documented in the area and a standardised dataset of occurrence records. Top observations include the last Chrysocyon brachyurus seen in Uruguay, the first record of Herpailurus yagouaroundi in the country and the second report of Leopardus munoai in the area. We also highlight the frequent observation of numerous rare species such as Tamandua tetradactyla, Leopardus wiedii, Cabassous tatouay, Coendou spinosus and Cuniculus paca. Although the cameras were located within only a few metres of the houses of the local people, some of the rarest and most elusive species in the country were reported. This suggests a possible coexistence between people – their socio-economic practices – and nature in the area. Our work underlines the importance of the recent inclusion of Paso Centurión and Sierra de Ríos to the National System of Protected Areas under the proposed category of ‘Protected Landscape’. Collectively, in a context of global change and lack of biodiversity data on species distribution, we emphasise the value of these records for the knowledge of mammals in Uruguay and the need to extend and continue monitoring this area.
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13
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Introduced lagomorph produce stronger potential apparent competition in invaded communities than any other species in a similar but native food web. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02082-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Ancillotto L, Studer V, Howard T, Smith VS, McAlister E, Beccaloni J, Manzia F, Renzopaoli F, Bosso L, Russo D, Mori E. Environmental drivers of parasite load and species richness in introduced parakeets in an urban landscape. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3591-3599. [PMID: 30167793 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6058-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduced species represent a threat to native wildlife worldwide, due to predation, competition, and disease transmission. Concurrent introduction of parasites may also add a new dimension of competition, i.e. parasite-mediated competition, through spillover and spillback dynamics. Urban areas are major hotspots of introduced species, but little is known about the effects of urban habitat structure on the parasite load and diversity of introduced species. Here, we investigated such environmental effects on the ectoparasite load, richness, and occurrence of spillback in two widespread invasive parakeets, Psittacula krameri and Myiopsitta monachus, in the metropolitan area of Rome, central Italy. We tested 231 parakeets and found that in both species parasite load was positively influenced by host abundance at local scale, while environmental features such as the amount of natural or urban habitats, as well as richness of native birds, influenced parasite occurrence, load, and richness differently in the two host species. Therefore, we highlight the importance of host population density and habitat composition in shaping the role of introduced parakeets in the spread of both native and introduced parasites, recommending the monitoring of urban populations of birds and their parasites to assess and manage the potential occurrence of parasite-mediated competition dynamics as well as potential spread of vector-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - V Studer
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - T Howard
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - V S Smith
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - E McAlister
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - J Beccaloni
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum of London, London, UK
| | - F Manzia
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - F Renzopaoli
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Lipu Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - L Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - D Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - E Mori
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.,Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Palazzo Corsini, Via della Lungara 10, 00165, Rome, Italy
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