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Yang R, Yu X, Nie P, Cao R, Feng J, Hu X. Climatic niche and range shifts of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin) in Europe: An invasive pest displacing native squirrels. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:3731-3739. [PMID: 37194192 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an invasive pest from North America, grey squirrels (GSs; Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin) are displacing native squirrels in Europe. However, the climatic niche and range dynamics of GSs in Europe remain largely unknown. Through niche and range dynamic models, we investigated climatic niche and range shifts between introduced GSs in Europe and native GSs in North America. RESULTS GSs in North America can survive in more variable climatic conditions and have much wider climatic niche breadth than do GSs in Europe. Based on climate, the potential range of GSs in Europe included primarily Britain, Ireland, and Italy, whereas the potential range of GSs in North America included vast regions of western and southern Europe. If GSs in Europe could occupy the same climatic niche space and potential range as GSs in North America, they would occupy an area ca. 2.45 times the size of their current range. The unfilling ranges of GSs in Europe relative to those of GSs in North America were primarily in France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Portugal. CONCLUSION Our observations implied that GSs in Europe have significant invasion potential, and that range projections based on their occurrence records in Europe may underestimate their invasion risk. Given that small niche shifts between GSs in Europe and in North America could lead to large range shifts, niche shifts could be a sensitive indicator in invasion risk assessment. The identified unfilling ranges of the GS in Europe should be prioritized in combating GS invasions in the future. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujing Yang
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiaoli Yu
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Peixiao Nie
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Runyao Cao
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Jianmeng Feng
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiaokang Hu
- College of Agriculture and Biological Science, Dali University, Dali, China
- Research Center for Agroecology in Erhai Lake Watershed of Dali University, Dali, China
- Cangshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Yunnan Province, Dali University, Dali, China
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Di Febbraro M, Bosso L, Fasola M, Santicchia F, Aloise G, Lioy S, Tricarico E, Ruggieri L, Bovero S, Mori E, Bertolino S. Different facets of the same niche: Integrating citizen science and scientific survey data to predict biological invasion risk under multiple global change drivers. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:5509-5523. [PMID: 37548610 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Citizen science initiatives have been increasingly used by researchers as a source of occurrence data to model the distribution of alien species. Since citizen science presence-only data suffer from some fundamental issues, efforts have been made to combine these data with those provided by scientifically structured surveys. Surprisingly, only a few studies proposing data integration evaluated the contribution of this process to the effective sampling of species' environmental niches and, consequently, its effect on model predictions on new time intervals. We relied on niche overlap analyses, machine learning classification algorithms and ecological niche models to compare the ability of data from citizen science and scientific surveys, along with their integration, in capturing the realized niche of 13 invasive alien species in Italy. Moreover, we assessed differences in current and future invasion risk predicted by each data set under multiple global change scenarios. We showed that data from citizen science and scientific surveys captured similar species niches though highlighting exclusive portions associated with clearly identifiable environmental conditions. In terrestrial species, citizen science data granted the highest gain in environmental space to the pooled niches, determining an increased future biological invasion risk. A few aquatic species modelled at the regional scale reported a net loss in the pooled niches compared to their scientific survey niches, suggesting that citizen science data may also lead to contraction in pooled niches. For these species, models predicted a lower future biological invasion risk. These findings indicate that citizen science data may represent a valuable contribution to predicting future spread of invasive alien species, especially within national-scale programmes. At the same time, citizen science data collected on species poorly known to citizen scientists, or in strictly local contexts, may strongly affect the niche quantification of these taxa and the prediction of their future biological invasion risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Di Febbraro
- Environmetrics Lab, Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Isernia, Italy
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Fasola
- Dipartimento Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Santicchia
- Environment Analysis and Management Unit, Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Gaetano Aloise
- Museo di Storia Naturale e Orto Botanico, Università della Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Simone Lioy
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Tricarico
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Bovero
- "Zirichiltaggi" Sardinia Wildlife Conservation NGO, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Yang H, Jiang N, Li C, Li J. Prediction of the Current and Future Distribution of Tomato Leafminer in China Using the MaxEnt Model. INSECTS 2023; 14:531. [PMID: 37367347 PMCID: PMC10299097 DOI: 10.3390/insects14060531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), an important quarantine pest in China, was first detected in China in Yili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in 2017. Its damage has grown in recent years, severely harming Solanaceae plants in China and causing enormous economic losses. The study and prediction of the current and future suitable habitats for tomato leafminer in China can provide an important reference for the monitoring, early warning, and prevention and control of the pest. Here, tomato leafminer's potential distributions in China under the current climate and four future climate models (SSP1-26, SSP2-45, SSP3-70, and SSP5-85) were predicted using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model with ArcGIS software, and the accuracy of the prediction results was tested. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the models were all greater than 0.8, and the test omission rate of the model simulation results basically agreed with the theoretical omission rate, suggesting that the prediction results had satisfactory accuracy and reliability. Under the current climatic conditions, the highly suitable habitats for tomato leafminer in China are mainly distributed in most of North China, most of East China, most of South China, most of Central China, most of Southwest China, some parts of Northeast China, and only a few parts of Northwest China. Annual mean temperature is the main environmental factor limiting the distribution. The suitable habitats for tomato leafminer will shift under different future climate models: Under SSP1-26, the highly suitable habitats will spread to the north and northeast and to the southeast coastal areas; under SSP2-45, the size of highly suitable habitats will grow from the present to 2080 and shrink from 2081 to 2100; under SSP3-70, the highly suitable habitats will spread northeastwards, but the highly suitable habitats in southeast coastal areas will shrink from 2081 to 2100 and turn into moderately suitable habitats. Under SSP5-85, the highly suitable habitats will spread northeastwards and northwestwards, with the size of highly suitable habitats gradually decreasing and the size of moderately suitable habitats increasing. Different climates will lead to different distributions of suitable habitats for tomato leafminer, with annual mean temperature, isothermality, and mean diurnal range as the main environmental influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangxin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture & Forestry of the North-Western Desert Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.Y.); (N.J.)
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Nanziying Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture & Forestry of the North-Western Desert Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.Y.); (N.J.)
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Invasive Alien Species in Agriculture & Forestry of the North-Western Desert Oasis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Agronomy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (H.Y.); (N.J.)
- Western Agricultural Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji 831100, China
| | - Jun Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
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Su J, Liu W, Hu F, Miao P, Xing L, Hua Y. The Distribution Pattern and Species Richness of Scorpionflies (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). INSECTS 2023; 14:332. [PMID: 37103147 PMCID: PMC10146745 DOI: 10.3390/insects14040332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The uneven distribution of species diversity on earth, with mountainous regions housing half of the high species diversity areas, makes mountain ecosystems vital to biodiversity conservation. The Panorpidae are ecological indicators, ideal for studying the impact of climate change on potential insect distribution. This study examines the impact of environmental factors on the distribution of the Panorpidae and analyzes how their distribution has changed over three historical periods, the Last Interglacial (LIG), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and Current. The MaxEnt model is used to predict the potential distribution area of Panorpidae based on global distribution data. The results show that precipitation and elevation are the primary factors affecting species richness, and the suitable areas for Panorpidae are distributed in southeastern North America, Europe, and southeastern Asia. Throughout the three historical periods, there was an initial increase followed by a decrease in the area of suitable habitats. During the LGM period, there was a maximum range of suitable habitats for cool-adapted insects, such as scorpionflies. Under the scenarios of global warming, the suitable habitats for Panorpidae would shrink, posing a challenge to the conservation of biodiversity. The study provides insights into the potential geographic range of Panorpidae and helps understand the impact of climate change on their distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Su
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Wanjing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Fangcheng Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Panpan Miao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Lianxi Xing
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China (Northwest University), Ministry of Education, Xi’an 710069, China
| | - Yuan Hua
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China
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Laparoscopic Salpingectomy and Vasectomy to Inhibit Fertility in Free-Ranging Nutrias (Myocastor coypus). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061092. [PMID: 36978633 PMCID: PMC10044515 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The nutria (Myocastor coypus), an invasive alien species, is widely spread in Europe. Pursuant to regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014, the nutria is subject to management programs to reduce its spread. Surgical fertility control is considered an acceptable method, particularly in urban circumstances, avoiding euthanasia. To maintain the hormonal patterns and the social and behavioral dynamics, surgical infertilization preserving the gonads (i.e., salpingectomy and vasectomy) is recommended. Mini-invasive surgery is an eligible choice when dealing with wildlife, allowing reduced captivation time. For these reasons, 77 free-ranging nutrias, captured in urban nuclei in Italy, underwent infertilization under general anesthesia; laparoscopic salpingectomy and vasectomy were performed on 32 animals and traditional surgery on the remainder, leaving the gonads in place. A three-port technique was used, with two paramedian trocars (5 mm) for the instruments and a median one for the telescope. Ablation was obtained through Onemytis® plasma device, allowing a rapid surgical time with no need to place visceral sutures; the skin was surgically closed. After recovery, the animals were released, and no overt complications were noted. No modification of the behavioral patterns was noted, and the population decreased during the following months.
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Healy BD, Budy P, Yackulic CB, Murphy BP, Schelly RC, McKinstry MC. Exploring metapopulation-scale suppression alternatives for a global invader in a river network experiencing climate change. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e13993. [PMID: 36047692 PMCID: PMC10107352 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species can dramatically alter ecosystems, but eradication is difficult, and suppression is expensive once they are established. Uncertainties in the potential for expansion and impacts by an invader can lead to delayed and inadequate suppression, allowing for establishment. Metapopulation viability models can aid in planning strategies to improve responses to invaders and lessen invasive species' impacts, which may be particularly important under climate change. We used a spatially explicit metapopulation viability model to explore suppression strategies for ecologically damaging invasive brown trout (Salmo trutta), established in the Colorado River and a tributary in Grand Canyon National Park. Our goals were to estimate the effectiveness of strategies targeting different life stages and subpopulations within a metapopulation; quantify the effectiveness of a rapid response to a new invasion relative to delaying action until establishment; and estimate whether future hydrology and temperature regimes related to climate change and reservoir management affect metapopulation viability and alter the optimal management response. Our models included scenarios targeting different life stages with spatially varying intensities of electrofishing, redd destruction, incentivized angler harvest, piscicides, and a weir. Quasi-extinction (QE) was obtainable only with metapopulation-wide suppression targeting multiple life stages. Brown trout population growth rates were most sensitive to changes in age 0 and large adult mortality. The duration of suppression needed to reach QE for a large established subpopulation was 12 years compared with 4 with a rapid response to a new invasion. Isolated subpopulations were vulnerable to suppression; however, connected tributary subpopulations enhanced metapopulation persistence by serving as climate refuges. Water shortages driving changes in reservoir storage and subsequent warming would cause brown trout declines, but metapopulation QE was achieved only through refocusing and increasing suppression. Our modeling approach improves understanding of invasive brown trout metapopulation dynamics, which could lead to more focused and effective invasive species suppression strategies and, ultimately, maintenance of populations of endemic fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D. Healy
- Department of Watershed Sciences and the Ecology CenterUtah State UniversityLoganUtahUSA
- Native Fish Ecology and Conservation Program, Division of Science and Resource ManagementGrand Canyon National Park, National Park ServiceFlagstaffArizonaUSA
| | - Phaedra Budy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Watershed SciencesUtah State UniversityLoganUtahUSA
| | - Charles. B. Yackulic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science CenterGrand Canyon Monitoring and Research CenterFlagstaffArizonaUSA
| | - Brendan P. Murphy
- School of Environmental ScienceSimon Fraser UniversityVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Robert C. Schelly
- Native Fish Ecology and Conservation Program, Division of Science and Resource ManagementGrand Canyon National Park, National Park ServiceFlagstaffArizonaUSA
| | - Mark C. McKinstry
- Upper Colorado Regional OfficeU.S. Bureau of ReclamationSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
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Predicting potential global and future distributions of the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) using species distribution models. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16234. [PMID: 36171335 PMCID: PMC9519994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19983-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species have historically been a problem derived from global trade and transport. To aid in the control and management of these species, species distribution models (SDMs) have been used to help predict possible areas of expansion. Our focal organism, the African Armyworm (AAW), has historically been known as an important pest species in Africa, occurring at high larval densities and causing outbreaks that can cause enormous economic damage to staple crops. The goal of this study is to map the AAW’s present and potential distribution in three future scenarios for the region, and the potential global distribution if the species were to invade other territories, using 40 years of data on more than 700 larval outbreak reports from Kenya and Tanzania. The present distribution in East Africa coincides with its previously known distribution, as well as other areas of grassland and cropland, which are the host plants for this species. The different future climatic scenarios show broadly similar potential distributions in East Africa to the present day. The predicted global distribution shows areas where the AAW has already been reported, but also shows many potential areas in the Americas where, if transported, environmental conditions are suitable for AAW to thrive and where it could become an invasive species.
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Prediction of the potential distribution of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) in China under current and future climate scenarios. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11807. [PMID: 35821252 PMCID: PMC9276784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15308-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoseiulus californicus is a predatory mite with a wide global distribution that can effectively control a variety of pest mites. In this study, MaxEnt was used to analyse the potential distribution of N. californicus in China and the BCC-CSM2-MR model was used to predict changes in the suitable areas for the mite from 2021 to 2100 under the scenarios of SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585. The results showed that (1) the average of area under curve value of the model was over 0.95, which demonstrated an excellent model accuracy. (2) Annual mean temperature (Bio1), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19), and precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17) were the main climatic variables that affected and controlled the potential distribution of N. californicus, with suitable ranges of 6.97–23.27 °C, 71.36–3924.8 mm, and 41.94–585.08 mm, respectively. (3) The suitable areas for N. californicus were mainly distributed in the southern half of China, with a total suitable area of 226.22 × 104 km2 in current. Under the future climate scenario, compared with the current scenario, lowly and moderately suitable areas of N. californicus increased, while highly suitable areas decreased. Therefore, it may be necessary to cultivate high-temperature resistant strains of N. californicus to adapt to future environmental changes.
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Cunze S, Klimpel S. From the Balkan towards Western Europe: Range expansion of the golden jackal ( Canis aureus)-A climatic niche modeling approach. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9141. [PMID: 35898420 PMCID: PMC9309039 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, a rapid range expansion of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) towards Northern and Western Europe has been observed. The golden jackal is a medium‐sized canid, with a broad and flexible diet. Almost 200 different parasite species have been reported worldwide from C. aureus, including many parasites that are shared with dogs and cats and parasite species of public health concern. As parasites may follow the range shifts of their host, the range expansion of the golden jackal could be accompanied by changes in the parasite fauna in the new ecosystems. In the new distribution area, the golden jackal could affect ecosystem equilibrium, e.g., through changed competition situations or predation pressure. In a niche modeling approach, we project the future climatic habitat suitability of the golden jackal in Europe in the context of whether climatic changes promote range expansion. We use an ensemble forecast based on six presence‐absence algorithms to estimate the climatic suitability of C. aureus for different time periods up to the year 2100 considering different IPCC scenarios on future development. As predictor variables, we used six bioclimatic variables provided by worldclim. Our results clearly indicate that areas with climatic conditions analogous to those of the current core distribution area of the golden jackal in Europe will strongly expand towards the north and the west in future decades. Thus, the observed range expansion may be favored by climate change. The occurrence of stable populations can be expected in Central Europe. With regard to biodiversity and public health concerns, the population and range dynamics of the golden jackal should be surveyed. Correlative niche models provide a useful and frequently applied tool for this purpose. The results can help to make monitoring more efficient by identifying areas with suitable habitat and thus a higher probability of occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cunze
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main Germany.,Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Frankfurt/Main Germany
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The rise and fall of an alien: why the successful colonizer Littorina saxatilis failed to invade the Mediterranean Sea. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02838-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Crawshaw L, Buchanan T, Shirose L, Palahnuk A, Cai HY, Bennett AM, Jardine CM, Davy CM. Widespread occurrence of
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
in Ontario, Canada, and predicted habitat suitability for the emerging
Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8798. [PMID: 35475183 PMCID: PMC9020443 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, is associated with massive amphibian mortality events worldwide and with some species’ extinctions. Previous ecological niche models suggest that B. dendrobatidis is not well‐suited to northern, temperate climates, but these predictions have often relied on datasets in which northern latitudes are underrepresented. Recent northern detections of B. dendrobatidis suggest that these models may have underestimated the suitability of higher latitudes for this fungus. We used qPCR to test for B. dendrobatidis in 1,041 non‐invasive epithelial swab samples from 18 species of amphibians collected across 735,345 km2 in Ontario and Akimiski Island (Nunavut), Canada. We detected the pathogen in 113 samples (10.9%) from 11 species. Only one specimen exhibited potential clinical signs of disease. We used these data to produce six Species Distribution Models of B. dendrobatidis, which classified half of the study area as potential habitat for the fungus. We also tested each sample for B. salamandrivorans, an emerging pathogen that is causing alarming declines in European salamanders, but is not yet detected in North America. We did not detect B. salamandrivorans in any of the samples, providing a baseline for future surveillance. We assessed the potential risk of future introduction by comparing salamander richness to temperature‐dependent mortality, predicted by a previous exposure study. Areas with the highest species diversity and predicted mortality risk extended 60,530 km2 across southern Ontario, highlighting the potential threat B. salamandrivorans poses to northern Nearctic amphibians. Preventing initial introduction will require coordinated, transboundary regulation of trade in amphibians (including frogs that can carry and disperse B. salamandrivorans), and surveillance of the pathways of introduction (e.g., water and wildlife). Our results can inform surveillance for both pathogens and efforts to mitigate the spread of chytridiomycosis through wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Crawshaw
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Tore Buchanan
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Leonard Shirose
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
- Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | - Amanda Palahnuk
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | - Hugh Y. Cai
- Animal Health Laboratory University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | | | - Claire M. Jardine
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
- Department of Pathobiology University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada
| | - Christina M. Davy
- Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
- Department of Biology Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
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Koldasbayeva D, Tregubova P, Shadrin D, Gasanov M, Pukalchik M. Large-scale forecasting of Heracleum sosnowskyi habitat suitability under the climate change on publicly available data. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6128. [PMID: 35414080 PMCID: PMC9005721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09953-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This research aims to establish the possible habitat suitability of Heracleum sosnowskyi (HS), one of the most aggressive invasive plants, in current and future climate conditions across the territory of the European part of Russia. We utilised a species distribution modelling framework using publicly available data of plant occurrence collected in citizen science projects (CSP). Climatic variables and soil characteristics were considered to follow possible dependencies with environmental factors. We applied Random Forest to classify the study area. We addressed the problem of sampling bias in CSP data by optimising the sampling size and implementing a spatial cross-validation scheme. According to the Random Forest model built on the finally selected data shape, more than half of the studied territory in the current climate corresponds to a suitability prediction score higher than 0.25. The forecast of habitat suitability in future climate was highly similar for all climate models. Almost the whole studied territory showed the possibility for spread with an average suitability score of 0.4. The mean temperature of the wettest quarter and precipitation of wettest month demonstrated the highest influence on the HS distribution. Thus, currently, the whole study area, excluding the north, may be considered as s territory with a high risk of HS spreading, while in the future suitable locations for the HS habitat will include high latitudes. We showed that chosen geodata pre-processing, and cross-validation based on geospatial blocks reduced significantly the sampling bias. Obtained predictions could help to assess the risks accompanying the studied plant invasion capturing the patterns of the spread, and can be used for the conservation actions planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Koldasbayeva
- Center of Life Sciences, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation, 121205.
| | - Polina Tregubova
- RAIC, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation, 121205
| | - Dmitrii Shadrin
- RAIC, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation, 121205.,Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russian Federation, 664074
| | - Mikhail Gasanov
- RAIC, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation, 121205
| | - Maria Pukalchik
- Digital Agriculture Laboratory, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russian Federation, 121205
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13
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García-Díaz P, Montti L, Powell PA, Phimister E, Pizarro JC, Fasola L, Langdon B, Pauchard A, Raffo E, Bastías J, Damasceno G, Fidelis A, Huerta MF, Linardaki E, Moyano J, Núñez MA, Ortiz MI, Rodríguez-Jorquera I, Roesler I, Tomasevic JA, Burslem DFRP, Cava M, Lambin X. Identifying Priorities, Targets, and Actions for the Long-term Social and Ecological Management of Invasive Non-Native Species. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 69:140-153. [PMID: 34586487 PMCID: PMC8758626 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-021-01541-3] [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: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Formulating effective management plans for addressing the impacts of invasive non-native species (INNS) requires the definition of clear priorities and tangible targets, and the recognition of the plurality of societal values assigned to these species. These tasks require a multi-disciplinary approach and the involvement of stakeholders. Here, we describe procedures to integrate multiple sources of information to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for the management of INNS. We follow five good-practice criteria: justified, evidence-informed, actionable, quantifiable, and flexible. We used expert knowledge methods to compile 17 lists of ecological, social, and economic impacts of lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) and American mink (Neovison vison) in Chile and Argentina, the privet (Ligustrum lucidum) in Argentina, the yellow-jacket wasp (Vespula germanica) in Chile, and grasses (Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa decumbens) in Brazil. INNS plants caused a greater number of impacts than INNS animals, although more socio-economic impacts were listed for INNS animals than for plants. These impacts were ranked according to their magnitude and level of confidence on the information used for the ranking to prioritise impacts and assign them one of four high-level actions-do nothing, monitor, research, and immediate active management. We showed that it is possible to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for a variety of INNS and with variable levels of available information. This is vital in a world where the problems caused by INNS continue to increase, and there is a parallel growth in the implementation of management plans to deal with them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Díaz
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK.
| | - Lía Montti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), FCEyN-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-CONICET, CC 1260, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario (IGCyC), FCEyN-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-CIC, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Priscila Ana Powell
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER, UNT, CONICET) and Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IMl, UNT, Residencia Universitaria de Horco Molle, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Euan Phimister
- Business School, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3QY, UK
- Business School, University of Stellenbosch, PO Box 610, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
| | - José Cristóbal Pizarro
- Laboratorio de Estudios del Antropoceno (LEA), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Laura Fasola
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Dirección Regional Patagonia Norte de la Administración de Parques Nacionales, O'Connor 1188, 8400-San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Bárbara Langdon
- Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Aníbal Pauchard
- Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Raffo
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, Gobierno de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Joselyn Bastías
- Laboratorio de Estudios del Antropoceno (LEA), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Gabriella Damasceno
- Lab of Vegetation Ecology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24A, Rio Claro, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Alessandra Fidelis
- Lab of Vegetation Ecology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24A, Rio Claro, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Magdalena F Huerta
- Centro de Humedales Río Cruces (CEHUM), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Eirini Linardaki
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Jaime Moyano
- Grupo de Ecología de Invasiones, INIBIOMA, CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, San Carlos de Bariloche, CP 8400, Argentina
| | - Martín A Núñez
- Grupo de Ecología de Invasiones, INIBIOMA, CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, San Carlos de Bariloche, CP 8400, Argentina
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - María Ignacia Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Estudios del Antropoceno (LEA), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Ignacio Roesler
- Programa Patagonia, Departamento de Conservación de Aves Argentinas/Asociación Ornitológica del Plata, Buenos Aires, C1249 AAB, Argentina
- Departamento de Análisis de Sistemas Complejos, Fundación Bariloche, CONICET, Av. Bustillo 9400, San Carlos de Bariloche, CP 8400, Argentina
- EDGE of Existence-Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Jorge A Tomasevic
- Centro de Humedales Río Cruces (CEHUM), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - David F R P Burslem
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
| | - Mário Cava
- Lab of Vegetation Ecology, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Av. 24A, Rio Claro, 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK
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Robertson PA, Mill AC, Adriaens T, Moore N, Vanderhoeven S, Essl F, Booy O. Risk Management Assessment Improves the Cost-Effectiveness of Invasive Species Prioritisation. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10121320. [PMID: 34943234 PMCID: PMC8698869 DOI: 10.3390/biology10121320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary International agreements commit nations to control or eradicate invasive alien species. The scale of this challenge exceeds available resources and so it is essential to prioritise the management of invasive alien species. Species prioritisation for management may consider the likelihood and scale of impact (risk assessment) and the feasibility, costs and effectiveness of management (risk management). Risk assessment processes are widely used, risk management less so. To assess the cost effectiveness of prioritisation, we considered 26 high-risk species considered for eradication from Great Britain (GB) with pre-existing risk assessment and risk management outputs. We used these to consider the relative reduction in risk per unit cost when managing prioritised species based on different criteria. We showed that the cost effectiveness of prioritisation within our sample using risk assessment scores alone performed no better than a random ranking of the species. In contrast, prioritisation including management feasibility produced nearly two orders of magnitude improvement compared to random ranking. We concluded that basing management actions on priorities based solely on risk assessment without considering management feasibility risks the inefficient use of limited resources. In this study, the cost effectiveness of species prioritisation action was greatly increased by the inclusion of a risk management assessment. Abstract International agreements commit nations to control or eradicate invasive alien species. The scale of this challenge exceeds available resources and so it is essential to prioritise the management of invasive alien species. Species prioritisation for management typically involves a hierarchy of processes that consider the likelihood and scale of impact (risk assessment) and the feasibility, costs and effectiveness of management (risk management). Risk assessment processes are widely used, risk management less so, but are a crucial component of resource decision making. To assess the cost-effectiveness of prioritisation, we considered 26 high-risk species considered for eradication from Great Britain (GB) with pre-existing risk assessment and risk management outputs. We extracted scores to reflect the overall risk to GB posed by the species, together with the estimated cost and the overall feasibility of eradication. We used these to consider the relative reduction in risk per unit cost when managing prioritised species based on different criteria. We showed that the cost-effectiveness of prioritisation within our sample using risk assessment scores alone, performed no better than a random ranking of the species. In contrast, prioritisation including management feasibility produced nearly two orders of magnitude improvement compared to random. We conclude that basing management actions on priorities based solely on risk assessment without considering management feasibility risks the inefficient use of limited resources. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of species prioritisation for action was greatly increased by the inclusion of risk management assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Robertson
- Modelling, Evidence and Policy Group, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (A.C.M.); (O.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Aileen C. Mill
- Modelling, Evidence and Policy Group, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (A.C.M.); (O.B.)
| | - Tim Adriaens
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Havenlaan 88 Bus 73, B-1000 Brussel, Belgium;
| | - Niall Moore
- GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1JW, UK;
| | - Sonia Vanderhoeven
- Belgian Biodiversity Platform, Walloon Research Department for Nature and Agricultural Area (DEMNA), Service Public de Wallonie, Avenue Maréchal Juin, 23, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium;
| | - Franz Essl
- Bioinvasions Global Change, Macroecology-Group, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Olaf Booy
- Modelling, Evidence and Policy Group, Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (A.C.M.); (O.B.)
- GB Non-Native Species Secretariat, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1JW, UK;
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15
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Roberts MG, Heesterbeek JAP. Infection dynamics in ecosystems: on the interaction between red and grey squirrels, pox virus, pine martens and trees. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210551. [PMID: 34637641 PMCID: PMC8513127 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological and epidemiological processes and interactions influence each other, positively and negatively, directly and indirectly. The invasion potential of pathogens is influenced by the ecosystem context of their host species' populations. This extends to the capacity of (multiple) host species to maintain their (common) pathogen and the way pathogen dynamics are influenced by changes in ecosystem composition. This paper exemplifies these interactions and consequences in a study of red and grey squirrel dynamics in the UK. Differences and changes in background habitat and trophic levels above and below the squirrel species lead to different dynamic behaviour in many subtle ways. The range of outcomes of the different interactions shows that one has to be careful when drawing conclusions about the mechanisms and processes involved in explaining observed phenomena concerning pathogens in their natural environment. The dynamic behaviour also shows that planning interventions, for example for conservation purposes, benefits from understanding the complexity of interactions beyond the particular pathogen and its threatened host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Roberts
- School of Natural and Computational Sciences, New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study and the Infectious Disease Research Centre, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J A P Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Yalelaan 7, Utrecht 3584 CL, The Netherlands
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16
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Salinas-Ramos VB, Ancillotto L, Cistrone L, Nastasi C, Bosso L, Smeraldo S, Sánchez Cordero V, Russo D. Artificial illumination influences niche segregation in bats. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 284:117187. [PMID: 33906034 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a pervasive form of pollution largely affecting wildlife, from individual behaviour to community structure and dynamics. As nocturnal mammals, bats are often adversely affected by ALAN, yet some "light-opportunistic" species exploit it by hunting insects swarming near lights. Here we used two potentially competing pipistrelle species as models, Kuhl's (Pipistrellus kuhlii) and common (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) pipistrelles, both known to forage in artificially illuminated areas. We set our study in a mountainous area of central Italy, where only recently did the two species become syntopic. We applied spatial modelling and radiotracking to contrast potential vs. actual environmental preferences by the two pipistrelles. Species distribution models and niche analysis showed a large interspecific niche overlap, including a preference for illuminated areas, presenting a potential competition scenario. Pipistrellus pipistrellus association with ALAN, however, was weakened by adding P. kuhlii as a biotic variable to the model. Radiotracking showed that the two species segregated habitats at a small spatial scale and that P. kuhlii used artificially illuminated sites much more frequently than P. pipistrellus, despite both species potentially being streetlamp foragers. We demonstrate that ALAN influences niche segregation between two potentially competing species, confirming its pervasive effects on species and community dynamics, and provide an example of how light pollution and species' habitat preferences may weave a tapestry of complex ecological interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria B Salinas-Ramos
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Luca Cistrone
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Chiara Nastasi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Sonia Smeraldo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Víctor Sánchez Cordero
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, NA, Italy.
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17
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FIELD ANESTHESIA OF FREE-RANGING NUTRIAS (MYOCASTOR COYPUS) FOR SURGICAL REPRODUCTION CONTROL. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:495-502. [PMID: 34015804 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The nutria (Myocastor coypus), a rodent native to South America, has been introduced and has established feral populations at numerous locations in North America, Europe, and Asia. As such, the nutria is subject to research and management programs, including investigation of surgical fertility-control techniques. We evaluated the efficacy of a mixture of ketamine and medetomidine, with additional use of isoflurane and reversal with atipamezole, to provide safe, reliable anesthesia for surgical procedures under field conditions. We anesthetized 40 free-ranging nutrias between December 2018 and March 2019, in Turin, Italy, to perform surgical reproduction control techniques. We administered a ketamine and medetomidine mixture (6 mg/kg and 140 µg/kg, respectively) after trapping the animals and weighing them in the cage traps. After induction, we reweighed the rodents and performed a brief clinical examination. The times of loss of palpebral and pedal reflexes were noted. After induction of anesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, and percentage of oxygen saturation were monitored and recorded. Isoflurane was delivered through a face mask to 27 nutrias (70%) to maintain an adequate depth of anesthesia. Upon completion of surgery and other procedures, atipamezole was administered to the animals at doses 2.5 higher than those of medetomidine (actual dose: 366±31 µg/kg). Induction times were short (3±2 min), with the animals completely immobilized. The heart rate and respiratory rate both decreased. After administration of atipamezole, recoveries were smooth and complete. There were two deaths after higher doses of atipamezole and longer surgeries. Carprofen (4 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously for its analgesic effects. The animals were released at the end of all the procedures. Overall, the medetomidine and ketamine mixture, with supplemental isoflurane in most instances, provided a reliable anesthesia in free-ranging nutrias, adequate for performing surgical procedures under field conditions.
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Shrestha S, Thapa A, Bista D, Robinson N, Sherpa AP, Acharya KP, Jnawali SR, Lama ST, Lama S. Distribution and habitat attributes associated with the Himalayan red panda in the westernmost distribution range. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4023-4034. [PMID: 33976791 PMCID: PMC8093741 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens), a recently confirmed distinct species in the red panda genus, is distributed in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and south Tibet. Nepal represents the westernmost distribution of the Himalayan red panda. This study aims to determine important habitat features influencing the distribution of red panda and recommend possible habitat corridors. This manuscript described current potential habitat of 3,222 km2 with the relative abundance of 3.34 signs/km in Nepal. Aspect, canopy cover, bamboo cover, and distance to water were the important habitat attributes. It suggested five potential corridors in western Nepal. Overall, the study has important implications for conservation of the Himalayan red panda in western distribution range.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arjun Thapa
- Small Mammals Conservation and Research FoundationLalitpurNepal
| | - Damber Bista
- Red Panda NetworkKathmanduNepal
- Wildlife Science UnitSchool of Agriculture and Food SciencesThe University of QueenslandGattonQldAustralia
| | - Natasha Robinson
- National Environmental Science ProgramThreatened Species Recovery HubFenner School of Environment and SocietyThe Australian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
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Kochmann J, Cunze S, Klimpel S. Climatic niche comparison of raccoons
Procyon lotor
and raccoon dogs
Nyctereutes procyonoides
in their native and non‐native ranges. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Kochmann
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Sarah Cunze
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity Goethe University Max‐von‐Laue‐Str. 13 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - Sven Klimpel
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity Goethe University Max‐von‐Laue‐Str. 13 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany
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20
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Smeraldo S, Bosso L, Salinas‐Ramos VB, Ancillotto L, Sánchez‐Cordero V, Gazaryan S, Russo D. Generalists yet different: distributional responses to climate change may vary in opportunistic bat species sharing similar ecological traits. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Smeraldo
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Via Università n. 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Via Università n. 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
| | - Valeria B. Salinas‐Ramos
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Via Università n. 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Via Università n. 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
| | - Víctor Sánchez‐Cordero
- Laboratorio de Sistemas de Información Geográfica Departamento de Zoología Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Av. Universidad 04510 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Suren Gazaryan
- Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories RAS Armand 37A360000 Nalchik Russia
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit Dipartimento di Agraria Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II Via Università n. 100 80055 Portici Napoli Italy
- School of Biological Sciences University of Bristol 24 Tyndall Avenue BristolBS8 1TQUK
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21
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The Modeling and Forecasting of Carabid Beetle Distribution in Northwestern China. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12020168. [PMID: 33669260 PMCID: PMC7920037 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The relationship between species and environment are an important basis for the study of biodiversity. Most researchers have found the distribution of indicator insects such as carabid beetle at the local community scale; however, a few studies on the distribution of indicator insects in grassland in China. Here, we used Generalized Additive Models (GAM) to predict temperate steppe of northwestern China carabid beetle species richness distribution, and to determine the possible underlying causal factors. Predicted values of beetle richness ranged from 3 to 12. The diversity hotspots are located in the southwest, south and southeast of the study area which have moist environment, the carabid beetle is mainly influenced by temperature and precipitation. The results underline the importance of management and conservation strategies for grassland and also provides evidence for assessing beetle diversity in temperature steppe. Abstract Beetles are key insect species in global biodiversity and play a significant role in steppe ecosystems. In the temperate steppe of China, the increasing degeneration of the grasslands threatens beetle species and their habitat. Using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), we aimed to predict and map beetle richness patterns within the temperate steppe of Ningxia (China). We tested 19 environmental predictors including climate, topography, soil moisture and space as well as vegetation. Climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, soil temperature) consistently appeared among the most important predictors for beetle groups modeled. GAM generated predictive cartography for the study area. Our models explained a significant percentage of the variation in carabid beetle richness (79.8%), carabid beetle richness distribution seems to be mainly influenced by temperature and precipitation. The results have important implications for management and conservation strategies and also provides evidence for assessing and making predictions of beetle diversity across the steppe.
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van der Marel A, Waterman JM, López-Darias M. Exploring the role of life history traits and introduction effort in understanding invasion success in mammals: a case study of Barbary ground squirrels. Oecologia 2021; 195:327-339. [PMID: 33481090 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04853-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Invasive species-species that have successfully overcome the barriers of transport, introduction, establishment, and spread-are a risk to biodiversity and ecosystem function. Introduction effort is one of the main factors underlying invasion success, but life history traits are also important as they influence population growth. In this contribution, we first investigated life history traits of the Barbary ground squirrel, Atlantoxerus getulus, a species with a very low introduction effort. We then studied if their invasion success was due to a very fast life history profile by comparing their life history traits to those of other successful invasive mammals. Next, we examined whether the number of founders and/or a fast life history influences the invasion success of squirrels. Barbary ground squirrels were on the fast end of the "fast-slow continuum", but their life history was not the only contributing factor to their invasion success, as the life history profile is comparable to other invasive species that do not have such a low introduction effort. We also found that neither life history traits nor the number of founders explained the invasion success of introduced squirrels in general. These results contradict the concept that introduction effort is the main factor explaining invasion success, especially in squirrels. Instead, we argue that invasion success can be influenced by multiple aspects of the new habitat or the biology of the introduced species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie van der Marel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall, Cincinnati, OH, 45221-0006, USA.
| | - Jane M Waterman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Marta López-Darias
- Island Ecology and Evolution Research Group, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC), La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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Yoğurtçuoğlu B, Bucak T, Ekmekçi FG, Kaya C, Tarkan AS. Mapping the Establishment and Invasiveness Potential of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Turkey: With Special Emphasis on the Conservation of Native Salmonids. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.599881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has become by far the most frequently farmed freshwater fish species in Turkey, whereas very little is known about its establishment and invasiveness potential. We explored this potential through a combination of Maxent habitat suitability model and the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) on the river basin scale by generating an overall risk score (ORS). The outcome of this approach was also incorporated with the spatial analysis of native salmonid species by generating a relative vulnerability score (RVS) to prioritize susceptibility of native species (or populations) and to propose risk hotspots by identifying their potential geographic overlap and interaction with O. mykiss. Results suggest that the northern basins (Eastern Black Sea, Western Black Sea and Marmara basins) are the most suitable basins for O. mykiss. According to the Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) threshold scores, O. mykiss is classified as “high risk” for 3 (12.0%) of the 25 river basins screened (Western Black Sea, Eastern Black Sea and Maritza-Ergene), and as “medium risk” for the remaining basins. The climate change assessment (CCA) scores negatively contributed the overall invasiveness potential of O. mykiss in 22 (88.0%) of the river basins and resulted in zero contribution for the remaining three, namely Aras-Kura, Çoruh river and Eastern Black Sea. The ORS score of river basins was lowest for Orontes and highest for Western Black Sea, whereas it was lowest for Konya-closed basin and highest for Eastern Black Sea, when CCA was associated. The micro-basins occupied by Salmo rizeensis had the highest mean habitat suitability with O. mykiss. Among the all species, S. abanticus had the highest RVS, followed by S. munzuricus and S. euphrataeus. The overall outcome of the present study also suggests that the establishment and invasiveness potential of O. mykiss may decrease under future (climate warmer) in Turkey, except for the northeast region. This study can provide environmental managers and policy makers an insight into using multiple tools for decision-making. The proposed RVS can also be considered as a complementary tool to improve IUCN red list assessment protocols of species.
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Cucco M, Alessandria G, Bissacco M, Carpegna F, Fasola M, Gagliardi A, Gola L, Volponi S, Pellegrino I. The spreading of the invasive sacred ibis in Italy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:86. [PMID: 33420080 PMCID: PMC7794294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The spreading of invasive species in new continents can vary from slow and limited diffusion to fast colonisations over vast new areas. We studied the sacred ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus along a 31-year period, from 1989 to 2019, with particular attention to the first area of release in NW Italy. We collected data on species distribution through observations by citizen science projects, population density by transects with distance method, breeding censuses at colonies, and post breeding censuses at roosts. The birds counted at winter roosts in NW Italy increased from a few tens up to 10,880 individuals in 2019. Sacred ibises started breeding in 1989, with a single nest in north-western Italy. The number of breeders remained very low until 2006, when both overwintering and breeding sacred ibises started to increase exponentially and expand their range throughout northern Italy with isolated breeding cases in central Italy. In 2019, the number of nests had increased to 1249 nests in 31 colonies. In NW Italy, the density of foraging birds averaged 3.9 ind./km2 in winter and 1.5 ind./km2 in the breeding period, with a mean size of the foraging groups of 8.9 and 2.1 birds respectively. Direct field observations and species distribution models (SDM) showed that foraging habitats were mainly rice fields and wetlands. A SDM applied to the whole Italian peninsula plus Sardinia and Sicily showed that the variables best related to the SDM were land class (rice fields and wetlands), altitude, and the temperature seasonality. The areas favourable for species expansion encompass all the plains of Northern Italy, and several areas of Tuscany, Latium, Sardinia, and Apulia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cucco
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DISIT, viale Michel 11, 15100, Alessandria, Italy.
| | | | - Marta Bissacco
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DISIT, viale Michel 11, 15100, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Franco Carpegna
- GPSO, Museo di Storia Naturale, 12022, Carmagnola, TO, Italy
| | - Mauro Fasola
- University of Pavia, DEES, via Ferrata 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Laura Gola
- Parco del Po, piazza Giovanni XXIII 6, 15048, Valenza, AL, Italy
| | - Stefano Volponi
- ISPRA, via Ca' Fornacetta 9, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - Irene Pellegrino
- University of Piemonte Orientale, DISIT, viale Michel 11, 15100, Alessandria, Italy
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25
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Watabe R, Saito MU. Effects of vehicle-passing frequency on forest roads on the activity patterns of carnivores. LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11355-020-00434-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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26
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Lu Y, Xu P, Li Q, Wang Y, Wu C. Planning priority conservation areas for biodiversity under climate change in topographically complex areas: A case study in Sichuan province, China. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243425. [PMID: 33362279 PMCID: PMC7757871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying priority conservation areas plays a significant role in conserving biodiversity under climate change, but uncertainties create challenges for conservation planning. To reduce uncertainties in the conservation planning framework, we developed an adaptation index to assess the effect of topographic complexity on species adaptation to climate change, which was incorporated into the conservation framework as conservation costs. Meanwhile, the species distributions were predicted by the Maxent model, and the priority conservation areas were optimized during different periods in Sichuan province by the Marxan model. Our results showed that the effect of topographic complexity was critical for species adaptation, but the adaptation index decreased with the temperature increase. Based on the conservation targets and costs, the distributions of priority conservation areas were mainly concentrated in mountainous areas around the Sichuan Basin where may be robust to the adaptation to climate change. In the future, the distributions of priority conservation areas had no evident changes, accounting for about 26% and 28% of the study areas. Moreover, most species habitats could be conserved in terms of conservation targets in these priority conservation areas. Therefore, our approach could achieve biodiversity conservation goals and be highly practical. More importantly, quantifying the effect of topography also is critical for options for planning conservation areas in response to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Lu
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Pei Xu
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinwen Li
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Yukuan Wang
- Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Wu
- Power China Kunming Engineering Corporation Limited, Kuming, China
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Bełcik M, Lenda M, Amano T, Skórka P. Different response of the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of birds to forest fragmentation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20320. [PMID: 33230280 PMCID: PMC7683534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76917-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation is considered as major threat to biodiversity worldwide. Biodiversity can be described as taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity. However, the effect of forest fragmentation on taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity is barely understood. We compare the response of taxonomic (species richness), phylogenetic and functional diversity of birds to forest fragmentation. We hypothesised that with increasing forest patch isolation and/or decreasing patch size the diversity of birds decreases but only if certain thresholds of fragmentation metrics are reached. Specifically, we hypothesized that out of the three diversity components the taxonomic diversity is the most sensitive to forest fragmentation, which means that it starts declining at larger patch size and higher connectivity values than phylogenetic and functional diversity do. We compared the three biodiversity metrics of central European bird species in a large set of forest patches located in an agricultural landscape. General additive modeling and segmented regression were used in analyses. Habitat fragmentation differentially affected studied biodiversity metrics. Bird taxonomic diversity was the most responsive towards changes in fragmentation. We observed an increase in taxonomic diversity with increasing patch area, which then stabilized after reaching certain patch size. Functional diversity turned out to be the least responsive to the fragmentation metrics and forest stand characteristics. It decreased linearly with the decreasing isolation of forest patches. Apart from the habitat fragmentation, bird taxonomic diversity but not phylogenetic diversity was positively associated with forest stand age. The lower share of dominant tree species, the highest taxonomic diversity was. While preserving a whole spectrum of forests (in terms of age, fragmentation and size) is important from the biodiversity perspective, forest bird species might need large, intact, old-growth forests. Since the large and intact forest becomes scarcer, our study underscore their importance for the preservation of forest specialist species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Bełcik
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Lenda
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tatsuya Amano
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
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Morovati M, Karami P, Bahadori Amjas F. Accessing habitat suitability and connectivity for the westernmost population of Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus, Blanford, 1877) based on climate changes scenarios in Iran. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242432. [PMID: 33206701 PMCID: PMC7673494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change, as an emerging phenomenon, has led to changes in the distribution, movement, and even risk of extinction of various wildlife species and this has raised concerns among conservation biologists. Different species have two options in the face of climate change, either to adopt or follow their climatic niche to new places through the connectivity of habitats. The modeling of interpatch landscape communications can serve as an effective decision support tool for wildlife managers. This study was conducted to assess the effects of climate change on the distribution and habitat connectivity of the endangered subspecies of Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) in the southern and southeastern Iran. The presence points of the species were collected in Provinces of Kerman, Hormozgan, and Sistan-Baluchestan. Habitat modeling was done by the Generalized Linear Model, and 3 machine learning models including Maximum Entropy, Back Propagation based artificial Neural Network, and Support Vector Machine. In order to achieve the ensemble model, the results of the mentioned models were merged based on the method of "accuracy rate as weight" derived from their validation. To construct pseudo-absence points for the use in the mentioned models, the Ensemble model of presence-only models was used. The modeling was performed using 15 habitat variables related to climatic, vegetation, topographic, and anthropogenic parameters. The three general circulation models of BCC-CSM1, CCSM4, and MRI-CGCM3 were selected under the two scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 by 2070. To investigate the effect of climate change on the habitat connections, the protected areas of 3 provinces were considered as focal nodes and the connections between them were established based on electrical circuit theory and Pairwise method. The true skill statistic was employed to convert the continuous suitability layers to binary suitable/unsuitable range maps to assess the effectiveness of the protected areas in the coverage of suitable habitats for the species. Due to the high power of the stochastic forest model in determining the importance of variables, this method was used. The results showed that presence/absence models were successful in the implementation and well distinguished the points of presence and pseudo-absence from each other. Based on the random forests model, the variables of Precipitation of Driest Quarter, Precipitation of Coldest Quarter, and Temperature Annual Range have the greatest impact on the habitat suitability. Comparing the modeling findings to the realities of the species distribution range indicated that the suitable habitats are located in areas with high humidity and rainfall, which are mostly in the northern areas of Bandar Abbas, south of Kerman, and west and south of Sistan-Baluchestan. The area of suitable habitats, in the MRI-CGCM3 (189731 Km2) and CCSM4 (179007 Km2) models under the RCP2.6 scenario, is larger than the current distribution (174001 Km2). However, in terms of the performance of protected areas, the optimal coverage of the species by the boundary of the protected areas, under each of the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios, is less than the present time. According to the electric circuit theory, connecting the populations in the protected areas of Sistan-Baluchestan province to those in the northern Hormozgan and the southern Kerman would be based on the crossing through the heights of Sistan-Baluchestan and Hormozgan provinces and the plains between these heights would be the movement pinch points under the current and future scenarios. Populations in the protected areas of Kerman have higher quality patch connections than that of the other two provinces. The areas such as Sang-e_Mes, Kouh_Shir, Zaryab, and Bahr_Aseman in Kerman Province and Kouhbaz and Geno in Hormozgan Province can provide suitable habitats for the species in the distribution models. The findings revealed that the conservation of the heights along with the caves inside them could be a protective priority to counteract the effects of climate change on the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Morovati
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
- Medicinal and Industrial Plants Research Institute, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Peyman Karami
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment Sciences, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
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Yousefi M, Kafash A, Khani A, Nabati N. Applying species distribution models in public health research by predicting snakebite risk using venomous snakes' habitat suitability as an indicating factor. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18073. [PMID: 33093515 PMCID: PMC7582189 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74682-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming is an important public health problem in Iran, despite its risk not being quantified. This study aims to use venomous snakes' habitat suitability as an indicator of snakebite risk, to identify high-priority areas for snakebite management across the country. Thus, an ensemble approach using five distribution modelling methods: Generalized Boosted Models, Generalized Additive Models, Maximum Entropy Modelling, Generalized Linear Models, and Random Forest was applied to produce a spatial snakebite risk model for Iran. To achieve this, four venomous snakes' habitat suitability (Macrovipera lebetinus, Echis carinatus, Pseudocerastes persicus and Naja oxiana) were modelled and then multiplied. These medically important snakes are responsible for the most snakebite incidents in Iran. Multiplying habitat suitability models of the four snakes showed that the northeast of Iran (west of Khorasan-e-Razavi province) has the highest snakebite risk in the country. In addition, villages that were at risk of envenoming from the four snakes were identified. Results revealed that 51,112 villages are at risk of envenoming from M. lebetinus, 30,339 from E. carinatus, 51,657 from P. persicus and 12,124 from N. oxiana. Precipitation seasonality was identified as the most important variable influencing distribution of the P. persicus, E. carinatus and M. lebetinus in Iran. Precipitation of the driest quarter was the most important predictor of suitable habitats of the N. oxiana. Since climatic variables play an important role in shaping the distribution of the four venomous snakes in Iran, thus their distribution may alter with changing climate. This paper demonstrates application of species distribution modelling in public health research and identified potential snakebite risk areas in Iran by using venomous snakes' habitat suitability models as an indicating factor. Results of this study can be used in snakebite and human-snake conflict management in Iran. We recommend increasing public awareness of snakebite envenoming and education of local people in areas which identified with the highest snakebite risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Yousefi
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Anooshe Kafash
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Ali Khani
- Khorasan-e-Razavi Provincial Office of the Department of the Environment, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nima Nabati
- Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Patterns of activity rhythms of invasive coypus Myocastor coypus inferred through camera-trapping. Mamm Biol 2020; 100:591-599. [PMID: 32837498 PMCID: PMC7359428 DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00052-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Studies on activity rhythms are pivotal for the management of invasive alien species, as they provide basic insights into species basic ecology and may increase the success of control programs. The coypu Myocastor coypus, introduced from South America for fur farms, has become one of the most invasive rodents in Europe. Introduced coypus may affect crop productions, as well as natural vegetation and the breeding success of wading birds. In this study, we examined activity data collected through intensive camera-trapping in three Italian areas, including two natural areas in Northern and Central Italy, and a suburban area in Central Italy. Coypus were mostly diurnal in areas characterised by low predator pressure and, at night, they are mostly active in bright moonlight. Conversely, where predators, human pressure or numerical control programmes are present, coypus remarkably shift their behaviour towards crepuscular and night hours. In these last areas, nocturnal activity increased as moonlight decreased, possibly to reduce predation risk or encounters with humans. Where winter temperature are low, diurnal habits may have developed as a physiological adaptation and a strategy to preserve energy, potentially achieving a cost/effective thermal balance.
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Tsiftsis S, Djordjević V. Modelling sexually deceptive orchid species distributions under future climates: the importance of plant-pollinator interactions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10623. [PMID: 32606363 PMCID: PMC7327032 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67491-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Biotic interactions play an important role in species distribution models, whose ignorance may cause an overestimation of species' potential distributions. Species of the family Orchidaceae are almost totally dependent on mycorrhizal symbionts and pollinators, with sexually deceptive orchids being often highly specialized, and thus the interactions with their pollinators are expected to strongly affect distribution predictions. We used Maxent algorithm to explore the extent of current and future habitat suitability for two Greek endemic sexually deceptive orchids (Ophrys argolica and Ophrys delphinensis) in relation to the potential distribution of their unique pollinator (Anthophora plagiata). Twelve climate change scenarios were used to predict future distributions. Results indicated that the most important factors determining potential distribution were precipitation seasonality for O. argolica and geological substrate for O. delphinensis. The current potential distribution of the two orchids was almost of the same extent but spatially different, without accounting for their interaction with A. plagiata. When the interaction was included in the models, their potentially suitable area decreased for both species. Under future climatic conditions, the effects of the orchid-pollinator interaction were more intense. Specifically, O. argolica was restricted in specific areas of southern Greece, whereas O. delphinensis was expected to become extinct. Our findings highlighted the significant role of plant–pollinator interactions in species distribution models. Failing to study such interactions might expose plant species to serious conservation issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyros Tsiftsis
- Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University, 1st km Dramas-Microchoriou, 66100, Drama, Greece. .,Global Change Research Institute, Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Vladan Djordjević
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden, University of Belgrade, Takovska 43, 11 000, Belgrade, Serbia
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Coastal Pine-Oak Glacial Refugia in the Mediterranean Basin: A Biogeographic Approach Based on Charcoal Analysis and Spatial Modelling. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11060673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
During the glacial episodes of the Quaternary, European forests were restricted to small favourable spots, namely refugia, acting as biodiversity reservoirs. the Iberian, Italian and Balkan peninsulas have been considered as the main glacial refugia of trees in Europe. In this study, we estimate the composition of the last glacial forest in a coastal cave of the Cilento area (SW Italy) in seven time frames, spanning from the last Pleniglacial to the Late Glacial. Charcoal analyses were performed in seven archaeological layers. Furthermore, a paleoclimate modelling (Maxent) approach was used to complement the taxonomic identification of charcoal fragments to estimate the past potential distribution of tree species in Europe. Our results showed that the mesothermophilous forest survived in this region in the core of the Mediterranean basin during the Last Glacial Period (LGP, since ~36 ka cal BP), indicating that this area played an important role as a reservoir of woodland biodiversity. Here, Quercus pubescens was the most abundant component, followed by a wide variety of deciduous trees and Pinus nigra. Charcoal data also pointed at the crucial role of this coastal area, acting as a reservoir for warm temperate trees of genera Tilia, Carpinus and Sambucus, in LGP, in the Mediterranean region. Our modelling results showed that P. nigra might be the main candidate as a “Pinus sylvestris type” in the study site in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Furthermore, we found that P. nigra might coexist with Q. pubescens in several European territories both currently and in the LGM. All models showed high levels of predictive performances. Our results highlight the advantage of combining different approaches such as charcoal analysis and ecological niche models to explore biogeographic questions about past and current forest distribution, with important implications to inform today’s forest management and conservation.
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From Nucleotides to Satellite Imagery: Approaches to Identify and Manage the Invasive Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and Its Insect Vectors in Europe. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12114508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions represent some of the most severe threats to local communities and ecosystems. Among invasive species, the vector-borne pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for a wide variety of plant diseases and has profound environmental, social and economic impacts. Once restricted to the Americas, it has recently invaded Europe, where multiple dramatic outbreaks have highlighted critical challenges for its management. Here, we review the most recent advances on the identification, distribution and management of X. fastidiosa and its insect vectors in Europe through genetic and spatial ecology methodologies. We underline the most important theoretical and technological gaps that remain to be bridged. Challenges and future research directions are discussed in the light of improving our understanding of this invasive species, its vectors and host–pathogen interactions. We highlight the need of including different, complimentary outlooks in integrated frameworks to substantially improve our knowledge on invasive processes and optimize resources allocation. We provide an overview of genetic, spatial ecology and integrated approaches that will aid successful and sustainable management of one of the most dangerous threats to European agriculture and ecosystems.
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Ancillotto L, Bosso L, Smeraldo S, Mori E, Mazza G, Herkt M, Galimberti A, Ramazzotti F, Russo D. An African bat in Europe, Plecotus gaisleri: Biogeographic and ecological insights from molecular taxonomy and Species Distribution Models. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:5785-5800. [PMID: 32607190 PMCID: PMC7319239 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the high risk of going unnoticed, cryptic species represent a major challenge to biodiversity assessments, and this is particularly true for taxa that include many such species, for example, bats. Long-eared bats from the genus Plecotus comprise numerous cryptic species occurring in the Mediterranean Region and present complex phylogenetic relationships and often unclear distributions, particularly at the edge of their known ranges and on islands. Here, we combine Species Distribution Models (SDMs), field surveys and molecular analyses to shed light on the presence of a cryptic long-eared bat species from North Africa, Plecotus gaisleri, on the islands of the Sicily Channel, providing strong evidence that this species also occurs in Europe, at least on the islands of the Western Mediterranean Sea that act as a crossroad between the Old Continent and Africa. Species Distribution Models built using African records of P. gaisleri and projected to the Sicily Channel Islands showed that all these islands are potentially suitable for the species. Molecular identification of Plecotus captured on Pantelleria, and recent data from Malta and Gozo, confirmed the species' presence on two of the islands in question. Besides confirming that P. gaisleri occurs on Pantelleria, haplotype network reconstructions highlighted moderate structuring between insular and continental populations of this species. Our results remark the role of Italy as a bat diversity hotspot in the Mediterranean and also highlight the need to include P. gaisleri in European faunal checklists and conservation directives, confirming the usefulness of combining different approaches to explore the presence of cryptic species outside their known ranges-a fundamental step to informing conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research UnitDipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi Federico II di NapoliPorticiItaly
| | - Luciano Bosso
- Wildlife Research UnitDipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi Federico II di NapoliPorticiItaly
| | - Sonia Smeraldo
- Wildlife Research UnitDipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi Federico II di NapoliPorticiItaly
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Dipartimento di Scienze della VitaUniversità degli Studi di SienaSienaItaly
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and CertificationFirenzeItaly
| | - Matthias Herkt
- Faculty of Geo‐Information Science and Earth ObservationUniversity of TwenteEnschedeThe Netherlands
| | - Andrea Galimberti
- ZooPlantLabDipartimento di Biotecnologie e BioscienzeUniversità degli Studi di Milano ‐ BicoccaMilanoItaly
| | - Fausto Ramazzotti
- ZooPlantLabDipartimento di Biotecnologie e BioscienzeUniversità degli Studi di Milano ‐ BicoccaMilanoItaly
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research UnitDipartimento di AgrariaUniversità degli Studi Federico II di NapoliPorticiItaly
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Bezeng BS, Yessoufou K, Taylor PJ, Tesfamichael SG. Expected spatial patterns of alien woody plants in South Africa's protected areas under current scenario of climate change. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7038. [PMID: 32341394 PMCID: PMC7184613 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63830-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although protected areas (PAs) are declared to provide sanctuaries for biodiversity, they are increasingly threatened by the synergistic effects of anthropic factors, invasive alien species and climate change. Consequently, interventions are required to minimize the impacts of these threats on PAs' integrity. To inform these interventions in the South African context and under the current climate change scenario, we tested for geographic patterns of alien woody species across the network of 1,453 PAs using three alien invasion indices - alien species abundance, invaded area ratio and alien species richness. Our analysis shows that, under current climate change scenario, none of the PAs would be effective in shielding against alien plants and PAs that are geographically close tend to share similar invasion patterns. In addition, PAs that are hotspots of alien species are also geographically clustered but these findings are biome-dependent. Our outlier analysis reveals not only an island of disproportionately rich PAs in alien species, but also identifies some alien-poor PAs. We suggest that PAs that are hotspots of alien species as well as outliers of disproportionately rich PAs in alien species should be priority in monitoring and invasion control programmes in the context of the ongoing climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bezeng S Bezeng
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, APK Campus, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa.
- School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, P. Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
| | - Kowiyou Yessoufou
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, APK Campus, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
| | - Peter J Taylor
- School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, P. Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Solomon G Tesfamichael
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, APK Campus, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
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Bertolino S. Non‐native invasive mammal species: introduction to a themed issue. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology University of Turin Via Accademia Albertina 13 10123 Torino Italy
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Richardson S, Mill AC, Davis D, Jam D, Ward AI. A systematic review of adaptive wildlife management for the control of invasive, non‐native mammals, and other human–wildlife conflicts. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Richardson
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RXUK
- The Deer Initiative The Carriage House Brynkinalt Business Centre Chirk LL14 5NSUK
| | - Aileen C. Mill
- Modelling Evidence and Policy Group School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle‐Upon‐Tyne NE1 7RUUK
| | - Darryl Davis
- School of Engineering and Computer Science University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RXUK
| | - David Jam
- The Deer Initiative The Carriage House Brynkinalt Business Centre Chirk LL14 5NSUK
| | - Alastair I. Ward
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RXUK
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38
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Ward AI, Richardson S, Macarthur R, Mill AC. Using and communicating uncertainty for the effective control of invasive non‐native species. Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alastair I. Ward
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RXUK
- National Wildlife Management Centre, Animal and Plant Health Agency National Agri‐Food Innovation Campus Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZUK
| | - Suzanne Richardson
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences University of Hull Cottingham Road Hull HU6 7RXUK
- The Deer Initiative Brynkinalt Business Centre The Carriage House Chirk LL14 5NSUK
| | - Roy Macarthur
- Fera Science Ltd National Agri‐Food Innovation Campus Sand Hutton York YO41 1LZUK
| | - Aileen C. Mill
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RUUK
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Capizzi
- Latium Region Directorate for Natural Capital, Parks and Protected Areas viale del Tintoretto 43200142 Rome Italy
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