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Liu D, Essl F, Lenzner B, Moser D, Semenchuk P, Blackburn TM, Cassey P, Biancolini D, Capinha C, Dawson W, Dyer EE, Guénard B, Economo EP, Kreft H, Pergl J, Pyšek P, van Kleunen M, Rondinini C, Seebens H, Weigelt P, Winter M, Purvis A, Dullinger S. Regional invasion history and land use shape the prevalence of non-native species in local assemblages. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17426. [PMID: 39049564 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17426] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The ecological impact of non-native species arises from their establishment in local assemblages. However, the rates of non-native spread in new regions and their determinants have not been comprehensively studied. Here, we combined global databases documenting the occurrence of non-native species and residence of non-native birds, mammals, and vascular plants at regional and local scales to describe how the likelihood of non-native occurrence and their proportion in local assemblages relate with their residence time and levels of human usage in different ecosystems. Our findings reveal that local non-native occurrence generally increases with residence time. Colonization is most rapid in croplands and urban areas, while it is slower and variable in natural or semi-natural ecosystems. Notably, non-native occurrence continues to rise even 200 years after introduction, especially for birds and vascular plants, and in other land-use types rather than croplands and urban areas. The impact of residence time on non-native proportions is significant only for mammals. We conclude that the continental exchange of biotas requires considerable time for effects to manifest at the local scale across taxa and land-use types. The unpredictability of future impacts, implied by the slow spread of non-native species, strengthens the call for stronger regulations on the exchange of non-native species to reduce the long-lasting invasion debt looming on ecosystems' future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daijun Liu
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franz Essl
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernd Lenzner
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Moser
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Semenchuk
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Arctic Biology, UNIS-The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
- Umweltbundesamt GmbH-Environment Agency Austria Spittelauer Lände 5, Wien, Austria
| | - Tim M Blackburn
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Phillip Cassey
- Invasion Science and Wildlife Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dino Biancolini
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute for Bioeconomy (CNR-IBE), Rome, Italy
- Global Mammal Assessment Programme, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
- IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, Rome, Italy
| | - César Capinha
- Centre of Geographical Studies, Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory Terra, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Wayne Dawson
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ellie E Dyer
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment, Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, UK
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
| | - Benoit Guénard
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Holger Kreft
- Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus-Institut Data Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan Pergl
- Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pyšek
- Department of Invasion Ecology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mark van Kleunen
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Global Mammal Assessment Programme, Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Hanno Seebens
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patrick Weigelt
- Biodiversity, Macroecology & Biogeography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Campus-Institut Data Science, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marten Winter
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andy Purvis
- Biodiversity Futures Lab, Natural History Museum, London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | - Stefan Dullinger
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Watchorn DJ, Doherty TS, Wilson BA, Garkaklis MJ, Driscoll DA. How do invasive predators and their native prey respond to prescribed fire? Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11450. [PMID: 38783847 PMCID: PMC11112300 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fire shapes animal communities by altering resource availability and species interactions, including between predators and prey. In Australia, there is particular concern that two highly damaging invasive predators, the feral cat (Felis catus) and European red fox (Vulpes vulpes), increase their activity in recently burnt areas and exert greater predation pressure on the native prey due to their increased exposure. We tested how prescribed fire occurrence and extent, along with fire history, vegetation, topography, and distance to anthropogenic features (towns and farms), affected the activity (detection frequency) of cats, foxes, and the native mammal community in south-eastern Australia. We used camera traps to quantify mammal activity before and after a prescribed burn and statistically tested how the fire interacted with these habitat variables to affect mammal activity. We found little evidence that the prescribed fire influenced the activity of cats and foxes and no evidence of an effect on kangaroo or small mammal (<800 g) activity. Medium-sized mammals (800-2000 g) were negatively associated with prescribed fire extent, suggesting that prescribed fire has a negative impact on these species in the short term. The lack of a clear activity increase from cats and foxes is likely a positive outcome from a fire management perspective. However, we highlight that their response is likely dependent upon factors like fire size, severity, and prey availability. Future experiments should incorporate GPS-trackers to record fine-scale movements of cats and foxes in temperate ecosystems immediately before and after prescribed fire to best inform management within protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy J. Watchorn
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus)Deakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tim S. Doherty
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsWoodvaleWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Barbara A. Wilson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus)Deakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Don A. Driscoll
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus)Deakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
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Padilla P, Herrel A, Denoël M. What makes a great invader? Anatomical traits as predictors of locomotor performance and metabolic rate in an invasive frog. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb246717. [PMID: 37955111 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Invasive species are characterized by their ability to establish and spread in a new environment. In alien populations of anurans, dispersal and fitness-related traits such as endurance, burst performance and metabolism are key to their success. However, few studies have investigated inter-individual variation in these traits and more specifically have attempted to understand the drivers of variation in these traits. Associations of anatomical features may be excellent predictors of variation in performance and could be targets for selection or subject to trade-offs during invasions. In this study, we used marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus), a species that has been introduced in many places outside its native range and which is now colonizing large areas of Western Europe. We first measured the inter-individual variation in resting metabolism, the time and distance they were able to jump until exhaustion, and their peak jump force, and then measured the mass of specific organs and lengths of body parts suspected to play a role in locomotion and metabolism. Among the 5000 bootstrap replicates on body size-corrected variables, our statistical models most often selected the stomach (75.42%), gonads (71.46%) and the kidneys (67.26%) as predictors of inter-individual variation in metabolism, and the gluteus maximus muscle (97.24%) mass was the most frequently selected predictor of jump force. However, endurance was poorly associated with the anatomical traits (R2distance=0.42, R2time=0.37). These findings suggest that selection on these predictors may lead to physiological changes that may affect the colonization, establishment and dispersal of these frogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Padilla
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians (LECA), Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), University of Liège, 4020 Liège, Belgium
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département Adaptations du Vivant, 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Anthony Herrel
- UMR 7179 C.N.R.S./M.N.H.N., Département Adaptations du Vivant, 55 rue Buffon, 75005 Paris, France
- Evolutionary Morphology of Vertebrates, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
- Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, 3005 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Denoël
- Laboratory of Ecology and Conservation of Amphibians (LECA), Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch (FOCUS), University of Liège, 4020 Liège, Belgium
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Klink JC, Rieger A, Ansorge H, Aurich S, Hoffmann C, Ewers C, Raulf MK, Strube C, Siebert U. Malicious Mites- Sarcoptes scabiei in Raccoon Dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Pathogens 2023; 12:1379. [PMID: 38133264 PMCID: PMC10745952 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange was detected in five free-ranging raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, during a health assessment study of invasive species, including raccoon dogs, carried out between 2021 and 2022. Four raccoon dogs showed severe lesions, including extensive alopecia with thickening and hyperpigmentation of the skin (lichenification). The fifth animal was less affected, showing only thinning of the hair coat in multiple body locations. Skin scrapings were performed and confirmed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei. Histopathology of the skin revealed diffuse epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, mild eosinophilic dermatitis, and varying amounts of intralesional mites. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Corynebacterium auriscanis were detected in the skin samples of the affected animals, indicating a secondary bacterial infection. The source of sarcoptic mange remains unclear; interspecies transmission via direct or indirect contact seems likely. Raccoon dogs are therefore a potential vector for sarcoptic mange, and their behaviour could contribute to disease spread and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana C. Klink
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.C.K.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexandra Rieger
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.C.K.); (A.R.)
| | - Hermann Ansorge
- Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, 02826 Görlitz, Germany;
- International Institute Zittau, Technische Universität Dresden, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - Sophie Aurich
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.A.); (C.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Christiane Hoffmann
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.A.); (C.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Christa Ewers
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (S.A.); (C.H.); (C.E.)
| | - Marie-Kristin Raulf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (M.-K.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (M.-K.R.); (C.S.)
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.C.K.); (A.R.)
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Daněk O, Lesiczka PM, Hammerbauerova I, Volfova K, Juránková J, Frgelecová L, Modrý D, Hrazdilova K. Role of invasive carnivores (Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes procyonoides) in epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens: molecular survey from the Czech Republic. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:219. [PMID: 37408071 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05834-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are a major threat to humans, livestock and companion animals worldwide. The combined effect of climatic, socioeconomic and host composition changes favours the spread of the vectors, together with the expansion of invasive carnivores contributing to the spread of the pathogens. In Europe, the most widespread invasive species of carnivores are raccoons (Procyon lotor) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). This study focused on the detection of four major groups of VBPs namely Babesia, Hepatozoon, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella in invasive and native carnivores in the Czech Republic, with the emphasis on the role of invasive carnivores in the eco-epidemiology of said VBPs. METHODS Spleen samples of 84 carnivores of eight species (Canis aureus, Canis lupus, Lynx lynx, P. lotor, Martes foina, Lutra lutra, Mustela erminea and N. procyonoides) were screened by combined nested PCR and sequencing for the above-mentioned VBPs targeting 18S rRNA and cytB in hemoprotozoa, groEL in A. phagocytophilum, and using multilocus genotyping in Bartonella spp. The species determination is supported by phylogenetic analysis inferred by the maximum likelihood method. RESULTS Out of 84 samples, 44% tested positive for at least one pathogen. Five different species of VBPs were detected in P. lotor, namely Bartonella canis, Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon martis, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella sp. related to Bartonella washoensis. All C. lupus tested positive for H. canis and one for B. canis. Three VBPs (Hepatozoon silvestris, A. phagocytophilum and Bartonella taylorii) were detected in L. lynx for the first time. Babesia vulpes and yet undescribed species of Babesia, not previously detected in Europe, were found in N. procyonoides. CONCLUSIONS Wild carnivores in the Czech Republic are hosts of several VBPs with potential veterinary and public health risks. Among the studied carnivore species, the invasive raccoon is the most competent host. Raccoons are the only species in our study where all the major groups of studied pathogens were detected. None of the detected pathogen species were previously detected in these carnivores in North America, suggesting that raccoons adapted to local VBPs rather than introduced new ones. Babesia vulpes and one new, probably imported species of Babesia, were found in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Daněk
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Paulina Maria Lesiczka
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Hammerbauerova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolina Volfova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Juránková
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Frgelecová
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Hrazdilova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Camacho-Cervantes M, Keller RP, Vilà M. Could non-native species boost their chances of invasion success by socializing with natives? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220106. [PMID: 37066653 PMCID: PMC10107252 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Most invasions start with the introduction of a few individuals and the majority fail to establish and become invasive populations. A possible explanation for this is that some species are subject to Allee effects-disadvantages of low densities-and fail to perform vital activities due to the low availability of conspecifics. We propose that 'facilitation' from native individuals to non-natives through heterospecific sociability could enhance chances of the latter establishing in novel environments by helping them avoid Allee effects and even reducing the minimum number of non-native individuals necessary to achieve the density for a viable population (the Allee effect threshold). There is evidence from experiments carried out with freshwater fish, snails, lizards, mussels and bird that supports the idea of heterospecific sociability between native and non-native species as a process to promote invasion success. We propose that to understand invasion success in social non-native species we need to investigate how they integrate into the recipient community. Furthermore, to manage them, it may be necessary to reduce population density not just below the Allee effect threshold but also to understand how natives could help them shift the conspecific Allee effect threshold to their benefit. This article is part of the theme issue 'Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morelia Camacho-Cervantes
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Reuben P. Keller
- School of Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
| | - Montserrat Vilà
- Estación Biológica de Doñana-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41005 Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
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Wauters LA, Lurz PWW, Santicchia F, Romeo C, Ferrari N, Martinoli A, Gurnell J. Interactions between native and invasive species: A systematic review of the red squirrel-gray squirrel paradigm. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1083008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) has been labeled as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species by the IUCN. In Europe, the species has been introduced to Britain, Ireland and Italy, and its subsequent spread has resulted in wide-scale extinction of native Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the areas colonized by the gray squirrel. This replacement of a native by an alien competitor is one of the best documented cases of the devastating effects of biological invasions on native fauna. To understand how this replacement occurs, we present a systematic review of the literature on competition and interactions between red and gray squirrels. We describe the patterns of red and gray squirrel distribution in those parts of Europe where gray squirrels occur and summarize the evidence on the different processes and mechanisms determining the outcome of competition between the native and alien species including the influence of predators and pathogens. Some of the drivers behind the demise of the red squirrel have been intensively studied and documented in the past 30 years, but recent field studies and mathematical models revealed that the mechanisms underlying the red-gray paradigm are more complex than previously thought and affected by landscape-level processes. Therefore, we consider habitat type and multi-species interactions, including host-parasite and predator-prey relationships, to determine the outcome of the interaction between the two species and to better address gray squirrel control efforts.
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Velli E, Caniglia R, Mattucci F. Phylogenetic History and Phylogeographic Patterns of the European Wildcat ( Felis silvestris) Populations. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050953. [PMID: 36899811 PMCID: PMC10000227 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050953] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Disentangling phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns is fundamental to reconstruct the evolutionary histories of taxa and assess their actual conservation status. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, the most exhaustive biogeographic history of European wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations was reconstructed by typing 430 European wildcats, 213 domestic cats, and 72 putative admixed individuals, collected across the entire species' distribution range, at a highly diagnostic portion of the mitochondrial ND5 gene. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses identified two main ND5 lineages (D and W) roughly associated with domestic and wild polymorphisms. Lineage D included all domestic cats, 83.3% of putative admixed individuals, and also 41.4% of wildcats; these latter mostly showed haplotypes belonging to sub-clade Ia, that diverged about 37,700 years ago, long pre-dating any evidence for cat domestication. Lineage W included all the remaining wildcats and putative admixed individuals, spatially clustered into four main geographic groups, which started to diverge about 64,200 years ago, corresponding to (i) the isolated Scottish population, (ii) the Iberian population, (iii) a South-Eastern European cluster, and (iv) a Central European cluster. Our results suggest that the last Pleistocene glacial isolation and subsequent re-expansion from Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean glacial refugia were pivotal drivers in shaping the extant European wildcat phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns, which were further modeled by both historical natural gene flow among wild lineages and more recent wild x domestic anthropogenic hybridization, as confirmed by the finding of F. catus/lybica shared haplotypes. The reconstructed evolutionary histories and the wild ancestry contents detected in this study could be used to identify adequate Conservation Units within European wildcat populations and help to design appropriate long-term management actions.
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Canepuccia AD, Fanjul MS, Iribarne OO. Global distribution and richness of terrestrial mammals in tidal marshes. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro D. Canepuccia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata (UNMDP) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Mar del Plata Argentina
| | - María Sol Fanjul
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata (UNMDP) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Mar del Plata Argentina
| | - Oscar O. Iribarne
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) Universidad Nacional de Mar Del Plata (UNMDP) ‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Mar del Plata Argentina
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Veronesi F, Deak G, Diakou A. Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020178. [PMID: 36839450 PMCID: PMC9964259 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores are represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Mustelidae of the genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, the invasive species of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and American mink (Neogale vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats and often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role in the introduction, maintenance, and transmission of major parasitic zoonoses and promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, this article reports and discusses some of the most important endoparasites of wild mesocarnivores living in Europe, on the basis of their actual role as reservoirs, spreaders, or sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies in different European countries, and the proven or speculated implications of the detected endoparasites in human and domestic animals' health, are discussed. Through older and recent literature review, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of the parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations and the need for surveillance and vigilance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Veronesi
- Parasitology Laboratory of the University Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
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The impact of the striped field mouse's range expansion on communities of native small mammals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:753. [PMID: 36641462 PMCID: PMC9840622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26919-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding species expansion as an element of the dispersal process is crucial to gaining a better comprehension of the functioning of the populations and the communities. Populations of the same species that are native in one area could be considered nonindigenous, naturalised or invasive somewhere else. The striped field mouse has been expanding its range in south-western Slovakia since 2010, although the origin of the spread has still not been clarified. In light of the striped field mouse's life history, the recent range expansion is considered to be the expansion of a native species. This study analyses the impact of the striped field mouse's expansion on the native population and small mammal communities and confronts the documented stages of striped field mouse expansion with the stages of invasion biology. Our research replicates the design and compares results from past research of small mammals prior to this expansion at the same three study areas with the same 20 study sites and control sites. Several years after expansion, the striped field mouse has a 100% frequency of occurrence in all study sites and has become the dominant species in two of the study areas. The native community is significantly affected by the striped field mouse's increasing dominance, specifically: (i) we found a re-ordering of the species rank, mainly in areas with higher dominance, and (ii) an initial positive impact on diversity and evenness during low dominance of the striped field mouse turned markedly negative after crossing the 25% dominance threshold. Results suggested that the variation in the striped field mouse's dominance is affected by the northern direction of its spread. Our findings show that establishment in a new area, spread and impact on the native community are stages possibly shared by both invasive and native species during their range expansion.
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Delcourt J, Hambuckers A, Vangeluwe D, Poncin P. Fifty years of spring censuses in black grouse ( Lyrurus tetrix) in the High Fens (Belgium): did the rabies vaccination has a negative impact on a fox prey population? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:24. [PMID: 36789286 PMCID: PMC9911939 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Since 2017, a reinforcement programme was developed to save the last, endangered, Belgian population of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), in the High Fens Natural Park. To improve the success of this programme, an analysis of past data of this population was undertaken to understand the causes of its past decline. A time series analysis was applied, using annual spring male census data recorded between 1967 and 2016. In the period 1967-1993, there was a fluctuation around an equilibrium of a population of ca. 40-45 males. The peak of 85 males observed in 1971 was probably due to a succession of several favourable years in terms of environmental conditions, albeit without an exceptional annual growth rate. It seems that fox density, by using the occurrence of rabies as a proxy, has an impact on the black grouse population. After 1993, the population dynamic changed drastically, decreasing continuously until finally reaching quasi-extinction. On average, the population lost 15.4% of its size each year. Climate models, applied in previous studies to explain these population trends in the High Fens, failed to describe this major modification in this population's dynamic and its recent decline. We suggest that this negative effect was mainly induced by a significant increase in predation by red fox (Vulpes vulpes), whose abundance has increased considerably since the 1990s, in particular, as a consequence of the eradication of fox rabies. We also discuss alternative hypotheses, such as the impact of other predator species, modification of the natural environment and climatic modifications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Delcourt
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Hambuckers
- Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Didier Vangeluwe
- Belgian Ringing Scheme BeBirds, RBINS (IRSNB), Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
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Sanjuán CG, Aguirre JI, Villaverde S, Banda E, Hernandez SM, Yabsley MJ. Surveillance for gastrointestinal, subcutaneous, and ectoparasites of invasive North American raccoons (Procyon lotor) in central Spain. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 36:100793. [PMID: 36436902 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100793] [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: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The American raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an invasive meso-carnivore which has been introduced and established in many European countries. Although the presence of the raccoon in the Iberian Peninsula was confirmed around 20 years ago, there are few data on pathogens of these animals in this region. For this work, 72 American raccoons from two subpopulations in the central region of the Iberian Peninsula were examined for selected parasites. Ectoparasite species richness (both fleas and ticks) increased during the sampling season and was highest in the Henares subpopulation and on males. Similarly, ectoparasite abundance increased during the sampling season and was highest in Henares and on adult raccoons. Four species of ticks were detected including Rhipicephalus pusillus (71%), followed by R. sanguineus sensu lato (24%), Ixodes ventalloi (3%), and Dermacentor marginatus (1.4%). Four species of fleas were detected including Pulex irritans (44%), Ctenocephalides felis (3%), C. canis (1.4%), and Paraceras melis (1.4%) infestations. A subset of raccoons (n = 56) was examined for intestinal parasites; low prevalence and diversity were found including Strongyloides procyonis (4%), Dilepis sp. (5%), Plagiorchis sp. (2%), and Moniliformis moniliformis (2%). Importantly, Baylisascaris procyonis was not found. Finally, no subcutaneous nematodes (i.e., Dracunculus and Dirofilaria spp.) were found in the 56 raccoons examined. The results of this work show that the invasive North American raccoons currently are infected with few endoparasites but are commonly infested with native ectoparasites, several of which can transmit pathogens relevant for public and veterinary health. However, the geographically distinct populations of raccoons in Spain have different introduction histories, thus additional surveillance for parasites is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos García Sanjuán
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - José I Aguirre
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Villaverde
- Centro de Recuperación de Animales Silvestres de la Comunidad de Madrid (CRAS), Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Banda
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia M Hernandez
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America
| | - Michael J Yabsley
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America; Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America; Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America.
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Hatfield JH, Davis KE, Thomas CD. Lost, gained, and regained functional and phylogenetic diversity of European mammals since 8000 years ago. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:5283-5293. [PMID: 35748709 PMCID: PMC9540530 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammals have experienced high levels of human-mediated extirpations but have also been widely introduced to new locations, and some have recovered from historic persecution. Both of these processes-losses and gains-have resulted in concern about functional losses and changes in ecological communities as new ecological states develop. The question of whether species turnover inevitably leads to declines in functional and phylogenetic diversity depends, however, on the traits and phylogenetic distinctiveness of the species that are lost, gained, or regained. Comparing ~8000 years ago with the last century, we show that extirpations and range retractions have indeed reduced the functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in most European regions (countries and island groups), but species recoveries and the introduction of non-native species have increased functional and phylogenetic diversity by equivalent or greater amounts in many regions. Overall, across Europe, species richness increased in 41 regions over the last 8000 years and declined in 1; phylogenetic diversity increased in 33 and declined in 12, while functional diversity results showed 20 increases and 25 decreases. The balance of losses (extirpations) and gains (introductions, range expansions) has, however, led to net increases in functional diversity on many islands, where the original diversity was low, and across most of western Europe. Historically extirpated mega- and mesofaunal species have recolonized or been reintroduced to many European regions, contributing to recent functional and phylogenetic diversity recovery. If conservation rewilding projects continue to reintroduce regionally extirpated species and domestic descendants of "extinct" species to provide replacement grazing, browsing, and predation, there is potential to generate net functional and phylogenetic diversity gains (relative to 8000 years ago) in most European regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack H. Hatfield
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene BiodiversityUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | | | - Chris D. Thomas
- Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene BiodiversityUniversity of YorkYorkUK
- Department of BiologyUniversity of YorkYorkUK
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