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Diserens TA, Churski M, Bubnicki JW, Zalewski A, Brzeziński M, Kuijper DPJ. Badgers remain fearless in the face of simulated wolf presence near their setts. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10654. [PMID: 38187920 PMCID: PMC10767146 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10654] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Many mesocarnivores are fossorial and use burrow systems to avoid predators. But fossorial animals cannot stay safely underground forever; they must also risk emerging overground to forage and find mates. To make this trade-off effectively and maximise their own fitness, it is imperative they assess how risk varies in space and time and adapt their denning behaviour accordingly. We used the badger in Białowieża Forest, Poland, as a model for investigating how the denning behaviour of a fossorial mesocarnivore varies in response to short-term large carnivore risk. To this end, we experimentally simulated perceived wolf presence outside 10 badger setts using audio playbacks of wolves (their howls). We assayed two behavioural measures of fear: badger emergence time from setts on the day playbacks were broadcast and their presence in setts on the day after. We found that neither badger emergence time nor next-day sett use varied in response to wolf playbacks. The results of the present study contrast with a previous study of ours that found badgers used setts in areas with high landscape level perceived wolf risk less often than those in lower-risk areas. Together, these papers' findings suggest that different spatiotemporal scales of perceived risk can have differential effects on badger behaviour. We conclude that rather than take risk avoidance measures at all risky times and places, badgers likely display a diversity of reactions to large carnivore presence that depend on the context and spatiotemporal scale of the risk being perceived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A. Diserens
- Mammal Research InstitutePolish Academy of SciencesBiałowieżaPoland
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of WarsawWarsawPoland
| | - Marcin Churski
- Mammal Research InstitutePolish Academy of SciencesBiałowieżaPoland
| | | | - Andrzej Zalewski
- Mammal Research InstitutePolish Academy of SciencesBiałowieżaPoland
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Den-Dwelling Carnivores in Central Poland: Long-Term Trends in Abundance and Productivity. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The monitoring of medium-sized carnivores is essential because of their role in disease transmission and as predators. We focused on red foxes, badgers, raccoon dogs, and domestic dogs, and considered 9441 ha of field–forest mosaic in Central Poland. We compared current (2011–2018) abundance (i.e., number of natal dens recorded annually) and breeding parameters (assessed with the aid of camera traps) with published past data (1980s–1990s). The red fox population increased after rabies vaccinations were introduced and has increased further in the last few years. The population is now stable, which suggests that other factors, possibly mange, limit the population instead. Contrary to historical data, one-fourth of red fox females now breed outside of forests areas, indicating the high plasticity of the species. The number of natal dens of badgers and recruitment rates have also increased. The mean litter sizes of these two species are positively affected by small rodent availability. The raccoon dog, which is an alien and invasive species, used to be recorded sporadically but now breeds regularly (1.8 breeding cases yearly). Nowadays, free-ranging/feral domestic dogs are not controlled by culling, so they have started to breed in the wild (1.6 cases per year), which is a new occurrence.
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Badger Meles meles as Ecosystem Engineer and Its Legal Status in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070898. [PMID: 35405886 PMCID: PMC8996882 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070898] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The European badger, listed in Bern Convention (protected fauna species), is also known as an important ecosystem engineer that creates new microhabitats among its setts suitable for the establishment of many plant and animal species. Badger setts are areas with topsoil disturbance and hence are places with higher species diversity than undisturbed surroundings. Much new data concerning the importance of badgers in ecosystem engineering indicates that the way badger populations are managed in Europe should be reconsidered. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the impact of badgers on shaping of species diversity in forest ecosystems with special attention to their legal status across Europe. The badger is hunted on 69.3% of the continent for 1.5–12 months per year. The real problem with management of this species concerns a quarter of its range in Europe, where the species can be hunted in winter and spring during mating season and during parturition. Reducing the hunting season to a maximum of three months in late autumn (September to November) seems to be a better approach. To prevent the negative effects of overhunting, special attention should be paid to population monitoring. Abstract The European badger plays an important role as a natural factor shaping species diversity in forests. Its extensive setts can be used by many other animals as shelters. Soil perturbations in their setts support plant communities that differ from the matrix landscape. The badger is also an effective seed disperser. We investigated its role as an ecosystem engineer in preserving species diversity and discussed its legal status across Europe. In most European countries (69.3% of the continent), the badger is hunted, sometimes year-round. The hunting season lasting through winter until early spring may have a negative effect on badger populations, especially when cubs are born in February. Although this species is Red Listed in 19 European countries (with categories ranging from LC to EN), the badger is strictly protected by law in 30.7% of its European range. A reduction in badger populations may limit its ecosystem services (seed dispersal, topsoil disturbances, microhabitat creation). Much new data on the importance of badgers in ecosystem engineering has allowed us to reconsider how we manage badger populations.
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Orłowska B, Krajewska-Wędzina M, Augustynowicz-Kopeć E, Kozińska M, Brzezińska S, Zabost A, Didkowska A, Welz M, Kaczor S, Żmuda P, Anusz K. Epidemiological characterization of Mycobacterium caprae strains isolated from wildlife in the Bieszczady Mountains, on the border of Southeast Poland. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:362. [PMID: 32993648 PMCID: PMC7526380 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02581-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The majority of animal tuberculosis (TB) cases reported in wildlife in Poland over the past 20 years have concerned the European bison inhabiting the Bieszczady Mountains in Southeast Poland: an area running along the border of Southeast Poland. As no TB cases have been reported in domestic animals in this region since 2005, any occurrence of TB in the free-living animals inhabiting this area might pose a real threat to local livestock and result in the loss of disease-free status. The aim of the study was to describe the occurrence of tuberculosis in the wildlife of the Bieszczady Mountains and determine the microbiological and molecular characteristics of any cultured strains. Lymph node samples were collected for analysis from 274 free-living animals, including European bison, red foxes, badgers, red deer, wild boar and roe deer between 2011 and 2017. Löwenstein–Jensen and Stonebrink media were used for culture. Molecular identification of strains was performed based on hsp65 sequence analysis, the GenoType®MTBC (Hain Lifescience, Germany) test, spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR analysis. Results Mycobacterium caprae was isolated from the lymph nodes of 21 out of 55 wild boar (38.2%; CI 95%: 26.5%, 51.4%) and one roe deer. Since 2014, no new TB cases have been reported in the Bieszczady European bison population. Conclusions The identification of TB in wild boar in the Bieszczady is an alarming phenomenon, which requires further investigation. The Bieszczady mountains are a precious, unique area, home to many protected species. However, it is also the only area in Poland where TB cases have been reported in free-living animals. The occurrence of TB in wild boar inhabiting this area might pose a real threat to local livestock and many of the protected species (for example European bison that can share feeding places with wild boar). Given this situation, ongoing monitoring of the prevalence of TB should be conducted, and protective measures should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Orłowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Monika Krajewska-Wędzina
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopeć
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute (NTLD), Płocka 26, 01-138, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Kozińska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute (NTLD), Płocka 26, 01-138, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sylwia Brzezińska
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute (NTLD), Płocka 26, 01-138, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Zabost
- Department of Microbiology, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute (NTLD), Płocka 26, 01-138, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Didkowska
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mirosław Welz
- General Veterinary Inspectorate, Wspólna 30, 00-930, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stanisław Kaczor
- County Veterinary Inspectorate, Młynarska 45, 38-500, Sanok, Poland
| | - Piotr Żmuda
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine UJ-UR, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Cracow, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Anusz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787, Warsaw, Poland
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Reproduction success in European badgers, red foxes and raccoon dogs in relation to sett cohabitation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237642. [PMID: 32797065 PMCID: PMC7433744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The setts of the European badger Meles meles can be cohabited
during reproductive season by the red fox Vulpes vulpes and
raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. There is no information
on the possible impact of both species on the size of badgers’ litter. The aim
of the study was to show the influence of cohabitation of the same setts by
badger, raccoon dog and fox on the litter size. The research was conducted in
2012–2014 and 2018 in the lowland forests of western Poland. We conducted the
survey of setts by direct observations and analysis of photographic material
from trap cameras during mid-April–July each year. We recorded 85 badger
litters, 18 fox litters, and 15 raccoon dog litters. Average litter size was
1.71 (±0.90), 2.44 (±1.34) and 4.93 (±2.76) litter mates in badgers, foxes and
raccoon dogs, respectively for all observed pairs. Badger litter size did not
differ between setts used only by badgers including pairs with no cubs (1.66 ±
0.98) and cohabited with foxes (1.90 ± 0.32) or raccoon dogs (1.88 ± 0.81).
However, foxes reared even more cubs in setts cohabited with badgers than when
badger was absent (2.90 ± 1.37 vs. 1.88 ± 1.13 respectively). In the case of
raccoon dogs, there were no differences in the mean number of their cubs in
setts with badgers (5.25 ± 2.92) and without badgers (4.57 ± 2.76). The results
indicate that the cohabitation of setts by badgers, foxes and raccoon dogs does
not affect litter size negatively.
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Piza-Roca C, Zelfde MV', Haye MJJL, Jongejans E, Raes N. European badger habitat requirements in the Netherlands – combining ecological niche models with neighbourhood analysis. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carme Piza-Roca
- C. Piza-Roca (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9876-2350) , M. J. J
| | - Maarten van 't Zelfde
- M. van 't Zelfde (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8913-6427) and N. Raes (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4329
| | | | - Eelke Jongejans
- C. Piza-Roca (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9876-2350) , M. J. J
| | - Niels Raes
- M. van 't Zelfde (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8913-6427) and N. Raes (http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4329
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Mysłajek RW, Nowak S, Kurek K, Tołkacz K, Gewartowska O. Utilisation of a wide underpass by mammals on an expressway in the Western Carpathians, S Poland. FOLIA ZOOLOGICA 2016. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v65.i3.a8.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Mysłajek
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Sabina Nowak
- Association for Nature „Wolf” Twardorzeczka 229, 34-324 Lipowa, Poland
| | - Korneliusz Kurek
- Association for Nature „Wolf” Twardorzeczka 229, 34-324 Lipowa, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tołkacz
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Olga Gewartowska
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warszawa, Poland
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Obidziński A, Pabjanek P, Mędrzycki P. Determinants of badgerMeles melessett location in Białowieża Primeval Forest, northeastern Poland. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.2981/11-074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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