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Zabel F, Findlay MA, White PJC. Assessment of the accuracy of counting large ungulate species (red deer
Cervus elaphus
) with UAV‐mounted thermal infrared cameras during night flights. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Zabel
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier Univ. Edinburgh UK
- Landesjagdverband Schleswig‐Holstein e.V. Flintbek Germany
| | | | - Patrick J. C. White
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier Univ. Edinburgh UK
- Centre for Conservation & Restoration Science, Edinburgh Napier Univ. Edinburgh UK
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2
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A test of motion‐sensitive cameras to index ungulate densities: group size matters. J Wildl Manage 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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3
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Franceschi S, Bongi P, Del Frate M, Fattorini L, Apollonio M. A sampling strategy for habitat selection, mapping, and abundance estimation of deer by pellet counts. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Franceschi
- Department of Economics and Statistics University of Siena Piazza San Francesco 8 I‐53100 Siena Italy
| | - Paolo Bongi
- Hunting office ATCMS13 Aulla Massa‐Carrara Italy
| | - Marco Del Frate
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari, via Vienna 2 I‐19100 Sassari Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fattorini
- Department of Economics and Statistics University of Siena Piazza San Francesco 8 I‐53100 Siena Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari, via Vienna 2 I‐19100 Sassari Italy
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4
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Hinojo A, Christe P, Moreno I, Hofmeister RJ, Dandliker G, Zimmermann F. Estimating roe deer density using motion‐sensitive cameras in Switzerland. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amael Hinojo
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Quartier Sorge Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
| | - Philippe Christe
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Quartier Sorge Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
| | - Inès Moreno
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Quartier Sorge Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
- Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, KORA Talgut Zentrum 5, CH‐3063 Ittigen Switzerland
| | - Robin J. Hofmeister
- University of Lausanne, Department of Computational Biology, Genopode Quartier Sorge Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
| | - Gottlieb Dandliker
- Cantonal Office for Agriculture and Nature Republic and canton of Geneva Rue des Battoirs 7 1205 Geneva Switzerland
| | - Fridolin Zimmermann
- University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore Quartier Sorge Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
- Carnivore Ecology and Wildlife Management, KORA Talgut Zentrum 5, CH‐3063 Ittigen Switzerland
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5
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Guerrasio T, Brogi R, Marcon A, Apollonio M. Assessing the precision of wild boar density estimations. WILDLIFE SOC B 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tancredi Guerrasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Rudy Brogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Andrea Marcon
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari via Vienna 2, I‐07100 Sassari Italy
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6
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Diverging ecological traits between the Balkan lynx and neighbouring populations as a basis for planning its genetic rescue. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00268-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSelecting appropriate candidates for genetic rescue mostly relies on previous genetic research and monitoring, while ecological and behavioural traits of the remnant and source populations are rarely considered for such conservation measures. Because of their slow recovery, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx populations in Central and Western Europe have been a repeated target of genetic reinforcements and reintroductions in the past 50 years. Once inhabiting much of south-eastern Europe, the Balkan lynx L. l. balcanicus is now critically endangered and confined to a small population. Long-term isolation has caused loss of genetic diversity and has possibly led to inbreeding depression. Immediate actions need to consider genetic reinforcement to increase the genetic diversity and secure population viability. Here, we compared the Balkan lynx with two neighbouring populations: Dinaric population originating from the Carpathian subspecies (L.l. carpathicus) and Anatolian population of Caucasian subspecies (L.l. dinniki) to determine is better suited source from an ecological standpoint. Main findings suggest that the L.l. carpathicus is ecologically more similar to the L.l. balcanicus and therefore likely better suited for the environment of south-western Balkans on the basis of prey preference (roe deer being the main prey), local prey availability (lower lagomorph and higher ungulate availability) and habitat use (predominant use of the mixed and broadleaved forests). We discuss the contrasting results of genetic and ecological analyses from both the evolutionary and conservation perspective and provide potential solutions that would take into account both aspects to pave the road towards potential genetic rescue of the Balkan lynx.
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7
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Mols B, Lambers E, Cromsigt JPGM, Kuijper DPJ, Smit C. Recreation and hunting differentially affect deer behaviour and sapling performance. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn Mols
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Inst. for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Univ. of Groningen Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Evert Lambers
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Inst. for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Univ. of Groningen Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
- Dept of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences Umeå Sweden
- Dept of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Univ. Port Elizabeth South Africa
| | | | - Christian Smit
- Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Inst. for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Univ. of Groningen Groningen the Netherlands
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9
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Dickinson ER, Millins C, Biek R. Sampling scale and season influence the observed relationship between the density of deer and questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:493. [PMID: 32993763 PMCID: PMC7526098 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04369-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between environmentally transmitted tick parasites, Ixodes spp., and their main reproductive host, deer, is generally thought to be positive. However, measuring host abundance and density directly can be challenging and indirect methods are often used. The observed relationship between the parasite and host may be affected by sampling scale and season, which could lead to different inferences being made. Here, we aimed to test the effect of sampling scale and season on the relationship between density of deer and the density of questing Ixodes ricinus nymphs. Methods The density of deer (primarily Dama dama) was estimated using line transect distance sampling of deer dung quantified in different seasons (winter and summer) and measured at three different nested scales (site, transect and observation level). Questing nymph density was measured using blanket drag methods and estimates were calculated at the same scales as deer density estimates. General linear models were used to evaluate the relationship between questing nymphs, deer density and other environmental variables at each sampling scale and each season deer density was measured at. Results While a positive relationship between deer density and questing nymph density was detected at the site and transect scale, no relationship was apparent at the observation level. This was likely due to increased variation and reduced precision of deer dung counts at the finest sampling scale. Seasonal changes in deer populations were observed likely reflecting seasonal shifts in habitat usage. The summer estimates of deer density explained questing nymph density whereas winter estimates did not. Conclusions Our results show that the scale of sampling can affect the detectability of the positive association between host and vector species. Furthermore, such associations can be obscured if hosts exhibit seasonal changes in habitat use. Thus, both sampling scale and season are important to consider when investigating the relationship between host and vector species.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Dickinson
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, 82 Hillhead St, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK. .,Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, Scotland, UK. .,School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK.
| | - Caroline Millins
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, 82 Hillhead St, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.,Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 7TX, UK
| | - Roman Biek
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, 82 Hillhead St, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
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11
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Ferretti F, Fattorini N. Competitor densities, habitat, and weather: effects on interspecific interactions between wild deer species. Integr Zool 2020; 16:670-684. [PMID: 32654371 PMCID: PMC8451872 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest on the potential interplay between weather, habitat, and interspecific competition on population dynamics of wild herbivores. Favorable environmental conditions may buffer the negative effects of competition; conversely, competition may be expected to be stronger under harsh environmental conditions. We investigated relationships between competitor abundance, weather, and habitat cover on density and local distribution of a medium‐sized herbivore, the roe deer Capreolus capreolus, as well as its spatial overlap with fallow deer Dama dama in a Mediterranean protected area. Over 11 years (2007–2017), roe deer density was not affected by spring–summer rainfall in the previous year and decreased with increasing density of fallow deer in the previous year. Hence, over the considered temporal scale, results supported a major role of competition over weather in influencing population trends of roe deer. At a finer spatial scale, roe deer occupancy was negatively affected by local abundance of fallow deer, especially in “poorer” habitats. We found a slight support for a positive effect of fallow deer density on interspecific spatial overlap. Moreover, fine‐scale spatial overlap between deer species increased with decreasing rainfall in spring–summer. Fallow deer were introduced to our study area in historical times and their role as superior competitors over roe deer has been found also in other study areas. We suggest a potential role of harsh weather conditions during the growing season of vegetation (i.e. scarce rainfall) in triggering the potential for ecological overlap, emphasizing the negative effects of interspecific competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Ferretti
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Research Unit of Behavioural Ecology, Ethology and Wildlife Management, Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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The Effect of Protozoa on the Bacterial Composition and Hydrolytic Activity of the Roe Deer Rumen. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030467. [PMID: 32168784 PMCID: PMC7142636 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030467] [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] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ruminants are herbivorous animals which obtain their energy and nutrients from plant material due to a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms. The main site of this interaction is the rumen, where the intensive digestion processing of plant material takes place. The bacteria, fungi and protozoa create a unique ecosystem—a complex consortium based on mutual interactions. Protozoa are an important component of the microbiome. They have a major impact on the rumen ecosystem as well as on the ruminant’s welfare. Most information on protozoal importance in the digestive processes was obtained from studies on domestic ruminants, with results from studies on wild ruminants being limited. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to compare any effects of the presence of protozoa in the rumen of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) on the bacterial composition and the digestion rate on the main carbohydrates of their forage. The results obtained from these pilot studies are presented as a short report investigating the relationship between these factors. The analysis of the bacterial composition indicated that the presence of protozoa did not have an effect on bacterial diversity, and furthermore, the protozoa had no effect on the digestion rate of carbohydrates in the rumen. Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the presence of protozoa in the rumen of wild roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) on the bacteria composition and digestion rate of the main carbohydrates of forage. The research material involved rumen content and rumen fluid, which were collected in the autumn-winter season, from eight adult males of roe deer with an average body mass of 22.6 kg. The microscopic analysis demonstrated that there were only protozoa in 50% of the animals sampled. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of protozoa belonging to the genus Entodinium. The density of protozoal population varied from 6.5 to 38.7 × 105/mL rumen fluid. The analysis of bacteria composition indicated that protozoa did not have an effect on bacterial diversity. Furthermore, the results of hydrolytic activity revealed that the fastest digestion of carbohydrates was for pectin, while the slowest was inulin. The pH and redox potential in the rumen varied from 5.9 to 6.1 and from −248.1 to −251.1 mV, respectively. In summary, the presence of protozoa in the rumen of wild roe deer does not have an effect on the bacterial population and has no effect on the digestion rate of carbohydrates in the rumen.
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