1
|
Rasmussen SL, Pertoldi C, Roslev P, Vorkamp K, Nielsen JL. A Review of the Occurrence of Metals and Xenobiotics in European Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:232. [PMID: 38254401 PMCID: PMC10812797 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020232] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Monitoring data from several European countries indicate that European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) populations are declining, and research exploring the causes of the decline, including exposure to potentially harmful xenobiotics and metals, may inform conservation initiatives to protect this species in the wild. Hedgehogs are ground-dwelling mammals, feeding on a range of insects, slugs, snails, and earthworms, as well as eggs, live vertebrates, and carrion, including carcasses of apex predator species representing higher levels of the food chain. Consequently, hedgehogs come into close contact with contaminants present in their habitats and prey. This review investigated the studies available on the subject of the occurrence of metals and organic xenobiotics in hedgehogs. This study found that a vast range of different pesticides; persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including organochlorine compounds and brominated flame retardants (BFRs); as well as toxic heavy metals could be detected. Some compounds occurred in lethal concentrations, and some were associated with a potential adverse effect on hedgehog health and survival. Due to their ecology, combined with the opportunity to apply non-invasive sampling techniques using spines as sampling material, we suggest that the European hedgehog is a relevant bioindicator species for monitoring the exposure of terrestrial wildlife to potential toxicants in urban and rural environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lund Rasmussen
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (C.P.); (P.R.); (J.L.N.)
- Linacre College, University of Oxford, St. Cross Road, Oxford OX1 3JA, UK
| | - Cino Pertoldi
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (C.P.); (P.R.); (J.L.N.)
- Aalborg Zoo, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Roslev
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (C.P.); (P.R.); (J.L.N.)
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
| | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (C.P.); (P.R.); (J.L.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Garden Scraps: Agonistic Interactions between Hedgehogs and Sympatric Mammals in Urban Gardens. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040590. [PMID: 36830377 PMCID: PMC9951724 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040590] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehogs occur within an urban mammal guild in the United Kingdom. This guild commonly utilizes anthropogenic food provision, which is potentially beneficial to wild animal populations, but may also bring competitors and predators into proximity, raising the question of how these species interact in urban gardens. In this study, we determined interactions between hedgehogs, foxes, badgers, and domestic cats using videos submitted via citizen science. We analyzed interactions within and between species to determine interaction type, hierarchical relationships, and effect of supplementary food presence/amount. We found that overall agonistic interactions between individuals occurred more frequently (55.4%) than neutral interactions (44.6%) and that interspecific interactions showed greater agonism (55.4%) than intraspecific ones (36%). Within intraspecific interactions, those between hedgehogs were the most agonistic (54.9%) and between badgers the least (6.7%). Species composition of the interaction affected agonism, with interactions between cats and foxes showing the highest level (76.7%). In terms of overall "wins", where access to garden resources was gained, badgers dominated cats, which were dominant or equal to foxes, which dominated hedgehogs. However, hedgehogs exhibited a greater overall proportion of wins (39.3%) relative to cats. Our findings are important in the context of the documented impact of patchy resources on urban wildlife behavior, and we show that provision of anthropogenic food can potentially result in unintended consequences. We recommend actions to reduce proximity of guild competitors in space and time to limit negative effects.
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhou J, Wang M, Yi X. Alteration of Gut Microbiota of a Food-Storing Hibernator, Siberian Chipmunk Tamias sibiricus. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2022; 84:603-612. [PMID: 34562129 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01877-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hibernation represents a state of fasting because hibernators cease eating in the torpid periods. Therefore, food deprivation during hibernation is expected to modify the gut microbiota of host. However, there are few reports of gut microbiota in food-storing hibernators that feed during the interbout arousals. Here we collected fecal samples of Siberian chipmunk T. sibiricus to character and examine changes in the gut microbiota at various stages relative to hibernation: pre-hibernation, early-hibernation, mid-hibernation, late-hibernation, and post-hibernation. Compared to the pre-hibernation state, alpha-diversity of gut microbiota was significantly increased during the interbout arousal periods. In addition, beta-diversity of the fecal communities from pre-hibernation and interbout arousal periods grouped together, and post-hibernation gut microbiota resembled the counterpart at late-hibernation. Hibernation significantly decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes but increased Bacteroidetes, reflecting a shift of microbiota toward taxa in favor of host-derived substrates. The increased abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Lactobacillus, and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in gut microbiota may help the chipmunks reduce intestinal inflammation and then maintain healthy bowel during hibernation. KEGG pathway indicated that hibernation altered the metabolic function of gut microflora of T. sibiricus. Our study provides evidence that the gut microbiota of food-storing hibernators, despite feeding during the interbout arousals, shows similar response to hibernation that has well documented in fat-storing counterparts, suggesting the potential for a core gut microbiota during hibernation of mammals. Importantly, these results will broaden our understanding of the effects of hibernation on gut microbiota of mammal hibernators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
| | - Minghui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
| | - Xianfeng Yi
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gazzard A, Baker PJ. What makes a house a home? Nest box use by West European hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus) is influenced by nest box placement, resource provisioning and site-based factors. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13662. [PMID: 35811826 PMCID: PMC9261924 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial refuges provided by householders and/or conservation practitioners potentially represent one mechanism for mitigating declines in the availability of natural nest sites used for resting, breeding and hibernating in urban areas. The effectiveness of such refuges for different species is, however, not always known. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of UK householders to identify factors associated with the use of ground-level nest boxes for West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), a species of conservation concern. Overall, the percentage of boxes used at least once varied with season and type of use: summer day nesting (35.5-81.3%), breeding (7.2-28.2%), winter day nesting (20.1-66.5%) and hibernation (21.7-58.6%). The length of time the box had been deployed, the availability of artificial food and front garden to back garden access significantly increased the likelihood that a nest box had been used for all four nesting types, whereas other factors related to placement within the garden (e.g., in a sheltered location, on hardstanding such as paving, distance from the house) and resource provisioning (bedding) affected only some nesting behaviours. The factors most strongly associated with nest box use were the provisioning of food and bedding. These data suggest, therefore, that householders can adopt simple practices to increase the likelihood of their nest box being used. However, one significant limitation evident within these data is that, for welfare reasons, householders do not routinely monitor whether their box has been used. Consequently, future studies need to adopt strategies which enable householders to monitor their boxes continuously. Ultimately, such studies should compare the survival rates and reproductive success of hedgehogs within artificial refuges versus more natural nest sites, and whether these are affected by, for example, the impact of nest box design and placement on predation risk and internal microclimate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Gazzard
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J. Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pettett CE, Salazar RD, Al-Hajri A, Al-Jabiri H, Macdonald DW, Yamaguchi N. Sex differences in the winter activity of desert hedgehogs (Paraechinus aethiopicus) in a resource-rich habitat in Qatar. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11118. [PMID: 35778424 PMCID: PMC9249915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15383-4] [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: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hedgehogs’ wide distribution and breadth of habitat use means they are a good model taxon for investigating behavioural responses to winter conditions, such as low temperatures and resource availability. We investigated the over-winter behaviour of desert hedgehogs (Paraechinus aethiopicus) in Qatar by radio-tracking 20 individuals and monitoring the body mass of 31 hedgehogs. Females spent more nights (38.63% of nights tracked) inactive than males (12.6%) and had lower monthly activity levels. The mean temperature on nights where hedgehogs were inactive was 14.9 °C compared with 17.0 °C when hedgehogs were active. By December, females lost a higher percentage of their November body mass than did males, but by February males had lost a higher percentage than females. We conclude that these sex differences in behaviour are a result of differing reproductive strategies with males becoming more active early in spring to search for mates, whereas female hedgehogs conserve energy for producing and raising young and avoid harassment by males. The winter activity of males may be facilitated by the resource-rich environment created by humans at this study site, and basking behaviour. This study highlights intraspecific and interspecific variation in behavioural strategies/tactics in response to winter conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carly E Pettett
- WildCRU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Rosie D Salazar
- WildCRU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Afra Al-Hajri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hayat Al-Jabiri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - David W Macdonald
- WildCRU, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Nobuyuki Yamaguchi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. .,Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University of Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fine-scale habitat selection of a small mammalian urban adapter: the West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00251-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
AbstractUnderstanding patterns of habitat selection and factors affecting space use is fundamental in animal conservation. In urban landscapes, such knowledge can be used to advise householders on how best to manage their gardens for wildlife. In this study, we tracked 28 West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), a species of conservation concern in the UK, in an area of high-density housing using radio and GPS tags to quantify patterns of habitat use and identify factors associated with the proportion of time spent in individual gardens. Both males and females exhibited a preference for residential gardens, but there were subtle differences between the sexes in relation to house type and front versus back gardens. Hedgehogs spent significantly more time in gardens where artificial food was provided, where a compost heap was present, if foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were infrequent visitors, if it rained overnight and as daylength increased (i.e., shorter nights); garden use was not significantly associated with variables potentially likely to reflect invertebrate prey abundance. These data suggest that the primary positive action that householders can undertake for urban hedgehogs is providing supplementary food. However, householders often feed hedgehogs after they know they are already visiting their garden. Consequently, the presence of artificial food may make it difficult to identify other important influences affecting garden use. Finally, we report that a GPS fix acquisition rate < 60% likely had no major effect on the results of our analyses, but should be a consideration in future studies using this technique on this species and in this habitat.
Collapse
|
7
|
Turner J, Freeman R, Carbone C. Using citizen science to understand and map habitat suitability for a synurbic mammal in an urban landscape: the hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Turner
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park LondonNW1 4RYUK
- School of Biological and Chemical Science Queen Mary University of London LondonE1 4NSUK
| | - Robin Freeman
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park LondonNW1 4RYUK
| | - Chris Carbone
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London Regent's Park LondonNW1 4RYUK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gimmel A, Eulenberger U, Liesegang A. Feeding the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.)-risks of commercial diets for wildlife. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021; 105 Suppl 1:91-96. [PMID: 34247429 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The supplemental feeding of wildlife is a worldwide phenomenon. The most widespread and socially accepted example is bird feeding. Commercial hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus L.) diets are readily available in Switzerland. To test the hypothesis that commercial hedgehog diets are nutritionally inadequate, the following parameters (as taken from the label) of five commercial diets (three dry and two wet) were compared to the natural diet of E. europaeus: List of feed materials, crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen-free extracts (NfE). To test the second hypothesis, that feed labels of commercially available hedgehog diets in Switzerland are in accordance with Swiss and European law, the following parameters were assessed: Type of feed, net quantity, moisture content, instructions for proper use, list of the feed materials and claims. In all dry diets, the first ingredient was cereals (38.8%-50%), whereas in both wet diets, it was meat and meat by-products (51% in one product). Only one product had a CP content comparable to that of the natural diet and four products had a higher NfE content. Overall, the wet products were more comparable to the natural diet, especially regarding CP and NfE content. Of the five examined diets, three were labelled as complete feeds and two as compound feeds. The label analysis revealed inaccuracies and possible misleading information on two products. In conclusion, the use of commercial dry hedgehog diets should be discouraged as they do not resemble the natural diet of E. europaeus and are likely nutritionally inadequate. The commercial wet hedgehog diets should only be used supplementary. The feed labels of commercially available hedgehog diets were not always in compliance with Swiss and European law. The public should be educated about feeding E. europaeus and the risks of commercial diets for wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Gimmel
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Annette Liesegang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rasmussen SL, Schrøder AE, Mathiesen R, Nielsen JL, Pertoldi C, Macdonald DW. Wildlife Conservation at a Garden Level: The Effect of Robotic Lawn Mowers on European Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051191. [PMID: 33919297 PMCID: PMC8143328 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Injured European hedgehogs are frequently admitted to hedgehog rehabilitation centres with different types of cuts and injuries. Although not rigorously quantified, a growing concern is that an increasing number of cases may have been caused by robotic lawn mowers. Research indicates that European hedgehogs are in decline. It is therefore important to identify and investigate the factors responsible for this decline to improve the conservation initiatives directed at this species. Because hedgehogs are increasingly associated with human habitation, it seems likely that numerous individuals will encounter several robotic lawn mowers during their lifetimes. Consequently, this study aimed to describe and quantify the effects of robotic lawn mowers on hedgehogs, and we tested 18 robotic lawn mowers in collision with dead hedgehogs. Some models caused extensive damage to the dead hedgehogs, but there were noteworthy differences in the degree of harm inflicted, with some consistently causing no damage. None of the robotic lawn mowers tested was able to detect the presence of dead, dependent juvenile hedgehogs, and no models could detect the hedgehog cadavers without physical interaction. We therefore encourage future collaboration with the manufacturers of robotic lawn mowers to improve the safety for hedgehogs and other garden wildlife species. Abstract We tested the effects of 18 models of robotic lawn mowers in collision with dead European hedgehogs and quantified the results into six damage categories. All models were tested on four weight classes of hedgehogs, each placed in three different positions. None of the robotic lawn mowers tested was able to detect the presence of dependent juvenile hedgehogs (<200 g) and all models had to touch the hedgehogs to detect them. Some models caused extensive damage to the hedgehog cadavers, but there were noteworthy differences in the degree of harm inflicted, with some consistently causing no damage. Our results showed that the following technical features significantly increased the safety index of the robotic lawn mowers: pivoting blades, skid plates, and front wheel drive. Based on these findings, we encourage future collaboration with the manufacturers of robotic lawn mowers to improve the safety for hedgehogs and other garden wildlife species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lund Rasmussen
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK;
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (J.L.N.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +45-2211-7268 or +44-787-1837-510
| | - Ane Elise Schrøder
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark;
- Fossil and Moclay Museum, Museum Mors, Skarrehagevej 8, DK-7900 Nykøbing Mors, Denmark
| | - Ronja Mathiesen
- Agilent Technologies Denmark ApS, Produktionsvej 42, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark;
| | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (J.L.N.); (C.P.)
| | - Cino Pertoldi
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (J.L.N.); (C.P.)
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lukešová G, Voslarova E, Vecerek V, Vucinic M. Trends in intake and outcomes for European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in the Czech rescue centers. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248422. [PMID: 33705491 PMCID: PMC7951812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a species found in abundance throughout Europe. Nevertheless, it has seen a decline in some regions. This study aimed to analyze trends in intake and outcomes for hedgehogs admitted into rescue centers in the Czech Republic. In the period from 2010 to 2019, 16,967 European hedgehogs were admitted in 34 rescue centers in the Czech Republic. Most hedgehogs were admitted in September (25.30%) and October (22.14%), the fewest in March (0.96%). Most admitted hedgehogs were hoglets (59.49%). The treatment was successful in 44.39% of admitted hedgehogs; those were subsequently released into the wild. On average, they stayed in rescue centers for 48.77 days (median of 30 days). Death or euthanasia was an outcome for 25.27% and 3.15% of admitted hedgehogs, respectively. Only 0.59% of the hedgehogs remained in captivity with a permanent handicap. The highest release rate was achieved in hedgehogs admitted after falls into pits and other openings (83.19%), whereas the least success was achieved in poisoned hedgehogs (13.21%). An increasing trend (rSp = 0.9273, p < 0.01) was found in the number of hedgehogs admitted to rescue centers during the monitored period. Furthermore, not all of them required human care. Given the fact that less than a half of the admitted hedgehogs could be released, raising public awareness of this issue could help to avoid unnecessary interventions (especially in hoglets).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Lukešová
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Voslarova
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Vecerek
- Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marijana Vucinic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Decline in Distribution and Abundance: Urban Hedgehogs under Pressure. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091606. [PMID: 32916892 PMCID: PMC7552246 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hedgehogs have been found in higher densities in urban compared to rural areas. Recent dramatic declines in rural hedgehog numbers lead us to pose the question: how are hedgehogs faring in urban areas? In this study, we examined how hedgehog numbers have changed in the city of Zurich, Switzerland, in the last 25 years. We compared data collected through citizen science projects conducted in 1992 and 2016–2018, including: observations of hedgehogs, data from footprint tunnels, and capture-mark recapture studies. We found that hedgehog numbers have declined by 41%, from the former average of more than 30 individuals per km2, in the last 25 years. In the same time span, hedgehogs have lost 18% of their former urban distribution. The reasons for this decline are still unknown. Intensification of urban buildup, reduction of green space quality, the use of pesticides, parasites, or diseases, as well as increasing numbers of badgers, which are hedgehog predators, in urban areas are discussed as potential causes. Worryingly, these results suggest that hedgehogs are now under increasing pressure not only in rural but also in urban areas, their former refuges. Abstract Increasing urbanization and densification are two of the largest global threats to biodiversity. However, certain species thrive in urban spaces. Hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus have been found in higher densities in green areas of settlements as compared to rural spaces. With recent studies pointing to dramatically declining hedgehog numbers in rural areas, we pose the question: how do hedgehogs fare in urban spaces, and do these spaces act as refuges? In this study, recent (2016–2018) and past (1992) hedgehog abundance and distribution were compared across the city of Zurich, Switzerland using citizen science methods, including: footprint tunnels, capture-mark recapture, and incidental sightings. Our analyses revealed consistent negative trends: Overall hedgehog distribution decreased by 17.6% ± 4.7%, whereas abundance declined by 40.6% (mean abundance 32 vs. 19 hedgehogs/km2, in past and recent time, respectively), with one study plot even showing a 91% decline in this period (78 vs. 7 hedgehogs/km2, respectively). We discuss possible causes of this rapid decline: increased urban densification, reduction of insect biomass, and pesticide use, as well as the role of increasing populations of badgers (a hedgehog predator) and parasites or diseases. Our results suggest that hedgehogs are now under increasing pressure not only in rural but also in urban areas, their former refuges.
Collapse
|