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Jota Baptista C, Seixas F, Gonzalo-Orden JM, Patinha C, Pato P, Ferreira da Silva E, Casero M, Brazio E, Brandão R, Costa D, Mateus TL, Coelho AC, Oliveira PA. The first full study of heavy metal(loid)s in western-European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from Portugal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:11983-11994. [PMID: 38225500 PMCID: PMC10869400 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31877-2] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is an insectivore with a wide distribution in Portugal and a potential tool for biomonitoring relevant One Health hazards, including heavy metal(loid)s' pollution. The aim of this study was to positively contribute to the current knowledge about the metal(loid) pollution in Portugal. Forty-six hedgehogs (from rescue centres; with known provenance) were necropsied. Sex, age category and weight were determined. Spines, liver and kidney were collected, and metalloid concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). In general, results did not present alarming metal(loid) concentrations, with the exception of cadmium (Cd) (in the kidneys) and copper (Cu). Hedgehogs from Viana do Castelo and Viseu showed elevated concentrations of arsenic (As) and Castelo Branco presented concerning values of cadmium (Cd). Adult and heavier hedgehogs tended to present higher levels of metal(loid)s. Sex does not seem to significantly affect the metal(loid)s' concentrations. Further analysis would be needed to prioritize areas with detail and allow the application of the necessary mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Jota Baptista
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-Inov4Agro), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM); Egas Moniz School of Health &Science, Almada, Portugal.
| | - Fernanda Seixas
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | | | - Carla Patinha
- GEOBIOTEC & Department of Geosciencie, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pato
- GEOBIOTEC & Department of Geosciencie, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - María Casero
- RIAS-ALDEIA - Wildlife Rehabilitation and Research Centre, Ria Formosa Natural Park, Olhão, Portugal
| | - Erica Brazio
- Lisbon Wildife Rescue center (LxCRAS), Forest park of Monsanto, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Brandão
- CERVAS-ALDEIA - Centre of Ecology, Wild animals' Rehabilitation and Surveillance, Gouveia, Portugal
| | - Daniela Costa
- CERVAS-ALDEIA - Centre of Ecology, Wild animals' Rehabilitation and Surveillance, Gouveia, Portugal
| | - Teresa L Mateus
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
- CISAS-Centre for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Superior Agrarian School, Polytechical Institute of Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- EpiUnit - Public Health Institute of University of Porto, Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana C Coelho
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), UTAD, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB-Inov4Agro), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
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Gago H, Drechsler RM, Monrós JS. Evaluating Different Factors That Affect the Nesting Patterns of European and Algerian Hedgehogs in Urban and Suburban Environments. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3775. [PMID: 38136812 PMCID: PMC10740568 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243775] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Small undisturbed patches in urban environments serve as important refuges for wildlife, e.g., hedgehogs. However, the effects of urbanization on certain biological aspects, like nesting behavior, remain unknown. We captured and tracked the movement of 30 male hedgehogs of two co-existing species: Algerian and European hedgehogs. The study was carried out in Valencia (eastern Spain). We distinguished six macrohabitats and five subhabitats. We analyzed the proportions of the macro and subhabitats where nests were found to calculate a resource selection function and fit GLMs. Hedgehog nests tended to concentrate in areas with little human disturbance and were built in hedges or under bush-like vegetation. We did not find any significant differences between species or other considered groups. We noted that nests were distributed around hard-to-find suitable habitat patches. We even recorded a case of two males from both species simultaneously using one nest. Our results suggest that hedgehog conservation in urban environments can be improved by the correct management of forest patches by conserving bush-like vegetation and improving the connectivity between suitable patches with ecological corridors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Gago
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universitat de València, C/Catedràtic José Beltrán Martínez, 2, 46980 Paterna, Spain; (R.M.D.); (J.S.M.)
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Algerian and European hedgehogs cohabiting in periurban environments: spatial behaviour and habitat use. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01644-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AbstractHabitat fragmentation is one of the most important threats to biodiversity in the last decades. Numerous species are forced to adapt to human presence as urbanization keeps increasing. Some studies show the impact of habitat changes in various species; however, there is little knowledge about the effect of habitat disturbance on hedgehogs in the Iberian Peninsula. We radio tracked 31 male hedgehogs: 14 European hedgehogs and 17 Algerian hedgehogs, being 18 individuals indigenous and 13 translocated. We analysed their home ranges, spatial behaviour and habitat use in a suburban area of Valencia City, Spain, where the two species coexist. Our results show that there are phenologic variations of activity levels, which differ between species, being maximum in spring for the European hedgehog and in summer for the Algerian hedgehog. We did not detect a territorial behaviour or interspecific spatial competition. However, we could detect a clear “release effect”, with translocated individuals presenting increased home range sizes and activity levels as they explore the unknown environment. Furthermore, we found that both species showed a clear preference for the pine forest habitat, avoiding all other habitat types, especially those with high human presence. Our results also suggest that the European hedgehog has a more generalist character than the Algerian hedgehog regarding habitat use. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of conserving a connected mosaic of green patches in urbanized environments for the conservation of hedgehog populations.
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Sarkar R, Bhadra A. How do animals navigate the urban jungle? A review of cognition in urban-adapted animals. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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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.
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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
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