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Viviano A, De Meo I, Mori E, Sergiacomi C, Paletto A. Public perception and acceptance of coypu Myocastor coypus removal in urban areas: influences of age and education. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2024; 111:42. [PMID: 39093457 PMCID: PMC11297126 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01928-2] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring and management of alien coypu (Myocastor coypus) is a key issue in Europe since this species has been included in the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation 1143/2014. Thus, controlling the population of this rodent is considered as imperative by wildlife managers. Coypu management in urban areas is crucial considering potential conflicts with human activities. The aim of this study is to investigate citizens' knowledge, perceptions and opinions towards the presence and management of coypu in a case study in Central Italy (the Serravalle urban park, Tuscany). The survey was administered to a subset of municipal residents and garnered responses from 281 park visitors. The outcomes showed a high level of knowledge of respondents: 99.3% of total respondents had heard of coypu before this survey, and 93.9% were able to distinguish the coypu from the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Despite the importance of coypu control in invaded countries, our results highlight that most respondents are against the removal of coypu, with the exception of most young, highly-educated and upperclass men, but favouring sterilization over capture and population control. Findings of this study could assist managers in enhancing the efficacy of management efforts via an information initiative involving the general public. Achieving this goal may entail improved communication by wildlife managers, which is imperative for optimizing management strategies regarding alien species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viviano
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy.
| | - Isabella De Meo
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Firenze, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Carlotta Sergiacomi
- Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paletto
- Research Centre for Forestry and Wood, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA), Trento, Italy
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Dondina O, Orioli V, Tirozzi P, Bani L. Estimating risk to prevent damage: predicting and preventing coypu (Myocastor coypus) damage to transport infrastructure. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 38624075 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major impact of invasive Myocastor coypus in their introduction range is the collapse of riverbanks and nearby infrastructure, such as railway lines, due to the species' burrowing activities. Because widespread implementation of preventive measures along watercourses is unfeasible, identifying susceptible areas is key to guide targeted management actions. This study used species-habitat models to: (i) identify local environmental features of the railway line/watercourse intersections (RLWIs) that make them particularly susceptible to coypu damage, and (ii) predict species occurrence probability over a wide lowland-hilly area of northern Italy (Lombardy) to identify priority areas for monitoring. RESULTS Local-scale models identified that the RLWIs most susceptible to burrowing were those surrounded by arable land with interspersed hedgerows locally characterized by high herbaceous vegetation and clay soil. In urbanized areas and areas of intensive agriculture, coypu dens were generally located significantly closer to the railway, increasing the risk of collapse. A landscape-scale species distribution model showed that lowland areas along major rivers and lake shores, and also agricultural areas with a dense minor hydrographic network, particularly in the southeast of the study area, are more likely to be occupied by coypu. CONCLUSION Local-scale models showed that specific environmental characteristics increase the risk of burrowing near RLWIs. The landscape-scale model allowed us to predict which areas require thorough monitoring of RLWIs to search for such local characteristics to implement preventive management measures. The proposed model-based framework can be applied to any geographical context to predict and prevent coypu damage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Dondina
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valerio Orioli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pietro Tirozzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luciano Bani
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- World Biodiversity Association onlus, NAT LAB Forte Inglese, Livorno, Italy
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Viviano A, Auster RE, Mazza G, Lagrotteria A, Pucci C, Senserini D, Campbell-Palmer R, Needham R, Curci D, Mori E. Eurasian beavers in Central Italy: perceptions in the local community. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:30. [PMID: 37347318 PMCID: PMC10287781 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01860-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
According to the IUCN guidelines, wildlife reintroduction should consider any impacts on humans within feasibility assessments. Eurasian beavers Castor fiber are recovering across their native range, due to protection laws and reintroductions. In Central Italy, a self-sustaining, naturalised population of Eurasian beavers has been identified in the last five years. A questionnaire to measure whether and how citizens in the local area perceive the presence of the beaver was administered to 1114 respondents. We observed a comprehensive awareness of the presence of the beaver in Italy and a high ability to distinguish it from non-native coypus Myocastor coypus (92.3%). We also recorded a general high knowledge of issues related to the presence of the beaver (i.e., potential effects on indigenous biodiversity). The majority (65.5%) of the surveyed population was in favour of reintroducing the beaver in Central Italy, and only 1.2% was firmly against it. The majority of interviewed people was against the removal of beavers from Central Italy (65.8%), whereas only 3.7% was in favor, citing fears of perceived impacts on the river, crops, and fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viviano
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche - Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri - Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
| | - Roger E Auster
- University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Streatham Campus, Exeter, EX4 4RJ, UK
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification (CREA-DC), Cascine del Riccio, Via Lanciola 12/a, 50125, Florence, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Pucci
- Independent Researcher, Str. Di Pilli 1, 53035, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Davide Curci
- Università Degli Studi Di Torino, Via Giuseppe Verdi, 8, 10124, Torino, Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche - Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri - Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133, Palermo, Italy
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Banjade M, Adhikari P, Hong SH, Lee DH. Radio Tracking Reveals the Home Range and Activity Patterns of Nutria ( Myocastor coypus) in the Macdo Wetland in South Korea. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101716. [PMID: 37238145 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101716] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutria (Myocastor coypus) are semi-aquatic rodents that were introduced in South Korea for commercial farming but significantly damaged aquatic ecosystems. Understanding nutria ecological behavior is essential for developing effective control and eradication strategies to mitigate their impacts. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the home range and activity patterns of 24 nutria (12 males and 12 females) in the Macdo wetland in South Korea from 2015-2016 through radio tracking. The average minimum convex polygon home range of the nutria was 0.29 ± 0.55 km2, with a 95% kernel density estimation (KDE) home range of 0.43 ± 0.85 km2 and a 50% KDE home range of 0.05 ± 1.1 km2. The home range of males was larger than that of females; however, the winter home range of females was as large as that of males. The home range also varied seasonally, with the smallest observed in winter. The nutria showed crepuscular and nocturnal activity patterns throughout the year, with no significant difference between sexes. The activities in spring, summer, and autumn showed no significant differences, but the activity in winter was significantly different from that in the other seasons. This study may serve as a basis for developing appropriately timed and scaled management strategies to mitigate the impacts of nutria on ecosystems. In conclusion, several environmental and biological factors contribute to the behavior of nutria in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maniram Banjade
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseru-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Republic of Korea
| | - Pradeep Adhikari
- Institute of Humanities and Ecology Consensus Resilience Lab, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Hong
- Institute of Humanities and Ecology Consensus Resilience Lab, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Hun Lee
- National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseru-myeon, Seocheon-gun 33657, Republic of Korea
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Pecorella S, Viviano A, Lapini L, Mori E. The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides in Italy: a review of confirmed occurrences. MAMMALIA 2023. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is an Asian canid species which has been introduced to Europe for fur farming. Local escapes and the animal subsequent dispersal have triggered the establishment of self-sustaining populations, particularly in Eastern European countries, but with several populations in Southern Europe as well. Despite being listed amongst the alien species of European concern (EU Regulation 1143/2014), data on raccoon dog distribution in Southern Europe and in particular in Italy are still scanty. In this work, we reviewed all the available data of raccoon dog in Italy. Only five confirmed occurrences are available, suggesting that in this country the species may still be at the beginning of the establishment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Pecorella
- Therion Research Group APS , Loc. Castel San Mauro, 1 , Gorizia 34170 (GO) , Italy
| | - Andrea Viviano
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche , Istituto Di Ricerca Sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri , Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino , Florence , Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center , Palermo 90133 , Italy
| | - Luca Lapini
- Museo Friulano di Storia Naturale , Via Sabbadini 32 , Udine 33100 (UD) , Italy
| | - Emiliano Mori
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche , Istituto Di Ricerca Sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri , Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino , Florence , Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center , Palermo 90133 , Italy
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Mazzotta E, Bellinati L, Bertasio C, Boniotti MB, Lucchese L, Ceglie L, Martignago F, Leopardi S, Natale A. Synanthropic and Wild Animals as Sentinels of Zoonotic Agents: A Study of Leptospira Genotypes Circulating in Northeastern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3783. [PMID: 36900793 PMCID: PMC10000914 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease widely reported in veterinary practice and a worldwide zoonosis. In Northeastern Italy, different serogroups and genotypes of Leptospira have been described in ill dogs, the most commonly detected being Icterohaemorragiae (ICT) ST 17, Australis (AUS) ST 24 and ST 198, Pomona (POM) ST 117 and ST 289, and Sejroe (SEJ) ST 155. However, there is little information available on the environmental exposure to Leptospira of wild and synanthropic animals. The aim of this study was to identify the circulating genotypes in potential reservoirs to fill this gap of knowledge. Between 2015 and 2022, 681 animal carcasses collected by the Public Veterinary Service were analyzed for Leptospira with a real-time PCR-based screening test, while positive samples were genotyped by multi-locus sequence typing analysis. To carry out our study, we tested 330 hedgehogs, 105 red foxes, 108 Norway rats, 79 mice, 22 coypus, 10 bank voles, 13 grey wolves, 5 common shrews and 9 greater mouse-eared bats. Five sequence types (STs) common in dogs were also found in wild animals: ST 24, ST 198, ST 17 and ST 155 in hedgehogs, ST 17 and ST 24 in foxes, ST 17 in rats, ST 17 and ST 155 in mice, and ST 117 in a wolf. In addition, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first Italian report of SEJ ST 197 in a bank vole. Furthermore, this study described a previous survey conducted in 2009 on coypus (30 animals from the province of Trento and 41 from the province of Padua), referring to a serological positivity (L. Bratislava) without any molecular detection of Leptospira. This study on Leptospira in synanthropic and wild animals highlighted the importance of increasing our epidemiological knowledge of leptospirosis and its zoonotic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mazzotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Bellinati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- National Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Lucchese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Ceglie
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Leopardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
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Kang W, Kim G, Park Y. Habitat suitability and connectivity modeling predict genetic population structure and priority control areas for invasive nutria (Myocastor coypus) in a temperate river basin. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279082. [PMID: 36525436 PMCID: PMC9757583 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutria (Myocastor coypus), also known as the coypu, is a semi-aquatic, invasive rodent native to South America that causes damage to natural riverine and wetland habitats in many parts of the world, including South Korea. Understanding habitat use, connectivity, and gene flow of nutria populations is critical for the sound management of local and regional ecosystems. Here, we assessed habitat suitability and connectivity in relation to the genetic structure of nutria populations in the Nakdong River Basin of South Korea. A total of 321 nutria occurrence sites and seven environmental variables were used to perform ensemble habitat suitability modeling using five species distribution models (SDMs), including boosted regression trees, maximum entropy model, random forest, generalized linear model, and multivariate adaptive regression splines. Using graph and circuit theory approaches, we assessed the population gene flow and current flow betweenness centrality (CFBC) of suitable habitats derived from the ensemble SDM. All SDMs performed well with a range of test AUC values from 0.962 to 0.970 (mean = 0.966) with true skill statistic values over 0.8. The minimum temperature of the coldest month, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, and distance from water bodies were important predictors in nutria habitat modeling. Nutria population gene flow was significantly correlated with the least-cost path distance on a cost resistance surface based on ensemble habitat suitability modeling and roads (Mantel's r = 0.60, p < 0.05). Finally, the CFBC positively correlated with the genetic diversity of nutria populations was used to identify priority control areas. Habitat suitability and connectivity modeling not only revealed environmental conditions and areas that support the survival and spread of nutrias, but also improved our understanding of the animals' genetic population structure, thereby indicating priority areas to target for eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanmo Kang
- Department of Forest Environment and Systems, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - GoWoon Kim
- Center for Asian Urban Societies, Asia Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongsu Park
- Research Center for Endangered Species, National Institute of Ecology, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongyang-gun, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Temporal Activity Patterns of the Eurasian Beaver and Coexisting Species in a Mediterranean Ecosystem. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151961. [PMID: 35953950 PMCID: PMC9367497 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyses of temporal partitioning and overlaps in activity rhythms are pivotal to shed light on interspecific coexistence between similar species or prey and predators. In this work, we assessed the overlap of activity rhythms between the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber and its potential competitors and predators through camera trapping in an area in Central Italy. Interspecific overlaps of temporal activity patterns were estimated for the beavers, potential predators (the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the grey wolf Canis lupus), and a potential competitor, the coypu Myocastor coypus. The beavers showed a mostly crepuscular behaviour. Although high temporal overlap was observed between the Eurasian beavers and the red foxes and grey wolves, the activity of the beavers did not overlap with that of the predators. Accordingly, the beavers were more active on the darkest nights, i.e., avoiding bright moonlight.
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Tedeschi L, Biancolini D, Capinha C, Rondinini C, Essl F. Introduction, spread, and impacts of invasive alien mammal species in Europe. Mamm Rev 2022; 52:252-266. [PMID: 35875182 PMCID: PMC9299096 DOI: 10.1111/mam.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Biological invasions have emerged as one of the main drivers of biodiversity change and decline, and numbers of species classed as alien in parts of their ranges are rapidly rising. The European Union established a dedicated regulation to limit the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS), which is focused on the species on a Union List of IAS of particular concern. However, no previous study has specifically addressed the ecology of invasive alien mammals included on the Union List.We performed a systematic review of published literature on these species. We retrieved 262 publications dealing with 16 species, and we complemented these with the most up-to-date information extracted from global databases on IAS.We show that most of the study species reached Europe as pets and then escaped from captivity or were intentionally released. On average each year in the period 1981-2020, 1.2 species were recorded for the first time as aliens in European countries, and most species are still expanding their alien ranges by colonising neighbouring territories. France is the most invaded nation, followed by Germany, Italy, and the Russian Federation, and the muskrat Ondatra zibethicus, the American mink Neovison vison, and the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides are the most widespread species, having invaded at least 27 countries each. Invasive mammals of European Union concern are threatening native biodiversity and human well-being: worryingly, 81% of the 16 study species are implicated in the epidemiological cycle of zoonotic pathogens.Containing secondary spread to further countries is of paramount importance to avoid the establishment of new populations of invasive mammals and the related impacts on native communities, ecosystem services, and human health.We present a compendium on the ecology and impacts of invasive mammals of European Union concern. It can be used to assist environmental policies, identify and subsequently fill knowledge gaps, and inform stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Tedeschi
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
- BioInvasions, Global Change, Macroecology‐GroupDepartment of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaRennweg 14Vienna1030Austria
| | - Dino Biancolini
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
| | - César Capinha
- Centro de Estudos GeográficosInstituto de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território – IGOTUniversidade de LisboaRua Branca Edmée Marques, Cidade Universitária1600‐276LisboaPortugal
| | - Carlo Rondinini
- Global Mammal Assessment ProgrammeDepartment of Biology and BiotechnologiesSapienza University of RomeViale dell’Università 32Rome00185Italy
| | - Franz Essl
- BioInvasions, Global Change, Macroecology‐GroupDepartment of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaRennweg 14Vienna1030Austria
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Adhikari P, Kim BJ, Hong SH, Lee DH. Climate change induced habitat expansion of nutria (Myocastor coypus) in South Korea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3300. [PMID: 35228626 PMCID: PMC8885692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutria, (Myocastor coypus), is a semiaquatic rodent native to the subtropical and temperate regions of South America. The species was introduced to South Korea for meat and fur production purposes and a wild population has become established. The species subsequently invaded aquatic ecosystems and destroyed aquatic vegetation and cultivated crops. Thus, it is essential to understand their current distribution and future range expansion for effective control and eradication strategies to reduce the risk of colonization into new regions. In this study, we used niche modeling procedure to identify potentially suitable habitats for M. coypus under current and future predicted climate change using the maximum entropy algorithm. We found that the main habitat area of M. coypus is expected to expand under a warming climate from ~ 4069 km2 in the southern and southeastern regions of South Korea, to the northern border of the country, with estimated ranges of 21,744 km2, 55,859 km2, and 64,937 km2 by 2030, 2050, and 2070, respectively. The findings of the present study assist in identifying the future distribution and potential dispersion routes of M. coypus in South Korea, which is important for informing the government regarding essential management actions plans at regional and local scales.
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Pedruzzi L, Schertler A, Giuntini S, Leggiero I, Mori E. An update on the distribution of the coypu, Myocastor coypus, in Asia and Africa through published literature, citizen-science and online platforms. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00207-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe coypu, Myocastor coypus, has been introduced worldwide for fur farming and is widely recognized as one of the most invasive alien mammals of the world, affecting natural ecosystems, crops and possibly human health. Here we present a comprehensive up-to-date review of its distribution and status in Asia and Africa. Using a multi-source approach, we collected occurrences from published literature as well as from online biodiversity platforms (e.g. GBIF, iNaturalist), video sharing platforms, and local experts. Additionally, we used an ensemble modelling approach to predict the climatic suitability across Africa and Asia. We present an updated distribution map, including a total of 1506 spatially explicit records from 1973 to 2021, covering 1 African and 16 Asian countries. We find evidence for current populations in Kenya and five new countries since the last review of (Carter and Leonard, Wildl Soc Bull 30:162–175, 2002): Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam, and identify main clusters of coypu occurrence in Western (including Transcaucasia) and East Asia. We show that warm temperate and Mediterranean areas on both continents are predicted to be climatically suitable for the coypu and highlight not only areas of possible spread, but also potential data gaps, i.e. with high suitability and low availability of concrete information (e.g. China, Southern Russia). We emphasize the importance of citizen involvement and the urgency for coypu-targeted studies in data-poor regions to obtain a clear picture of the geographical distribution and to better address management strategies.
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Kourantidou M, Cuthbert RN, Haubrock PJ, Novoa A, Taylor NG, Leroy B, Capinha C, Renault D, Angulo E, Diagne C, Courchamp F. Economic costs of invasive alien species in the Mediterranean basin. NEOBIOTA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.67.58926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Invasive alien species (IAS) negatively impact the environment and undermine human well-being, often resulting in considerable economic costs. The Mediterranean basin is a culturally, socially and economically diverse region, harbouring many IAS that threaten economic and societal integrity in multiple ways. This paper is the first attempt to collectively quantify the reported economic costs of IAS in the Mediterranean basin, across a range of taxonomic, temporal and spatial descriptors. We identify correlates of costs from invasion damages and management expenditures among key socioeconomic variables, and determine network structures that link countries and invasive taxonomic groups. The total reported invasion costs in the Mediterranean basin amounted to $27.3 billion, or $3.6 billion when only realised costs were considered, and were found to have occurred over the last three decades. Our understanding of costs of invasions in the Mediterranean was largely limited to a few, primarily western European countries and to terrestrial ecosystems, despite the known presence of numerous high-impact aquatic invasive taxa. The vast majority of costs were attributed to damages or losses from invasions ($25.2 billion) and were mostly driven by France, Spain and to a lesser extent Italy and Libya, with significantly fewer costs attributed to management expenditure ($1.7 billion). Overall, invasion costs increased through time, with average annual costs between 1990 and 2017 estimated at $975.5 million. The lack of information from a large proportion of Mediterranean countries, reflected in the spatial and taxonomic connectivity analysis and the relationship of costs with socioeconomic variables, highlights the limits of the available data and the research effort needed to improve a collective understanding of the different facets of the costs of biological invasions. Our analysis of the reported costs associated with invasions in the Mediterranean sheds light on key knowledge gaps and provides a baseline for a Mediterranean-centric approach towards building policies and designing coordinated responses. In turn, these could help reach socially desirable outcomes and efficient use of resources invested in invasive species research and management.
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Bonnet M, Guédon G, Pondaven M, Bertolino S, Padiolleau D, Pénisson V, Gastinel F, Angot F, Renaud PC, Frémy A, Pays O. Aquatic invasive alien rodents in Western France: Where do we stand today after decades of control? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249904. [PMID: 33831091 PMCID: PMC8031452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two aquatic invasive alien rodents, the coypu (Myocastor coypus) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), have taken over a significant amount of wetlands in France. Pays de la Loire is an administrative region of about 32 000 km2 in the Western France with 6.3% of its area in wetlands (excluding the Loire River). Populations of coypus and muskrats are established and a permanent control programme has been set to reduce their impacts. The control plan is based on few professional trappers and many volunteers which makes this programme unique compared to other programme relying on professionals only. The aim of this study is to analyse the temporal and spatial dynamics of coypu and muskrat captures during the last 10 years to evaluate their effectiveness. The number of rodents removed per year increased by 50% in 10 years and reached about 288 000 individuals in 2016 with about 80% of them being coypus. During the same time length, the number of trappers involved in the programme also increased by 50% to reach 3 000 people in 2016. Although the raise of coypus and muskrats trapped can possibly be explained by an increase of the number of trappers, the number of coypus removed per trapper per year increased by 22%. Despite the outstanding number of individuals removed per year, our results suggest that the programme does not limit the population dynamics of coypus. Finally, since 2017, the number of data gathered from municipalities decreased, as did the total number of individuals trapped. Indeed, although rewards are crucial to recruit new volunteers, subsidies from local and regional authorities are declining. Decision makers and financers should be encouraged to fund this programme from the perspectives of the direct or indirect costs related to the presence of aquatic invasive alien rodents in wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Bonnet
- LETG-Angers, UMR 6554 CNRS, Université d’Angers, Angers, France
- REHABS International Research Laboratory, CNRS-Université Lyon 1-Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
| | | | | | - Sandro Bertolino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fabien Angot
- Polleniz 72, ZA de la Belle Croix, Requeil, France
| | | | | | - Olivier Pays
- LETG-Angers, UMR 6554 CNRS, Université d’Angers, Angers, France
- REHABS International Research Laboratory, CNRS-Université Lyon 1-Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa
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