1
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Fedriani JM, Garrote PJ, Burgos T, Escribano-Ávila G, Morera B, Virgós E. The seed dispersal syndrome hypothesis in ungulate-dominated landscapes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5436. [PMID: 38443407 PMCID: PMC10914747 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Seed Dispersal Syndrome Hypothesis (SDSH) posits that fruit traits predict the main dispersers interacting with plant species. Mammalian dispersers, relying heavily on olfactory cues, are expected to select dull-colored, scented, and larger fruits compared to birds. However, challenges like overabundant seed predators and context-dependency of frugivore-plant interactions complicate SDSH expectations. We studied the Iberian pear, Pyrus bourgaeana, an expected mammal-dispersed tree based on its fruit traits. Extensive camera-trapping data (over 35,000 records) from several tree populations and years revealed visits from seven frugivore groups, with ungulate fruit predators (59-97%) and carnivore seed dispersers (1-20%) most frequent, while birds, lagomorphs, and rodents were infrequent (0-10%). Red deer and wild boar were also the main fruit removers in all sites and years but acted as fruit and seed predators, and thus likely exert conflicting selection pressures to those exerted by seed dispersers. Although, as predicted by the SDSH, most Iberian pear fruits were consumed by large and medium-sized mammals, the traits of Iberian pear fruits likely reflect selection pressures from dispersal vectors in past times. Our results do not challenge the SDHS but do reveal the importance of considering frugivore functional roles for its adequate evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Fedriani
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain.
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD - CSIC), c/Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain.
| | - Pedro J Garrote
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Biological Science Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brayan Morera
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4.5, 46113, Moncada (Valencia), Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
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2
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Bertos E, Sánchez-Cerdá M, Virgós E, Gil-Sánchez JM, Moleón M. Thelazia callipaeda as a potential new threat to european wildcats: insights from an eco-epidemiological study. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2153-2160. [PMID: 36648738 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10071-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Global warming and displacement of vectors and wild and domestic hosts by humans greatly change host-parasite interactions and parasite transmission rates. Thelazia callipaeda Railliet and Henry, 1910 (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) is a zoonotic parasite rapidly colonizing Europe from its Asian native range. This nematode is vectored by Phortica flies and may cause ocular disorders, such as keratitis and corneal ulcers, in wild mammals, dogs, cats and humans. With the aim of detecting possible threats for the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) in one of its last Mediterranean strongholds, we initiated in 2017 a long-term monitoring program in Sierra Arana (southeastern Spain), which includes exploring its epidemiological and spatial relationships with domestic cats (Felis catus). During routine medical check-ups, we detected ocular nematodes in 3 of 17 (17.6%) wildcats and 1 of 23 (4.3%) domestic cats tested, confirmed to be T. callipaeda by microscopic and molecular analyses. This nematode species was first detected in the study area in 2021. To our knowledge, this is the first case of infection in wildcats in Spain. Through telemetry, we detected little spatial overlap between the home ranges of wildcats and domestic cats, which seems to be sufficient to facilitate the inter-specific transmission of T. callipaeda. Our findings suggest that this pathogen could be a new threat to the wildcat, a locally endangered wild felid. Further eco-epidemiological monitoring and sanitary control of domestic cats will be strongly needed, especially given the ongoing global warming scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bertos
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariola Sánchez-Cerdá
- Harmusch - Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Department of Biology and Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, University Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Gil-Sánchez
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Harmusch - Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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3
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González-Varo JP, Albrecht J, Arroyo JM, Bueno RS, Burgos T, Escribano-Ávila G, Farwig N, García D, Illera JC, Jordano P, Kurek P, Rösner S, Virgós E, Sutherland WJ. Frugivore-mediated seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes: Compositional and functional turnover from forest to matrix. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302440120. [PMID: 37871198 PMCID: PMC10622928 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302440120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Seed dispersal by frugivores is a fundamental function for plant community dynamics in fragmented landscapes, where forest remnants are typically embedded in a matrix of anthropogenic habitats. Frugivores can mediate both connectivity among forest remnants and plant colonization of the matrix. However, it remains poorly understood how frugivore communities change from forest to matrix due to the loss or replacement of species with traits that are less advantageous in open habitats and whether such changes ultimately influence the composition and traits of dispersed plants via species interactions. Here, we close this gap by using a unique dataset of seed-dispersal networks that were sampled in forest patches and adjacent matrix habitats of seven fragmented landscapes across Europe. We found a similar diversity of frugivores, plants, and interactions contributing to seed dispersal in forest and matrix, but a high turnover (replacement) in all these components. The turnover of dispersed seeds was smaller than that of frugivore communities because different frugivore species provided complementary seed dispersal in forest and matrix. Importantly, the turnover involved functional changes toward larger and more mobile frugivores in the matrix, which dispersed taller, larger-seeded plants with later fruiting periods. Our study provides a trait-based understanding of frugivore-mediated seed dispersal through fragmented landscapes, uncovering nonrandom shifts that can have cascading consequences for the composition of regenerating plant communities. Our findings also highlight the importance of forest remnants and frugivore faunas for ecosystem resilience, demonstrating a high potential for passive forest restoration of unmanaged lands in the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. González-Varo
- Departamento de Biología, Instituto de Investigación Vitivinícola y Agroalimentaria, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real11510, Spain
| | - Jörg Albrecht
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main60325, Germany
| | - Juan M. Arroyo
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla41092, Spain
| | - Rafael S. Bueno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo90128, Italy
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid28933, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department, Complutense University Madrid, Madrid28040, Spain
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg35032, Germany
| | - Daniel García
- Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Principado de Asturias), Mieres33600, Spain
| | - Juan C. Illera
- Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Principado de Asturias), Mieres33600, Spain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla41092, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla41012, Spain
| | - Przemysław Kurek
- Department of Plant Ecology and Environmental Protection, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań61-712, Poland
| | - Sascha Rösner
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg35032, Germany
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid28933, Spain
| | - William J. Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB2 3QZ, United Kingdom
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4
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Burgos T, Salesa J, Fedriani JM, Escribano-Ávila G, Jiménez J, Krofel M, Cancio I, Hernández-Hernández J, Rodríguez-Siles J, Virgós E. Top-down and bottom-up effects modulate species co-existence in a context of top predator restoration. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4170. [PMID: 36914804 PMCID: PMC10011582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31105-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesopredators abundance is often limited by top-order predators and also by key food resources. However, the contribution of these bidirectional forces to structure carnivore community is still unclear. Here, we studied how the presence and absence of an apex predator which is currently recovering its former distribution range, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), determined the absolute abundance and fine-scale spatiotemporal avoidance mechanisms of two sympatric mesocarnivores (stone marten Martes foina and common genet Genetta genetta) with different dietary plasticity. We hypothesized that the lynx causes a mesopredator suppression and subordinate predators develop segregation strategies in respect to their trophic niche breadth. We placed 120 camera-traps in Southern Spain for 8 months in two consecutive years to estimate mesocarnivore abundances by using SCR Bayesian models, prey availability and assess spatio-temporal patterns. We found that the lynx reduced mesocarnivore abundance up to 10 times. Stone marten, a mesopredator with a broad food resources spectrum, showed a total spatial exclusion with the apex predator. Meanwhile, fine-scale avoidance mechanisms allowed the genet to persist in low density inside lynx territories, probably taking advantage of high availability of its preferred prey. Thus, the strength of these top-down and bottom-up effects was rather species-specific. Given the recent recovery of large carnivore populations worldwide, variation in suppression levels on different mesopredator species could modify ecosystem functions provided by the carnivore community in contrasting ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Burgos
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Salesa
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose María Fedriani
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, km 4,5., 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD - CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution Department. Biological Science Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Ciudad Universitaria, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Miha Krofel
- Department for Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Inmaculada Cancio
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
- Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna Harmusch, C/San Antón 15, 1°, 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Hernández
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Siles
- Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna Harmusch, C/San Antón 15, 1°, 13580, Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
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5
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Carmona G, Burgos T, Barrientos R, Martin-Garcia S, Muñoz C, Sánchez-Sánchez M, Hernández-Hernández J, Palacín C, Quiles P, Moraga-Fernández A, Bandeira V, Virgós E, Gortázar C, Fernandez de Mera IG. Lack of SARS-CoV-2 RNA evidence in the lungs from wild European polecats ( Mustela putorius) from Spain. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:33. [PMID: 36937052 PMCID: PMC10006546 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01662-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife species is limited. The high prevalences found in mustelid species such as free-ranging American minks (Neovison vison) and domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) justify the study of this virus in the closely related autochthonous free-ranging European polecat (Mustela putorius). We analysed lung samples from 48 roadkilled polecats collected when the human infection reached its highest levels in Spain (2020-2021). We did not detect infections by SARS-CoV-2; however, surveillance in wild carnivores and particularly in mustelids is still warranted, due to their susceptibility to this virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Carmona
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Barrientos
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Martin-Garcia
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez-Sánchez
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Hernández
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Palacín
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Quiles
- Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Moraga-Fernández
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Victor Bandeira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Department of Biology and Geology, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Isabel G. Fernandez de Mera
- Grupo SaBio, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
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6
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Rodríguez‐Recio M, Burgos T, Krofel M, Lozano J, Moleón M, Virgós E. Estimating global determinants of leopard home range size in a changing world. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Rodríguez‐Recio
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Madrid Spain
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - T Burgos
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Madrid Spain
| | - M Krofel
- Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - J Lozano
- Unidad Docente de Ecología, Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - M Moleón
- Department of Zoology University of Granada Granada Spain
| | - E Virgós
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Madrid Spain
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7
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Burgos T, Fedriani JM, Escribano-Ávila G, Seoane J, Hernández-Hernández J, Virgós E. Predation risk can modify the foraging behaviour of frugivorous carnivores: Implications of rewilding apex predators for plant-animal mutualisms. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:1024-1035. [PMID: 35322415 PMCID: PMC9311824 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Apex predators play key roles in food webs and their recovery can trigger trophic cascades in some ecosystems. Intra‐guild competition can reduce the abundances of smaller predators and perceived predation risk can alter their foraging behaviour thereby limiting seed dispersal by frugivorous carnivores. However, little is known about how plant–frugivore mutualisms could be disturbed in the presence of larger predators. We evaluated the top‐down effect of the regional superpredator, the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, on the number of visits and fruits consumed by medium‐sized frugivorous carnivores, as well as the foraging behaviour of identified individuals, by examining the consumption likelihood and the foraging time. We carried out a field experiment in which we placed Iberian pear Pyrus bourgaeana fruits beneath fruiting trees and monitored pear removal by frugivorous carnivores, both inside and outside lynx ranges. Using camera traps, we recorded the presence of the red fox Vulpes vulpes, the Eurasian badger Meles meles and the stone marten Martes foina, as well as the number of fruits they consumed and their time spent foraging. Red fox was the most frequent fruit consumer carnivore. We found there were fewer visits and less fruit consumed by foxes inside lynx ranges, but lynx presence did not seem to affect badgers. We did not observe any stone marten visits inside lynx territories. The foraging behaviour of red foxes was also altered inside lynx ranges whereby foxes were less efficient, consuming less fruit per unit of time and having shorter visits. Local availability of fruit resources, forest coverage and individual personality also were important variables to understand visitation and foraging in a landscape of fear. Our results show a potential trophic cascade from apex predators to primary producers. The presence of lynx can reduce frugivorous carnivore numbers and induce shifts in their feeding behaviour that may modify the seed dispersal patterns with likely consequences for the demography of many fleshy‐fruited plant species. We conclude that knowledge of the ecological interactions making up trophic webs is an asset to design effective conservation strategies, particularly in rewilding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Burgos
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Department of Biology, Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M Fedriani
- Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación CIDE, CSIC-UVEG-GV, Carretera de Moncada a Náquera, Moncada, Spain.,Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD - CSIC), Seville, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Department of Biology, Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Seoane
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Hernández
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Department of Biology, Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.,Road Ecology Lab, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Department of Biology, Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
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8
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Llorente E, Terroba O, Encinar D, Hernández-Hernández J, Martín-García S, Virgós E. Variations in the abundance of the Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis) in a habitat and climatic gradient in central Spain. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00166-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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9
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González-Varo JP, Rumeu B, Albrecht J, Arroyo JM, Bueno RS, Burgos T, da Silva LP, Escribano-Ávila G, Farwig N, García D, Heleno RH, Illera JC, Jordano P, Kurek P, Simmons BI, Virgós E, Sutherland WJ, Traveset A. Limited potential for bird migration to disperse plants to cooler latitudes. Nature 2021; 595:75-79. [PMID: 34163068 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is forcing the redistribution of life on Earth at an unprecedented velocity1,2. Migratory birds are thought to help plants to track climate change through long-distance seed dispersal3,4. However, seeds may be consistently dispersed towards cooler or warmer latitudes depending on whether the fruiting period of a plant species coincides with northward or southward migrations. Here we assess the potential of plant communities to keep pace with climate change through long-distance seed dispersal by migratory birds. To do so, we combine phenological and migration information with data on 949 seed-dispersal interactions between 46 bird and 81 plant species from 13 woodland communities across Europe. Most of the plant species (86%) in these communities are dispersed by birds migrating south, whereas only 35% are dispersed by birds migrating north; the latter subset is phylogenetically clustered in lineages that have fruiting periods that overlap with the spring migration. Moreover, the majority of this critical dispersal service northwards is provided by only a few Palaearctic migrant species. The potential of migratory birds to assist a small, non-random sample of plants to track climate change latitudinally is expected to strongly influence the formation of novel plant communities, and thus affect their ecosystem functions and community assembly at higher trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatriz Rumeu
- Departamento de Biología, IVAGRO, Universidad de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Jörg Albrecht
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Juan M Arroyo
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael S Bueno
- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali e Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tamara Burgos
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Luís P da Silva
- CIBIO-InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
| | - Nina Farwig
- Conservation Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel García
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, Spain
| | - Ruben H Heleno
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Juan C Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Mieres, Spain
| | - Pedro Jordano
- Integrative Ecology Group, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Przemysław Kurek
- Department of Plant Ecology and Environmental Protection, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Benno I Simmons
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - William J Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anna Traveset
- Global Change Research Group, Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
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Bandeira V, Virgós E, Azevedo A, Cunha M, Fonseca C. Association between reproduction and immunity in the Egyptian mongoose
Herpestes ichneumon
is sex‐biased and unaffected by body condition. J Zool (1987) 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Bandeira
- Department of Biology & CESAM University of Aveiro Aveiro Portugal
| | - E. Virgós
- Departamento de Biología Geología Física y Química Inorgánica Área Biodiversidad y Conservación ESCET Universidad Rey Juan Carlos Móstoles Spain
| | - A. Azevedo
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin Germany
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar Porto Portugal
| | - M.V. Cunha
- cE3c‐ Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
- BioISI‐ Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa Lisboa Portugal
| | - C. Fonseca
- Department of Biology & CESAM University of Aveiro Aveiro Portugal
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Gil-Sánchez JM, Barea-Azcón JM, Jaramillo J, Herrera-Sánchez FJ, Jiménez J, Virgós E. Fragmentation and low density as major conservation challenges for the southernmost populations of the European wildcat. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227708. [PMID: 31990935 PMCID: PMC6986748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of population dynamics of threatened species in the wild is key to effective conservation actions. However, at present, there are many examples of endangered animals for which their current situation is unknown, and not just in remote areas and less developed countries. We have explored this topic by studying the paradigmatic case of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), an endangered small carnivore whose status has been subjectively established on the basis of non-systematic approaches and opportunistic records. Little is known about its demographic situation, prompting the need for information to improve conservation measures. However, the secretive behaviour of felines along with its low density in natural conditions have prevented the gathering of sufficient data. We developed a field sampling strategy for one of the largest populations (Andalusia, South Spain, 87,268 km2), based on a logistically viable systematic non-intrusive survey by camera-trapping. This study offers the first large-scale estimation for any European wildcat population, based on analytical approaches applied on Species Distribution Models. A hierarchical approach based on a Maxent model for distribution estimation was used, along with Generalised Linear Models for density estimation from explicit spatial capture-recapture data. Our results show that the distribution range is smaller and more highly fragmented than previously assumed. The overall estimated density was very low (0.069 ±0.0019 wildcats/km2) and the protected areas network seems to be insufficient to cover a significant part of the population or a viable nucleus in demographic terms. Indeed, the most important areas remain unprotected. Our main recommendations are to improve the protected area network and/or vigilance programs in hunting estates, in addition to studying and improving connectivity between the main population patches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose Miguel Barea-Azcón
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía), Gerencia de Granada, Edificio Zeus III, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Jaramillo
- Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua (Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible, Junta de Andalucía), Gerencia de Granada, Edificio Zeus III, Granada, Spain
| | | | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Department of Biology, Geology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Horcajada-Sánchez F, Escribano-Ávila G, Lara-Romero C, Virgós E, Barja I. The effect of livestock on the physiological condition of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is modulated by habitat quality. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15953. [PMID: 31685886 PMCID: PMC6828671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52290-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-range livestock grazing is a widespread human activity that not only modifies natural vegetation but also leads to interactions with wild ungulates. Most commonly, the interactions between cattle and wild ungulates have been studied with a focus on competition for high-quality forage. However, other mechanisms, such as the risk of parasite infection, might better describe this interaction. We aim to determine whether livestock affect roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) by reducing habitat quality and increasing the probability of infection by shared parasites. We measured noninvasive fecal cortisol metabolites as an indicator of habitat quality as well as the lung nematode larvae burden from the Dictyocaulus genus. A higher Dictyocaulus larvae load was found in the presence of livestock in pines, and feces collected in winter had a higher parasite load than feces collected in autumn. Additionally, fecal cortisol metabolite levels in the roe deer were affected by the interaction between habitat quality and livestock presence and were higher in the poorest habitat and when living in sympatry with cattle. Our results suggest that physiological stress responses in roe deer were mediated by the habitat type and the presence of competitors. The long-term implications of altered physiological responses such as those demonstrated here should be considered in management strategies for deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Horcajada-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación, Seguimiento y Evaluación, Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama, Ctra. M-604, km 28, 28740, Rascafría, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Marcelino Champagnat, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Lara-Romero
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Departamental 1, C/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Departamental 1, C/Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Unidad de Zoología, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. C/Darwin 2. Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, km 15, 28049, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Burgos T, Virgós E, Valero ES, Arenas-Rojas R, Rodríguez-Siles J, Recio MR. Prey density determines the faecal-marking behaviour of a solitary predator, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2018.1544594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Burgos
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles 28933, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles 28933, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emma S. Valero
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles 28933, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Arenas-Rojas
- LIFE Project “Conservation and Reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx in Andalusia”, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua de Andalucía, C/Pepe Espaliú 2, Córdoba 14008, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Siles
- Asociación de Estudio y Conservación de Fauna Harmusch, C/San Antón 15, 1º 13580 Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mariano R. Recio
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles 28933, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Cortázar-Chinarro M, Halvarsson P, Virgós E. Sign surveys for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) censuses: evaluating different sources of variation in scat detectability. MAMMAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-018-0404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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15
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Bandeira V, Virgós E, Azevedo A, Carvalho J, Cunha MV, Fonseca C. Sex and season explain spleen weight variation in the Egyptian mongoose. Curr Zool 2018; 65:11-20. [PMID: 30697234 PMCID: PMC6347055 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon Linnaeus, 1758) is a medium-sized carnivore that experienced remarkable geographic expansion over the last 3 decades in the Iberian Peninsula. In this study, we investigated the association of species-related and abiotic factors with spleen weight (as a proxy for immunocompetence) in the species. We assessed the relationship of body condition, sex, age, season, and environmental conditions with spleen weight established for 508 hunted specimens. Our results indicate that the effects of sex and season outweigh those of all other variables, including body condition. Spleen weight is higher in males than in females, and heavier spleens are more likely to be found in spring, coinciding with the highest period of investment in reproduction due to mating, gestation, birth, and lactation. Coupled with the absence of an effect of body condition, our findings suggest that spleen weight variation in this species is mostly influenced by life-history traits linked to reproduction, rather than overall energy availability, winter immunoenhancement, or energy partitioning effects, and prompt further research focusing on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Bandeira
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología, Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Área Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología (ESCET), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán, s/n, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alexandre Azevedo
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, Berlin, Germany.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.,Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica V Cunha
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), IP-National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão, Portugal.,cE3c-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,BioISI-Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
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16
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Iglesias-Merchan C, Horcajada-Sánchez F, Diaz-Balteiro L, Escribano-Ávila G, Lara-Romero C, Virgós E, Planillo A, Barja I. A new large-scale index (AcED) for assessing traffic noise disturbance on wildlife: stress response in a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) population. Environ Monit Assess 2018; 190:185. [PMID: 29500547 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise is a growing ubiquitous and pervasive pollutant as well as a recognised stressor that spreads throughout natural ecosystems. However, there is still an urgent need for the assessment of noise impact on natural ecosystems. This article presents a multidisciplinary study which made it possible to isolate noise due to road traffic to evaluate it as a major driver of detrimental effects on wildlife populations. A new indicator has been defined: AcED (the acoustic escape distance) and faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were extracted from roe deer faecal samples as a validated indicator of physiological stress in animals moving around in two low-traffic roads that cross a National Park in Spain. Two key findings turned out to be relevant in this study: (i) road identity (i.e. road type defined by traffic volume and average speed) and AcED were the variables that best explained the FCM values observed in roe deer, and (ii) FCM concentration was positively related to increasing traffic volume (road type) and AcED values. Our results suggest that FCM analysis and noise mapping have shown themselves to be useful tools in multidisciplinary approaches and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, our findings aroused the suspicion that low-traffic roads (< 1000 vehicles per day) could be capable of causing higher habitat degradation than has been deemed until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Iglesias-Merchan
- Research Group Economics for a Sustainable Environment, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- CENERIC Research Centre, Tres Cantos, Spain.
| | - Fernando Horcajada-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación, Seguimiento y Evaluación, Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama, Dirección General del Medio Ambiente, Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Diaz-Balteiro
- Research Group Economics for a Sustainable Environment, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Carlos Lara-Romero
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Aimara Planillo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Barja
- Unidad de Zoología, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Recio MR, Maloney RF, Mathieu R, Virgós E, Moore AB, Seddon PJ. Optimizing control programmes by integrating data from fine-scale space use by introduced predators. Biol Invasions 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-016-1274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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18
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Carreras-Duro J, Moleón M, Barea-Azcón JM, Ballesteros-Duperón E, Virgós E. Optimization of sampling effort in carnivore surveys based on signs: A regional-scale study in a Mediterranean area. Mamm Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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19
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Castellanos-Frías E, García-Perea R, Gisbert J, Bozinovic F, Virgós E. Intraspecific variation in the energetics of the Cabrera vole. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2015; 190:32-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Abstract
Urbanization causes wildlife habitat loss, fragmentation, and the replacement of specialist species by generalists and/or exotic taxa. Because mesocarnivores are particularly vulnerable to habitat modifications, the rapid expansion of urban areas and the increasing trend for ex-urban development occurring in Mediterranean ecosystems may be major drivers of change in mesocarnivore communities. We combined camera trapping and sign surveys to quantify the richness and relative abundance of a set of wild and domestic mesocarnivores. We quantified these variables controlling for the gradient of urbanism, ex-urbanism, and other environmental variables in patches of natural vegetation in the region of Madrid (central Spain), and a non-urbanized control area ~220 km south of Madrid city. Using conditional autoregressive models (CAR) and model selection procedures, we found that urbanization influenced mesocarnivore community composition but this influence was not detrimental for all the species tested. Generalist carnivores such as the red fox Vulpes vulpes were more abundant in urban and ex-urban areas. Ex-urban development creates overlapping areas between wild and domestic species (such as the domestic cat Felis catus and the wildcat Felis silvestris) but contact between wild and domestic carnivores in natural areas is unlikely. Detection of species in the control area was very low. Therefore, the impact of urbanization in causing changes in mesocarnivore communities may be less than other factors such as illegal predator culling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano R. Recio
- School of Surveying, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Carmen M. Arija
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, E-28933, Móstoles, Madrid. Spain. E-mail: , ,
| | - Sara Cabezas-Díaz
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, E-28933, Móstoles, Madrid. Spain. E-mail: , ,
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Escuela de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología. Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, E-28933, Móstoles, Madrid. Spain. E-mail: , ,
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Escribano-Avila G, Calviño-Cancela M, Pías B, Virgós E, Valladares F, Escudero A. Diverse guilds provide complementary dispersal services in a woodland expansion process after land abandonment. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gema Escribano-Avila
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; C/Tulipán s/n 28933 Móstoles Madrid Spain
| | - María Calviño-Cancela
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Edificio de Ciencias Experimentales; Facultad de Biología; Universidade de Vigo; Campus Lagoas Marcosende Vigo Spain
| | - Beatriz Pías
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal I; Universidad Complutense de Madrid; C/José Antonio Novais 2 Madrid Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; C/Tulipán s/n 28933 Móstoles Madrid Spain
| | - Fernando Valladares
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; C/Tulipán s/n 28933 Móstoles Madrid Spain
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales CSIC; C/Serrano 115 dpdo Madrid Spain
| | - Adrián Escudero
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación; Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; C/Tulipán s/n 28933 Móstoles Madrid Spain
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Ballesteros-Duperón E, Virgós E, Moleón M, Barea-Azcón JM, Gil-Sánchez JM. How accurate are coat traits for discriminating wild and hybrid forms of Felis silvestris? MAMMALIA 2014. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2013-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Escribano-Ávila G, Pías B, Sanz-Pérez V, Virgós E, Escudero A, Valladares F. Spanish juniper gain expansion opportunities by counting on a functionally diverse dispersal assemblage community. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:3751-63. [PMID: 24198937 PMCID: PMC3810872 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Seed dispersal is typically performed by a diverse array of species assemblages with different behavioral and morphological traits which determine dispersal quality (DQ, defined as the probability of recruitment of a dispersed seed). Fate of ecosystems to ongoing environmental changes is critically dependent on dispersal and mainly on DQ in novel scenarios. We assess here the DQ, thus the multiplicative effect of germination and survival probability to the first 3 years of life, for seeds dispersed by several bird species (Turdus spp.) and carnivores (Vulpes vulpes, Martes foina) in mature woodland remnants of Spanish juniper (Juniperus thurifera) and old fields which are being colonized by this species. Results showed that DQ was similar in mature woodlands and old fields. Germination rate for seeds dispersed by carnivores (11.5%) and thrushes (9.12%) was similar, however, interacted with microhabitat suitability. Seeds dispersed by carnivores reach the maximum germination rate on shrubs (16%), whereas seeds dispersed by thrushes did on female juniper canopies (15.5) indicating that each group of dispersers performed a directed dispersal. This directional effect was diluted when survival probability was considered: thrushes selected smaller seeds which had higher mortality in the seedling stage (70%) in relation to seedlings dispersed by carnivores (40%). Overall, thrushes resulted low-quality dispersers which provided a probability or recruitment of 2.5%, while a seed dispersed by carnivores had a probability of recruitment of 6.5%. Our findings show that generalist dispersers (i.e., carnivores) can provide a higher probability of recruitment than specialized dispersers (i.e., Turdus spp.). However, generalist species are usually opportunistic dispersers as their role as seed dispersers is dependent on the availability of trophic resources and species feeding preferences. As a result, J. thurifera dispersal community is composed by two functional groups of dispersers: specialized low-quality but trustworthy dispersers and generalist high-quality but opportunistic dispersers. The maintenance of both, generalist and specialist dispersers, in the dispersal assemblage community assures the dispersal services and increases the opportunities for regeneration and colonization of degraded areas under a land-use change scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Escribano-Ávila
- Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos C/Tulipán s/n Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
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Escribano-Avila G, Pettorelli N, Virgós E, Lara-Romero C, Lozano J, Barja I, Cuadra FS, Puerta M. Testing Cort-Fitness and Cort-Adaptation hypotheses in a habitat suitability gradient for roe deer. Acta Oecologica 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Lozano J, Virgós E, Cabezas-Díaz S. Monitoring European wildcat Felis silvestris populations using scat surveys in central Spain: are population trends related to wild rabbit dynamics or to landscape features? Zool Stud 2013. [DOI: 10.1186/1810-522x-52-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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26
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Lozano J, Casanovas JG, Virgós E, Zorrilla JM. The competitor release effect applied to carnivore species: how red foxes can increase in numbers when persecuted. Anim Biodiv Conserv 2013. [DOI: 10.32800/abc.2013.36.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The objective of our study was to numerically simulate the population dynamics of a hypothetical community of three species of small to medium–sized carnivores subjected to non–selective control within the context of the competitor release effect (CRE). We applied the CRE to three carnivore species, linking interspecific competition with predator control efforts. We predicted the population response of European badger, the red fox and the pine marten to this wildlife management tool by means of numerical simulations. The theoretical responses differed depending on the intrinsic rate of growth (r), although modulated by the competition coefficients. The red fox, showing the highest r value, can increase its populations despite predator control efforts if control intensity is moderate. Populations of the other two species, however, decreased with control efforts, even reaching extinction. Three additional theoretical predictions were obtained. The conclusions from the simulations were: 1) predator control can play a role in altering the carnivore communities; 2) red fox numbers can increase due to control; and 3) predator control programs should evaluate the potential of unintended effects on ecosystems.
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García-López de Hierro L, Moleón M, Lupiáñez DG, Virgós E, Jiménez R. Positive and negative unintended human-induced effects on Iberian mole abundance at the edge of its distribution area. Mamm Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Escribano-Avila G, Sanz-Pérez V, Pías B, Virgós E, Escudero A, Valladares F. Colonization of abandoned land by Juniperus thurifera is mediated by the interaction of a diverse dispersal assemblage and environmental heterogeneity. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46993. [PMID: 23071692 PMCID: PMC3468541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Land abandonment is one of the most powerful global change drivers in developed countries where recent rural exodus has been the norm. Abandonment of traditional land use practices has permitted the colonization of these areas by shrub and tree species. For fleshy fruited species the colonization of new areas is determined by the dispersal assemblage composition and abundance. In this study we showed how the relative contribution to the dispersal process by each animal species is modulated by the environmental heterogeneity and ecosystem structure. This complex interaction caused differential patterns on the seed dispersal in both, landscape patches in which the process of colonization is acting nowadays and mature woodlands of Juniperus thurifera, a relict tree distributed in the western Mediterranean Basin. Thrushes (Turdus spp) and carnivores (red fox and stone marten) dispersed a high amount of seeds while rabbits and sheeps only a tiny fraction. Thrushes dispersed a significant amount of seeds in new colonization areas, however they were limited by the presence of high perches with big crop size. While carnivores dispersed seeds to all studied habitats, even in those patches where no trees of J. thurifera were present, turning out to be critical for primary colonization. The presence of Pinus and Quercus was related to a reduced consumption of J. thurifera seeds while the presence of fleshy fruited shrubs was related with higher content of J. thurifera seeds in dispersers' faeces. Therefore environmental heterogeneity and ecosystem structure had a great influence on dispersers feeding behaviour, and should be considered in order to accurately describe the role of seed dispersal in ecological process, such as regeneration and colonization. J. thurifera expansion is not seed limited thanks to its diverse dispersal community, hence the conservation of all dispersers in an ecosystem enhance ecosystems services and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gema Escribano-Avila
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain.
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Barja I, Escribano-Ávila G, Lara-Romero C, Virgós E, Benito J, Rafart E. Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in European badgers (Meles meles) and effects of sample collection and storage on faecal cortisol metabolite concentrations. ANIM BIOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1163/157075612x642914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to the increasing demand for methods to quantify adrenal activity in response to stressors in wild animals, we evaluated whether stimulation with adrenocorticopic hormone (ACTH) increases faecal cortisol metabolite levels in European badgers. We also conducted several experiments to evaluate the effect of storage time and collection methods on cortisol metabolite levels of faecal samples. Faecal samples were collected from five captive European badgers (Meles meles) and cortisol metabolites were quantified by an enzyme immunoassay. Faecal cortisol metabolite levels increased 1-2 days after ACTH injection and dropped to pre-treatment levels 3 days after ACTH stimulation. We found that cortisol metabolite levels were not affected by the 8-hour time lapse from collection in the field until freezing of faecal samples, environmental exposure (temperature 25.66 ± 2.55°C; range 21.20-32.20) or mean relative humidity 62.77 ± 9.90% (range 42.00-79.00). Cortisol metabolites were not homogenously distributed in the scats. Cortisol metabolite levels were significantly lower when faecal extracts and samples were frozen for long periods of time (14 weeks or more). Thus, the measurement of faecal cortisol metabolites is a suitable method for the non-invasive evaluation of adrenocortical activity in European badgers. However, some aspects related to the collection and storage of faecal samples should be considered in future studies conducted with this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Barja
- 1Unidad de Zoología, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, c/ Darwin 2, Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Escribano-Ávila
- 2Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Lara-Romero
- 2Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- 2Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Benito
- 3Comparative Pain Research Laboratory, Dept. of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU), 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Elena Rafart
- 4Departament de Biologia Animal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Moleón M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Gil-Sánchez JM, Ballesteros-Duperón E, Barea-Azcón JM, Virgós E. Predator-prey relationships in a Mediterranean vertebrate system: Bonelli's eagles, rabbits and partridges. Oecologia 2011; 168:679-89. [PMID: 21947548 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2134-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
How predators impact on prey population dynamics is still an unsolved issue for most wild predator-prey communities. When considering vertebrates, important concerns constrain a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of predator-prey relationships worldwide; e.g. studies simultaneously quantifying 'functional' and 'numerical responses' (i.e., the 'total response') are rare. The functional, the numerical, and the resulting total response (i.e., how the predator per capita intake, the population of predators and the total of prey eaten by the total predators vary with prey densities) are fundamental as they reveal the predator's ability to regulate prey population dynamics. Here, we used a multi-spatio-temporal scale approach to simultaneously explore the functional and numerical responses of a territorial predator (Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus) to its two main prey species (the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and the red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa) during the breeding period in a Mediterranean system of south Spain. Bonelli's eagle responded functionally, but not numerically, to rabbit/partridge density changes. Type II, non-regulatory, functional responses (typical of specialist predators) offered the best fitting models for both prey. In the absence of a numerical response, Bonelli's eagle role as a regulating factor of rabbit and partridge populations seems to be weak in our study area. Simple (prey density-dependent) functional response models may well describe the short-term variation in a territorial predator's consumption rate in complex ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Moleón
- Empresa de Gestión Medioambiental-Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Granada, Spain.
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Moleón M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Gil-Sánchez JM, Barea-Azcón JM, Ballesteros-Duperón E, Virgós E. Laying the foundations for a human-predator conflict solution: assessing the impact of Bonelli's eagle on rabbits and partridges. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22851. [PMID: 21818399 PMCID: PMC3144957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Predation may potentially lead to negative effects on both prey (directly via predators) and predators (indirectly via human persecution). Predation pressure studies are, therefore, of major interest in the fields of theoretical knowledge and conservation of prey or predator species, with wide ramifications and profound implications in human-wildlife conflicts. However, detailed works on this issue in highly valuable –in conservation terms– Mediterranean ecosystems are virtually absent. This paper explores the predator-hunting conflict by examining a paradigmatic, Mediterranean-wide (endangered) predator-two prey (small game) system. Methodology/Principal Findings We estimated the predation impact (‘kill rate’ and ‘predation rate’, i.e., number of prey and proportion of the prey population eaten, respectively) of Bonelli's eagle Aquila fasciata on rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa populations in two seasons (the eagle's breeding and non-breeding periods, 100 days each) in SE Spain. The mean estimated kill rate by the seven eagle reproductive units in the study area was c. 304 rabbits and c. 262 partridges in the breeding season, and c. 237 rabbits and c. 121 partridges in the non-breeding period. This resulted in very low predation rates (range: 0.3–2.5%) for both prey and seasons. Conclusions/Significance The potential role of Bonelli's eagles as a limiting factor for rabbits and partridges at the population scale was very poor. The conflict between game profitability and conservation interest of either prey or predators is apparently very localised, and eagles, quarry species and game interests seem compatible in most of the study area. Currently, both the persecution and negative perception of Bonelli's eagle (the ‘partridge-eating eagle’ in Spanish) have a null theoretical basis in most of this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Moleón
- Empresa de Gestión Medioambiental-Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Granada, Spain.
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Virgós E, Lozano J, Cabezas-Díaz S, Mangas JG. The presence of a “competitor pit effect” compromises wild rabbit (Orcytolagus cuniculus) conservation. ANIM BIOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1163/157075511x584254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractWild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations have suffered a dramatic reduction over the last 30 years in Spain. Rabbit decline has been recurrently associated with several epizootics and habitat changes. The role of interspecific competition has been usually neglected. This study analyzes the effects of habitat suitability and wild boar (Sus scrofa) occurrence, a hypothetical predator and competitor species, on a small and isolated population of rabbits. To test this effect we used a GLM with the abundance of rabbits as response variable and wild boar occurrence as predictor. To avoid habitat confounding effects we included vegetation structure variables and elevation summarized in PCA factors. Rabbits showed a very restricted and aggregated distribution and a very low abundance across the study area. In contrast, wild boar was present in all sampled plots but one and showed moderatehigh abundance. The three best models included both wild boar occurrence and principal component factor 2. Rabbits were located in opened Mediterranean areas where trees were small and scarce, rock cover was low and wild boar occurrence was also low. Nowadays wild boar populations are not directly controlled in private lands and its hunting is forbidden in National Parks in Spain. Waiting for further research to evaluate the threshold of rabbit densities below which competitors and/or predators may prevent the recovery of rabbit populations, control of wild boars may be useful as a short-term strategy to recover small rabbit populations whenever it is linked to habitat improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Virgós
- 2ESCET, Departmento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Lozano
- 4ESCET, Departmento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Cabezas-Díaz
- 1ESCET, Departmento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain;,
| | - Julián G. Mangas
- 3ESCET, Departmento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/ Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
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Barea-Azcón JM, Ballesteros-Duperón E, Gil-Sánchez JM, Virgós E. Badger Meles meles feeding ecology in dry Mediterranean environments of the southwest edge of its distribution range. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.4098/j.at.0001-7051.048.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Cabezas-Díaz S, Virgós E, Lozano J, Mangas J. Spatial distribution models in a frugivorous carnivore, the stone marten (Martes foina): is the fleshy-fruit availability a useful predictor? ANIM BIOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1163/157075610x523297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFleshy-fruit availability is rarely used as a predictor in stone marten (Martes foina) habitat models, despite its frugivorous carnivore diet. Data on stone marten occurrence, habitat structure and fleshy-fruit species abundance was collected along 2 km long survey routes within 2 × 2 km sample plots (n = 30). Two different spatial scales were considered: 1) the entire survey route; and 2) 200 m segments within each 2 km survey route. Data analyses included Poisson General Linear Models (GLM) and Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) for the first and second approaches, respectively.Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) availability was significantly and positively correlated to stone marten occurrence at both spatial scales, particularly for the large-scale model. At the larger scale, a lower correlation to the traditional habitat structure variables was observed. Tree cover was the most important variable in the small-scale model, but strawberry tree availability was also an important predictor. Stone marten abundance was low in areas of high tree cover and absence of strawberry trees; emphasising the prominent role of strawberry trees per se in the abundance of stone martens. Our results indicated that including fine, field-derived estimates of key food resources for species can increase the utility of habitat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cabezas-Díaz
- 1Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles (Madrid), Spain
| | - Emilio Virgós
- 2Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles (Madrid), Spain
| | - Jorge Lozano
- 3Departamento de Biología, Unidad de Zoología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, c/Darwin 2, Edificio Biología, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Mangas
- 4Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, c/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Móstoles (Madrid), Spain
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Recio MR, Virgós E. Predictive niche modelling to identify potential areas of conflicts between human activities and expanding predator populations: a case study of game management and the grey mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, in Spain. Wildl Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/wr09096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context. The grey mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon L., is a protected species in Spain. Populations of grey mongoose are currently increasing in numbers, and potential conflicts with human interests involving predation of small-game species, may arise in the near future.
Aims. We predicted potential suitable areas for the expansion of grey mongoose by using a niche modelling approach to detect areas of conflict with small-game hunting activities.
Methods. We compared these areas with regions in which small-game hunting is an important economic activity. To produce a niche-suitability map we used Maxent and an internal (data-splitting) validation to assess the predictive performance of the model. Areas in which small-game hunting is important were identified by using a rabbit-abundance index.
Key results. On the basis of suitability modelling, populations of grey mongoose will expand into southern and central Spain. The variables with higher predictive power are mainly climatic, although some mosaic habitat types are also important. Internal validation reveals a strong correspondence between predicted and observed records. The overlap of high-suitability areas with areas assigned with a high rabbit-abundance index indicated the existence of large regions of potential conflict with hunting interests.
Conclusions. Predictions of niche modelling can be used to detect conflict areas between expanding species and human interests. As a consequence of the expansion of the grey mongoose, the incidence of non-selective predator control may increase, thereby posing a threat to other protected predators.
Implications. Identified areas of likely conflict should be prioritised to delineate careful management programs in terms of people education, surveying, incentives and the detection of illegal predator-control activities.
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Lara C, Barja I, Virgós E, Escribano G. Evaluating adrenal activity and effects related with the collection and conservation of faecal samples to understand the physiological stress responses of wild European badgers. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.04.536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Virgós E, Gema E, Lara C, Barja I. Is density a good measure of habitat quality? A macrophysiological test with Eurasian badgers in Spain. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.04.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Blanco-Aguiar JA, González-Jara P, Ferrero ME, Sánchez-Barbudo I, Virgós E, Villafuerte R, Dávila JA. Assessment of game restocking contributions to anthropogenic hybridization: the case of the Iberian red-legged partridge. Anim Conserv 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2008.00212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Barrientos R, Virgós E. Reduction of potential food interference in two sympatric carnivores by sequential use of shared resources. Acta Oecologica 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2006.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Abstract
We examined the effect of two kinds of barriers on an expanding gray wolf, Canis lupus L., 1758, population in an agricultural habitat in north-central Spain. The barriers were (i) a four-lane fenced highway along a flat area without wildlife-crossing facilities, and (ii) the River Duero Artery (RDA), comprising the river itself (50–100 m wide) and several small infrastructures along it. From March 1997 to October 2001, all 4 radio-collared wolves living <15 km from the highway (1 adult territorial male, 1 territorial breeder female, 1 dispersing male, and 1 female in 3 periods of her life (territorial immature, disperser, and territorial breeder) crossed it on between 4% and 33% of 45–163 monitoring days via vehicle bridges. Moreover, 4 more highways that we monitored in areas without radio-collared wolves have not delayed expansion of the increasing wolf population, suggesting that these highways are not an important barrier for wolves in our study area. In contrast, only 3 of 8 wolves radio-collared <5 km from the RDA were detected crossing it, and 2 of those 3 started to cross it only after severe habitat disturbance; in addition, the RDA seems to have delayed wolf expansion for some 15 years, which suggests that it is a semipermeable barrier for wolves. We discuss the likely consequences of the RDA on the recovery of the Iberian wolf population.
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Calvete C, Blanco-Aguiar JA, Virgós E, Cabezas-Díaz S, Villafuerte R. Spatial variation in helminth community structure in the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufaL.): effects of definitive host density. Parasitology 2004; 129:101-13. [PMID: 15267117 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182004005165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Parasite community ecology has recently focused on understanding the forces structuring these communities. There are few surveys, however, designed to study the spatial repeatability and predictability of parasite communities at the local scale in one host. The purpose of our study was to address the relationship between infracommunity and component community richness, and to describe spatial variations on the local scale, of helminth parasite communities in an avian host, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We sampled 235 wild partridges from 8 separate localities, with different partridge population densities, in the Ciudad Real and Toledo provinces of central Spain, and we determined their overall and intestinal helminth species. We found that habitat variables (mean temperature and land use) were not significantly associated with any component community. The partridge population abundance index was directly correlated with the prevalence and mean intensity of infection but not with component community species richness. There was a curvilinear relationship between infracommunity and component community species richness, as well as negative interspecific associations, for the helminth species assemblage parasitizing the intestine. A nestedness/anti-nestedness pattern, considered as part of a continuum, was associated with prevalence, mean intensity and partridge population abundance index, but not with component community richness. Increases in the partridge population abundance index and the prevalence and mean intensity of infection were associated with increases in helminth community nestedness. Although negative interactions between helminth species could not be ruled out as forces structuring helminth communities, our results suggest that parasite community structure in the red-legged partridge was primarily determined by the extrinsic influence of parasite habitat heterogeneity and its amplification of the differing probabilities of colonization of parasite species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Calvete
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), P.O. Box 535, E-13080 Ciudad Real, Spain
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Virgós E, Mangas JG, Blanco-Aguiar JA, Garrote G, Almagro N, Viso RP. Food habits of European badgers (Meles meles) along an altitudinal gradient of Mediterranean environments: a field test of the earthworm specialization hypothesis. CAN J ZOOL 2004. [DOI: 10.1139/z03-205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Food specialization by European badgers (Meles meles) is a largely debated controversy. Data from Mediterranean areas indicate small importance of earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) in badger diet and support the idea that badgers are generalist predators. Nevertheless, only dry areas have been sampled so far. We studied badger diet in six areas along an elevation gradient with different rainfall and habitat conditions, which influenced earthworm availability. We evaluated the influence of earthworm availability on badger diet along this environmental gradient. Badgers used a wide range of prey items in the different habitats and seasons sampled. In contrast with other Mediterranean studies, earthworms made an important contribution to badger diet (27% of estimated volume). Earthworm occurrence in the diet was high in elevated and wet habitats and in spring and autumn–winter. Earthworm consumption was nonlinearly related to availability, indicating high intake compared with availability in wet areas. Moreover, in summer, availability was virtually zero in all habitats, whereas consumption averaged 15% volume of the diet. We tentatively suggest that badgers compensate for variations in earthworm availability by changing their foraging tactics. This suggests that badgers could be viewed as specialist foragers for earthworms in some Mediterranean environments.
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Tellería JL, Virgós E, Carbonell R, Pérez-Tris J, Santos T. Behavioural responses to changing landscapes: flock structure and anti-predator strategies of tits wintering in fragmented forests. OIKOS 2003. [DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2001.950207.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Virgós E, García FJ. Patch occupancy by stone martens Martes foina in fragmented landscapes of central Spain: the role of fragment size, isolation and habitat structure. Acta Oecologica 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s1146-609x(02)01142-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
This paper is an analysis of the effects of forest fragmentation on wild boar (Sus scrofa) occurrence in coarse-grained fragmented landscapes (<20% forestscrubland cover on a landscape scale; N = 140 forest fragments, four regions) in central Spain. Occurrence was examined in relation to forest size, isolation, habitat quality, and region. Wild boar occurrence was mainly explained by the location of the forest fragments on the northern or southern plateau. Wild boars were more abundant on the northern plateau than on the southern plateau. In addition, wild boars are more frequent in large forest fragments adjacent to other large forests near mountains or riparian woodlands. The percent presence of wild boars in fragments varied among the four regions sampled (regional effect). Although wild boars occurred more frequently in large than in small forests, this pattern was less pronounced than that found in badgers (Meles meles), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and stone martens (Martes foina) and similar to that found in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The spatial distribution of wild boars may be affected by forest fragmentation despite their typical generalist life-history traits and potential use of agricultural areas as food habitats. These results support the idea that landscape pattern (degree of fragmentation and grain pattern) may be a determinant of species' abundance and distribution in fragmented landscapes.
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Virgós E, Romero T, Mangas JG. Factors determining "gaps" in the distribution of a small carnivore, the common genet (Genetta genetta), in central Spain. CAN J ZOOL 2001. [DOI: 10.1139/z01-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We studied the pattern of distribution of the common genet (Genetta genetta) in areas in mountains and plains of central Spain, in the middle of the range of the species. We evaluated the role of temperature, rainfall, and habitat features in determining the ecological limits of genet distribution. Genets were very scarce on plateaux and the upper parts of the mountains, but were widely distributed in lower mountain areas. Genets were present in areas with abundant shrub cover, high mean of the mean minimum temperature and high mean of mean winter temperatures. Survey routes at the same altitude (<1000 m) in the mountains (genets abundant) and on the plateaux (genets very scarce) also differed in some of these variables, with low values on the plateaux for shrub cover, mean of the mean minimum temperatures, mean of the mean winter temperatures, and annual rainfall. Genets originated in Africa, therefore they are probably ill-adapted (morphologically and physiologically) for the cold conditions predominating in most of central Spain. Their preference for shrubby habitats may be linked to a greater availability of food and low risk of predation. Intermediate levels of rainfall may be correlated with higher temperatures, the key factor hypothesized to affect the distribution of this species. The distribution of the common genet fits a multimodal model, with peaks (presence) and valleys (absence) in the middle of its range, indicating that location in a particular part of the range is not a prior indicator of habitat suitability for the species.
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Virgós E, Romero T, Mangas JG. Factors determining "gaps" in the distribution of a small carnivore, the common genet ( Genetta genetta), in central Spain. CAN J ZOOL 2001. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-79-9-1544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
This study analyzes the role of summer habitat selection in determining the distribution of a population of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in central Spain, where surplus individuals have emigrated from mountains to the surrounding plateaus during the last decade. The species was more abundant in the mesic mountain forests (Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica)) than in the xeric, sclerophyllous holm oak (Quercus ilex) forests of surrounding plateaus. Roe deer prefer patches occupied by brambles (Rubus spp.) and rose bushes (Rosa spp.) and patches with higher cover on pastures and moors (Erica spp. and Calluna spp.). These vegetation types are linked to moist soils in the Mediterranean zone, indicating that roe deer prefer the moister, more productive patches. Roe deer actively selected productive patches covered by leguminous shrubs (Sarothamnus, Retama) and rejected poor patches covered by Cistus ladanifer and Cistus laurifolius (two shrubs that produce chemicals toxic to other plants). Low summer primary productivity of xeric, sclerophyllous forests can explain the low abundance of roe deer in these forests. This supports the view that habitat constraints limit numbers and distribution of this Palaearctic species at the southern edge of its range.
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