The effect of landscape structure on dispersal distances of the Eurasian red squirrel

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 9(3), P. 1173 - 1181

Published: Jan. 4, 2019

Landscape structure can affect dispersal and gene flow in a species. In urban areas, buildings, roads, small habitat patches make the landscape highly fragmented inhibit movement behavior. Similarly, rural forested large open such as fields, may act barriers to movement. We studied how affects natal distances of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) an area Finland, by monitoring juvenile with radio telemetry. observed extremely long distances-up 16 km-in study area, but shorter distances-on average only half kilometer-in area. The affected eventual paths; landscape, dispersers favored spruce dominated areas avoided fields along their route, although they occasionally even crossed wide fields. preferred deciduous or coniferous trees. steps made were longer more hostile compared areas. Despite these effects on path, had minor effect straight line moved from nest. other words, individuals likely circumvent this did not far settled home. This result indicates that, has obvious movement, it still have aspects population, for example, flow.

Language: Английский

---

Shades of grey: host phenotype dependent effect of urbanization on the bacterial microbiome of a wild mammal

Animal Microbiome, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: July 5, 2021

Abstract Background Host-associated microbiota are integral to the ecology of their host and may help wildlife species cope with rapid environmental change. Urbanization is a globally replicated form severe change which we can leverage better understand microbiomes. Does colonization separate cities result in parallel changes intestinal microbiome wildlife, if so, does within-city habitat heterogeneity matter? Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, quantified effect urbanization (across three cities) on eastern grey squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ). Grey ubiquitous rural urban environments throughout native range, across they display an apparent coat colour polymorphism (agouti, black, intermediate). Results squirrel microbiomes differed between city environments; however, comparable variation was explained by within cities. Our analyses suggest that operational taxonomic unit (OTU) community structure more strongly influenced local conditions (rural forests versus human built habitats) than broader landscape (city rural). The bacterial genera characterizing built-environment thought specialize host-derived products have been linked previous research low fibre diets. However, despite at fine spatial scales, phylogenetic patterns were phenotype dependent. City agouti displayed greater beta-dispersion those or forest environments, null modelling results indicated did not differ greatly from stochastic expectations. Conclusions Squirrel but differences magnitude observed land classes scale. We observe strong evidence inter-environmental disparate selective pressures. Rather, our dispersal ecological drift shaping observed. these processes partly mediated phenotype. Given well-known cline melanism, provide useful free-living system study how genetics mediate environment x interactions.

Language: Английский

---

Body Condition and Breeding of Urban Red Squirrels: Comparison of Two Populations Affected by Different Levels of Urbanization

Animals, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(23), P. 3246 - 3246

Published: Nov. 23, 2022

The red squirrel is among the mammals that have adjusted well to urban habitats. Here, we focused on two populations inhabiting Warsaw: in a park (with year-round supplemental feeding) and an forest. We hypothesised squirrels would higher body mass (and better condition), being more stable over year, breeding rate (i.e., share of females). Contrary our hypothesis, forest were heavier had condition than squirrels. masses from both areas quite highest values obtained spring). Females conditions likely breed. More females sub-adults trapped park. Regardless study site, was spring, but they also bred winter remaining seasons. lower mass/condition may be possibly explained by high intraspecific competition, or food thermal as typical for city) conditions, which accumulating fat not crucial. Mild enabled breed early. This showed plasticity living human-transformed

Language: Английский

---

Herring gull aversion to gaze in urban and rural human settlements

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 168, P. 83 - 88

Published: Sept. 4, 2020

Language: Английский

---

Genetic Adaptation in New York City Rats

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Nov. 18, 2020

Abstract Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) thrive in urban environments by navigating the anthropocentric environment and taking advantage of human resources by-products. From perspective, are a chronic problem that causes billions dollars damage to agriculture, health, infrastructure. Did genetic adaptation play role spread cities? To approach this question, we collected whole-genome sequences from 29 brown New York City (NYC) scanned for signatures adaptation. We tested 1) high-frequency, extended haplotypes could indicate selective sweeps 2) loci extreme differentiation between NYC sample presumed ancestral range northeast China. found candidate near or inside genes associated with metabolism, diet, nervous system, locomotory behavior. Patterns Chinese at putative sweep suggest many began after split population. Together, our results several hypotheses on living proximity humans.

Language: Английский

---