Invasion of farmland hedgerows by non-native small mammals is associated with lower soil surface invertebrate diversity, abundance, body size and biomass

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 671 - 684

Published: Nov. 21, 2023

Abstract Small mammals in farmland hedgerows feed on soil surface invertebrates with non-native invasive species potentially affecting prey and populations. We investigated terrestrial using pitfall traps leaf litter samples across four zones of invasion Ireland: (1) native only (wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus pygmy shrew Sorex minutus ), (2) natives plus the bank vole ( Myodes glareolus (3) greater white-toothed Crocidura russula ) (4) both. After accounting for regional local environmental variation, small mammal was associated lower invertebrate richness (9–39% than uninvaded zones), reduced abundance (18–56% lower), shorter arthropod body length (24–52% shorter) biomass (63–89% lower). Negative effects were observed a wide range disparate functional groups spanning phytophagous, detritivorus, zoophagous omnivorous taxa including: Staphylinidae, Carabidae Coleoptera larvae, Isopoda, Diplopoda, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Pulmonata Acari. The had negative presence both having either alone though majority their combined largely attributable to former. may mitigate some perhaps indicating form trophic interaction. Predation detritivores large predators impact ecosystem service delivery i.e. nutrient cycling pest biocontrol. Hedgerow biodiversity loss induce indirect cascades negatively impacting other including birds.

Language: Английский

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Future Range Dynamics Suggest Increasing Threats of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) against Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Europe: A Perspective on Climatic Suitability

Forests, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(6), P. 1150 - 1150

Published: June 2, 2023

Interactions between the introduced gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and native red (S. vulgaris) play an important role in ecological equilibrium of European forest ecosystems. However, range dynamics grey under future climate change scenarios remain unknown. The present study examined squirrels Europe their overlap now based on change. Under most optimistic scenario (SSP126), expansion squirrel’s was mainly predicted Germany, France, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria. pessimistic (SSP585), vast scattered regions. Additionally, Italy, Germany were overlapping ranges for SSP126 but not current conditions, suggesting that there will be new regions where may threaten SSP126. overlaps SSP585 conditions scattered, displace SSP585. Despite considerable variation, we detected expansions increase future. Therefore, our prediction suggests increasing threats toward change, which impact

Language: Английский

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Farther inland invasion of Finlayson’s squirrel <i>Callosciurus finlaysonii</i> (Horsfield 1823) poses a new conservation challenge for the endemic near threatened Calabrian black squirrel <i>Sciurus meridionalis</i> Lucifero 1907 (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Natural History Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 27, 2024

Understanding both native and non-native species ecology, including their distribution interaction, is crucial for making informed decisions on conservation management strategies, particularly endemic threatened species. In this study, we report an update the Finlayson’s squirrel Callosciurus finlaysonii invasion of southernmost Campania (Italy), where rapidly expanding its range towards inland areas. Our observational data confirmed pattern squirrel, extending presence ten kilometres furtherly than what it was reported before. Here, also collected first evidence black morph squirrels’ occurrence potentially attributable to Calabrian Sciurus meridionalis, a near little studied tree southern Italy. As habitat good quality, area potential new represents ecological corridor possibly enhancing individual dispersal from neighbouring region into suitable However, due two likely became sympatric here, with squirrels suffering competing effect alien We highlighted importance in-depth studies, genetic surveys, better understand ecology outside historical range, plan effective control actions prevent further expansion squirrels.

Language: Английский

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Genomic insights into red squirrels in Scotland reveals loss of heterozygosity associated with extreme founder effects

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: July 13, 2024

Abstract Remnant populations of endangered species often have complex demographic histories associated with human impact. This can present challenges for conservation as the genetic status these are a-typical natural populations, and may require bespoke management. The Eurasian red squirrel, Sciurus vulgari s (L., 1758), is in UK. Scotland represents a key stronghold, but Scottish been subjected to intense anthropogenic influence, including wide-spread extirpations, reintroductions competition from an invasive species. study examined legacy events through whole genome resequencing 106 squirrels. Using SNP genotype likelihood datasets, previously undetected population structure patterns gene-flow were uncovered. One off-shore island, three mainland east-coast migration corridor observed. An abrupt historical bottleneck related extreme founder effects has led severe prolonged depression genome-wide heterozygosity, which amongst lowest reported any Current designated squirrel stronghold locations do not encompass all existing diversity. These findings highlight legacies past influence on long-term diversity taxa. Continuing management interventions regular monitoring recommended safeguard improve future

Language: Английский

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Patterns in tree squirrel co-occurrence vary with responses to local land cover in US cities

Urban Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(6), P. 2121 - 2133

Published: July 18, 2024

Language: Английский

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Finite element analysis of feeding in red and gray squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris and Sciurus carolinensis)

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Aug. 21, 2024

Abstract Invasive gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) have replaced the native red squirrel vulgaris across much of Great Britain over last century. Several factors been proposed to underlie this replacement, but here we investigated potential for dietary competition in which better feeding performance than reds and are thus able extract nutrition from food more efficiently. In scenario, hypothesized that would show higher stress, strain, deformation skull squirrels. To test our hypotheses, created finite element models a loaded them simulate biting at incisor, two different gapes, molar. The results showed similar distributions strains von Mises stresses species, stress strain magnitudes squirrel, especially during molar biting. Few differences were seen or between incisor gapes. A geometric morphometric analysis greater deformations all bites These consistent with hypothesis indicate increased biomechanical squirrels, allowing access process items efficiently

Language: Английский

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Sciurus vulgaris fuscoater wiewiórka pospolita. Gryzoń znany, a zadziwiający

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

Literature review publication with a subjective choice of topics. Subsections discussing the origins and phylogenetic analysis family Sciuridae, including oldest found species squirrel, history systematics Sciuridae family, fossil skeleton flying squirrel. The focus is on Central European red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris fuscoater) Sciurus subspecies their systematics. There are ecology, anatomy descriptions. Interactions an invasive grey carolinensis), dependence between these two species, differences memory; impact forest ecosystem population in Europe by transmission pathogens. Results latest research expansion gray Europe. Risk factors relating to contact S. as well natural enemies mentioned. describes Siberian (Pteromys volans), adoption squirrels example American (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). second part popular science nature intended for younger readers, where young me, Also, there descriptions chosen features necrophilic necrophagic insects. I also mention my scientific interests bioarchaeology biological anthropology, which contributed anatomy. original experimental included. skeletal described detail, photographic documentation arrangement male fuscoater anatomical position. My meticulously made illustrations depicting members selected squirrels, necrophagous insects provide insight into this its characteristic traits.

Language: Английский

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Dynamics of distribution of introduced mammals in Ukraine and factors influencing them

Biosystems Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 32(4)

Published: Dec. 5, 2024

This article considers changes in the composition of fauna and abundance alien mammals from group introduced species over past two decades, which Ukraine are marked by powerful processes. These distinct processes climate warming shortening winters, on one hand, large-scale war waged Russia against territory Ukraine, other. Such natural environment lead to significant shifts boundaries zones and, accordingly, living conditions all species, not only local biota but also aliens. Among latter, a special is made up as those that appeared result dispersal context global change, due various types introductions. them three superorder Rodentia ( Oryctolagus cuniculus , Ondatra zibethicus Myocastor coypus ), Carnivora Nyctereutes procyonoides Neogale vison Procyon lotor five Ungulata Cervus nippon Dama dama Ovis gmelini Equus hemionus ferus ). The following factors contributed success introductions: 1) captivity with possibility escape, 2) destruction kinds nurseries (during war), 3) reduction native 4) increase share degraded habitats, 5) forms nature use population regulation. successful introductions analysed terms habitat structure guilds integrated. It shown confined eutrophic habitats occupying ‘windows’ or marginal places guild successful. Most carried out have resulted formation populations mainly semi-aquatic mammals: rodents O. partially M. ) carnivores N. Terrestrial did show expansion naturalisation, exception sika deer. number some C. occurred simultaneously decrease their competitors Arvicola amphibius elaphus Mustela lutreola most problematic was entry into mustelid guild. appearance has led extinction part ecologically similar total these groups animals become almost equal. Hunting means regulating proved be ineffective, volume hunting 1–2 orders magnitude lower than annual growth indicates vulnerable hunters.

Language: Английский

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