A systematic review into the suitability of urban refugia for the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris

Mammal Review, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 52(1), С. 26 - 38

Опубликована: Июль 11, 2021

Abstract Urban growth and intensification are projected to increase as the global human population increases. Historically, urban areas have been disregarded suitable wildlife habitat, but it is now known that these can be biodiverse species adapt environmental conditions. One such urban‐dwelling Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris , which has suffered declines in several countries throughout its range recent decades. The current published literature was systematically reviewed determine whether or not habitats refugia for squirrels, through identifying discussing key topics regarding ecology of squirrels. environments support higher densities squirrels than rural areas, probably due widespread reliable provision anthropogenic supplemental food alongside natural sources. availability quality greenspaces important determinants suitability they provide sources nesting sites. Despite barriers present landscapes (e.g. roads), still disperse maintain gene flow at level. Road traffic accidents appear a significant cause mortality some populations, seasonal peaks occur during autumn months. Diseases squirrelpox virus) also mortality, although effects differ between populations depend on grey carolinensis present. Many predation events affect free‐ranging domestic feral cats Felis catus there currently little evidence suggest limiting factor populations. We conclude provided high‐quality maintained. Mitigation measures may necessary reduce prevent disease outbreaks.

Язык: Английский

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Albatrosses develop attraction to fishing vessels during immaturity but avoid them at old age

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 290(1990)

Опубликована: Янв. 4, 2023

Animals have to develop novel behaviours adapt anthropogenic activities or environmental changes. Fishing vessels constitute a recent feature that attracts albatrosses in large numbers. While they provide valuable food source through offal and bait, cause mortalities bycatch, such selection on vessel attraction will depend the cost–benefit balance. We examine whether fishing other changes lifetime of great albatrosses, show differed between age classes, sexes personality. Juveniles encountered fewer than adults, but also showed lower when encountered. Attraction rates, especially for vessels, increased immaturity peak during adulthood, decreasing with old age. Shy females had shy males remained at longer, suggesting bolder individuals may outcompete shyer ones, positive consequences mass gain. These results suggest is learned process, leading an increase age, not result preferential new objects by juveniles. Overall, our findings important conservation implications as potential strong differential risk bycatch personality types, populations species.

Язык: Английский

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Habitat structural complexity predicts cognitive performance and behaviour in western mosquitofish

Biology Letters, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 20(7)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2024

Urban stream syndrome alters habitat complexity. We define complexity as the degree of variation in physical structure, with increasing equating to higher Habitat affects species composition and shapes animal ecology, physiology, behaviour cognition. used a delayed detour test measure whether cognitive processes (motor self-regulation) (risk-taking) female Western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, varied structural (low, moderate high) that was quantified visually for nine populations. predicted motor self-regulation risk-taking would increase complexity, yet we found support opposite. Lower habitats offer less refuge potentially leading predation pressure selecting greater by fish self-regulation. Our findings provide insight into how can shape offers broader understanding why some may tolerate conditions urbanized environments.

Язык: Английский

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Does city life reduce neophobia? A study on wild black-capped chickadees.

Behavioral Ecology, Год журнала: 2019, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Авг. 29, 2019

Abstract As human populations increase and city borders grow, many animals have to modify foraging behaviors in order exploit evolutionarily novel urban food sources that could aid their survival. Neophobia, the fear of novelty, can lead missed opportunities these cases. Here, we studied novelty response wild ecologically relevant conditions while controlling for individual characteristics potential differences group size. We predicted black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) would be more likely initially contact than rural subordinates juveniles first dominants adults, respectively. ran replicated experiments using three types (object, color, or food) on six sites, during which registered feeder choice 71 tagged individuals. found showed less neophobia counterparts, latter having a higher probability contacting familiar before approaching feeder. There was no significant effect an individual’s dominance, age, sex its feeder, nor there any type. Overall, our results suggest exhibit counterparts because they generally learned tolerate habitat, adapted live environment rewards low neophobia, and/or are reluctant use feeders at new locations.

Язык: Английский

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Variation in reversal learning by three generalist mesocarnivores

Animal Cognition, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 24(3), С. 555 - 568

Опубликована: Ноя. 24, 2020

Язык: Английский

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