1,720,979 research outputs found
When management meets science: adaptive analysis for the optimization of the eradication of the Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Full text linkThe EU Regulation no.1143/2014 on invasive species requires the EU Member States to respond promptly and efficiently in eradicating the invasive alien species listed as species of Union concern. The Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) was introduced in Northern Italy along the river Adda and we carried out its eradication campaign between 2016 and 2019. We used an integrated approach of camera traps and live traps. A standardized approach to the camera trap survey (2904 camera trap-nights) revealed that the detectability of raccoons (0.27 ± 0.07 SD) increased in the proximity of the river and their occupancy (0.15 ± 0.09 SD) was higher in urban areas. These results allowed us to increase the trapping success whilst reducing the effort. During the captures, systematic collection of catch and effort data allowed to estimate population size (65 ± 7.8 raccoons) and thus to have a continuous update on how far the campaign was from the complete eradication of the species, allowing to adjust the trapping effort accordingly. We captured 69 raccoons (7279 cage trap nights) thanks to both systematic trapping and opportunistic activation of traps following stakeholders’ reports. Stakeholders supported the campaign and some of them played an important role in reporting sightings, signs, and allowing access to their private land. Camera trap data also allowed us to make a Rapid Eradication Assessment that estimated an eradication probability of 99% after 6 months without detections. We finally give indications for future control campaigns on the species to increase removal success, reducing the effort
Quantifying nocturnal thrush migration using sensor data fusion between acoustics and vertical-looking radar
Full text linkStudying nocturnal bird migration is challenging because direct visual observations are difficult during darkness. Radar has been the means of choice to study nocturnal bird migration for several decades, but provides limited taxonomic information. Here, to ascertain the feasibility of enhancing the taxonomic resolution of radar data, we combined acoustic data with vertical-looking radar measurements to quantify thrush (Family: Turdidae) migration. Acoustic recordings, collected in Helsinki between August and October of 2021-2022, were used to identify likely nights of high and low thrush migration. Then, we built a random forest classifier that used recorded radar signals from those nights to separate all migrating passerines across the autumn migration season into thrushes and non-thrushes. The classifier had a high overall accuracy (approximate to 0.82), with wingbeat frequency and bird size being key for separation. The overall estimated thrush autumn migration phenology was in line with known migratory patterns and strongly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient approximate to 0.65) with the phenology of the acoustic data. These results confirm how the joint application of acoustic and vertical-looking radar data can, under certain migratory conditions and locations, be used to quantify 'family-level' bird migration.This study addresses the challenge of studying nocturnal bird migration, typically hindered by limited taxonomic information from radar data. To enhance resolution, we combined acoustic recordings with vertical-looking radar measurements, focusing on thrush migration. Using a random forest classifier, we achieved a high accuracy in distinguishing thrushes from non-thrushes during autumn migration, relying on key factors like wingbeat frequency and bird size. The estimated thrush migration phenology aligned with known patterns and correlated strongly with acoustic data. Our study provides the first example of combining acoustic and radar data to extract taxonomic information, enabling the quantification of family-level migration from radar data. imag
Habitat effects on hoarding plasticity in the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).
No full textHoarding patterns can be classified into two general types: scatter-hoarding and larder-hoarding, but there are intermediate types. Various factors affect hoarding patterns. Animals hoarding identical seeds in different habitats may use different hoarding patterns to adapt to habitat variation.
We used a sample-plot investigation method to study cache features and recovery rate of seeds of Arolla pine (Pinus cembra) by Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in 2009 and 2010 in two subalpine forests with different tree-species composition in the Italian Alps. Hoarding patterns
of red squirrels varied among habitats: the typical scatter-hoarding pattern with most caches including 2-6 seeds is found in spruce (Picea abies) dominated forest, while a combination of few large caches (10 seeds) and many small caches (less than 10 seeds) is found in Arolla pine dominated forest. Consequently, average number of seeds/cache was higher in the latter habitat. Among five microhabitats, shrubs, grass, moss, fallen leaves, and stone, Eurasian red squirrels preferred
fallen leaves and moss as hoarding substrate. Cache recovery investigation indicated that recovery rate was 62% in spruce forest and only 21% in Arolla pine forest. A lower availability of suitable
hoarding microhabitat resulted in changes in hoarding patterns of red squirrels in Pinus cembra dominated forest. We suggest that the main factor influencing differences in recovery rate was a higher cone production per tree in Pinus cembra forest
The Adamello-Brenta Natural Park bat community (Mammalia, Chiroptera): distribution and population status
No full textBats were censused in the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park (Trentino, central
Italian Alps) in May-September 1999 and 2000, by mist-netting and roost surveys. In all, 90
sites (19 caves, 50 buildings and 21 foraging sites), over an area of about 618 km2, were
checked. The bat species distribution in both the Park and the surrounding areas was obtained
by using field data, museum records and literature information. Atotal of 19 species was
recorded: of these, one (Myotis bechsteinii) was known from a museum collection and 18
were recorded in the field (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, Myotis blythii, M.
daubentonii, M. emarginatus, M. mystacinus, M. nattereri, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. nathusii, P.
pipistrellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Hypsugo savii, Eptesicus nilssonii, E. serotinus, Vespertilio
murinus, Barbastella barbastellus, Plecotus alpinus, P. auritus). Local distribution, habitat
use and body size parameters of the species were studied, and selection of roosts and foraging
sites by the bat community was analysed with logistic regression. The conservation status
of the bat community is also discussed. We document the third record of breeding by
Pipistrellus nathusii and the fourth Eptesicus (Amblyotus) nilssonii nursery in Italy, as well
as the first roosting sites of the recently described Plecotus alpinus
Year-Round Activity Patterns of Badgers (Meles meles) and Mesocarnivore Communities in Urban and Sub-Urban Areas
Full text linkUrbanisation exerts profound effects on biodiversity, driving species extinctions while promoting behavioural adaptations in generalist taxa. The European badger (Meles meles) exemplifies such adaptability, exploiting anthropogenic resources and modifying activity rhythms. This study assessed badger activity within the Varese province in northern Italy, comparing an urban park and a sub-urban landscape. From August 2023 to August 2024, camera traps recorded badgers and sympatric mesocarnivores, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), domestic cats (Felis catus), and beech martens (Martes foina). Despite high activity overlap between sites (triangle = 0.87), the Mardia-Watson-Wheeler test revealed significant differences. Urban badgers displayed heightened nocturnality relative to sub-urban individuals, consistent with comparisons to nearby protected natural areas. This pattern indicates anthropogenic disturbance as a driver of temporal adjustment. Urban badgers are active from 18:00 to 07:00, whereas sub-urban badgers are active from 17:00 to 08:00. The later onset and earlier termination of urban activity suggest behavioural avoidance of human presence. Red foxes exhibited even greater nocturnality in urban settings, while domestic cats were primarily crepuscular and less frequently detected, particularly in sub-urban areas. Results underline the ecological plasticity of badgers, highlighting their capacity to accommodate urban pressures and providing city administrations with information to improve park management planning
Species Distribution Models: exploring patterns and processes in mammal ecology
Full text linkModelling species distribution is one of the most widely used approaches used by modern ecologists to predict species occurrence as well as to explore the environmental variables that determine the presence of a species in an habitat. Given the outstanding importance of mammals in the context of conservation or management actions, it is not surprising that an ever increasing number of mammalogists have successfully employed species distribution models over the last few years. As a scientific journal devoted to mammal natural history, Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy is pleased to present a collection of articles forming a special issue that deals with such an important and timely matter
Does Nathusius' pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii (Keyserling & Blasius, 1839) breed in northern Italy?
No full textThis paper reports the capture of seven adult Pipistrellus nathusii including a lactating female mist-netted in July 1997 in Varese province (northern Italy). This record represents the first identification of a breeding female Nathusius' pipistrelle in the south part of the Alps. Other data on the reproduction of this species in Europe are discussed in order to reconsider its distribution and breeding sites
Multilevel ecological interactions: Impact of weather, forest extreme events and seed production on squirrel population dynamics
No full textIn resource-limited producer-consumer systems, environmental variables such as weather, habitat structure, and resource availability interact to shape consumer dynamics. We conducted a comparative analysis on territorial Fremont's squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti) in Arizona mountain ranges (three sites) and non-territorial Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the Italian Alps (five sites) to investigate the effects of forest composition, pulsed seed resources, weather, and climate change-induced forest disturbances on population density. We also explored potential synchrony in spatial and temporal dynamics between squirrel populations, driven by endogenous and exogenous processes. Our long-term, multi-site datasets revealed shared density-dependent patterns: annual oscillations in Fremont's squirrel populations and biennial oscillations in Eurasian red squirrels. Both species exhibited strong bottom-up responses, with higher densities following tree-seed production and warmer spring temperatures. Despite the absence of synchronized trends in population density across time or regions, we found consistent responses to resource availability and abiotic conditions, demonstrating shared mechanisms across ecologically distinct systems. By integrating field data, remotely sensed forest disturbances, and multi-factorial modeling, this study highlights the role of climate, forest dynamics, and climate change-induced forest disturbance in shaping population processes in pulsed resource systems. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding producer-consumer interactions under climate change, providing globally relevant insights into the interplay of abiotic drivers, species-specific behaviours, and ecological resilience. These results contribute to advancing strategies for wildlife conservation and forest management in the face of ongoing environmental change
Climate is changing, are European bats too? A multispecies analysis of trends in body size
No full textAnimal size, a trait sensitive to spatial and temporal variables, is a key element in ecological and evolutionary dynamics. In the context of climate change, there is evidence that some bat species are increasing their body size via phenotypic responses to higher temperatures at maternity roosts. To test the generality of this response, we conducted a >20-year study examining body size changes in 15 bat species in Italy, analysing data from 4393 individual bats captured since 1995. In addition to examining the temporal effect, we considered the potential influence of sexual dimorphism and, where relevant, included latitude and altitude as potential drivers of body size change. Contrary to initial predictions of a widespread increase in size, our findings challenge this assumption, revealing a nuanced interplay of factors contributing to the complexity of bat body size dynamics. Specifically, only three species (Myotis daubentonii, Nyctalus leisleri, and Pipistrellus pygmaeus) out of the 15 exhibited a discernible increase in body size over the studied period, prompting a reassessment of bats as reliable indicators of climate change based on alterations in body size. Our investigation into influencing factors highlighted the significance of temperature-related variables, with latitude and altitude emerging as crucial drivers. In some cases, this mirrored patterns consistent with Bergmann's rule, revealing larger bats recorded at progressively higher latitudes (Plecotus auritus, Myotis mystacinus, and Miniopterus schreibersii) or altitudes (Pipistrellus kuhlii). We also observed a clear sexual dimorphism effect in most species, with females consistently larger than males. The observed increase in size over time in three species suggests the occurrence of phenotypic plasticity, raising questions about potential long-term selective pressures on larger individuals. The unresolved question of whether temperature-related changes in body size reflect microevolutionary processes or phenotypic plastic responses adds further complexity to our understanding of body size patterns in bats over time and space
Not only seeds: a cultural ecosystem service provided by the Apennine brown bear
No full textThe unequal distribution of the costs and benefits of living with wildlife is one of the causes of human-carnivore conflicts. The existence of large carnivores is valued globally, but the costs of damages and management impacts human residents. The Apennine brown bear is endemic of central Italy and, besides its ecological value, it can attract tourists in search of nature and wilderness. The Advertising Value Equivalent of the bears' appearances in the national newspaper and on television from 2015 to 2020 was used to calculate the economic value of this flagship species as a destination image. The 11 million Euro of Advertising Value Equivalent estimated largely exceeded the amount of reimbursements sustained by the Park to manage this carnivore in the same period. This evaluation of cultural value could be used to highlight the economic benefits provided by the bear and contribute to the discussions with managers and stakeholders
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