Do alien predators pose a particular risk to duck nests in Northern Europe? Results from an artificial nest experiment

AbstractSeveral alien predator species have spread widely in Europe during the last five decades and pose a potential enhanced risk to native nesting ducks and their eggs. Because predation is an important factor limiting Northern Hemisphere duck nest survival, we ask the question, do alien species increase the nest loss risk to ground nesting ducks? We created 418 artificial duck nests in low densities around inland waters in Finland and Denmark during 2017–2019 and monitored them for seven days after construction using wildlife cameras to record whether alien species visit and prey on the nests more often than native species. We sampled various duck breeding habitats from eutrophic agricultural lakes and wetlands to oligotrophic lakes and urban environments. The results differed between habitats and the two countries, which likely reflect the local population densities of the predator species. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), an alien species, was the most common mammalian nest visitor in all habitats and its occurrence reduced nest survival. Only in wetland habitats was the native red fox (Vulpes vulpes) an equally common nest visitor, where another alien species, the American mink (Neovison vison), also occurred among nest visitors. Although cautious about concluding too much from visitations to artificial nests, these results imply that duck breeding habitats in Northern Europe already support abundant and effective alien nest predators, whose relative frequency of visitation to artificial nests suggest that they potentially add to the nest predation risk to ducks over native predators.

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Invasive alien mammals of European Union concern

10.1101/2021.04.21.440832 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lisa Tedeschi ◽

Dino Biancolini ◽

César Capinha ◽

Carlo Rondinini ◽

Franz Essl

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Alien Species ◽

American Mink ◽

Neovison Vison ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

List Type ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

Ondatra Zibethicus ◽

Invasive Mammals ◽

Study Species

ABSTRACTBiological invasions have emerged as one of the main drivers of biodiversity change and decline, and numbers of alien species are rapidly rising. The European Union established a dedicated regulation to limit the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS), which is focused on a Union List of IAS of particular concern. However, no previous study has specifically addressed the ecology of invasive alien mammals included in the Union List.We performed a systematic review of published literature on these species. We retrieved 262 studies dealing with 16 species, and we complemented these with the most up-to-date information extracted from global databases on IAS.We show that most of the study species reached Europe as pets that escaped from captivity or were intentionally released. On average, 1.2 species’ new first records/year were documented in European countries in the period 1981-2020, and most species are still expanding their alien ranges colonising neighbouring territories. France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands are the most invaded nations, and the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and the American mink (Neovison vison) are the most widespread species, having invaded at least 27 countries each. Invasive mammals of European Union concern are threatening native biodiversity and human well-being: worryingly, 81.3% of the study species are implicated in the epidemiological cycle of zoonotic pathogens.Containing the secondary spread to further countries is of paramount importance to avoid the establishment of new populations of invasive mammals and the related impacts on native communities, ecosystem services, and human health.Our results offer the most updated compendium on the ecology of invasive mammals of European Union concern, that can be used to assist environmental policies, identify and subsequently fill knowledge gaps, and inform stakeholders.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTGraphical abstract: Invasive alien mammals of European Union concern.The figure illustrates how the introduction of a species in few new areas, followed by a lag phase of adaptation and sometimes enriched by further subsequent releases, can rapidly lead to the colonisation of large parts of a continent. On the top left, a heat map with species’ richness in countries of Europe. On the top right, a word cloud with the main keywords of our literature search and some of the study species’ names. On the bottom left, four out of 16 study species: in clockwise order, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), the American mink (Neovison vison), and the raccoon (Procyon lotor). On the bottom right, the temporal distribution of the first records of the study species in the countries of Europe.

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Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

European Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1515/eje-2016-0009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 81-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Łukasz Jankowiak ◽

Anna W. Malecha ◽

Agata J. Krawczyk

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Red Fox ◽

American Mink ◽

Natural Food ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

Eurasian Otter ◽

Spatial Changes ◽

Mammalian Predators ◽

Agricultural Areas

AbstractHuman food waste is considered to be richer in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins than most natural food supplies; however, it is very well digested in scats. So, as an indication of this kind of food in the diet, we have used each indigestible, anthropogenic origin element found in faeces (e.g., glass, plastic, rubber, etc.). There are few studies discussing the importance of garbage in the diet of mammalian predators living in farmland; definitely, most focus on this issue in urban areas. We studied the contribution of garbage in the diet of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marten (Martessp.), polecat (Mustela putorius), stoat (Mustela erminea), American mink (Neovison vison) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in the agricultural areas of western Poland in 2006-2010. In addition, we examined the spatial changes in the diet of red fox and polecat. The largest contribution of garbage was found in scats of raccoon dog (8.8%), red fox (4.8%) and marten (4.3%). The diet of polecat, stoat and Eurasian otter contained 2.5%, 1.7% and 0.2% garbage items respectively. The most frequent item was plastic. Our analysis showed that garbage consumption by red fox and polecat was greater closer to human settlements. The results reveal a continuous gradient in the garbage consumption that corresponds with the degree of synanthropization of particular species.

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Testing Whether Camera Presence Influences Habitat Specific Predation Pressure on Artificial Shorebird Nests in the Arctic

ARCTIC ◽

10.14430/arctic72057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

pp. 22-29

Author(s):

Kevin G. Young ◽

Lisa V. Kennedy ◽

Paul A. Smith ◽

Erica Nol

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Proportional Hazards Model ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽

The Arctic ◽

Arctic Fox ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Predator Species ◽

Risk Of Predation ◽

The Impact

When monitoring the breeding ecology of birds, the causes and times of nest failure can be difficult to determine. Cameras placed near nests allow for accurate monitoring of nest fate, but their presence may increase the risk of predation by attracting predators, leading to biased results. The relative influence of cameras on nest predation risk may also depend on habitat because predator numbers or behaviour can change in response to the availability or accessibility of nests. We evaluated the impact of camera presence on the predation rate of artificial nests placed within mesic tundra habitats used by Arctic-breeding shorebirds. We deployed 94 artificial nests, half with cameras and half without, during the shorebird-nesting season of 2015 in the East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Nunavut. Artificial nests were distributed evenly across sedge meadow and supratidal habitats typically used by nesting shorebirds. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to assess differential nest survival in relation to camera presence, habitat type, placement date, and all potential interactions. Artificial nests with cameras did not experience higher predation risk than those without cameras. Predation risk of artificial nests was related to an interaction between habitat type and placement date. Nests deployed in sedge meadows and in supratidal habitats later in the season were subject to a higher risk of predation than those deployed in supratidal habitats early in the season. These differences in predation risk are likely driven by the foraging behaviour of Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), a species that accounted for 81% of observed predation events in this study. Arctic fox prey primarily on Arvicoline prey and goose eggs at this site and take shorebird nests opportunistically, perhaps more often later in the season when their preferred prey becomes scarcer. This study demonstrates that, at this site, cameras used for nest monitoring do not influence predation risk. Evaluating the impact of cameras on predation risk is critical prior to their use, as individual study areas may differ in terms of predator species and behaviour.

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Genetic characterization of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides),an alien species in the Baltic region

TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY ◽

10.3906/zoo-1502-34 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 933-943 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Algimantas PAULAUSKAS ◽

Loreta GRICIUVIENĖ ◽

Jana RADZIJEVSKAJA ◽

Vaclovas GEDMINAS

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

Baltic Region ◽

The Baltic

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Predators in northern Germany are reservoirs for parasites of One Health concern

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07073-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Waindok ◽

Katharina Raue ◽

Miguel L. Grilo ◽

Ursula Siebert ◽

Christina Strube

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

One Health ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Health Concern ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Northern Germany ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Predator Species ◽

Raccoon Dogs

AbstractUrbanisation and invasion of wildlife into urban areas as well as human leisure activities create diverse wildlife-domestic animal-human interfaces, increasing the risk of (zoonotic) parasite spillover from sylvatic to domestic and synanthropic cycles. This study investigated the endo- and ectoparasite fauna, emphasising on parasites of One Health Concern, of the most common predators in northern Germany between November 2013 and January 2016. Eighty red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 18 stone martens (Martes foina) and nine raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were available for the study. Overall, 79 (73.8%) of the examined predators (n=107) harboured at least one endoparasite. The most frequently detected endoparasites in red foxes were Toxocara canis (43.8% positive individuals), Capillaria spp. (36.3%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Echinococcus multilocularis (26.3%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (25.0%). Furthermore, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Taenia ssp., Mesocestoides spp. and coccidian oocysts were observed. The endoparasite species richness in raccoon dogs was comparable to red foxes, while in stone martens, only Capillaria spp. were found. Muscle digestion for detection of Trichinella spp. and antigen testing for Giardia spp. did not show positive results. Ectoparasite analyses revealed infestations with ticks species of the genus Ixodes as well as Dermacentor reticulatus. Scabies mites were not present in digested skin samples, while Demodex spp. mites were observed by faecal flotation in one red fox. Furthermore, fleas (Archaeopsylla erinacei and Chaetopsylla globiceps) were observed in the fur of red foxes, while lice were not present in any predator species. However, infestation frequency with ectoparasites was with 19.2% generally low in available predator skins (n=99). Overall, the present study showed that predators in northern Germany serve as reservoirs for parasites of One Health concern, with four of the five most frequent endoparasites being zoonotic, highlighting the need of parasite surveillance in wildlife predators in order to implement measures avoiding spillovers to domestic animals and humans.

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CONTAIN: Optimising the long-term management of invasive alien species using adaptive management

NeoBiota ◽

10.3897/neobiota.59.52022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 ◽

pp. 119-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xavier Lambin ◽

David Burslem ◽

Paul Caplat ◽

Thomas Cornulier ◽

Gabriella Damasceno ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Alien Species ◽

Adaptive Management ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Temporal Dynamics ◽

Economic Impacts ◽

American Mink ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Grass Species ◽

Management Actions

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) threaten biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services, modify landscapes and impose costs to national economies. Management efforts are underway globally to reduce these impacts, but little attention has been paid to optimising the use of the scarce available resources when IAS are impossible to eradicate, and therefore population reduction and containment of their advance are the only feasible solutions. CONTAIN, a three-year multinational project involving partners from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the UK, started in 2019. It develops and tests, via case study examples, a decision-making toolbox for managing different problematic IAS over large spatial extents. Given that vast areas are invaded, spatial prioritisation of management is necessary, often based on sparse data. In turn, these characteristics imply the need to make the best decisions possible under likely heavy uncertainty. Our decision-support toolbox will integrate the following components: (i) the relevant environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts, including their spatial distribution; (ii) the spatio-temporal dynamics of the target IAS (focusing on dispersal and population recovery); (iii) the relationship between the abundance of the IAS and its impacts; (iv) economic methods to estimate both benefits and costs to inform the spatial prioritisation of cost-effective interventions. To ensure that our approach is relevant for different contexts in Latin America, we are working with model species having contrasting modes of dispersal, which have large environmental and/or economic impacts, and for which data already exist (invasive pines, privet, wasps, and American mink). We will also model plausible scenarios for data-poor pine and grass species, which impact local people in Argentina, Brazil and Chile. We seek the most effective strategic management actions supported by empirical data on the species’ population dynamics and dispersal that underpin reinvasion, and on intervention costs in a spatial context. Our toolbox serves to identify key uncertainties driving the systems, and especially to highlight gaps where new data would most effectively reduce uncertainty on the best course of action. The problems we are tackling are complex, and we are embedding them in a process of co-operative adaptive management, so that both researchers and managers continually improve their effectiveness by confronting different models to data. Our project is also building research capacity in Latin America by sharing knowledge/information between countries and disciplines (i.e., biological, social and economic), by training early-career researchers through research visits, through our continuous collaboration with other researchers and by training and engaging stakeholders via workshops. Finally, all these activities will establish an international network of researchers, managers and decision-makers. We expect that our lessons learned will be of use in other regions of the world where complex and inherently context-specific realities shape how societies deal with IAS.

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Geographical patterns of threat among pigeons and doves (Columbidae)

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605307001016 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 289-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jonathan S. Walker

Keyword(s):

Habitat Loss ◽

Threatened Species ◽

French Polynesia ◽

The Philippines ◽

Predator Species ◽

Geographical Patterns ◽

Island Species ◽

Alien Predator ◽

Extant Species ◽

Habitat Loss And Fragmentation

AbstractColumbidae (pigeons and doves) is one of the most threatened bird families in the world. I analysed data on the BirdLife International Species Information Database to examine the distribution and causes of threat among columbids. Of 304 species extant in the wild, 59 (19%) are threatened with extinction, 48 (83%) of which have restricted ranges. All but two threatened columbid species (97%) inhabit tropical forests, and of these, 45 are island species (78% of all threatened columbid species). The taxonomic distribution of columbids follows three coherent areas: the Americas; Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia; Asia, Australasia and Oceania. Asia, Australasia and Oceania support nearly two-thirds of all extant species and three-quarters of threatened species (44), most of which (84%) are restricted range insular species. Three countries within this area are the most important for the conservation of columbid diversity: Indonesia, the Philippines and French Polynesia. Together these three countries support 40% of extant species and half of all threatened species. The greatest causes of threat to columbids are (1) habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture and extraction, (2) hunting for food, and (3) alien predator species. Habitat loss and fragmentation are universal threats to columbids. Hunting, however, is a significantly greater threat to species in Asia, Australasia and Oceania than to species in the other two areas and urgently needs to be addressed. I discuss the conservation implications of these findings and make research recommendations to aid and encourage the conservation of threatened columbids and their habitats.

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Evidence for Edge Effects on Multiple Levels in Tallgrass Prairie

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/102.2.256 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 102 (2) ◽

pp. 256-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Maiken Winter ◽

Douglas H. Johnson ◽

John Faaborg

Keyword(s):

Tallgrass Prairie ◽

Edge Effects ◽

Fragment Size ◽

Nest Survival ◽

Forest Edge ◽

Nesting Success ◽

Forest Edges ◽

Artificial Nests ◽

Spiza Americana ◽

Ammodramus Henslowii

Abstract We tested how edges affect nest survival and predator distribution in a native tallgrass prairie system in southwestern Missouri using artificial nests, natural nests of Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), and mammal track stations. Survival of artificial nests was lower within 30 m of forest edge. Nesting success of Dickcissels and Henslow's Sparrows was lower within 50 m to a shrubby edge than at greater distances, whereas fates of nests were not related to distances to roads, agricultural fields, or forests. Evidence from clay eggs placed in artificial nests indicated that mid-sized carnivores were the major predators within 30 m of forest edges. Furthermore, mid-sized carnivores visited track stations most frequently within 50 m of forest edges. Because proximity of woody habitat explained more variation in nest survival and mammal activity than did fragment size, it appears that edge effects were more pronounced than area effects. Edge effects appeared to be caused mainly by greater exposure of nests to mid-sized carnivores. We argue that, based on edge avoidance behavior, “grassland-interior” species such as the Henslow's Sparrow respond to edge effects mainly by a decrease in density, whereas habitat generalists such as the Dickcissel are affected mainly by a decrease in nesting success.

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Introduction of alien species and microevolution: The European beaver, raccoon dog, and American mink

Biology Bulletin ◽

10.1134/s1062359011020051 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 146-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

N. P. Korablev ◽

M. P. Korablev ◽

P. N. Korablev

Keyword(s):

Alien Species ◽

American Mink ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

European Beaver

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High Genetic Diversity of an Invasive Alien Species: Comparison between Fur-Farmed and Feral American Mink (Neovison vison) in China

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020472 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 472

Author(s):

Lina Zhang ◽

Yan Hua ◽

Shichao Wei

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Alien Species ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

American Mink ◽

Population Expansion ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Neovison Vison ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Characteristics ◽

Short Period

Genetic characteristics play an important role in alien species for achieving high adaptation and rapid evolution in a new environment. The American mink (Neovison vison) is one of the best-known and most widespread invasive species that has successfully invaded the Eurasian mainland over quite a short period, including most parts of northeastern China. However, genetic information on farmed and feral American mink populations introduced in China is completely lacking. In this study, we combined mitochondrial DNA sequences and polymorphic microsatellites to examine the genetic divergence and genetic diversity of farmed and feral American mink populations. Our results suggest that there is admixture of individuals of different genetic characteristics between farmed and feral populations of mink. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of both farmed and feral American mink populations was high, and no bottleneck or population expansion was detected in most of the populations. These findings not only highlight the genetic characteristics of American mink in northeastern China but also contribute to the general understanding of the invasiveness of farmed species.

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