Adenovirus infection in red squirrels in areas free from grey squirrels

2013 ◽  
Vol 173 (8) ◽  
pp. 199-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Everest ◽  
H. Butler ◽  
T. Blackett ◽  
V. R. Simpson ◽  
C. M. Shuttleworth
Keyword(s):  
Adenovirus Infection ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Grey Squirrels

scholarly journals Coccidian parasites of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in England

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (19-20) ◽  
pp. 1225-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Ball ◽  
P. Daszak ◽  
A.W. Sainsbury ◽  
K.R. Snow
Keyword(s):  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Sciurus Vulgaris ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Coccidian Parasites ◽  
Grey Squirrels

The preference for yew (Taxus baccata) by a red (Sciurus vulgaris) only squirrel population

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Haigh ◽  
Ruth O'Riordan ◽  
Fidelma Butler
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Taxus Baccata ◽  
Grey Squirrel ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
Coniferous Tree Species ◽  
Term Maintenance ◽  
Grey Squirrels

Context As invasive grey squirrels continue to spread, red only areas are becoming rarer. It has been reported that red squirrels can outcompete greys only in pure coniferous woodland. In areas of sympatry with grey squirrels, there are concerns about red squirrels’ dependence on certain coniferous tree species in light of recent tree diseases. Aims This study aimed to investigate tree selection by red squirrels in an area vulnerable to the spread of the grey squirrel, but currently free of this species. Methods During 2013–14, squirrels were trapped and monitored on a 315-ha managed island, with a woodland characterised by a mixture of deciduous and coniferous species. Radio-tracking revealed that squirrels clustered their activity along a network of yew trees, a preference they showed throughout the year. Trap success was also higher in traps placed on yew trees. Yew and beech were selected most commonly, but squirrels were also observed foraging on other items, such as sycamore flowers and lichen. Squirrels spent 35% of their time foraging, utilising the greatest number of tree species in June (n = 13). In spring, squirrels foraged to a greater extent on the ground than in the trees, and exploited a lower number of tree species. Conclusions There has been little previous data on the use of yew trees by red squirrels, but they have previously been listed as a species that is preferred by red squirrels rather than greys. This study has further emphasised the importance of this tree species to red squirrels. Implications The continued spread of the grey squirrel may lead to red squirrels becoming restricted to areas of intense management such as parks and, accordingly, optimum tree planting is required from the onset for the long-term maintenance of red squirrels. With recent concern about the disease vulnerability of other coniferous species, this study emphasises the relative importance of yew and other tree species in the distribution of red squirrels.

scholarly journals Natural strongholds for red squirrel conservation in Scotland

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 93-108
Author(s):  
Andrew Slade ◽  
Andy White ◽  
Kenny Kortland ◽  
Peter W. W. Lurz
Keyword(s):  
Management Practice ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Grey Squirrel ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Standard Management ◽  
Grey Squirrels

The Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is under threat from the invasive North American eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) with 80% of the remaining red squirrel populations in the British Isles found in Scotland. In this study we develop a spatially explicit mathematical model of the red and grey squirrel system and use it to assess the population viability of red squirrels across Scotland. In particular, we aim to identify existing forests – natural strongholds for red squirrels – that can successfully support red squirrels under UK Forestry Standard management and protect them from potential disease-mediated competition from grey squirrels. Our model results indicate that if current levels of grey squirrel control, which restrict or reduce the distribution of grey squirrels, are continued then there will be large expanses of forests in northern Scotland that support viable red squirrel populations. Model results that represent (hypothetical) scenarios where grey squirrel control no longer occurred indicated that grey squirrel range expansion and the process of red squirrel replacement would be slow. Model results for an assumed worst-case scenario where grey squirrels have expanded to all regions in Scotland identified forest regions – denoted natural strongholds – that could currently support red squirrels under UK Forestry Standard management practice. The results will be used to inform forest management policy and support a strategic review of red squirrel management by land management agencies and other stakeholders.

scholarly journals Native and invasive squirrels show different behavioural responses to scent of a shared native predator

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 191841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua P. Twining ◽  
W. Ian Montgomery ◽  
Lily Price ◽  
Hansjoerg P. Kunc ◽  
David G. Tosh
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Red Squirrel ◽  
Pine Marten ◽  
Grey Squirrel ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Grey Squirrels ◽  
Native Predator

Invasive species pose a serious threat to native species. In Europe, invasive grey squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) have replaced native red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ) in locations across Britain, Ireland and Italy. The European pine marten ( Martes martes ) can reverse the replacement of red squirrels by grey squirrels, but the underlying mechanism of how pine martens suppress grey squirrels is little understood. Research suggests the reversal process is driven by direct predation, but why the native red squirrel may be less susceptible than the invasive grey squirrel to predation by a commonly shared native predator, is unknown. A behavioural difference may exist with the native sciurid being more effective at avoiding predation by the pine marten with which they have a shared evolutionary history. In mammals, olfactory cues are used by prey species to avoid predators. To test whether anti-predator responses differ between the native red squirrel and the invasive grey squirrel, we exposed both species to scent cues of a shared native predator and quantified the responses of the two squirrel species. Red squirrels responded to pine marten scent by avoiding the feeder, increasing their vigilance and decreasing their feeding activity. By contrast, grey squirrels did not show any anti-predator behaviours in response to the scent of pine marten. Thus, differences in behavioural responses to a shared native predator may assist in explaining differing outcomes of species interactions between native and invasive prey species depending on the presence, abundance and exposure to native predators.

scholarly journals Stress in biological invasions: Introduced invasive grey squirrels increase physiological stress in native Eurasian red squirrels

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1342-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Santicchia ◽  
Ben Dantzer ◽  
Freya van Kesteren ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
Adriano Martinoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Grey Squirrels

Systematic assessment of the impact of adenovirus infection on a captive reintroduction project for red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris)

2012 ◽  
Vol 171 (7) ◽  
pp. 176-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Everest ◽  
C. M. Shuttleworth ◽  
S. S. Grierson ◽  
J. P. Duff ◽  
N. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adenovirus Infection ◽  
Sciurus Vulgaris ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Invading parasites: spillover of an alien nematode reduces survival in a native species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Romeo ◽  
Anna Pia Piscitelli ◽  
Francesca Santicchia ◽  
Adriano Martinoli ◽  
Nicola Ferrari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
North American ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Resource Competition ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Local Survival ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Grey Squirrels

AbstractIt is widely assumed that spillover of alien parasites to native host species severely impacts naïve populations, ultimately conferring a competitive advantage to invading hosts that introduced them. Despite such host-switching events occurring in biological invasions, studies demonstrating the impact of alien macroparasites on native animal hosts are surprisingly few. In Europe, native red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are replaced by introduced North American grey squirrels (S. carolinensis) mainly through resource competition, and, only in the United Kingdom and Ireland, by competition mediated by a viral disease. In Italy such disease is absent, but spillover of an introduced North American nematode (Strongyloides robustus) from grey to red squirrels is known to occur. Here, we used long-term (9 years) capture-mark-recapture and parasitological data of red squirrels in areas co-inhabited by grey squirrels in Northern Italy to investigate the impact of this alien helminth on naïve native squirrels’ body mass, local survival, and reproduction of females. We found no negative effect of the alien parasite on body mass or reproductive success, but intensity of infection by S. robustus reduced survival of both male and female squirrels. Significantly, survival of squirrels co-infected by their native nematode, Trypanoxyuris sciuri, was less affected by S. robustus, suggesting a protective effect of the native helminth against the new infection. Hence, we demonstrate that alien S. robustus spillover adds to the detrimental effects of resource competition and stress induced by grey squirrels, further reducing the fitness of the native species in the presence of the invasive competitor.

Monitoring red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris and grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis in Britain

Mammal Review ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 51-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. GURNELL ◽  
P. W. W. LURZ ◽  
M. D. F. SHIRLEY ◽  
S. CARTMEL ◽  
P. J. GARSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Sciurus Vulgaris ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Grey Squirrels

Interspecific competition between native Eurasian red squirrels and alien grey squirrels: does resource partitioning occur?

2002 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Wauters ◽  
John Gurnell ◽  
Adriano Martinoli ◽  
Guido Tosi
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Red Squirrels ◽  
Grey Squirrels
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