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Li Z, Shi X, Lu J, Fu X, Fu Y, Cui Y, Chen L, Duo L, Wang L, Wang T. Assessing mammal population densities in response to urbanization using camera trap distance sampling. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10634. [PMID: 37859829 PMCID: PMC10582676 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental filtering is deemed to play a predominant role in regulating the abundance and distribution of animals during the urbanization process. However, the current knowledge about the effects of urbanization on the population densities of terrestrial mammals is limited. In this study, we compared two invasive mammals (dogs Canis lupus familiaris and cats Felis silvestris) and three indigenous mammals (Siberian weasels Mustela sibirica, Amur hedgehogs Erinaceus amurensis, and Tolai hares Lepus tolai) in response to urbanization using camera trap distance sampling (CTDS) in the rural-urban landscape of Tianjin, China. We used generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to test the specific responses of their densities to levels of urbanization. Invasive dogs (2.63 individuals/km2, 95% CI: 0.91-7.62) exhibited similar density estimations to cats (2.15 individuals/km2, 95% CI: 1.31-3.50). Amur hedgehogs were the most abundant species (6.73 individuals/km2, 95% CI: 3.15-14.38), followed by Tolai hares (2.22 individuals/km2, 95% CI: 0.87-5.68) and Siberian weasels (2.15 individuals/km2, 95% CI: 1.06-4.36). The densities of cats, Siberian weasels, and Amur hedgehogs increased with the level of urbanization. The population densities of dogs and cats were only influenced by urban-related variables, while the densities of Siberian weasels and Amur hedgehogs were influenced by both urban-related variables and nature-related variables. Our findings highlight that the CTDS is a suitable and promising method for wildlife surveys in rural-urban landscapes, and urban wildlife management needs to consider the integrated repercussions of urban- and nature-related factors, especially the critical impacts of green space habitats at finer scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Xiaoyi Shi
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Jiayu Lu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Xiaohang Fu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yu Fu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yating Cui
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Lu Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Li'an Duo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Animal Diversity, College of Life SciencesTianjin Normal UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Le Wang
- Institute of Ecological Protection and Restoration, Chinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
| | - Tianming Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, College of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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Zhang S, Zhao J, Yao M. Urban landscape-level biodiversity assessments of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates by environmental DNA metabarcoding. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 340:117971. [PMID: 37119629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Globally, expansive urbanization profoundly alters natural habitats and the associated biota. Monitoring biodiversity in cities can provide essential information for conservation management, but the complexity of urban landscapes poses serious challenges to conventional observational and capture-based surveys. Here we assessed pan-vertebrate biodiversity, including both aquatic and terrestrial taxa, using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampled from 109 water sites across Beijing, China. Using eDNA metabarcoding with a single primer set (Tele02), we detected 126 vertebrate species, including 73 fish, 39 birds, 11 mammals, and 3 reptiles belonging to 91 genera, 46 families, and 22 orders. The probability of detection from eDNA varied substantially among species and was related to their lifestyle, as shown by the greater detectability of fish compared to that of terrestrial and arboreal (birds and mammals) groups, as well as the greater detectability of water birds compared to that of forest birds (Wilcoxon rank-sum test p = 0.007). Furthermore, the eDNA detection probabilities across all vertebrates (Wilcoxon rank-sum test p = 0.009), as well as for birds (p < 0.001), were higher at lentic sites in comparison with lotic sites. Also, the detected biodiversity was positively correlated with lentic waterbody size for fish (Spearman p = 0.012), but not for other groups. Our results demonstrate the capacity of eDNA metabarcoding to efficiently surveil diverse vertebrate communities across an extensive spatial scale in heterogenous urban landscapes. With further methodological development and optimization, the eDNA approach has great potential for non-invasive, efficient, economic, and timely assessments of biodiversity responses to urbanization, thus guiding city ecosystem conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jindong Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Meng Yao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Institute of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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3
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Aikawa E, Saito MU. Effects of intensive agricultural landscapes on farmland use by medium and large mammals in Japan. ECOSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2022.2151554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eiki Aikawa
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, 9978555 Tsuruoka Japan
| | - Masayuki U. Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, 9978555 Tsuruoka Japan
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4
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Ikeda T, Higashide D, Shichijo T. Impact of human disturbance in Japan on the distribution and diel activity pattern of terrestrial mammals. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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5
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Iijima H, Watari Y, Furukawa T, Okabe K. Importance of Host Abundance and Microhabitat in Tick Abundance. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:2110-2119. [PMID: 36153660 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To reduce the risk of zoonoses, it is necessary to understand the infection process, including the ecology of animals and vectors (i.e., the 'One Health' approach). In temperate climates, ticks are the major vectors of zoonoses, so factors determining their abundance, such as host mammal abundance and microhabitat conditions, should be clarified. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) are a major tick host and are rapidly expanding their distribution in Japan. We established 12 plots along a gradient of sika deer abundance in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. We monitored the occurrence of mammal species with camera traps and sampled questing ticks on a monthly basis by flagging along three transects (center of a trail, forest edge, and forest interior) at each site from April to November 2018. The camera traps recorded 12 mammal species, predominantly sika deer. Five Haemaphysalis species and three Ixodes species were sampled. The numbers of ticks sampled were explained by the photographic frequency of sika deer, and partly by that of other mammal species, depending on tick species and their developmental stages. The numbers of sampled adult and nymphal ticks were the highest at the forest edge, where vegetation cover was greatest. Thus, vegetation management in tick habitats and the control of sika deer populations may reduce tick abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato Iijima
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
| | - Yuya Watari
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
| | - Takuya Furukawa
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
| | - Kimiko Okabe
- Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Matsunosato 1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan
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6
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Henger CS, Hargous E, Nagy CM, Weckel M, Wultsch C, Krampis K, Duncan N, Gormezano L, Munshi-South J. DNA metabarcoding reveals that coyotes in New York City consume wide variety of native prey species and human food. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13788. [PMID: 36164598 PMCID: PMC9508883 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Carnivores are currently colonizing cities where they were previously absent. These urban environments are novel ecosystems characterized by habitat degradation and fragmentation, availability of human food, and different prey assemblages than surrounding areas. Coyotes (Canis latrans) established a breeding population in New York City (NYC) over the last few decades, but their ecology within NYC is poorly understood. In this study, we used non-invasive scat sampling and DNA metabarcoding to profile vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant dietary items with the goal to compare the diets of urban coyotes to those inhabiting non-urban areas. We found that both urban and non-urban coyotes consumed a variety of plants and animals as well as human food. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) were an important food item for coyotes within and outside NYC. In contrast, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were mainly eaten by coyotes inhabiting non-urban areas. Domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) was the human food item found in most scats from both urban and non-urban coyotes. Domestic cats (Felis catus) were consumed by urban coyotes but were detected in only a small proportion of the scats (<5%), which differs markedly from high rates of cat depredation in some other cities. In addition, we compared our genetic metabarcoding analysis to a morphological analysis of the same scat samples. We found that the detection similarity between the two methods was low and it varied depending on the type of diet item.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S. Henger
- Louis Calder Biological Field Station, Fordham University, Armonk, New York, United States
| | - Emily Hargous
- Louis Calder Biological Field Station, Fordham University, Armonk, New York, United States
| | | | - Mark Weckel
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Claudia Wultsch
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States,Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory, City University of New York, Hunter College, New York, New York, United States
| | - Konstantinos Krampis
- Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory, City University of New York, Hunter College, New York, New York, United States,Department of Biological Sciences, City University of New York, Hunter College, New York, New York, United States,Institute of Computational Biomedicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Neil Duncan
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Linda Gormezano
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Jason Munshi-South
- Louis Calder Biological Field Station, Fordham University, Armonk, New York, United States
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7
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Tanigawa K, Makino Y, Miura N, Umeki K, Hirao T. Scale-dependent habitat selection of sympatric mesocarnivore species in a cool temperate forest in eastern Japan. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00303-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Increased abundance of a common scavenger affects allocation of carrion but not efficiency of carcass removal in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8903. [PMID: 35618781 PMCID: PMC9135767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12921-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan caused the evacuation of > 100,000 people and prompted studies on environmental impacts of radiological contamination. However, few researchers have explored how the human evacuation has affected ecosystem processes. Despite contamination, one common scavenger (wild boar, Sus scrofa) is 2–3× more abundant inside the Fukushima Exclusion Zone (FEZ). Shifts in abundance of some scavenger species can have cascading effects on ecosystems, so our objective was to investigate impacts of the evacuation and the resulting increase in wild boar on vertebrate scavenger communities. We deployed cameras at 300 carcasses in the FEZ and a nearby inhabited area, and quantified carcass fate, scavenger species, and detection/persistence times. We also tested effects of carcass size and habitat on scavenger community composition and efficiency by balancing trials across two carcass sizes and habitats in each zone. Overall scavenger richness and carcass removal rates (73%) were similar in the FEZ and inhabited area, but species-specific carcass removal rates and occurrence differed between zones. Wild boar removed substantially more carcasses inside the FEZ, with implications for nutrient and contaminant distribution. Our results suggest carcass size affects scavenging dynamics more than human activity or habitat, and abundance changes of common scavengers can influence carrion resource allocation.
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Osugi S, Trentin BE, Koike S. Effects of Human Activity on the Fallen-Fruit Foraging Behavior of Carnivoran Species in an Urban Forest. MAMMAL STUDY 2022. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2021-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shigeru Osugi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 35-8 Saiwai, Fuchu 183-8509, Japan
| | - Bruna Elisa Trentin
- Department of Ecology, UNESP São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo 18610-034, Brazil
| | - Shinsuke Koike
- Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai, Fuchu 183-8509, Japan
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10
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Toriyabe A, Enari H, Enari HS, Saito MU. Habitat selection by non-native masked palm civets in a Japanese rural landscape, incorporating individual differences. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animals that succeed as non-native species may have highly plastic characteristics. We conducted a radio telemetry survey for introduced masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), which inhabit rural landscapes in almost all of Japan, to clarify their habitat selection and intraspecific variation. We compared two generalized linear mixed models, one that did not consider individual differences and another that did, which indicated the importance of incorporating individual differences for evaluating habitat selection by this species. We obtained results of habitat selectivity for all individuals (i.e., common effect on the species) and for each individual using coefficients of fixed effects or fixed effects with random effects. Masked palm civets significantly selected deciduous broad-leaved forests, artificial structures, rice fields, and orchards as a common effect for all individuals. However, these habitats were not necessarily selected as a significant effect for each individual. Deciduous broad-leaved forests and artificial structures were more important than other habitats. The wide range of possible environments and the plasticity of habitat selection shown in this study may partly explain the success of this species in expanding its distribution in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaka Toriyabe
- Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroto Enari
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
| | - Haruka S Enari
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
- Snow Region Wildlife Research Group, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
| | - Masayuki U Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, 1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan
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11
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Gazzard A, Boushall A, Brand E, Baker PJ. An assessment of a conservation strategy to increase garden connectivity for hedgehogs that requires cooperation between immediate neighbours: A barrier too far? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259537. [PMID: 34739512 PMCID: PMC8570513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban areas are associated with high levels of habitat fragmentation. For some terrestrial species with limited climbing abilities, property boundaries can pose a significant problem by limiting access to residential gardens. The West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has declined markedly in the UK but is commonly found in areas of human habitation, including residential gardens. 'Hedgehog Street' is a public engagement campaign aimed at recruiting volunteers ('Hedgehog Champions') to create access points ('hedgehog highways') across garden boundaries to improve habitat connectivity. In this study, we used a series of questionnaire surveys to explore motivations for and obstacles to the creation of highways. Householders were more likely to have created a highway if they were already aware of the Hedgehog Street campaign, if their garden contained a high number of wildlife-friendly features and if they considered watching wildlife to be important. Hedgehog Champions created, on average, 1.69 highways each with 52.0% creating none; this would equate to an estimated >120,000 across all registered Champions. In comparison, 6.1-29.8% of non-Champions stated that they had made a highway. However, most highways had been created in boundaries that could already be traversed via naturally occurring holes: only 11.4% of garden boundaries could be traversed, and 3.2% of gardens accessed, just via a hedgehog highway. In addition, only 5.0% of gardens were considered totally inaccessible to hedgehogs. The most common reasons cited for not having made a highway were that householders' gardens were already accessible to hedgehogs followed by concerns relating to boundary ownership and / or communicating with neighbours. Future studies need to identify strategies for overcoming these obstacles to maximize citizen engagement, particularly with those householders who are not innately "wildlife-friendly", and to quantify the degree to which networks of highways affect patterns of individual movement and, ultimately, populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Gazzard
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Boushall
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Brand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J. Baker
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
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12
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Yoshida K, Saito MU. Behavioral response of wild mammals to pre-existing and artificial latrines of raccoon dogs in northeastern Japan. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2020-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In this study, we reveal the behavior of raccoon dogs and other mammals on two types of latrines: already-existing latrines in the field and artificial latrines created from the feces of a captive individual. From September to November 2019, we used camera traps at already-known (eight sites), and artificial latrines (four sites), and recorded the mammalian species that visited, their behavior types, and the duration of time spent at the latrines. Our camera traps detected eight species visits, including raccoon dogs, masked palm civets, and rodents (Muridae). In raccoon dogs, sniffing, urination, defecation, and passing were observed, and the numbers of defecation and passing occurrences were significantly higher in the already-existing latrines. The duration time of the raccoon dogs was significantly longer at the artificial latrine; however, the time decreased as days elapsed. Masked palm civets frequently visited the artificial latrines, where the number of rubbings was significantly higher. The Muridae did not differ in their proportion of foraging behavior between the two latrine types, indicating that both were used as feeding sites without distinction. The results of this study indicate that raccoon dog latrines affect not only raccoon dogs but also other mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koharu Yoshida
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University , 1-23 Wakaba-machi , Tsuruoka-shi , Yamagata 997-8555 , Japan
| | - Masayuki U. Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University , 1-23 Wakaba-machi , Tsuruoka-shi , Yamagata 997-8555 , Japan
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13
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Distribution of Small Mammals (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia) in the Gradient Direction Urban–Suburban–Rural of Central Slovakia. EKOLÓGIA (BRATISLAVA) 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/eko-2021-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Changes in the structure of small mammals’ communities (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia) along urban–rural gradient indicate the environmental state of stability or instability. Since small mammals are important with regard to the transmission of diseases to man and domestic animals, therefore knowledge of their association with the landscape structure is needed in land use planning. In course of the period from 2015 to 2017, there were recorded 109 individuals belonging to 15 species at 9 study sites (3 rural, 3 suburban, and 3 urban). We recorded a decrease in the average number of species in the direction of the suburban–urban–rural gradient. The number of individuals decreased in the rural–urban–suburban gradient. Eudominant species Clethrionomys glareolus (D = 20.2%), Microtus arvalis (13.8%), and Sorex araneus (19.3%) preferred the close links between the terms of the rural landscape, while Apodemus agrarius (D = 11.9%) and Sorex minutus (D = 11.0%) preferred the close links between the terms of the urban landscape.
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14
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Takako T, Elpita T, Hiroyuki S, Chiho K, Naoaki M. Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in Raccoon Dogs and Badgers in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. ECOHEALTH 2021; 18:241-249. [PMID: 34212261 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A total of 55 samples of intestinal contents from 28 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and 27 badgers (Males anakuma) in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan, were examined for the presence of Campylobacter species. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis were isolated from 3.6% (n = 1) and 75% (n = 21) of raccoon dogs, respectively. In contrast, no Campylobacter spp. was isolated from the badgers examined. The C. upsaliensis isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 8 antimicrobial agents. This revealed that most of the isolates from raccoon dogs were susceptible to the antimicrobial agents examined, whereas strains isolated from healthy dogs in Miyazaki prefecture, showed high rates of resistance. Virulence genes (flaA, cadF, ciaB, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) were present in the C. jejuni isolate from a raccoon dog, with the exception of flaB. By contrast, all these virulence genes examined were present in all C. upsaliensis strains isolated from raccoon dogs and dogs. The genetic diversity of those isolates based on the nucleotide sequences of 7 housekeeping genes (adk, aspA, atpA, glnA, glyA, pgi, tkt) was compared with that of C. upsaliensis strains isolated from dogs and strains selected randomly from humans and dogs deposited in the Campylobacter MLST database. The major cluster of raccoon dog strains was separated from both human and dog strains by phylogenetic tree analysis. These results suggest that raccoon dogs are a reservoir of C. upsaliensis and that isolates may represent a population different from that in humans and dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to have demonstrated a high prevalence of C. upsaliensis in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taniguchi Takako
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Tarigan Elpita
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Sato Hiroyuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Radiology, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Kaneko Chiho
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Misawa Naoaki
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan.
- Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuenkibanadai-nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan.
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15
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Li W, Yang P, Li B, Liu C, Sun L, Li J. Habitat characteristics or protected area size: What is more important for the composition and diversity of mammals in nonprotected areas? Ecol Evol 2021; 11:7250-7263. [PMID: 34188810 PMCID: PMC8216947 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The margins of protected areas are usually considered to have greater forest degradation, and given that most mammals live outside protected areas, researchers and conservation practitioners are increasingly recognizing that nonprotected areas must be incorporated into conservation strategy. However, the strategy used to manage these areas still involves increasing the size of protected areas, while not considering the habitat characteristics and requirements of the species. In this study, during a 3-year period, camera trap and habitat characteristic surveys were used to estimate composition, diversity, and habitat characteristics of mammals to determine habitat characteristics or increase the size of protected areas what should be considered first for mammals' conservation in a nonprotected area near the Huangshan Mountains in Anhui Province, China. From June 2017 to October 2019, 18 species of mammals were recorded, more than in any other protected area nearby. The linear model analysis results showed that habitat characteristics of mammals were different and showed a significant correlation with their relative abundance. Most species were related to vegetation characteristics, except primates (Macaca thibetana), and rodents (Leopoldamys edwardsi). Therefore, to establish conservation policies for nonprotected areas, habitat characteristics should be of prime concern, followed by increasing the size of protected areas to provide effective refuge areas for species conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Li
- School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Peipei Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Bowen Li
- School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Lixing Sun
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- Department of Biological SciencesCentral Washington UniversityEllensburgWAUSA
| | - Jinhua Li
- School of Resources and Environmental EngineeringAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- International Collaborative Research Center for Huangshan Biodiversity and Tibetan Macaque Behavioral EcologyAnhui UniversityHefeiChina
- School of Life SciencesHefei Normal UniversityHefeiChina
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16
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Herrera DJ, Moore SM, Flockhart DTT, McShea WJ, Cove MV. Thinking outside the park: recommendations for camera trapping mammal communities in the urban matrix. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urbanization is increasing globally, fragmenting habitats and prompting human–wildlife conflict. Urban wildlife research is concurrently expanding, but sampling methods are often biased towards large and intact habitats in public green spaces, neglecting the far more abundant, but degraded, habitats in the urban matrix. Here, we introduce the Five P’s of Urban Ecology—Partnerships, Planning, Placements, Public participation and Processing—as a path to overcoming the logistical barriers often associated with camera-trapping in the urban matrix. Though the Five P’s can be applied to a variety of urban sampling methods, we showcase the camera-trapping efforts of the DC Cat Count project in Washington, DC, as a case study. We compared occupancy models for eight urban mammal species using broad categorizations of land cover and local land use to determine drivers of mammal occurrence within the urban matrix as compared with urban habitat patches. Many native species maintained a strong association with large, semi-natural green spaces, but occupancy was not limited to these locations, and in some cases, the use of private yards and the built environment were not notably different. Furthermore, some species exhibited higher occupancy probabilities in developed areas over green spaces. Though seemingly intuitive, we offer advice on how to greatly reduce habitat-biased sampling methods in urban wildlife research and illustrate the importance of doing so to ensure accurate results that support the formation of effective urban planning and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Herrera
- Humane Rescue Alliance, 71 Oglethorpe Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
| | - Sophie M Moore
- Humane Rescue Alliance, 71 Oglethorpe Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, USA
| | - D T Tyler Flockhart
- Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 301 Braddock Rd, Frostburg, MD 21532, USA
| | - William J McShea
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Michael V Cove
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, USA
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17
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Putman BJ, Tippie ZA. Big City Living: A Global Meta-Analysis Reveals Positive Impact of Urbanization on Body Size in Lizards. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.580745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban environments pose different selective pressures than natural ones, leading to changes in animal behavior, physiology, and morphology. Understanding how animals respond to urbanization could inform the management of urban habitats. Non-avian reptiles have important roles in ecosystems worldwide, yet their responses to urbanization have not been as comprehensively studied as those of mammals and birds. However, unlike mammals and birds, most reptiles cannot easily move away from disturbances, making the selective pressure to adapt to urban environments especially strong. In recent years, there has been a surge in research on the responses of lizards to urbanization, yet no formal synthesis has determined what makes an urban lizard, in other words, which phenotypic traits are most likely to change with urbanization and in which direction? Here, we present a qualitative synthesis of the literature and a quantitative phylogenetic meta-analysis comparing phenotypic traits between urban and non-urban lizard populations. The most robust finding from our analysis is that urban lizards are larger than their non-urban counterparts. This result remained consistent between sexes and taxonomic groups. Hence, lizards that pass through the urban filter have access to better resources, more time for foraging, and/or there is selection on attaining a larger body size. Other results included an increase in the diameters of perches used and longer limb and digit lengths, although this may be a result of increased body size. Urban lizards were not bolder, more active or exploratory, and did not differ in immune responses than non-urban populations. Overall, studies are biased to a few geographic regions and taxa. More than 70% of all data came from three species of anoles in the family Dactyloidae, making it difficult to generalize patterns to other clades. Thus, more studies are needed across multiple taxa and habitats to produce meaningful predictions that could help inform conservation and management of urban ecological communities.
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18
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Tsunoda H, Saito MU. Variations in the trophic niches of the golden jackal Canis aureus across the Eurasian continent associated with biogeographic and anthropogenic factors. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.20056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Tsunoda
- Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, Kazo, Saitama 347-0115, Japan; e-mail:
| | - Masayuki U. Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan; e-mail:
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19
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Medium and large mammal conservation in the City of Cape Town: factors influencing species richness in urban nature reserves. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01027-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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20
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Co-occurrence of invasive and native carnivorans affects occupancy patterns across environmental gradients. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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21
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Contrasting effects of urbanization on arboreal and ground-dwelling land snails: role of trophic interactions and habitat fragmentation. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-00930-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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22
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Li Y, Fan L, Zhang W, Zhu X, Lei M, Niu L. How did the bacterial community respond to the level of urbanization along the Yangtze River? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2020; 22:161-172. [PMID: 31803891 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00399a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial communities in the sediment of the Yangtze River influenced by rapid urbanization have thus far been under-investigated despite the importance of microorganisms as mass transporters. Here, the response patterns of the bacterial community along the Yangtze River to different levels of urbanization were generated using 16S rRNA Miseq sequencing. The results reveal that economic aspects have made the largest contribution (41.8%) to the urbanization along the Yangtze River. A clear declining tendency in the abundance of Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria and a significant increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes were observed with an elevated urbanization level gradient. Bacterial diversity showed a negative relevance (P < 0.01) to the demographic, economic and social urbanization index. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) (PCGDP) and the GDP of tertiary industry (GDP3) exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) negative correlations with the bacterial diversity, while a positive relationship between the pH and α-diversity (P < 0.05) was observed. Redundancy analysis revealed that PCGDP was significantly correlated (13.9%, P < 0.01) with the overall bacterial compositions, followed by temperature (10.8%, P < 0.01) and GDP3 (8.4%, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the GDP3 (35.9%), the ratio of total nitrogen and total phosphorus (N/P) (12.9%) and the PCGDP (8.8%) were revealed to be most significantly related to the metabolic bacteria (P < 0.05). The metabolic functions of the bacteria related to the N-cycle and S-cycle were significant in the sediment of the Yangtze River. The variations of the bacterial community and metabolic function responding to the rapid urbanization were related to the economic development via the influence of the 'mass effect'. In brief, the tertiary industry was significantly correlated with the variations in the composition of the metabolic community and the variations in the overall bacteria were both related to the tertiary and secondary industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Luhuan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Mengting Lei
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Lihua Niu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
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23
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Hanya G, Morishima K, Koide T, Otani Y, Hongo S, Honda T, Okamura H, Higo Y, Hattori M, Kondo Y, Kurihara Y, Jin S, Otake A, Shiroisihi I, Takakuwa T, Yamamoto H, Suzuki H, Kajimura H, Hayakawa T, Suzuki‐Hashido N, Nakano T. Host selection of hematophagous leeches (
Haemadipsa japonica
): Implications for iDNA studies. Ecol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Goro Hanya
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | - Kaori Morishima
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Utsunomiya Japan
| | | | - Yosuke Otani
- Center for the Study of Co* Design Osaka University Toyonaka Japan
| | - Shun Hongo
- The Center for African Area Studies Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | - Takeaki Honda
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | - Hiroki Okamura
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
| | - Yuma Higo
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Masamichi Hattori
- Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology Gifu University Gifu Japan
| | - Yuki Kondo
- Graduate School of Education Gifu University Gifu Japan
- Graduate School of Science Osaka City University Osaka Japan
| | - Yosuke Kurihara
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
- Center for Education and Research in Field Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Shizuoka University Hamamatsu Japan
| | - Sakura Jin
- Faculty of Agriculture Iwate University Morioka Japan
| | - Aji Otake
- Faculty of Agriculture Iwate University Morioka Japan
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies Kyoto University Kyoto Japan
| | | | - Tomomi Takakuwa
- Faculty of Agriculture Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Fuchu Japan
| | | | - Hanami Suzuki
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Hisashi Kajimura
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Primate Research Institute Kyoto University Inuyama Japan
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
- Japan Monkey Centre Inuyama Japan
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24
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Fukasawa K, Akasaka T. Long-lasting effects of historical land use on the current distribution of mammals revealed by ecological and archaeological patterns. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10697. [PMID: 31337778 PMCID: PMC6650404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46809-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Past land-use activity has massively altered the environment and vegetation over centuries, resulting in range contractions and expansions of species. When habitat recovery and species recolonization require a long time, the fingerprint of past land use can remain on the current distribution of species. To evaluate millennial-scale effects of land use in Japan, we explained the current ranges of 29 mammalian genera based on three types of archaeological land-use patterns (settlement, ironwork and kiln) considering potential confounding factors. The results indicate that archaeological human activity associated with ironwork and pottery production had severe negative effects on many genera of small and medium-sized mammals. Despite positive effects on some genera, the magnitudes were less than those of the negative effects. The relative importance of archaeological factors on small mammals was greater than those for medium- to-large mammals. The persistent imprint of past land-use patterns was non-negligible, explaining current mammalian diversity. Spatial ecological and archaeological information can provide meaningful insights into long-term socio-ecological processes, which are crucial for the development of sustainable societies in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Fukasawa
- Center for Environmental Biology and Ecosystem Studies, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan.
| | - Takumi Akasaka
- Conservation Ecology Lab., Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-sen 11, Inadacho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
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25
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Tee SL, Samantha LD, Kamarudin N, Akbar Z, Lechner AM, Ashton‐Butt A, Azhar B. Urban forest fragmentation impoverishes native mammalian biodiversity in the tropics. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:12506-12521. [PMID: 30619561 PMCID: PMC6308867 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban expansion has caused major deforestation and forest fragmentation in the tropics. The impacts of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity are understudied in urban forest patches, especially in the tropics and little is known on the conservation value of the patches for maintaining mammalian biodiversity. In this study, camera trapping was used to determine the species composition and species richness of medium- and large-sized mammals in three urban forest patches and a contiguous forest in Peninsular Malaysia. We identified the key vegetation attributes that predicted mammal species richness and occurrence of herbivores and omnivores in urban forest patches. A total number of 19 mammal species from 120 sampling points were recorded. Contiguous forest had the highest number of species compared to the urban forest patches. Sunda Pangolin and Asian Tapir were the only conservation priority species recorded in the urban forest patches and contiguous forest, respectively. Top predators such as Malayan Tiger and Melanistic Leopard were completely absent from the forest patches as well as the contiguous forest. This was reflected by the abundance of wild boars. We found that mammal species richness increased with the number of trees with DBH less than 5 cm, trees with DBH more than 50 cm, and dead standing trees. In the future, the remaining mammal species in the urban forest patches are expected to be locally extinct as connecting the urban forest patches may be infeasible due to land scarcity. Hence, to maintain the ecological integrity of urban forest patches, we recommend that stakeholders take intervention measures such as reintroduction of selected species and restocking of wild populations in the urban forest patches to regenerate the forest ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Ling Tee
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of ForestryUniversity Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
| | - Liza D. Samantha
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of ForestryUniversity Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
| | - Norizah Kamarudin
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of ForestryUniversity Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
| | - Zubaid Akbar
- Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Environmental and Natural Resource SciencesNational University of MalaysiaBangiMalaysia
| | - Alex M. Lechner
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham Malaysia CampusSemenyihMalaysia
| | | | - Badrul Azhar
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of ForestryUniversity Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
- Biodiversity Unit, Institute of BioscienceUniversity Putra MalaysiaSerdangMalaysia
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26
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Parsons AW, Forrester T, Baker-Whatton MC, McShea WJ, Rota CT, Schuttler SG, Millspaugh JJ, Kays R. Mammal communities are larger and more diverse in moderately developed areas. eLife 2018; 7:38012. [PMID: 30277211 PMCID: PMC6168282 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Developed areas are thought to have low species diversity, low animal abundance, few native predators, and thus low resilience and ecological function. Working with citizen scientist volunteers to survey mammals at 1427 sites across two development gradients (wild-rural-exurban-suburban-urban) and four plot types (large forests, small forest fragments, open areas and residential yards) in the eastern US, we show that developed areas actually had significantly higher or statistically similar mammalian occupancy, relative abundance, richness and diversity compared to wild areas. However, although some animals can thrive in suburbia, conservation of wild areas and preservation of green space within cities are needed to protect sensitive species and to give all species the chance to adapt and persist in the Anthropocene. Humans transform natural ecosystems worldwide into towns and cities, replacing natural habitat with human-built surfaces. This loss of habitat and increase in human activity make suburban areas difficult for some species to survive in, raising concerns that developed areas become ecologically unbalanced as they lose biodiversity. However, the preservation of urban green space and lack of hunting could also open the door for some species to thrive in the midst of large human populations. Indeed, some animals, mammals in particular, have grown more tolerant of humans and appear to have adapted to suburban landscapes around the world. Some species that have been exclusively living in the wilderness, such as a small carnivore called the fisher, are even moving back into cities. Research into how mammals are coping with the urbanization of their habitats has produced conflicting results. Studies that explore a variety of cities and habitats would help to clear up this confusion. Parsons et al. worked with citizen scientist volunteers to survey the mammals at 1,427 sites across Washington DC and Raleigh, North Carolina. The volunteers set up motion-triggered cameras in these sites, which covered a full range of urban and wild habitats, including back yards and large nature preserves. The cameras detected similar or higher numbers of mammal species in suburban sites compared to wild areas. Indeed, most species appear to use suburban areas at least as much as wild land. Urban green space is especially important; it is used by less urban-adapted species like coyotes to navigate areas that are densely populated by humans. The results presented by Parsons et al. suggest that many mammals have indeed adapted to the suburban environment over the last few decades, resulting in more balanced urban ecosystems. More testing in other cities will help to determine how general this pattern of adaptation is, and provide us with knowledge that could help us to conserve many different species. However, some species were still most abundant in wild areas, emphasizing the need to also conserve wildlands and to minimize our impact on natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle Waldstein Parsons
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, United States.,Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
| | - Tavis Forrester
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Gekeler Lane, United States.,Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, United State
| | | | - William J McShea
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, United State
| | - Christopher T Rota
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program, West Virginia University, Morgantown, United States
| | | | - Joshua J Millspaugh
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, United States
| | - Roland Kays
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, United States.,Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
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27
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Kobayashi S, Denda T, Liao CC, Lin YH, Liu WT, Izawa M. Comparison of Visitors and Pollinators of Mucuna macrocarpa between Urban and Forest Environments. MAMMAL STUDY 2018. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2018-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Kobayashi
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Denda
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Chi-Cheng Liao
- Department of Life Science, Chinese Culture University, 55 Hwa-Kang Road, Yang-Ming-Shan, Taipei 111
| | - Yu-Hsiu Lin
- Endemic Species Research Institute, Taiwan, 1 Ming-Shen East Road, Chichi, Nantou 552, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Liu
- Observer Ecological Consult Co., Ltd., 129 Jinjiang Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei 10088, Taiwa
| | - Masako Izawa
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
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28
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Juanes F. Visual and acoustic sensors for early detection of biological invasions: Current uses and future potential. J Nat Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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29
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Planillo A, Mata C, Manica A, Malo JE. Carnivore abundance near motorways related to prey and roadkills. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aimara Planillo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG); Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. C. Darwin 2; Madrid 28049 Spain
| | - Cristina Mata
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG); Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. C. Darwin 2; Madrid 28049 Spain
| | - Andrea Manica
- Department of Zoology; University of Cambridge. Downing St; Cambridge CB2 3EJ United Kingdom
| | - Juan E. Malo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG); Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. C. Darwin 2; Madrid 28049 Spain
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30
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Saito MU, Sonoda Y. Symptomatic Raccoon Dogs and Sarcoptic Mange Along an Urban Gradient. ECOHEALTH 2017; 14:318-328. [PMID: 28374159 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-017-1233-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We quantitatively evaluated the effects of landscape factors on the distribution of symptomatic raccoon dogs with sarcoptic mange along an urban gradient. We used 246 camera traps (182 traps from April 2005 to December 2006; 64 traps from September 2009 to October 2010) to record the occurrence of asymptomatic and symptomatic raccoon dogs at 21 survey sites along an urban-rural gradient in the Tama Hills area of Tokyo. Each occurrence was explained in terms of the surrounding forest, agricultural, and grassland areas and additional factors (i.e., seasonal variations and survey methods) at various spatial scales using a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). In our analysis, a 1000-m radius was identified as the important spatial scale for asymptomatic and symptomatic raccoon dog occurrence. The peak of the predicted occurrence probability of asymptomatic raccoon dogs appeared in the intermediate forest landscape as opposed to non-forest and forest landscapes. However, a high occurrence probability of symptomatic raccoon dogs was detected in non-forest and intermediate forest landscapes (i.e., urban and suburban) as opposed to a forest landscape, presumably because of animals occurring at much higher densities in more urbanized areas. Therefore, our results suggest that human-modified landscapes play an important role in the high occurrence of sarcoptic mange in raccoon dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki U Saito
- Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwaicho, Fuchu-Shi, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
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31
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Hosaka T, Sugimoto K, Numata S. Effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance of urban residents toward hornets and wild boars in Japan. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175243. [PMID: 28388643 PMCID: PMC5384670 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban biodiversity conservation often aims to promote the quality of life for urban residents by providing ecosystem services as well as habitats for diverse wildlife. However, biodiversity inevitably brings some disadvantages, including problems and nuisances caused by wildlife. Although some studies have reported that enhancement of nature interaction among urban children promotes their affective attitude toward of favorable animals, its effect on tolerance toward problem-causing wildlife is unknown. In this study, we assessed the tolerance of 1,030 urban residents in Japan toward hornets and wild boar, and analyzed the effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance using a structural equation model. The model used sociodemographic factors and childhood nature experience as explanatory variables, affective attitude toward these animals as a mediator, and tolerance as a response variable. The public tolerance toward hornets and boars was low; over 60% of the respondents would request the removal of hornets and wild boar from nearby green spaces by government services, even when the animals had not caused any damage. Tolerance was lower in females and elderly respondents. Childhood experience with nature had a greater influence on tolerance than did sociodemographic factors in the scenario where animals have not caused any problems; however, its effect was only indirect via promoting positive affective attitude toward wildlife when the animals have caused problems. Our results suggest that increasing people’s direct experience with nature is important to raise public tolerance, but its effect is limited to cases where wildlife does not cause any problems. To obtain wider support for conservation in urban areas, conservationists, working together with municipal officials, educators and the media, should provide relevant information on the ecological functions performed by problem-causing wildlife and strategies for avoiding the problems that wildlife can cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Hosaka
- Department of Tourism Science, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koun Sugimoto
- Department of Tourism Science, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinya Numata
- Department of Tourism Science, Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
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32
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33
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Saito MU, Furukawa T, Koyanagi TF. Time-delayed response of Japanese hare distribution to landscape change along an urban gradient. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Reese AT, Savage A, Youngsteadt E, McGuire KL, Koling A, Watkins O, Frank SD, Dunn RR. Urban stress is associated with variation in microbial species composition-but not richness-in Manhattan. THE ISME JOURNAL 2016; 10:751-60. [PMID: 26394011 PMCID: PMC4817683 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2015.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The biological diversity and composition of microorganisms influences both human health outcomes and ecological processes; therefore, understanding the factors that influence microbial biodiversity is key to creating healthy, functional landscapes in which to live. In general, biological diversity is predicted to be limited by habitat size, which for green areas is often reduced in cities, and by chronic disturbance (stress). These hypotheses have not previously been tested in microbial systems in direct comparison to macroorganisms. Here we analyzed bacterial, fungal and ant communities in small road medians (average area 0.0008 km(2)) and larger parks (average area 0.64 km(2)) across Manhattan (NYC). Bacterial species richness was not significantly different between medians and parks, but community composition was significantly distinct. In contrast, ant communities differed both in composition and richness with fewer ant species in medians than parks. Fungi showed no significant variation in composition or richness but had few shared taxa between habitats or sites. The diversity and composition of microbes appears less sensitive to habitat patchiness or urban stress than those of macroorganisms. Microbes and their associated ecosystem services and functions may be more resilient to the negative effects of urbanization than has been previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aspen T Reese
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy Savage
- Department of Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Elsa Youngsteadt
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Krista L McGuire
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Adam Koling
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olivia Watkins
- Department of Biology, Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven D Frank
- Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Robert R Dunn
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Saito MU, Koike F. Trait-dependent changes in assemblages of mid-sized and large mammals along an Asian urban gradient. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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