Coming in like a wrecking-ball: are native Eurasian red squirrels displacing invasive Siberian chipmunks? A study from an urban park

Mori, Emiliano; Zozzoli, Rudy; Mazza, Giuseppe

doi:10.1007/s11252-018-0775-5

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…The fruit‐ and seed‐based diet of this squirrel may have promoted its successful establishment in temperate areas, particularly where a great diversity of plant species occurs (e.g. in urban areas: Clergeau & Vergnes, ; Mori et al ., ). Furthermore, our models suggested that the largest populations of this invasive squirrel occur where supplemental food is provided by humans (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Most populations of introduced Siberian chipmunks in Europe occur in urban parks and suburban landscapes (Benassi & Bertolino, ; Mori, Zozzoli & Mazza, ; Mori et al ., ). The fruit‐ and seed‐based diet of this squirrel may have promoted its successful establishment in temperate areas, particularly where a great diversity of plant species occurs (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mori et al . () suggested that the range expansion of the larger‐sized native Eurasian red squirrel may displace established populations of invasive smaller‐sized chipmunks, forcing them to move in the opposite direction of the expansion front of the native species. Results of GLMs shown in this study provided statistical evidence to support this suggestion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of taxonomy in species distribution models at a global scale: the case of an overlooked alien squirrel facing taxonomic revision

et al. 2018

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The Siberian chipmunk is native to north-eastern Asia, but alien populations of this squirrel, introduced through the pet trade, occur in many European countries. This rodent has been listed as an invasive species of European concern, being a potential vector of ticks spreading Lyme disease. We aimed to assess its current distribution range and to identify areas of potential invasion. Two sets of species distribution models were conducted, one considering the locations of the species (n = 625 occurrences) and the other with only the occurrences of the Korean subspecies (the invasive one in Europe; n = 255 occurrences), which might be a separate species from the Siberian one. We included 19 uncorrelated predictors (two topographic, nine land cover, five bioclimatic and three anthropogenic variables), which may represent the habitat characteristics of the target species. Most of the northern hemisphere supports the establishment of the Siberian chipmunk, particularly for the invasive Korean subspecies (especially in Europe, where it is already established), mostly in urban areas. Anthropogenic food supply was found to be an important factor promoting the growth of alien populations of chipmunks, whereas the presence of the native red squirrel at the time of introduction may limit it.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The importance of taxonomy in species distribution models at a global scale: the case of an overlooked alien squirrel facing taxonomic revision

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“…The first one is Sigurtà Garden Park, in Valeggio Sul Mincio, where Korean chipmunks were released in 1978, establishing the largest Italian populations of chipmunks in Italy. 1,[20][21][22] The latter two areas where two urban parks in Rome, Villa Ada, where chipmunks were introduced at multiple times since the early 1908s and Villa Doria-Pamphilii, where chipmunks were observed for the first time in 2018. 6 We surveyed a sample of visitors, administering a structured questionnaire measuring some their interactions with chipmunks and some psychological drivers of human-chipmunk interactions: attitudes, emotional dispositions, core affect, existence beliefs, social norms and behavioral intention about the presence of chipmunks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As chipmunks increase their density we expect them to continue their expansion outside of the park. This perspective is not encouraging, because Valeggio sul Mincio is surrounded by a countryside environment and cultivations, that might promote chipmunks dispersal at the landscape scale20 and maybe even their role as a pest species damaging crops, in the near future. Considered that chipmunks are still distributed over a relatively small area, but there are large areas in Italy suitable for the species49,50 ,…”

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confidence: 99%

Invasive Siberian chipmunksEutamias sibiricusin Italy: a socio-ecological analysis indicates that they could, and should, be removed

Cerri

Mori

Zozzoli

et al. 2019

Preprint

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BACKGROUND: Eradication of invasive alien species is a form of pest control linked to biodiversity conservation that usually involves killing animals. Squirrels are prominent among invasive alien species in Italy with four species introduced. Three of them are included within the list of alien species of European concern and their eradication and control is recommended.However, their local control is not an easy task, being highly appreciated by the general public. We propose a socio-ecological approach to evaluate the feasibility of eradicating Siberian chipmunks (Eutamias sibiricus) populations. We performed a structured questionnaire to assess the social perception of invasive Siberian chipmunks in urban parks where they occur and to identify groups of visitors who might oppose eradication. We also carried out geographic profiling to test for the spatial expansion of chipmunk populations.RESULTS: Overall, park visitors regarded chipmunks positively and appreciated to see them, but human-chipmunk interactions were still rare. We did not identify any group of visitors with a strong attachment to chipmunks, who might oppose future control programs. Geographic profiling showed that chipmunks in Valeggio sul Mincio are starting to expand outside of their introduction site.CONCLUSIONS: Data from questionnaires show that chipmunks eradication, coupled with adequate communication initiatives, might be feasible. Moreover, geographic profiling indicates that time for a rapid removal is running out. Socio-ecological approaches, combining the analysis of structured questionnaires administered to stakeholders and statistical modeling of pest observations, could be a valuable tool to decide the feasibility and the urgency of invasive pest control.

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Managing invasive Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus in Italy: a matter of attitudes and risk of dispersal

et al. 2019

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Coming in like a wrecking-ball: are native Eurasian red squirrels displacing invasive Siberian chipmunks? A study from an urban park

Cited by 15 publications

References 47 publications

The importance of taxonomy in species distribution models at a global scale: the case of an overlooked alien squirrel facing taxonomic revision

The importance of taxonomy in species distribution models at a global scale: the case of an overlooked alien squirrel facing taxonomic revision

Invasive Siberian chipmunksEutamias sibiricusin Italy: a socio-ecological analysis indicates that they could, and should, be removed

Managing invasive Siberian chipmunks Eutamias sibiricus in Italy: a matter of attitudes and risk of dispersal

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