Distribution and Genetic Analysis of Wild-Living Eurasian Beavers in Central Italy

Abstract

The presence of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. has been recently confirmed with two separated populations in Tuscany (Central Italy) and probably represents the result of an unofficial release. In late spring and summer 2021, seven reliable records of Eurasian beaver have been collected in Umbria and other neighbouring regions, implying that the distribution of this large rodent is even wider than previously reported. In this short work, we updated the distribution of this protected species in Central Italy, by collecting and mapping all the confirmed occurrences. Beavers were proved to be present throughout the Tiber (Tevere) river basin in both provinces of Umbria, and another individual has been road-killed in the Marche region, near the border with Tuscany. Other single signs of presence occurred in Emilia Romagna and Latium. The only hair sample we were able to collect confirmed it as the Eurasian beaver species. No reliable evidence is available on the number of free-ranging beavers in Central Italy, and systematic monitoring is needed. Before any management and conservation action, further data are required concerning distribution range, potential origin, social perception, and the effects on the ecosystems.

Temporal Activity Patterns of the Eurasian Beaver and Coexisting Species in a Mediterranean Ecosystem

“…In this work, we determined the patterns of activity rhythms of the Eurasian beaver in a Mediterranean ecosystem of recent reconquest [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The beaver was confirmed to be mostly a crepuscular–nocturnal species, as well as being present in the core of its European extent of occurrence [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…With our work, we have provided the first evidence that also in Mediterranean habitats, characterised by higher temperatures as compared to temperate and boreal ones, the beavers have preserved a mostly crepuscular–nocturnal behaviour, with some diurnal bouts in spring, as in Central Europe, i.e., potential countries of origin of the beaver population currently occurring in Central Italy [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The beavers were mainly active on the darkest nights, i.e., reducing their activity on bright moonlight nights, when predators are mostly active both in our study area and in Central Europe (cf.…”

“…Our study was conducted in river basins, namely Ombrone-Merse (municipalities of Sovicille, Murlo, Monticiano, Buonconvento, Montalcino, and Civitella-Paganico) and Tevere (municipalities of Anghiari and Sansepolcro) in the Tuscany region (Central Italy), where the occurrence of at least 6–8 Eurasian beavers has been confirmed since at least 2019–2020 [ 22 , 23 ]. Deciduous riparian woodland is the main habitat type (87%), mostly represented by Salix eleagnos Scop., Populus nigra L., Populus alba L., Alnus glutinosa L.…”

“…In November 2020, another individual was camera-trapped in Val Pusteria (province of Bolzano), where two individuals might be currently present. Since 2019, the Eurasian beaver has also been present in Central Italy, with at least two populations in two river basins (Merse-Ombrone and Tevere rivers), where reproduction events have been confirmed for the first time since 2020 [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], proving their local establishment.…”

The Eurasian beaver range expansion reveals uneven future trends and possible conservation issues: an European assessment

“…Still, beavers naturally recolonized some of them (Fasel 2018;Herr et al 2018), except for Portugal (Halley et al 2021). About Italy, although Halley et al (2021) report a dubitative recolonization, some very recent findings of beavers' signs prove the occurrence of this species in two different Italian locations: in the north-east of the country (near the town of Tarvisio, bordering Slovenia) (Pontarini et al 2018;Loy et al 2019), and in Central Italy (Tuscany and Umbria regions) (Pucci et al 2021;Viviano et al 2022), even with a possible reproduction event (Mori et al 2021;Pucci et al 2021). Thus, we are now maybe witnessing a natural recolonization in north-eastern Italy, which could continue spontaneously, or which could be assisted by direct or indirect human mediation (i.e., reintroduction and/or area protection).…”