Individual and Temporal Variation in Habitat Association of an Alien Carnivore at Its Invasion Front

Melis, Claudia; Herfindal, Ivar; Dahl, Fredrik; Åhlén, Per-Arne

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0122492

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Combined with the fact that male and female raccoon dogs utilize similar habitats when on dispersal (Melis et al. ), the probability for male–female encounters, with potential for successful reproduction, at long distances from the source area is quite high. Similar mechanisms have been proposed as one of the explanations for the rapid expansion of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) in Scandinavia (Andersen et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For details regarding animal capture and handling and the study area, see Melis et al. (). During late autumn and winter, it is difficult to distinguish between adult and juvenile animals (Kauhala and Helle ; Kauhala ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(), with daily step length and abs(turning angle) as input movement characteristics (see also Melis et al. ). The method uses K‐means statistics to generate clusters, and a bootstrap procedure to assess the most likely number of clusters supported by the data (van Moorter et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Temporal pattern in raccoon dog movement is shaped by long‐term (seasonal) and short‐term (diurnal) variation in food abundance and mortality risk (Sutor and Schwarz ; Melis et al. ). In northern regions where winter conditions are harsh, raccoon dogs normally adopt winter sleep (lethargy) by decreasing metabolism by about 25% (Asikainen et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Melis et al. ), even if there are some differences in movement pattern during the denning period (Drygala et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lack of sex‐specific movement patterns in an alien species at its invasion front – consequences for invasion speed

Herfindal¹,

Melis²,

Åhlén³

et al. 2016

Ecology and Evolution

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SummaryEfficient targeting of actions to reduce the spread of invasive alien species relies on understanding the spatial, temporal, and individual variation of movement, in particular related to dispersal. Such patterns may differ between individuals at the invasion front compared to individuals in established and dense populations due to differences in environmental and ecological conditions such as abundance of conspecifics or sex‐specific dispersal affecting the encounter rate of potential mates. We assessed seasonal and diurnal variation in movement pattern (step length and turning angle) of adult male and female raccoon dog at their invasion front in northern Sweden using data from Global Positioning System (GPS)‐marked adult individuals and assessed whether male and female raccoon dog differed in their movement behavior. There were few consistent sex differences in movement. The rate of dispersal was rather similar over the months, suggesting that both male and female raccoon dog disperse during most of the year, but with higher speed during spring and summer. There were diurnal movement patterns in both sexes with more directional and faster movement during the dark hours. However, the short summer nights may limit such movement patterns, and long‐distance displacement was best explained by fine‐scale movement patterns from 18:00 to 05:00, rather than by movement patterns only from twilight and night. Simulation of dispersing raccoon dogs suggested a higher frequency of male–female encounters that were further away from the source population for the empirical data compared to a scenario with sex differences in movement pattern. The lack of sex differences in movement pattern at the invasion front results in an increased likelihood for reproductive events far from the source population. Animals outside the source population should be considered potential reproducing individuals, and a high effort to capture such individuals is needed throughout the year to prevent further spread.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Melis et al. ), even if there are some differences in movement pattern during the denning period (Drygala et al. ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Lack of sex‐specific movement patterns in an alien species at its invasion front – consequences for invasion speed

Herfindal¹,

Melis²,

Åhlén³

et al. 2016

Ecology and Evolution

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The habitat preferences of invasive raccoon dog imply elevated risks for wetland-associated prey species

Toivonen,

Laaksonen,

Piironen

et al. 2024

Oecologia

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Habitat preferences of invasive predators determine where and for which prey species they pose a threat upon. This is crucial information for the conservation of endangered prey species because invasive predators pose additional predation on top of that caused by natural predators. In large parts of Europe, the most common invasive mesopredator is the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). To understand the risk that the raccoon dog poses for wetland-associated species, we collected information about its habitat preferences near these habitats. We used data on 24 GPS-collared raccoon dogs from three landscape types in Finland, to study their spatial and temporal habitat preferences. We first determined their home ranges, within which we then examined habitat use and preferences. Raccoon dogs showed generalist habitat use, which was evident in their wide range of used habitats. However, in spring and summer, during the breeding seasons of waterfowl and amphibians, they preferred wetlands and peatlands. They also preferred shorelines and the edges of forests and agricultural fields. During autumn and winter, raccoon dogs did not prefer wetlands. These findings support the conclusion that the raccoon dog’s habitat preferences pose a particular threat to wetland-associated species, such as nesting waterfowl and amphibians. The species’ habitat preferences coupled with high numbers of this invasive mesopredator pose additional predation for endangered wetland-associated species on top of that of native predators.

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Habitat selection and movement patterns of the Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Denmark using GPS telemetry data

Wooldridge,

Svenning,

Pagh

2024

Eur J Wildl Res

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The Asiatic raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) has successfully colonized Northern, Eastern, and Central Europe, following 20th century introductions. While subject to eradication campaigns, its ecological impacts remain incompletely understood and debated. This study aims to examine the habitat preference and movement patterns of raccoon dogs in Denmark using GPS telemetry data. Habitat selection patterns were examined seasonally using Jacob’s electivity index. Movement intensity (travel speed) was examined according to temporal and environmental predictors such as time of day, time of year and habitat type. Raccoon dogs showed an overall preference for peatbogs, marshes, and broadleaf tree cover, and an overall avoidance of water bodies (per se), artificial surfaces and constructions, natural material surfaces (e.g., river pebble banks, beaches, sand dunes), cultivated areas, coniferous tree cover and herbaceous vegetation, and a close to neutral selection pattern for moors and heathland. Habitat usage was generally consistent throughout the seasons for all habitat types, apart from minor shifts observed, particularly from November to February. The raccoon dog exhibited a unimodal nocturnal activity pattern throughout all seasons, with highest mean travel speeds occurring during spring and lowest during winter. Prolonged periods of higher mean daily speeds were observed during autumn. Mean speed levels also varied according to habitat type, with raccoon dogs moving slower in habitats they preferred and faster in those they did not prefer. These results indicate that raccoon dogs in Denmark adjust their habitat selection and movement patterns throughout the year, with a general preference for moist and high tree coverage areas. This information can be utilized in forecasting models for their potential future range and area use in different regions.

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Individual and Temporal Variation in Habitat Association of an Alien Carnivore at Its Invasion Front

Cited by 9 publications

References 38 publications

Lack of sex‐specific movement patterns in an alien species at its invasion front – consequences for invasion speed

Lack of sex‐specific movement patterns in an alien species at its invasion front – consequences for invasion speed

The habitat preferences of invasive raccoon dog imply elevated risks for wetland-associated prey species

Habitat selection and movement patterns of the Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Denmark using GPS telemetry data

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