Population changes of different predators during a water vole cycle in a central European mountainous habitat

Weber, Jean-Marc; Aubry, S.; Ferrari, Nicola; Fischer, Claude; Feller, N. Lachat; Meia, Jean-Steve; Meyer, Sandrine

doi:10.1034/j.1600-0587.2002.250111.x

Cited by 32 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…the collared lemming Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) (Gilg et al, 2006). By contrast, there are apparently conflicting results about the ability of V. vulpes to display a numerical response: its density was not related to A. scherman density variations in the grassland plateau of the E. multilocularis endemic area of western Switzerland (Weber et al, 2002), whereas it displayed a numerical response in the Mediterranean scrubland of Spain after the collapse of its main prey, the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Ferreras et al, 2011). One cannot formally exclude this mechanism to operate in E. multilocularis transmission, but field evidence was never provided on the variation in transmission as the consequence of the numerical response of the definitive hosts.…”

Section: E Multilocularis Transmission In Foxesmentioning

confidence: 82%

Trophic ecology, behaviour and host population dynamics in Echinococcus multilocularis transmission

Raoul

Hegglin

Giraudoux

2015

Veterinary Parasitology

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The life cycle of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis primarily involves canids and small mammals (rodents, lagomorphs) as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. Several surveys have identified marked temporal and geographical variations at different scales in the parasite's prevalence in both types of hosts, suggesting variations in the biological and ecological factors that control transmission processes. The parasite transmission from intermediate to definitive hosts is determined by the predator-prey relationship, which theoretically depends on prey population dynamics and the complex dietary response of predators to varying densities of prey species and other food items. Parasite eggs are transmitted to intermediate hosts via carnivore faeces, whose distribution in the environment is driven by the defecating behaviour of final hosts. We reviewed field-based studies that address issues related to the trophic ecology and behaviour of definitive hosts, interactions between definitive and intermediate hosts, and E. multilocularis transmission both in wild and domestic animals in rural and urban environments. Two density-dependent mechanisms control the transmission dynamics in definitive hosts: one is based on the variations in the availability of intermediate hosts, and the other is based on the variations in the density of the definitive host and its faeces. Non-linearity and the direct and delayed responses of definitive host contamination in relation to intermediate host population variations were recorded. The dietary response of the red fox was shown to be complex when abundant alternative resources were available (anthropogenic food, multiple intermediate host prey species). Micro-local hotspots of parasite transmission to intermediate hosts in a landscape, as well as areas of higher risk for human contamination in village and urban settings, may be explained by the definitive hosts' activity patterns and defecation behaviour.

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Section: E Multilocularis Transmission In Foxesmentioning

confidence: 82%

Trophic ecology, behaviour and host population dynamics in Echinococcus multilocularis transmission

Raoul

Hegglin

Giraudoux

2015

Veterinary Parasitology

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“…Nevertheless, quantitative assessment of such a cycle is currently unavailable. Long-eared owls in western Switzerland exhibit a strong numerical response without a time lag to the abundances of a 7-year water vole cycle (Weber et al 2002). Quantitative assessments of water vole densities are, to our knowledge, not available in Finland, despite the strong tradition of small mammal research (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tawny owl reproduction and offspring sex ratios under variable food conditions

Kekkonen

Kolunen²,

Pietiäinen

et al. 2007

J Ornithol

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Tawny owl reproduction and offspring sex ratios have been considered to depend on the abundance of small voles. We studied reproductive performance (laying date, clutch and brood size) during 1995-2003 and offspring sex ratios from 1999 to 2003 in relation to the abundance of small voles and food delivered to the nest in a tawny owl population in southern Finland. Abundance of small voles (field and bank voles) was based on trappings in the field, and estimates of food delivery was based on diet analysis of food remains in the nest boxes. In this population, reproductive output was not related to the abundance of small voles. Analysis of food delivered to the nest showed that the prey weight per offspring varied more than twofold between years and revealed that this difference was mainly related to the proportion of water voles in the diet. Only the number of water voles correlated with laying dates. Offspring sex ratios were weakly male biased (55%) but did not differ from parity. Sex ratios were not related to the abundance of small voles, and we found no evidence that parents delivered more food to nests with proportionally more offspring of the larger (female) sex. Our results underline the notion that populations may differ in their sex allocation pattern, and suggest such differences may be due to diet.

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“…In this context, the observed pair-living of badgers (with the occasional presence of one additional adult or subadult per main sett) in the Swiss Jura Moutains is in accordance with the observed low to moderate density. In fact, in "La Chaux d'Abel", badger numbers do not significantly change over the years (Weber et al 2002), despite the interannual fluctuations of the global availability of food. This suggests that population density and the type of social organization observed in our study area do not directly depend on trophic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spatio-temporal ecology and density of badgers Meles meles in the Swiss Jura Mountains

San¹,

Ferrari²,

Weber

2007

Eur J Wildl Res

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This study reports for the first time data on the spatio-temporal ecology of badgers living in a cold and wet mountain region (Swiss Jura Mountains). The home range, movements, activity patterns and habitat use of three badgers (two males, one female) were examined using radiotelemetry. Average home range size was 320 ha (MCP 100%), but the ranging behaviour of badgers varied at a seasonal scale. As in other regions, badgers were strictly nocturnal or crepuscular and showed a marked reduction of activity in the winter period. From spring to autumn, animals were active for an average (±SD) of 8.1±2.4 h and travelled up to 9,460 m each night (mean±SD, 5,160± 2,600 m). The nightly distance travelled by badgers was positively correlated with their travel speed, the duration of the activity period and the used area, but not with night length. Year-round, the radio-collared animals avoided pastures and the vicinity of houses during their night trips. In winter and spring, individual badgers used forests and wooded pastures more than expected according to their availability, whereas cereal fields were actively selected in summer and autumn. Den-watching, night-lighting and radio-tracking data suggest that badgers live in pairs in this wet and cold region. Population density estimates range from 0.4 to 1.5 individuals/100 ha. We discuss the importance of trophic resources and climate as factors influencing badger behavioural ecology.

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Population changes of different predators during a water vole cycle in a central European mountainous habitat

Cited by 32 publications

References 35 publications

Trophic ecology, behaviour and host population dynamics in Echinococcus multilocularis transmission

Trophic ecology, behaviour and host population dynamics in Echinococcus multilocularis transmission

Tawny owl reproduction and offspring sex ratios under variable food conditions

Spatio-temporal ecology and density of badgers Meles meles in the Swiss Jura Mountains

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