Mixture or mosaic? Genetic patterns in UK grey squirrels support a human‐mediated ‘long‐jump’ invasion mechanism

Signorile, A. L.; Lurz, Peter W. W.; Wang, J.; Reuman, Daniel C.; Carbone, Chris

doi:10.1111/ddi.12424

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Therefore, increasing the source populations would increase present and future connectivity, regardless of land‐use change. The main pathway of squirrel introduction is the pet trade (Bertolino, ); however, squirrels are often further translocated from areas where they are established to new ones (Bertolino, ; Medina, López‐Darias, & Piquet, ; Signorile, Lurz, Wang, Reuman, & Carbone, ). To avoid new introductions, it is therefore important not only to ban these species from the pet trade but also to restrict the possibility to move the animals within a country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy

Febbraro

Menchetti

Russo

et al. 2019

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim The establishment and spread of invasive alien species may be influenced by several mutually interacting factors, whose understanding is paramount to develop effective biosecurity policies. However, studies focused on modelling spatially explicit patterns of future invasion risk have so far focused on species response to climate change impacts, while land‐use change has been neglected. We investigated how the interplay between climate and land‐use change could affect the future potential distribution and dispersal corridors of four alien squirrels introduced to Europe (Sciurus carolinensis, Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus erythraeus and Eutamias sibiricus). Location and Methods Our study was conducted in Italy. We used Species Distribution Models and circuit theory methods to test whether future scenarios based only on climate change predict a different effect on range and connectivity of alien squirrel populations, compared to scenarios that include both climate and land‐use changes. Results Scenarios based only on climate change predicted a range increase and a high geographic stability (>50%) for most species, with different, yet limited, effects on connectivity corridors. Conversely, scenarios based on both climate and land‐use change showed a loss in range extent and a low geographic stability (<50%) of both range and dispersal corridors for most species. Main conclusions Scenarios considering both climate and land‐use change provide predictions on invasion risk that overturn those including only climate change. The effect of global warming alone would lead to a considerable range expansion of all species. Conversely, when land‐use change is added, a potential loss in suitable habitat and dispersal corridors is predicted for alien squirrels, hence limiting their range expansion. We recommend using multiple drivers in models to obtain reliable predictions for implementing biosecurity policies related to invasive alien species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy

Febbraro

Menchetti

Russo

et al. 2019

Diversity and Distributions

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“…Previous research noted that multiple introductions increase genetic variation and accelerate large-scale expansion of invasive species, which increase invasion success 43 , 44 . Our results supported this view.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microsatellite evidence of dispersal mechanism of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the Pearl River basin and implications for its management

Huang

Tang

Cai

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Discerning the dispersal patterns of invasive species is critically important for the design of effective management strategies and the development of appropriate theoretical models predicting the spatial expansion of introduced populations. Post-introduction dispersal may occur naturally or via human transport, but for many organisms, assessing the relative contribution of each of these factors is difficult using traditional methods. Here, we explored the genetic patterns associated with the spread of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) among 21 populations in the Pearl River basin and 2 peripheral populations in the Yangtze River basin. We found the genetic diversity of P. clarkii in the Pearl River basin was somewhat lower than in the Yangtze River basin. We also found (1) there was significant genetic differentiation between populations, (2) genetic differentiation was not related to geographic distance (i.e., isolation by distance), and (3) a Bayesian assignment analysis revealed three distinct genetic clusters and genetic admixture. Our results therefore provide evidence that human-mediated multiple introductions occurred in the Pearl River basin. Anthropogenic activities such as commercial transportation were likely responsible for the long-distance dispersal of P. clarkii. This study provides useful information for developing management strategies.

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“…History shows that grey squirrel range expansion was facilitated by humans (e.g. see Signorile et al 2016). Grey squirrels were introduced into Aberdeen and its surroundings via separate introductions, and considerable resources and effort have been required to keep these populations under control, with the goal of eradication occurring in the future (Scottish Natural Heritage 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural strongholds for red squirrel conservation in Scotland

Slade¹,

White²,

Kortland³

et al. 2021

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The Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is under threat from the invasive North American eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) with 80% of the remaining red squirrel populations in the British Isles found in Scotland. In this study we develop a spatially explicit mathematical model of the red and grey squirrel system and use it to assess the population viability of red squirrels across Scotland. In particular, we aim to identify existing forests – natural strongholds for red squirrels – that can successfully support red squirrels under UK Forestry Standard management and protect them from potential disease-mediated competition from grey squirrels. Our model results indicate that if current levels of grey squirrel control, which restrict or reduce the distribution of grey squirrels, are continued then there will be large expanses of forests in northern Scotland that support viable red squirrel populations. Model results that represent (hypothetical) scenarios where grey squirrel control no longer occurred indicated that grey squirrel range expansion and the process of red squirrel replacement would be slow. Model results for an assumed worst-case scenario where grey squirrels have expanded to all regions in Scotland identified forest regions – denoted natural strongholds – that could currently support red squirrels under UK Forestry Standard management practice. The results will be used to inform forest management policy and support a strategic review of red squirrel management by land management agencies and other stakeholders.

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Mixture or mosaic? Genetic patterns in UK grey squirrels support a human‐mediated ‘long‐jump’ invasion mechanism

Cited by 17 publications

References 54 publications

Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy

Integrating climate and land‐use change scenarios in modelling the future spread of invasive squirrels in Italy

Microsatellite evidence of dispersal mechanism of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the Pearl River basin and implications for its management

Natural strongholds for red squirrel conservation in Scotland

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