Site and landscape features ruling the habitat use and occupancy of the polecat (Mustela putorius) in a low density area: a multiscale approach

Zabala, Jabi; Zuberogoitia, Íñigo; Martínez-Climent, Jose Antonio

doi:10.1007/s10344-005-0094-z

Cited by 29 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…From the most synanthropized species -red fox, which had the most numerous garbage in the diet, to American mink, which did not consumed garbage at all (Gołdyn et al 2003;Zabala et al 2005;Goszczyński et al 2007). On the other hand, the Eurasian otter, American mink and stoat did not show signs of synathropization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

Jankowiak¹,

Malecha²,

Krawczyk³

2016

European Journal of Ecology

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Human food waste is considered to be richer in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins than most natural food supplies; however, it is very well digested in scats. So, as an indication of this kind of food in the diet, we have used each indigestible, anthropogenic origin element found in faeces (e.g., glass, plastic, rubber, etc.). There are few studies discussing the importance of garbage in the diet of mammalian predators living in farmland; definitely, most focus on this issue in urban areas. We studied the contribution of garbage in the diet of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), marten (Martes sp.), polecat (Mustela putorius), stoat (Mustela erminea), American mink (Neovison vison) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in the agricultural areas of western Poland in 2006-2010. In addition, we examined the spatial changes in the diet of red fox and polecat. The largest contribution of garbage was found in scats of raccoon dog (8.8%), red fox (4.8%) and marten (4.3%). The diet of polecat, stoat and Eurasian otter contained 2.5%, 1.7% and 0.2% garbage items respectively. The most frequent item was plastic. Our analysis showed that garbage consumption by red fox and polecat was greater closer to human settlements. The results reveal a continuous gradient in the garbage consumption that corresponds with the degree of synanthropization of particular species. INTRODUCTIONABSTRACT carnivores, diet, garbage, generalist species, synanthropization, human settlements KEYWORDS

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

Jankowiak¹,

Malecha²,

Krawczyk³

2016

European Journal of Ecology

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“…Nevertheless, the authors remark that the animals show habitat plasticity and might be using watercourses as a last-resource shelter, due to the lack of vegetation cover in the surrounding landscape matrix. Association with riparian habitats was also observed by Manghi et al (2005) who investigated activity patterns and home range sizes of radio-tracked polecats (1 adult male, 1 juvenile male and 1 adult female) in a 'montado' (Quercus suber L.) area in Alentejo; results indicated nocturnal activity, with individuals frequently resting during daytime in wild rabbits' burrows, and the use of linear structures, particularly riparian vegetation along stream and lagoon margins, as movement corridors between forested and cultivated habitat patches, The preference for riparian habitats has been formerly described (Blandford, 1987;Lodé, 1993Lodé, , 1994Zabala et al, 2005;Rondinini et al, 2006) and its importance seems to increase in fragmented landscapes, either by providing refuge and food resources or by functioning as ecological corridors that enhance connectivity between landscape patches (Virgós, 2001;Matos et al, 2009). Santos et al (2008) found that polecats in the Alqueva pre-dam situation were also associated with oak woodlands and cereal plantations, the dominant habitats in the area.…”

Section: Ecological Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal: a review

Costa¹,

Fernandes²,

Santos‐Reis³

2014

Munibe Monogr., nat. ser.

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Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) ABSTRACTIn Portugal, the current status of the European polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) is Data Deficient but, although apparently widespread in the country, empirical evidence suggests a population decline. The present review summarises information from published studies and grey literature concerning the species' distribution, ecological requirements and the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures. In southern Portugal, polecats seem to be strongly associated with riparian habitats and specialised in the consumption of lagomorphs. Main threats to the species in Portugal are habitat degradation due to agricultural intensification, decline of prey populations, direct persecution, and road mortality. Further research is urgently needed to accurately map the occurrence of the polecat and assess the current trend of its populations, so that conservation and management actions can be properly applied. Ongoing studies are expected to provide new insights into patterns of time and space use, genetic structure and putative hybridisation with domestic ferrets, and interspecific interactions with the other semi-aquatic carnivores of the Portuguese fauna, the otter Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) and the American mink Neovison vison (Schreber, 1777). Conservation actions should include the recovery and preservation of the habitats for polecats and their prey, promotion of non-intensive farming and restricted use of pesticides, surveillance of predator control activities, enforcement of mitigation measures in human-altered landscapes, and monitoring of hybridisation with ferrets. The implementation of these measures should increase polecat chances of persisting in Portuguese landscapes and, ultimately, would benefit the whole carnivore community. KEY WORDS:European polecat, ecology and conservation, literature review, Mustela putorius, Portugal. RESUMENLa información actual sobre el estado del turón Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) en Portugal es escasa; sin embargo, a pesar de que parece estar ampliamente distribuido por todo el país, evidencias empíricas parecen indicar un disminución de la población. La presente revisión es un compendio de toda la información disponible en artículos y literatura gris sobre su distribución, ecología y el impacto que la actividad humana ha ejercido sobre la especie. En el sur de Portugal, el turón parece estar fuertemente asociado a zonas ribereñas y haberse especializado en el consumo de lagomorfos. Las principales amenazas a esta especie en Portugal son la degradación de su hábitat debido a la intensificación de la agricultura, la disminución de las poblaciones de sus presas, la persecución directa de animales, y la muerte accidental en carreteras. Por lo tanto, es necesaria más investigación que permita determinar la incidencia y tendencias de las poblaciones de turón, con el fin de poder aplicar e implementar eficazmente diferentes programas de conservación y gestión. Se espera que los estudios en...

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“…To fill the gap on the species knowledge, particularly in the regions where the density of polecat is low, studies at a finer scale, based on GIS modeling methods (Gough & Rushton, 2000;Zabala et al, 2005;Mestre et al, 2007) would better determine its situation. Analysis of habitat parameters (area of wetlands and hedged farmland, and network traffic) and their evolution, in relation with the presence of the species are needed to better understand the influence of these parameters on the abundance and distribution of the polecat.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus,1758) in France and management implications

Berzins¹,

Ruette²

2014

Munibe Monogr., nat. ser.

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Status del turón Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) en Francia e implicaciones para su gestión Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) ipurtatsaren estatusa Frantzian eta kudeaketarekin lotutako inplikazioak ABSTRACTThe polecat Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 is an elusive species whose lifestyle is relatively unknown. In France, the species might be legally hunted. Knowledge of the distribution of the species on the national scale is a necessary prerequisite for the implementation of appropriated management and conservation measures. The National Wildlife and Hunting Agency (ONCFS) has developed a method for collecting data at the national scale so that to create presence maps of small and medium-sized carnivores. The presence map of the polecat is presented in this note, based on data collected from 2001 to 2010. The map shows that the species is fairly well distributed throughout the country with the exception of some regions that deserve further study. According to current knowledge, the factors threatening the polecat in France are above all the deep modifications of the preferential habitats of the polecat, particularly the important decrease of wetlands and hedged farmland; the increase of the road network and the poor state of rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) populations, an important food resource notably in the Mediterranean regions. The importance of secondary rodenticide poisoning needs to be evaluated. We postulated that trapping is not nowadays a major threat to the species in France. Management and conservation measures of its habitat through the implementation of public policies could favor its maintenance.KEY WORDS: Conservation, Distribution, European polecat, France, Threats. RESUMENEl turón Mustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 es una especie huidiza de costumbres poco conocidas. Su caza en Francia podriar estar permitida. Conocer la distribución del Turón en territorio nacional es indispensable para tomar medidas de gestión y de conservación apropiadas a su estatus. La Oficina Nacional de Caza y Fauna Salvaje (ONCFS) ha desarrollado un método de recogida de datos a escala nacional con el fin de realizar mapas de presencia de pequeños y medianos carnívoros. En este artículo, se muestra el mapa de presencia del Turón obtenido a partir de los datos recogidos del año 2001 al 2010. Éste, indica que la especie está bien distribuida en el territorio a excepción de algunas regiones que merecerían un más estudios. Basándonos en los conocimientos actuales, los factores que amenazan al Turón en Francia son sobre todo las enormes modificaciones de su hábitat, particularmente una disminución importante de los humedales y de las zonas boscosas; el aumento de la red de carreteras y el mal estado de ciertas poblaciones de conejos Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758), importante fuente alimenticia, especialmente en las regiones mediterráneas. La gestión y la conservación del hábitat del Turón a través de la realización de políticas públicas serían unas medidas que podrían favorecer el mantenimiento de es...

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Site and landscape features ruling the habitat use and occupancy of the polecat (Mustela putorius) in a low density area: a multiscale approach

Cited by 29 publications

References 30 publications

Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

Garbage in the diet of carnivores in an agricultural area

Ecology and conservation of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portugal: a review

Status of the polecat Mustela putorius (Linnaeus,1758) in France and management implications

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