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Palle Villesen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Introgression of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) mitochondrial DNA into wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Denmark
    BMC Ecology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Tina Fredsted, Trine Wincentz, Palle Villesen
    Abstract:

    Background In Europe the mountain hare ( Lepus timidus ) exists in Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, parts of the Alps and in Eastern Europe, but not in Denmark. Interspecific hybridization has been demonstrated between native Swedish mountain hares and introduced brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ). During the data collection in a study concerning Danish brown hares we identified 16 hares with a single very divergent haplotype. Results Phylogenetic analysis shows that the divergent Danish haplotype is most closely related to the Swedish mountain hare. The frequency of Lepus timidus mtDNA haplotype in the Eastern Danish hare populations is estimated to 6%. Conclusion In contrast to what is known, the Danish hare populations are not pure L. europaeus populations but include introgressed brown hares with Swedish L. timidus mtDNA. The most probable explanation of this is natural migration or translocation of introgressed brown hares from Sweden. The impurity of hare populations has implications for conservation and population genetics.

  • Introgression of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) mitochondrial DNA into wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Denmark
    BMC Ecology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Tina Fredsted, Trine Wincentz, Palle Villesen
    Abstract:

    Background In Europe the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) exists in Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, parts of the Alps and in Eastern Europe, but not in Denmark. Interspecific hybridization has been demonstrated between native Swedish mountain hares and introduced brown hares (Lepus europaeus). During the data collection in a study concerning Danish brown hares we identified 16 hares with a single very divergent haplotype.

Paulo C. Alves - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Effect of landscape type, elevation, vegetation period, and taxonomic plant identification level on diet preferences of Alpine mountain hares ( Lepus timidus varronis )
    European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: Stéphanie C. Schai-braun, Paulo C. Alves, Katharina Lapin, Karl-georg Bernhardt, Klaus Hackländer
    Abstract:

    Diet is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of populations. When examining animals’ diets, the lowest taxonomic rank (i.e., species level) is generally used. However, it is questionable whether dietary description varies with respect to the plant taxonomy or with the extent of plant species diversity in landscapes. We studied the diet of the Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis) by analyzing the botanical composition of fecal pellets and comparing the results with the availability of food plants. Overall, Alpine mountain hares selected ligneous plants, whereas grasses were neutrally consumed or avoided. Plant identification at the genus and family level revealed the most information, whereas little additional information was gleaned by identifying food plants at the species level. In low-diversity spruce forests and at higher elevations, hares exhibited greater diet breadth compared to high-diversity vegetative mosaics or at lower elevations, even if they had access to the same types of plants. This is likely due to the hares’ need to diversify their diet when plant quantity is low. Greater diet breadth and selection of a larger number of different plant types at the beginning of the plant vegetation growth period suggested that more food plants suitable for Alpine mountain hares were available during this time compared to the end of the vegetation period.

  • Gastrointestinal parasite infestation in the alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis): Are abiotic environmental factors such as elevation, temperature and precipitation affecting prevalence of parasite species?
    International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, 2019
    Co-Authors: Stéphanie C. Schai-braun, Paulo C. Alves, Annika Posautz, Klaus Hackländer
    Abstract:

    Abstract Information concerning factors regulating Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis) populations such as host-parasite interactions is missing as only a few parasitological surveys exist of this subspecies. Parasites are not only dependent on their host but also on suitable environmental conditions for infestation. Abiotic environmental factors have an important regulating role on parasites in mammals. It is estimated that the elevation range of parasites is likely to shift in response to alternate host movement and changes in climate. Here we assess the parasitic infestation in the Alpine mountain hare by analysing the parasites in faeces and comparing the parasite infestation at different elevation ranges and at varied weather conditions for two years in the Austrian Alps. Almost half of the faecal samples were free of parasites (46.2%, n = 52). Most frequent was the infection by Coccidia (46.2%), whereas stomach intestine strongylids, Trichuris spp, and Cestoda were only found in 9.6% of all faeces. Hence, only Coccidia may be prevalent enough to regulate Alpine mountain hare populations in the Austrian Alps. Elevation had a significant positive effect on the infection of animals by Trichuris spp, whereas temperature had a significant negative effect on the infection by any parasite traceable in faeces and, when looking at the parasite groups individually, on Coccidia.

  • Melo-Ferreira_et_al_Genotypes
    2016
    Co-Authors: José Melo-ferreira, Franz Suchentrunk, Liliana Farelo, Pierre Boursot, Helder Freitas, Paulo C. Alves
    Abstract:

    Genotypes of 6 microsatellite loci (Sat2, Sat8, Sat12, INRACCDDv358, Lsa2, Sol30Le) from a total of 342 specimens from three species: Lepus granatensis, Lepus europaeus and Lepus timidus. Population code and number are indicated in the second and third column respectively

  • the genomic legacy from the extinct Lepus timidus to the three hare species of iberia contrast between mtdna sex chromosomes and autosomes
    Molecular Ecology, 2009
    Co-Authors: Jose Meloferreira, Paulo C. Alves, Nuno Ferrand, H Freitas, Pierre Boursot
    Abstract:

    Extensive interspecific genetic introgression is often reported, and appraising its genomic impact can serve to determine whether it results from selection on specific loci or from demographic processes affecting the whole genome. The three species of hares present in the Iberian Peninsula harbour high frequencies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from Lepus timidus, an arctic/boreal species now extinct in the region. This could result from the invasive replacement of L. timidus by the temperate species during deglaciation but should then have left traces in the nuclear genome. We typed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered by sequencing 10 autosomal loci, two X-linked and one Y-linked in species-wide samples of the four taxa. Based on lineage-diagnostic SNPs, we detected no trace of L. timidus sex chromosomes in Iberia. From the frequencies of inferred haplotypes, autosomal introgression into L. granatensis appeared mostly sporadic but always widespread instead of restricted to the north as mtDNA. Autosomal introgression into Iberian L. europaeus, inhabiting the Pyrenean foothills, was hardly detectable, despite quasi-fixation of L. timidus mtDNA. L. castroviejoi, endemic to the Cantabrian Mountains and fixed for L. timidus mtDNA, showed little traces of autosomal introgression. The absence of sex-chromosome introgression presumably resulted from X-linked hybrid male unfitness. The contrasting patterns between the autosomes and mtDNA could reflect general gender asymmetric processes such as frequency-dependent female assortative mating, lower mtDNA migration and higher male dispersal, but adaptive mtDNA introgression cannot be dismissed. Additionally, we document reciprocal introgression between L. europaeus and both L. granatensis in Iberia and L. timidus outside Iberia.

  • the rise and fall of the mountain hare Lepus timidus during pleistocene glaciations expansion and retreat with hybridization in the iberian peninsula
    Molecular Ecology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Franz Suchentrunk, Ettore Randi, Nuno Ferrand, Pierre Boursot, Jose Meloferreira, A Kryukov, Paulo C. Alves
    Abstract:

    The climatic fluctuations during glaciations have affected differently arctic and temperate species. In the northern hemisphere, cooling periods induced the expansion of many arctic species to the south, while temperate species were forced to retract in southern refugia. Consequently, in some areas the alternation of these species set the conditions for competition and eventually hybridization. Hares in the Iberian Peninsula appear to illustrate this phenomenon. Populations of Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis), brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and broom hare (Lepus castroviejoi) in Northern Iberia harbour mitochondrial haplotypes from the mountain hare (Lepus timidus), a mainly boreal and arctic species presently absent from the peninsula. To understand the history of this past introgression we analysed sequence variation and geographical distribution of mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b haplotypes of L. timidus origin found in 378 specimens of these four species. Among 124 L. timidus from the Northern Palaearctic and the Alps we found substantial nucleotide diversity (2.3%) but little differentiation between populations. Based on the mismatch distribution of the L. timidus sequences, this could result from an expansion at a time of temperature decrease favourable to this arctic species. The nucleotide diversity of L. timidus mtDNA found in Iberian L. granatensis, L. europaeus and L. castroviejoi (183, 70 and 1 specimens, respectively) was of the same order as that in L. timidus over its range (1.9%), suggesting repeated introgression of multiple lineages. The structure of the coalescent of L. granatensis sequences indicates that hybridization with L. timidus was followed by expansion of the introgressed haplotypes, as expected during a replacement with competition, and occurred when temperatures started to rise, favouring the temperate species. Whether a similar scenario explains the introgression into Iberian L. europaeus remains unclear but it is possible that it hybridized with already introgressed L. granatensis.

Tina Fredsted - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Introgression of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) mitochondrial DNA into wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Denmark
    BMC Ecology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Tina Fredsted, Trine Wincentz, Palle Villesen
    Abstract:

    Background In Europe the mountain hare ( Lepus timidus ) exists in Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, parts of the Alps and in Eastern Europe, but not in Denmark. Interspecific hybridization has been demonstrated between native Swedish mountain hares and introduced brown hares ( Lepus europaeus ). During the data collection in a study concerning Danish brown hares we identified 16 hares with a single very divergent haplotype. Results Phylogenetic analysis shows that the divergent Danish haplotype is most closely related to the Swedish mountain hare. The frequency of Lepus timidus mtDNA haplotype in the Eastern Danish hare populations is estimated to 6%. Conclusion In contrast to what is known, the Danish hare populations are not pure L. europaeus populations but include introgressed brown hares with Swedish L. timidus mtDNA. The most probable explanation of this is natural migration or translocation of introgressed brown hares from Sweden. The impurity of hare populations has implications for conservation and population genetics.

  • Introgression of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) mitochondrial DNA into wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Denmark
    BMC Ecology, 2006
    Co-Authors: Tina Fredsted, Trine Wincentz, Palle Villesen
    Abstract:

    Background In Europe the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) exists in Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, parts of the Alps and in Eastern Europe, but not in Denmark. Interspecific hybridization has been demonstrated between native Swedish mountain hares and introduced brown hares (Lepus europaeus). During the data collection in a study concerning Danish brown hares we identified 16 hares with a single very divergent haplotype.

Maik Rehnus - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Mountain hares Lepus timidus follow the green-up wave in the pursuit of high-quality food
    Wildlife Biology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Maik Rehnus, Kurt Bollmann
    Abstract:

    Spatial patterns in animal behavior can provide insight into habitat quality and the distribution of resources. Understanding how, when, and why animals use certain areas is critical to their conservation and management. We investigated the distribution of pellets of mountain hares Lepus timidus in the Swiss Alps and compared differences between spring and autumn. 1515 pellet locations from 119 individuals (70 males, 49 females) were used. Pellets were collected from 2014 to 2019; individuals were determined using an established, non-invasive genetic technique. We found evidence of an altitudinal shift in the occurrence of pellets from lower elevations in spring to higher elevations in autumn. This seasonal pattern is also supported by altitudinal shifts of three individual core activity areas (2 males, 1 females) and by higher hare activities at the high plateau in autumn. We conclude that the annual ‘wave’ of greening from lower to higher elevations, which correlates with forage availability and quality, explains this shift.

  • Weak Habitat Segregation between Male and Female Mountain Hares (Lepus timidus)
    Annales Zoologici Fennici, 2020
    Co-Authors: Maik Rehnus, Kurt Bollmann
    Abstract:

    Sexual habitat segregation affects animal distribution and can lead to different life-histories across sexes. We investigated sex-related habitat segregation in the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) during the early-breeding and post-reproductive periods at the macro- (home range) and microscale (pellet location) by using pellet data sets from a non-invasive genetic population monitoring in the Swiss Alps. The data sets comprise six years (2014–2019) of sampling and include 119 individuals (70 males, 49 females). At the macroscale, the sex-related habitat segregation was weak in both periods but higher in the early-breeding period as compared with that in the post-reproductive period. Home ranges of females contained a higher proportion of forest stands in the early-breeding period. At the microscale, the sex-related habitat segregation for habitat characteristics was low in both periods. We conclude that habitat segregation between male and female mountain hares is weak during the early-breeding and post-reproductive periods.

  • Non-invasive genetic population density estimation of mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in the Alps: systematic or opportunistic sampling?
    European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2016
    Co-Authors: Maik Rehnus, Kurt Bollmann
    Abstract:

    The development and evaluation of a reliable non-invasive genetic sampling (NIGS) is a crucial step towards accurately and reliably estimating population size for the long-term monitoring of wildlife species. We used NIGS data to obtain population density estimates of a mountain hare (Lepus timidus) population in the Swiss Alps. We evaluated and compared the effectiveness of systematic and opportunistic NIGS and their combination in spring 2014. Extraction success rate of DNA from faeces, hair and urine samples, their age-dependent variation as well as the completeness of microsatellite genotyping data were used as measures of effectiveness. We applied a spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) approach to estimate the minimum population size. We found that the extraction success of faecal samples decreased with the time since excretion and that urine and hair samples mostly yielded insufficient DNA for the successful genotyping of individuals. Mountain hare faeces up to 5 days old are most appropriate for NIGS because the risk of unsuccessful DNA extraction or genotyping errors/failure is considerably lower in these samples. Systematic sampling revealed more genotypes than opportunistic sampling, but the latter resulted in higher numbers of recapture and thus, increased the spatial resolution of the data. Depending on the sampling design, the population density estimates ranged from 3.2 to 3.6 mountain hares per 100 ha. This study informs ecologists and wildlife managers about suitable survey techniques for the monitoring of free-ranging lagomorph populations and addresses important principles for the development of accurate survey methods for other elusive wildlife species that inhabit difficult, mountainous terrain.

  • The 24-hour cycle of the mountain hare Lepus timidus Linnaeus, 1758
    Der Zoologische Garten, 2014
    Co-Authors: Maik Rehnus
    Abstract:

    Abstract The behavioral decisions of wild animals are influenced by the often conflicting needs to both feed efficiently and to avoid predators. Information regarding how lagomorphs such as the mountain hare ( Lepus timidus ) balance these factors throughout the day-night cycle is largely lacking despite its importance to management. To better understand the type and proportion of various behaviors the mountain hare engages in over the course of a 24-hour period, I monitored the behavior of six mountain hares under controlled conditions from early to mid-winter. The mountain hares spend the majority of their time resting (mean ± standard deviation: 32.4 ± 14.4%) and under canopy (22.4 ± 18.7%), and a smaller proportion of their time feeding (16.2 ± 6.1%). Activity peaks over the course of the 24-hour cycle reflect natural behavior patterns that emphasize the reduction of predation risk. The sunrise phase is characterized by the search for a suitable resting place; the day phase by resting and hiding. The sunset phase is characterized by the search for food, and the night phase by an equal mix of food intake and movement through the home range. These results can help land managers predict how factors such as increasing tourist activity (perceived by the hare as a safety threat) will influence the behavior of free-ranging mountain hares.

  • Mountain hares Lepus timidus and tourism: stress events and reactions
    Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Maik Rehnus, Martin Wehrle, Rupert Palme
    Abstract:

    Summary 1. Winter tourism in the European Alps has developed rapidly over the past few decades, leading to the expansion of ski resorts, growing numbers of visitors and a massive increase in snow sport activities such as free-ride skiing and snowboarding, backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Wildlife is often disturbed by these largely unpredictable activities, and animals may have limited opportunities to adapt. Mountain hares Lepus timidus are affected by this increase in alpine tourism, but their physiological and behavioural reactions to tourist activity are still unknown. 2. We measured the levels of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) in wild mountain hares living in areas that had no, medium or high levels of tourist activity during winter in 2011. Furthermore, we compared the changes in GCM excretion, behaviour and food intake of six captive mountain hares following predator challenge experiments from early to mid-winter. 3. Our field results showed that GCM excretion is positively correlated with increased tourism intensity. In the predator challenge experiments, hares spent less time resting and grooming (including re-ingesting faecal pellets) during and after the stress treatments. These stress events lead to higher energy demands due to flushing, increased GCM levels, and disrupted the energy intake that hares derive from faeces. 4. We conclude that mountain hares living in areas with frequent human winter recreational activities show changes in physiology and behaviour that demand additional energy in winter, when access to food resources is limited by snow. 5. Synthesis and applications. To bring down the frequency of stress threats for mountain hares, we recommend that managers keep forests inhabited by mountain hares free of tourism infrastructure and retain undisturbed forest patches within skiing areas. Other species such as black grouse Tetrao tetrix and/or capercaillie Tetrao urogallus are also likely to benefit from such management activities because they share similar habitat requirements with mountain

Carl-gustaf Thulin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.