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David J. Everest - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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first report of dermatophilosis in wild european red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris
Veterinary Record Case Reports, 2019Co-Authors: Paul Holmes, David J. Everest, Simon Spiro, Mark Wessels, Craig M. ShuttleworthAbstract:The carcases of two wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from Anglesey, North Wales, which had severe skin lesions, were presented to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. One was found dead in December 2017 and the second was found moribund in January 2018 but died 2 hours later. Both were examined at postmortem. The affected skin consisted of raised, firm, crusty lesions with pale subcutaneous necrotic tissue over the head particularly the face, eyelids and forehead. In addition, one had similar lesions on the scrotal and perineal area and along one hind leg extending to the foot. Postmortem examination, bacteriology and histopathology confirmed the presence of disease due to Dermatophilus congolensis with typical gross and pathological lesions. Squirrelpox virus was not detected. Here, we report the first description of dermatophilosis in European red squirrels, another important differential diagnosis of skin disease in a nationally declining population.
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Mortalities, amyloidosis and other diseases in free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on Jersey, Channel Islands.
The Veterinary record, 2018Co-Authors: T. Blackett, David J. Everest, Vic Simpson, Sean Haugland, Clare Muir, Ken C. Smith, Aileen C. MillAbstract:Between 2007 and 2014, 337 free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on Jersey, Channel Islands, were examined post mortem as part of a mortality and disease surveillance scheme. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were attributable for 50.7 per cent (171/337) of the casualties, 34.4 per cent (116/337) succumbed to diseases including fatal exudative dermatitis (FED), 7.1 per cent (24/337) to predation, 6.5 per cent (22/337) to other trauma and 1.2 per cent (4/337) to suspected poisoning. Cat predation accounted for 5 per cent (17/337) of mortalities. Pathologies were diverse and individual animals were often identified with more than one disease process. Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) particles were not detected in selected cases examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Amyloid was identified in 19.3 per cent (65/337) of squirrels, often in conjunction with inflammatory lesions like hepatic capillariasis. A consistent cause of amyloid accumulation was not identified, although there was a significant association of amyloidosis with hepatic capillariasis and FED. In addition to RTAs, amyloidosis and FED have been identified as important causes of squirrel morbidity and mortality on Jersey, while the underlying aetiology and predisposing factors for these two disease complexes are presently unclear. Disease, fragmented woodlands, an increasingly suburban habitat, along with various anthropogenic factors, may jeopardise the long-term viability of this island red squirrel population.
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Assessing causes and significance of red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) mortality during regional population restoration: An applied conservation perspective
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Craig M. Shuttleworth, David J. Everest, A. Lisa Signorile, Peter W. W. LurzAbstract:Red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) mortality was monitored opportunistically during the period 2004 to 2013 on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Road traffic proved a most significant cause of death (48%) mirroring the findings of earlier United Kingdom (UK) studies. Red squirrels were also found to have died from a range of pathological infections and disease previously unrecorded in Wales. These data have increased our knowledge on the national distribution of such causal factors. The study found male red squirrels were less likely to have an adenovirus infection than females and that animals dying from disease had a lower body mass than those associated with a traumatic death. No red squirrels were found with squirrelpox infection or antibodies to this virus which reinforces earlier findings from Anglesey that intensive grey squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ) culling reduced the prevalence of this infection within sympatric populations. Finally we highlight the potential intra and inter-specific infection risk presented by supplemental feeding. Download the complete issue.
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Adenovirus: an emerging factor in red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris conservation
Mammal Review, 2014Co-Authors: David J. Everest, Craig M. Shuttleworth, Sylvia S. Grierson, Mark F Stidworthy, J. Paul Duff, Robert E. KenwardAbstract:1. Adenovirus is an emerging threat to red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris conservation, but confirming clinically significant adenovirus infections in red squirrels is challenging. Rapid intestinal autolysis after death in wild animals frequently obscures pathology characteristic of the disease in animals found dead. 2. We review the available literature to determine current understanding of both subclinical and clinically significant adenovirus infections in free-living wild and captive red squirrel populations. 3. Benefits of scientific testing for adenovirus incorporating both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies are compared and contrasted. We favour viral particle detection using TEM in animals exhibiting enteropathy at post-mortem and the use of PCR to detect subclinical cases where no enteric abnormalities are observed. 4. Adenoviral infections associated with re-introduction studies are evaluated by examination of sporadic cases in wild populations and of data from captive collections used to service such studies. 5. The paucity of data available on adenovirus infection in grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis populations is documented, and we highlight that although subclinical virus presence is recorded in several locations in Great Britain and in Italy, no clinically significant disease cases have been detected in the species thus far. 6. Current speculation about potential interspecific infection between sciurids and other woodland rodents such as wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus is examined. Where subclinical adenovirus presence has been detected in sympatric populations using the same point food sources, husbandry methods may be used to diminish the potential for cross-infection. 7. Our findings highlight the importance of controlling disease in red squirrel populations by using clearly defined scientific methods. In addition, we propose hypothetical conservation benefits of restricting contact rates between red squirrels and sympatric grey squirrels and of limiting competition from other woodland rodent species.
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Squirrelpox virus in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the Republic of Ireland.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2013Co-Authors: Favel Naulty, David J. Everest, Neil D. Warnock, Kevin Phelan, John J. CallananAbstract:Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) is a significant factor in red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) population declines but has previously been unconfirmed in the Republic of Ireland. In 2011 a juvenile red squirrel from Wicklow presented with facial, perivulval, and nail bed SQPV skin lesions confirmed by histopathology, PCR, and electron microscopy. Introduced alien species can act as vectors for disease posing a threat to biodiversity. Two squirrel species are found in Ireland, the European red
Lucas A. Wauters - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Habitat effects on hoarding plasticity in the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2014Co-Authors: Cheng Zong, Lucas A. Wauters, Damiano Preatoni, Suonancuo Mei, Francesca Santicchia, Adriano MartinoliAbstract:Hoarding patterns can be classified into two general types: scatter-hoarding and larder-hoarding, but there are intermediate types. Various factors affect hoarding patterns. Animals hoarding identical seeds in different habitats may use different hoarding patterns to adapt to habitat variation. We used a sample-plot investigation method to study cache features and recovery rate of seeds of Arolla pine ( Pinus cembra ) by Eurasian red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ) in 2009 and 2010 in two subalpine forests with different tree-species composition in the Italian Alps. Hoarding patterns of red squirrels varied among habitats: the typical scatter-hoarding pattern with most caches including 2-6 seeds is found in spruce ( Picea abies ) dominated forest, while a combination of few large caches (≥10 seeds) and many small caches (less than 10 seeds) is found in Arolla pine dominated forest. Consequently, average number of seeds/cache was higher in the latter habitat. Among five microhabitats, shrubs, grass, moss, fallen leaves, and stone, Eurasian red squirrels preferred fallen leaves and moss as hoarding substrate. Cache recovery investigation indicated that recovery rate was 62% in spruce forest and only 21% in Arolla pine forest. A lower availability of suitable hoarding microhabitat resulted in changes in hoarding patterns of red squirrels in Pinus cembra dominated forest. We suggest that the main factor influencing differences in recovery rate was a higher cone production per tree in Pinus cembra forest. Download the complete issue.
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Macroparasite community of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris): poor species richness and diversity.
Parasitology research, 2013Co-Authors: Claudia Romeo, Adriano Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters, Benoît Pisanu, Nicola Ferrari, Franck Basset, Laurent Tillon, Nicola Saino, Jean-louis ChapuisAbstract:The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is the only naturally occurring tree squirrel throughout its range. We aim at improving current knowledge on its macroparasite fauna, expecting that it will have a poor parasite diversity because in species that have no sympatric congeners parasite richness should be lower than in hosts sharing their range with several closely related species, where host-switching events and lateral transmission are promoted. We examined gastro-intestinal helminth and ectoparasite communities (excluding mites) of, respectively, 147 and 311 red squirrel roadkills collected in four biogeographic regions in Italy and France. As expected, the macroparasite fauna was poor: we found five species of nematodes and some unidentified cestodes, three fleas, two sucking lice and two hard ticks. The helminth community was dominated by a single species, the oxyurid Trypanoxyuris (Rodentoxyuris) sciuri (prevalence, 87 %; mean abundance, 373 ± 65 worms/host). Its abundance varied among seasons and biogeographic regions and increased with body mass in male hosts while decreased in females. The most prevalent ectoparasites were the flea Ceratophyllus (Monopsyllus) sciurorum (28 %), whose presence was affected by season, and the generalist tick Ixodes (Ixodes) ricinus that was found only in France (34 %). All the other helminths and arthropod species were rare, with prevalence below 10 %. However, the first record of Strongyloides robustus, a common nematode of North American Eastern grey squirrels (S. carolinensis), in two red squirrels living in areas where this alien species co-inhabits, deserves further attention, since low parasite richness could result in native red squirrels being particularly vulnerable to parasite spillover.
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scale dependent environmental variables affecting red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis distribution
Italian Journal of Zoology, 2010Co-Authors: P.c. Rima, M. Cagnin, Gaetano Aloise, Damiano Preatoni, Lucas A. WautersAbstract:We investigated the effects of habitat fragmentation on the endemic subspecies of red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis in the Pollino National Park, Calabria, Southern Italy. Presence/absence of squirrels was monitored using drey (nest) counts in 51 1‐ha census plots. Squirrel dreys were found in 16 plots (31%). Patch size was not correlated to squirrel presence. Squirrels were found in patches ranging from 3.19 to 6051 ha. Small‐scale forest structure significantly affected the probability of occurrence. The proportion of conifers and average tree height positively predict squirrel presence; furthermore, nest density was positively correlated with high tree species diversity and the proportion of deciduous oaks (Quercus cerris, Q. ilex). Also at the home‐range scale the proportion of conifer forest and oak‐dominated deciduous forests positively predicted squirrel presence (200–300 m radius). At the even larger scale, corresponding with potential dispersal distances (3000 m radius), landscape parame...
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Scale‐dependent environmental variables affecting red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis) distribution
Italian Journal of Zoology, 2010Co-Authors: P.c. Rima, M. Cagnin, Gaetano Aloise, Damiano Preatoni, Lucas A. WautersAbstract:We investigated the effects of habitat fragmentation on the endemic subspecies of red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis in the Pollino National Park, Calabria, Southern Italy. Presence/absence of squirrels was monitored using drey (nest) counts in 51 1‐ha census plots. Squirrel dreys were found in 16 plots (31%). Patch size was not correlated to squirrel presence. Squirrels were found in patches ranging from 3.19 to 6051 ha. Small‐scale forest structure significantly affected the probability of occurrence. The proportion of conifers and average tree height positively predict squirrel presence; furthermore, nest density was positively correlated with high tree species diversity and the proportion of deciduous oaks (Quercus cerris, Q. ilex). Also at the home‐range scale the proportion of conifer forest and oak‐dominated deciduous forests positively predicted squirrel presence (200–300 m radius). At the even larger scale, corresponding with potential dispersal distances (3000 m radius), landscape parame...
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Living on the Edge: Can Eurasian Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) Persist in Extreme High-elevation Habitats?
Arctic Antarctic and Alpine Research, 2010Co-Authors: D. Rodrigues, Veronica Mari, Claudia Romeo, Guido Tosi, Lucas A. Wauters, Damiano Preatoni, Mda L. Mathias, Adriano MartinoliAbstract:Abstract Studying intraspecific spatiotemporal variation in vital rates among populations over a range of environmental conditions is essential to reveal intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting population dynamics. Mammal populations living at higher elevations often have higher adult survival, shorter breeding seasons, and lower reproductive output per season than at lower elevations. We studied dynamics of a Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) population in high-elevation, mountain pine (Pinus mugo) forest with extreme winters, in the Central Italian Alps, and compared vital rates with populations in more productive habitats at lower elevations. Average density was 0.14 ± 0.07 squirrels ha−1 (range 0.07–0.30 ha−1), and numbers typically increased in summer–autumn as a result of seasonal reproduction and immigration. Mean persistence time was only 12.5 months, and there was a nearly complete population turnover in only two years. Local survival and recruitment rate were correlated with seasonal po...
Anthony W. Sainsbury - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Epizootiology and pathologic findings associated with a newly described adenovirus in the red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2011Co-Authors: David Martínez-jiménez, John Gurnell, David L. Graham, David Couper, Maria Benkö, Sandra Schöniger, Anthony W. SainsburyAbstract:An infectious disease caused by Squirrelpox virus has contributed to the decline of red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris, in the British Isles. Because of the heightened disease surveillance activity in red squirrels, adenovirus infection with associated mortality has been detected. Adenoviral disease is described in other rodent species usually associated with stressors. Here we 1) describe the pathologic findings in red squirrels found dead with adenoviral infection and gastrointestinal disease, and 2) investigate the epizootiology of the disease through pathologic investigation, scanning surveillance, and virologic studies. Ten red squirrels involved in conservation studies were diagnosed with adenoviral infection by electron microscopy or PCR. All squirrels exhibited diarrhea and small intestinal inflammation or hemorrhage was evident in seven cases. Lesions indicative of splenic lymphocytolysis were observed in one squirrel and leukocytic hepatitis in another. No adenovirus was detected in grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, inhabiting the same forest area, but previous serologic studies showed that grey squirrels cannot be discounted as a reservoir of the virus. Scanning surveillance showed that 12% of 493 red squirrels had diarrheal disease and two of 13 free-living red squirrels with diarrheal disease had adenovirus infection. Adenoviral disease in declining free-living wild red squirrel populations in the British Isles occurs at a detectable frequency and its impact on the conservation of this species deserves further attention.
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Retrospective detection by negative contrast electron microscopy of faecal viral particles in free-living wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) with suspected enteropathy in Great Britain
The Veterinary record, 2010Co-Authors: David J. Everest, Craig M. Shuttleworth, Mark F Stidworthy, T. Blackett, Anna Meredith, Elspeth Milne, H. Butler, Julian Chantrey, M. Wilkinson, Anthony W. SainsburyAbstract:Transmission electron microscopy identified adenovirus particles in 10 of 70 (14.3 per cent) samples of large intestinal content collected at postmortem examination from free-living wild red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) across Great Britain between 2000 and 2009. Examination was limited to cases in which an enteropathy was suspected on the basis of predetermined macroscopic criteria such as semi-solid or diarrhoeic faeces, suspected enteritis or the presence of intussusception. In most cases, meaningful histological examination of enteric tissue was not possible due to pronounced autolysis. Two (2.9 per cent) of the samples were negative for adenovirus but were found to contain rotavirus particles, a novel finding in this species.
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Epidemics of squirrelpox virus disease in red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ): temporal and serological findings
Epidemiology and infection, 2008Co-Authors: Bernadette Carroll, John Gurnell, P.h. Russell, P. F. Nettleton, Anthony W. SainsburyAbstract:SUMMARY Squirrelpox virus (SQPV) causes a fatal disease in free-living red squirrels {Sciurus vulgaris) which has contributed to their decline in the United Kingdom. Given the difficulty of carrying out and funding experimental investigations on free-living wild mammals, data collected from closely monitored natural outbreaks of disease is crucial to our understanding of disease epidemiology. A conservation programme was initiated in the 1990s to bolster the population of red squirrels in the coniferous woodland of Thetford Chase, East Anglia. In 1996, 24 red squirrels were reintroduced to Thetford from Northumberland and Cumbria, while in 1999 a captive breeding and release programme commenced, but in both years the success of the projects was hampered by an outbreak of SQPV disease in which seven and four red squirrels died respectively. Valuable information on the host-pathogen dynamics of SQPV disease was gathered by telemetric and mark-recapture monitoring of the red squirrels. SQPV disease characteristics were comparable to other virulent poxviral infections: the incubation period was < 15 days; the course of the disease an average of 10 days and younger animals were significantly more susceptible to disease. SQPV disease places the conservation of the red squirrel in jeopardy in the United Kingdom unless practical disease control methods can be identified.
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ORAL DISEASE IN FREE-LIVING RED SQUIRRELS (Sciurus vulgaris) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2004Co-Authors: Anthony W. Sainsbury, Amalia Kountouri, George Duboulay, Peter KerteszAbstract:Ninety-one red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) found dead in the UK between January 1994 and August 1998 were necropsied at the Institute of Zoology (London, UK); their oral cavities were examined visually, and in eight cases, radiographically. Four red squirrels, which had evidence of oral disease when necropsied as part of a mortality survey, also were examined. A low prevalence (prevalence =0.033, SE =0.02, n=91) of oral disease was found in free-living red squirrels. In only two cases was oral disease the probable cause of death. Attrition of the cheek teeth (three cases) and overgrowth of the incisors (four cases) were the most common lesions found. Partial anodontia was recorded in one squirrel.
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Bone assessment of free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the United Kingdom.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2004Co-Authors: Rosa M. Garriga, Anthony W. Sainsbury, Allen E. GoodshipAbstract:Metabolic bone disease has been reported in free-living red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the United Kingdom but the prevalence of this disease is unknown. In this study the bone quality of free-living red squirrels in the UK was assessed by radiology and bone densitometry. The study comprised 20 red squirrels found dead and submitted to the Zoological Society of London (UK) between 1997 and 1998, 10 were from the Isle of Wight (IoW), where gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are absent, and 10 were from Cumbria (Cu), where gray squirrels are present. Gray squirrels are considered potential competitors for red squirrels. Radiologic evaluation of humerus, femur, tibia, radius, and ilium revealed a slightly lower bone density and thinner cortices in red squirrels from the IoW when compared with those from Cu. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral content and density of the isolated right humerus and femur of 19 of the 20 red squirrels. The bone densitometry study reinforced t...
Antimo Di Maro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Molecular characterization of myoglobin from Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis: Primary structure, kinetics and spectroscopic studies
Biochimica et biophysica acta. Proteins and proteomics, 2017Co-Authors: Antonella M.a. Di Giuseppe, Luigi Russo, Rosita Russo, Sara Ragucci, J. Valentina Caso, Carla Isernia, Angela Chambery, Antimo Di MaroAbstract:Abstract Myoglobins (Mbs) are heme-proteins involved in dioxygen storage necessary for metabolic respiration. Mbs are intensely investigated as archetype to investigate structure/function relationship in globular proteins. In this work, the myoglobin from Sciurus vulgaris meridionalis has been for the first time isolated and purified with a high yield and homogeneity. The primary structure characterization has been performed by applying a strategy based on high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Proximal (position 93, α-helix F8) and distal (position 64, α-helix E7) histidinyl residues as well as most of the amino acid residues (i.e., Leu29, Lys45, Thr67, Val68) involved in the autoxidation mechanism are conserved in the squirrel Mb. The structural and dynamical properties of the squirrel Mb have been also deeply investigated by CD, NMR. Furthermore, molecular dynamics studies of Mbs from different species have been performed. In addition, the functional properties of squirrel Mb have been characterized by determining its autoxidation kinetic and thermal stability in comparison with crested porcupine and reindeer Mbs. Interestingly, a higher autoxidation rate was revealed for squirrel Mb with respect to reindeer and crested porcupine Mbs. Even considering the very similar structural fold, molecular dynamics data show a higher conformational mobility of squirrel Mb with respect to reindeer and crested porcupine.
Peter W. W. Lurz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Assessing causes and significance of red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) mortality during regional population restoration: An applied conservation perspective
Hystrix-italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2015Co-Authors: Craig M. Shuttleworth, David J. Everest, A. Lisa Signorile, Peter W. W. LurzAbstract:Red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) mortality was monitored opportunistically during the period 2004 to 2013 on the island of Anglesey in North Wales. Road traffic proved a most significant cause of death (48%) mirroring the findings of earlier United Kingdom (UK) studies. Red squirrels were also found to have died from a range of pathological infections and disease previously unrecorded in Wales. These data have increased our knowledge on the national distribution of such causal factors. The study found male red squirrels were less likely to have an adenovirus infection than females and that animals dying from disease had a lower body mass than those associated with a traumatic death. No red squirrels were found with squirrelpox infection or antibodies to this virus which reinforces earlier findings from Anglesey that intensive grey squirrel ( Sciurus carolinensis ) culling reduced the prevalence of this infection within sympatric populations. Finally we highlight the potential intra and inter-specific infection risk presented by supplemental feeding. Download the complete issue.
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Use of LiDAR in the conservation management of the endangered red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.)
Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 2014Co-Authors: Silvia Flaherty, Peter W. W. Lurz, Genevieve PatenaudeAbstract:LiDAR remote sensing allows the direct retrieval of vegetation structure parameters and has been widely used to assess habitat quality for various species. The aim of this study is to test whether LiDAR can help in providing estimates of habitat suitability over larger scales and inform conservation management planning in stronghold areas of an endangered forest mammal, the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.). The Eurasian red squirrel is endangered in the UK and under strict legal protection. Hence, long-term habitat management is a key goal of the UK conservation strategy. This involves understanding habitat preferences of the species. In a pre- vious study, we demonstrated the importance of forest structure for red squirrels' habitat pref- erence. We used a general linear model (GLM) to relate the distribution and abundance of squirrel feeding signs to mean canopy closure, mean tree height, and the total number of trees at the plot level. However, this analysis was limited to a few sample areas. In the current study, we implement the GLM using LiDAR-derived explanatory variables in Abernethy Forest. Results suggest that when forest structure is considered, only 27% of the total forest area is highly suitable for red squirrel. Implications for management are discussed. © 2014 Society of
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Modelling the distribution of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on the Isle of Wight
Animal Conservation, 1999Co-Authors: Steve P. Rushton, Peter W. W. Lurz, Andy South, A. Mitchell‐jonesAbstract:We investigated the distribution of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations on the Isle of Wight using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and a spatially explicit population dynamics model (SEPM) with the aim of identifying management options for red squirrel conservation. The presence/absence of red squirrels in habitat blocks in the landscape was used as the dependent variable and the size and separation of habitat blocks as independent variables in the GLM analysis. Red squirrel presence within a woodland was significantly related to woodland size and the distance to the nearest wood known to contain squirrels. The SEPM-generated predictions on population viability were closest to the field data when a low dispersal distance of 1 km was used. This suggests that squirrel dispersal on the Isle of Wight is restricted. Our results suggest that some large interconnected woodlands should be maintained if red squirrels are to be conserved for the future.
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Cached fungi in non‐native conifer forests and their importance for red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.)
Journal of Zoology, 1998Co-Authors: Peter W. W. Lurz, Andy SouthAbstract:The caching of fungi by red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris was investigated in commercial conifer plantations by walking transects in Kielder Forest, Cumbria and Wauchope Forest, Scotland. In 11 transects, a total of 58 fungal fruiting bodies were observed on branches in trees, consisting of four different species (49 Russula ochroleuca , seven R. metica , one R. vesca , one Colybia maculata ). Fungal stores were found to be short lived and most fruiting bodies cached were gone after 2 weeks. Based on the survey findings we estimate that within an average red squirrel home range there would be a minimum of 42 cached fruiting bodies, constituting a food store of approx. 525–714 kJ.
