Abstract Climate influences the biogeography of bats, their access to food, timing hibernation, reproduction and development, frequency duration torpor rate energy expenditure. Empirical data on impact climate change bats are a cause for concern as current increases in global temperature one fifth, or less, those expected over next century. We review observed impacts identify risk factors allowing species‐specific predictions. The species is reviewed relation six aspects, namely foraging,...

It is generally accepted that the reservoir hosts of cowpox virus are wild rodents, although direct evidence for this lacking much virus's geographic range. Here, through a combination serology and PCR, we demonstrate conclusively main in Great Britain bank voles, wood mice short-tailed field voles. However, also suggest may not be able to maintain infection alone, explaining absence from Ireland where voles found. Infection rodents varies seasonally, variation probably underlies marked...

While we can usually understand the impacts of invasive species on recipient communities, invasion biology lacks methodologies that are potentially more predictive. Such tools should ideally be straightforward and widely applicable. Here, explore an approach compares functional responses (FRs) invader native amphipod crustaceans. Dikerogammarus villosus is a Ponto-Caspian currently invading Europe poised to invade North America. Compared with other amphipods it actively replaces in...

Male sex-biased parasitism (SBP) occurs across a range of mammalian taxa and two contrasting sets hypotheses have been suggested for its establishment. The first invokes body size per se suggests that larger individuals are either target parasites, trade off growth at the expense immunity or cope better with than smaller individuals. second sex-specific handicap whereby males reduced immunocompetence compared to females due immunodepressive effects testosterone. current study investigated...

Abstract Camera traps are used to estimate densities or abundances using capture‐recapture and, more recently, random encounter models ( REM s). We deploy s describe an invasive‐native species replacement process, and demonstrate their wider application beyond abundance estimation. The Irish hare Lepus timidus hibernicus is a high priority endemic of conservation concern. It threatened by expanding population nonnative, European hares L. europaeus , invasive global importance. were deployed...

Endogenous circadian and seasonal activity patterns are adapted to facilitate effective utilisation of environmental resources. Activity shaped by physiological constraints, evolutionary history, changes may be influenced other factors, including ecological competition interspecific interactions. Remote-sensing camera traps allow the collection species presence data throughout 24 h period for almost indefinite lengths time. Here, we collate from 10 separate trap surveys in order describe...

We investigate the association between female reproductive investment, absolute size, and sexual size dimorphism in spiders to test predictions of fecundity-advantage hypothesis. The relationships aspects output are examined comparative analyses using phylogenetically independent contrasts. provide support for idea that allometry is result variation more so than male size. Regression suggest selection increased fecundity females. argue provides only general explanation evolution spiders.

Climate change during the past five decades has impacted significantly on natural ecosystems, and rate of current climate is great concern among conservation biologists. Species Distribution Models (SDMs) have been used widely to project changes in species’ bioclimatic envelopes under future scenarios. Here, we aimed advance this technique by assessing an entire mammalian order, Lagomorpha, using a novel framework for model validation based jointly subjective expert evaluation objective...

Abstract This study investigates how habitat variation affects sett density, the number of animals per social group and territory size in badger ( Meles meles ). Identical methods were applied three types: lowland parkland with mixed woodland, pastoral farmland upland rough pasture moorland, representing areas presumed good, medium poor habitat, respectively. Contiguous main setts identified bait‐marking was used to estimate size. Group estimated by direct enumeration. Variation supported...

In spiders, females are commonly larger than males. The majority of hypotheses that attempt to explain sexual size dimorphism in spiders concentrate on reduction male size, although there is evidence suggest the independent evolution marked and reversion a less extreme dimorphic state has occurred several times. Recent debate centred two conflicting involving dwarfism increased female through fecundity selection, focused golden orb–weaving spider, Nephila clavipes(Tetragnathidae), its...

This paper examines the interaction between wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus L., and intestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides polygyrus Dujardin, using data collected at Tollymore Park Forest, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, November 1978 July 1981. A total of 1395 mice were collected, comprising 809 (58%) male 582 (42%) female (four individuals not sexed); 86% infected by H. polygyrus. Mean worm burden was around 12 worms per mouse. Worm burdens did differ with sex. Parasites highly overdispersed...

1 Agri-environment schemes (AESs) are designed to create landscape-scale improvements in biodiversity. While the specific aims of AESs do not always include enhancement species conservation concern, associated strategies, such as UK Biodiversity Action Plan, often rest on assumption that enhance environmental conditions and thereby improve status target species. However, there is little evidence for general efficacy this respect. 2 To evaluate effects Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)...

Abstract The use of arboreal runways by the rodents, Apodemus sylvaticus, A. flavicollis and Clethrionomys glareolus , was investigated in deciduous woodland Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire, England. Longworth live traps were tied to horizontal inclining branches trees shrubs up 3 m. Arboreality extensive all three species, although less C. than either species. There no indication that consistently used more sylvaticus but data suggest peak activity these congeners occurred different...

Establishing how invasive species impact upon pre-existing is a fundamental question in ecology and conservation biology. The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) an Ireland that was first recorded 2007 which, according to initial data, may be limiting the abundance/distribution of pygmy (Sorex minutus), previously Ireland's only species. Because these concerns, we undertook intensive live-trapping survey (and used other data from live-trapping, sightings bird prey pellets/nest...

We examined sexual size dimorphism in 627 species from 123 genera and 32 families of northern temperate spiders Great Britain Ireland with different life histories, using phylogenetically independent contrasts. Web‐building non‐web‐building, sit‐and‐wait predators were compared active hunting spiders. After accounting for phylogenetic effects, we find no evidence differences differing history/predatory strategies. discuss the implications our findings generality differential mortality...

ABSTRACT Watts 1969 described the population cycle of Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus as a decline in numbers spring, stable period summer and an increase phase autumn. Aggression by adult males was considered important aspect regulation limiting male survival spring juvenile recruitment summer. However, recent studies range behaviour experimental investigations suggest that A. are not relevant principal regulating factors act on female reproductive success. Female activity is determined...

SUMMARY (1) Density dependence in spatial and temporal changes abundance of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) was examined on forty grids, each with an effective trapping area approximately 1 ha, representative forest compartments 700 ha continuous mixed woodland plantations. The grids were trapped ten times over 33 months. Mean number did not vary significantly among the four groups during occasion. (2) Spatial variation between frequently as great change mean population size. Overall...

SUMMARY (1) Density dependence in the annual dynamics of Apodemus sylvaticus woodland was investigated using live trap data for sixty-three complete or partially 14month periods from published sources. (2) Dynamics were remarkably consistent with numbers decreasing spring, remaining relatively stable during early summer, and increasing late summer autumn, 87%, 71% 88% available data, respectively. Stability population size produced by low densities rather than depressed growth rates. (3)...