Updating the distribution data of the Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) in the province of Málaga (southern Spain)

Abstract

Between 2019 and 2022 we carried out a survey to update the distribution data of the red squirrel in the province of Málaga. Fifteen years after the last elaboration of the distribution atlas, it was likely that this forest species had expanded in step with the increase in forest mass in the province. The results show that the species has expanded in the province, increasing its distribution range between 24.8% and 27.7% and almost tripling the number of UTM grid squares. The species has colonised the region of Antequera, the mountains of the Arco Calizo Central and the banks of the Genil River in the north of the province. To the south it has expanded towards the urban environments of the city of Málaga and has begun its expansion towards the west. In the extreme northeast, the species has made less progress, colonising some new areas just beyond the limits of the Sierra Tejada, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park. Most of the new populations are geographically closer to the population at Montes de Málaga, which seems to have served as the main source population. In the eastern area, subtropical crops seem to function as a barrier limiting further expansion. We propose and discuss a series of hypotheses regarding the origin of the population and the need to undertake future studies of historical, genetic, and epidemiological distribution models.