Talpa Europaea Research Articles

Tracing the evolutionary history of the mole,Talpa europaea, through mitochondrial DNA phylogeography and species distribution modelling

Our understanding of the effect of Pleistocene climatic changes on the biodiversity of European mammals mostly comes from phylogeographical studies of non-subterranean mammals, whereas the influence of glaciation cycles on subterranean mammals has received little attention. The lack of data raises the question of how and to what extent the current amount and distribution of genetic variation in subterranean mammals is the result of Pleistocene range contractions/expansions. The common mole (Talpa europaea) is a strictly subterranean mammal, widespread across Europe, and represents one of the best candidates for studying the influence of Quaternary climatic oscillation on subterranean mammals. Cytochrome b sequences, as obtained from a sampling covering the majority of the distribution area, were used to evaluate whether Pleistocene climate change influenced the evolution of T. europaea and left a trace in the genetic diversity comparable to that observed in non-subterranean small mammals. Subsequently, we investigated the occurrence of glacial refugia by comparing the results of phylogeographical analysis with species distribution modelling. We found three differentiated mitochondrial DNA lineages: two restricted to Spain and Italy and a third that was widespread across Europe. Phylogenetic inferences and the molecular clock suggest that the Spanish moles represent a highly divergent and ancient lineage, highlighting for the first time the paraphyly of T. europaea. Furthermore, our analyses suggest that the genetic break between the Italian and the European lineages predates the last glacial phase. Historical demography and spatial principal component analysis further suggest that the Last Glacial Maximum left a signature both in the Italian and in the European lineages. Genetic data combined with species distribution models support the presence of at least three putative glacial refugia in southern Europe (France, Balkan Peninsula and Black Sea) during the last glacial maximum that likely contributed to post-glacial recolonization of Europe. By contrast, the Italian lineage remained trapped in the Italian peninsula and, according to the pattern observed in other subterranean mammals, did not contribute to the recolonization of northern latitudes.

Four-dimensional virtopsy and the taphonomy of a mole from the Oligocene of Lake Enspel (Germany)

A series of actualistic experiments were conducted to reconstruct probable taphonomic scenarios for a fossil mole specimen from the Enspel locality. Extant Talpa europaea carcasses immersed in water initially floated at the water surface then sank after a few hours or remained floating. Soft tissues started to decompose immediately and concomitantly putrefaction gas was produced and accumulated inside the body. Consequently, the carcasses became bloated, and the submerged ones re-surfaced. Gas formation and decomposition of soft tissues accelerated with increasing temperature, as expected. The skeletons of primarily floating specimens successively disarticulated with ongoing decomposition. In moderately warm water (19 °C) disarticulation began with the phalanges of the feet, while in warmer water (27 °C), disarticulation started with the phalanges of the hands and the lower jaws. Skeletal components of the re-surfaced specimens successively sank until the entire skeleton was disarticulated. Applying these experimental results to a partial skeleton of the Oligocene mole Geotrypus antiquus from Enspel (Germany) suggests that carcass sank whole to the bottom of the lake and did not undergo an extended period of floatation. This interpretation is supported by the following characteristics: (1) upper and lower jaws in occlusion, (2) presence of distal hand elements and the left femur and (3) the positions of the elements of the anterior extremities. After decomposition of most or all soft tissues at the bottom of the lake an underwater current from the right side shifted some bones to the left side of the body axis, while the humeri and the still-articulated skull stayed in their original anatomical position.

Potential welfare impacts of kill-trapping European moles(Talpa europaea)using scissor traps and Duffus traps: a post mortem examination study

AbstractMoles are widely trapped as pests on farms and amenity land in Britain. Spring traps for killing mammals generally require welfare approval in the UK, but mole traps are exempt. Previous research demonstrated wide variation in the mechanical performance of mole traps. In this context, we aimed to produce new data on the welfare impact of kill-trapping moles in the field. We collected 50 moles trapped in southern England (November 2008-August 2009). Captures peaked during the peak in male breeding activity, when captures were almost exclusively male. Post mortem and x-ray (radiation) examinations were conducted to determine injuries and likely cause of death. No moles sustained damaged skulls or upper cervical vertebrae (which could cause unconsciousness immediately). The primary identifiable cause of death for all but one mole was acute haemorrhage; this contrasts with the findings of the only previous such study, in which only one mole showed clear evidence of haemorrhaging. Some moles may have asphyxiated although it was not possible to determine this. Moles most likely became unconscious before death, but times to unconsciousness, and death, can be determined only through killing trials and further investigation is urgently needed. This should be done through the spring traps approval process; this could improve the welfare standards of trapping for many thousands of moles each year. Mole trapping for long-term population control might be better targeted after the peak in male breeding activity, when females are more likely to be caught, but this would threaten the welfare of dependent young underground.

Talpa fossilis or Talpa europaea? Using geometric morphometrics and allometric trajectories of humeral moles remains from Hungary to answer a taxonomic debate

The taxonomic validity of Talpa fossilis has been subject to a longstanding debate. Talpa fossilis has been considered as a chronospecies, stratigraphic species, and finally as junior synonym of Talpa europaea. In this study, the large humeral sample of T. fossilis and T. europaea from the Plio-Pleistocene of Hungary is re-investigated using a geometric morphometrics analysis. Furthermore, the differences in the static allometric slopes under the allometric constraint hypothesis were tested. The results indicate that T. fossilis and T. europaea have significant differences in both size and shape. The allometric slopes of T. fossilis and T. europaea were found to be different, revealing that the two taxa follow different patterns of shape modification according to size. In light of this evidence, T. fossilis and T. europaea are supported as two distinct species. Gabriele Sansalone. Universita di Roma Tre, Dipartimento di Scienze, L.S. Murialdo, 1 – 00146 Roma, Italy and Center of evolutionary ecology, Pesche, Italy. gsansalone@uniroma3.it Tassos Kotsakis. Universita di Roma Tre, Dipartimento di Scienze, L.S. Murialdo, 1 – 00146 Roma, Italy and Center of evolutionary ecology, Pesche, Italy. kotsakis@uniroma3.it Paolo Piras. Universita di Roma Tre, Dipartimento di Scienze, L.S. Murialdo, 1 – 00146 Roma, Italy and Center of evolutionary ecology, Pesche, Italy and Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari, Respiratorie, Nefrologiche, Anestesiologiche e Geriatriche, Sapienza-Universita` di Roma, Roma, Italy and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica Sapienza, Universita di Roma. paolo.piras@uniroma3.it

Can the Spatial Point Patterns of Animal Distributions Be Detected Using Sparse Samples? A Case Study of Four Soricomorpha (Mammalia) Species in Poland / Czy Przestrzenny Wzorzec Rozkładu Punktów W Dystrybucji Zwierząt Może Zostać Określony Na Podstawie Rzadkiego Próbkowania? Studium Przypadku Na Czterech Gatunkach Soricomorpha (Mammalia) Występujących W Polsce.

Abstract In the present study, Riley's K function and alternative spatial point process models are calculated and compared for the hybrid distributional records of four Soricomorpha species (Talpa europaea, Sorex araneus, Sorex minutus, and Neomys fodiens) in Poland over different sampling sizes. The following spatial point process models are fitted and compared: homogeneous Poisson process (HPP) and inhomogeneous Poisson process (IPP) models. For IPP models, the covariates explaining the trend are latitude and longitude. Spatial process models and true distributional aggregation status (using K function) of the four species are also calculated based on the full observed data set for the purpose to check how many grids are required to sample so as to reflect the true spatial distributional point patterns. When performind tha sampling, the sanpling size 5, 10, 30, 60 and 100 are considered. For each sampling size, 500 replicates are performed to keep consistence and reduce uncertainty. The results showed that, for the full observed data set over the whole territory of Poland, IPP models were much better than the null HPP model for explaining the distribution of Soricomorpha species. For every sample size, the true aggregation status and the associated spatial point process models of each species over the studied area can be perfectly identified when using the information derived from limiting samples only. Based on the results, it is found that around 20% of grid cells should be used as the minimum threshold for accurately detecting the true spatial point patterns

Co-circulation of soricid- and talpid-borne hantaviruses in Poland

Previously, we reported the discovery of a genetically distinct hantavirus, designated Boginia virus (BOGV), in the Eurasian water shrew (Neomys fodiens), as well as the detection of Seewis virus (SWSV) in the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus), in central Poland. In this expanded study of 133 shrews and 69moles captured during 2010–2013 in central and southeastern Poland, we demonstrate the co-circulation of BOGV in the Eurasian water shrew and SWSV in the Eurasian common shrew, Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) and Mediterranean water shrew (Neomys anomalus). In addition, we found high prevalence of Nova virus (NVAV) infection in the European mole (Talpa europaea), with evidence of NVAV RNA in heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and intestine. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence variation of the L segment among the SWSV strains was 0–18.8% and 0–5.4%, respectively. And for the 38 NVAV strains from European moles captured in Huta Dłutowska, the L-segment genetic similarity ranged from 94.1%–100% at the nucleotide level and 96.3%–100% at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analyses showed geographic-specific lineages of SWSV and NVAV in Poland, not unlike that of rodent-borne hantaviruses, suggesting long-standing host-specific adaptation. The co-circulation and distribution of BOGV, SWSV and NVAV in Poland parallels findings of multiple hantavirus species co-existing in their respective rodent reservoir species elsewhere in Europe. Also, the detection of SWSV in three syntopic shrew species resembles spill over events observed among some rodent-borne hantaviruses.

Distribution and abundance of European mole (Talpa europaea L.) in areas affected by two Ural Copper Smelters

The abundance of moles has been studied in 2007–2010 along the gradient of pollution by emissions from the Middle Ural (Middle Urals) and Karabash (Southern Urals) Copper Smelters. It has been estimated by the routing method with regard to the number of inhabited burrows per 1 km. Not a single mole has been recorded in heavily polluted areas near these copper smelters. Under conditions of moderate pollution, the abundance of moles decreased 1.5–1.8 times. The smallest “mole desert” near the source of emissions extends for 90–100 km2. A dramatic decrease in the abundance of earthworms, which are the main food object of moles, is considered a possible reason for these changes.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in common moles (Talpa europaea)

BackgroundThe prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in common moles, Talpa europaea, was investigated in order to determine whether moles can serve as an indicator species for T. gondii infections in livestock.FindingsIn total, 86 moles were caught from 25 different sites in the Netherlands. Five different trapping habitats were distinguished: pasture, garden, forest, roadside, and recreation area. No positive samples (brain cysts) were found during microscopic detection (n = 70). Using the Latex Agglutination Test (LAT), sera of 70 moles were examined, whereby no sample reacted with T. gondii antigen. Real Time-PCR tests on brain tissue showed 2 positive samples (2.3%).ConclusionsBecause of the low number of positives in our study, the use of the common mole as an indicator species for livestock infections is currently not recommended.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-014-0048-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The role of a mound-building ecosystem engineer for a grassland butterfly

Both land use intensification and abandonment within grasslands lead to a homogenisation of vegetation structure. Therefore, specially structured microsites such as vegetation gaps with bare ground play an important role for species conservation within grasslands. Vegetation gaps are crucial for the establishment of low-competitive plant species and offer special microclimatic conditions essential for the development of the immature stages of many invertebrate species. The influence of small-scale soil disturbance in the form of mounds created by ecosystem engineers such as ants or moles on biodiversity is therefore of special scientific concern. The effects of mound-building species on plant species diversity have been extensively studied. However, knowledge on the significance of these species for the conservation of other animals is rare. In this study we analyse the importance of mounds created by the European mole (Talpa europaea) as an oviposition habitat for the small copper (Lycaena phlaeas) within Central European mesotrophic grasslands. Our study showed that host plants occurring at molehills were preferred for oviposition. Oviposition sites were characterised by an open vegetation structure with a high proportion of bare ground (with a mean coverage of about 50 %), a low cover of herbs and low-growing vegetation (mean height: 4.5 cm). Our study clearly illustrates the importance of small-scale soil disturbance for immature stages of L. phlaeas and the conservation of this species within mesotrophic grasslands. Mound-building ecosystem engineers, such as T. europaea, act as important substitutes for missing dynamics within mesotrophic grasslands by diversifying vegetation structure and creating small patches of bare soil.

Reconstructing mole tunnels using frequency-domain ground penetrating radar

The European mole (Talpa europaea L.) inhabits an underground tunnel system whereby the density, extent and condition of the subsurface tunnels are indicative of its activity. Currently, no survey method was able to reveal the spatial extent and condition of the mole's tunnel network. Frequency-domain ground penetrating radar (GPR) was evaluated on its potential to image these shallow tunnel systems. This technique allows for a non-invasive, high-resolution mapping of the subsurface. We examined the effectiveness of this GPR system for delineating the mole's tunnel network. The integration of different depth slices allowed a detailed overview of the tunnel system. Automatic feature recognition on these GPR images was proven valuable for the detection and representation of the mole tunnels. The GPR survey proved successful in mapping the mole's tunnel network, which facilitates the interpretation and characterization of the mole's living environment. This can be linked to the occurrence of earthworms, as the principle food source of the moles, which regulate important ecosystem processes within the soil. This offers new perspectives for the understanding of the mole's habitat.

CandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis andAnaplasma phagocytophilumin Urban Hedgehogs

<i>Candidatus</i>Neoehrlichia mikurensis and<i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>in Urban Hedgehogs

Hantaviruses: Rediscovery and new beginnings

Virus and host gene phylogenies, indicating that antigenically distinct hantaviruses (family Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus) segregate into clades, which parallel the molecular evolution of rodents belonging to the Murinae, Arvicolinae, Neotominae and Sigmodontinae subfamilies, suggested co-divergence of hantaviruses and their rodent reservoirs. Lately, this concept has been vigorously contested in favor of preferential host switching and local host-specific adaptation. To gain insights into the host range, spatial and temporal distribution, genetic diversity and evolutionary origins of hantaviruses, we employed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to analyze frozen, RNAlater®-preserved and ethanol-fixed tissues from 1546 shrews (9 genera and 47 species), 281 moles (8 genera and 10 species) and 520 bats (26 genera and 53 species), collected in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America during 1980–2012. Thus far, we have identified 24 novel hantaviruses in shrews, moles and bats. That these newfound hantaviruses are geographically widespread and genetically more diverse than those harbored by rodents suggests that the evolutionary history of hantaviruses is far more complex than previously conjectured. Phylogenetic analyses indicate four distinct clades, with the most divergent comprising hantaviruses harbored by the European mole and insectivorous bats, with evidence for both co-divergence and host switching. Future studies will provide new knowledge about the transmission dynamics and pathogenic potential of these newly discovered, still-orphan, non-rodent-borne hantaviruses.

Kisemlősök faunisztikai felmérése Külső-Somogy északnyugati részén, gyöngybagoly Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) köpetek vizsgálata alapján

Barn Owl pellets were collected between 1999 and 2014, from 11 localities (investigated area: YM07, YM18, YM27 and YM29, according to 10×10 km UTM grids). In a total of 1313 pellets there were 3630 prey remnants. Small mammals were dominating (98.4%). We documented occur-rence of 25 mammal species: Crocidura leucodon, C. sua-veolens, Sorex araneus, S. minutus, Neomys anomalus, N. fodiens, Talpa europaea, Eptesicus serotinus,Pipistrellus na-thusii, Muscardinus avellanarius, Glis glis, Microtus agrestis, M. arvalis, M. oeconomus, M. subterraneus, Arvicola amphi-bius, Myodes glareolus, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, A. uralensis, Micromys minutus, Mus musculus, M. spicilegus, Rattus norvegicus). Remnants of birds and am-phibians consisted 1.6% of total prey.

Genetic Diversity of Talpa Europaea and Nova Hanta Virus (NVAV) in France.

Nova hantavirus (NVAV) was first identified in a single European mole (Talpa europaea), captured in Hungary. Analysis of lung tissues from 94 moles captured in France revealed NVAV in 50%. Based on the genetic diversity of the cytochrome b mtDNA, moles collected in Poitiers and Bordeaux were more closely related to the Iberian mole (T. occidentalis), a species previously assumed to be restricted to the Iberian Peninsula. Several hypotheses are discussed to explain these observations: 1) presence of hitherto unnoticed T. occidentalis in southwestern France; 2) existence of an ancient mitochondrial introgression phenomenon between the two Talpa species, producing a particular phenotype in some hybrids; 3) existence of a hybrid zone between the two species; and 4) existence of a new Talpa species. NVAV was not detected in the southwestern moles, which begs the question of the potential presence of a particular Hantavirus sp. in this population and/or in the Iberian moles.

Трансформація ґрунту ссавцями-ґрунториями в екосистемах верхів’я басейну Дністра

Data discussed in the paper concern the role of digging mammals in soil formation processes in mountain ecosystems within the Upper Dniester Beskydy area. Paper describes the activity of Talpa europaea L. and Sus scrofa L. in mountain ecosystems during vegetation period (2–57 % mounds and rooted sites), the amount of soil taken away or moved as well (0.08 – 8.6 m 3 /ha soil), as chemical composition of mounds and rooted sites (рН 3.95–4.10). Data are provided on mounds and rooted sites becoming overgrown by vegetation. It was found that transformation activity of digging mammals is the basis for forming various soil properties in natural and antropogenically changed ecosystems of the Carpathian middle mountains. Furthermore, a degree of influence of digging mammals’ activity in the upper Dniester basin depends on the type of biotope and its state. Moreover, an objective assessment of digging activity of digging mammals’ is necessary for studying of consequences of such digging in different biotopes of mountain ecosystems and for elaboration of effective economic and nature protection measures aimed at rational use of environment creation activity of these animals. Keywords: Talpa europaea L ., Sus scrofa L ., transformational activity, digging mammals, rooted sites.

Molehills as important larval habitats for the grizzled skipper, Pyrgus malvae (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), in calcareous grasslands

Small-scale soil disturbance, such as animal mounds created by subterraneous ecosystem engineers are important microhabitats for species of conservation concern. There are many studies on the effects of ecosystem engineers on plant species diversity and soil properties, but the influence of such organisms on other taxa, such as insects, are rarely analyzed. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the role of molehills produced by the European Mole (Talpa europaea) (Linnaeus, 1758) as a larval habitat for a threatened butterfly species within central European calcareous grasslands. We selected the grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) (Linnaeus, 1758) as a study species as previous studies revealed that it prefers warm and open microhabitats for oviposition. Our study clearly showed that host plants occurring on or in the close vicinity of molehills were regularly occupied by immature stages of P. malvae. Occupied host plants at these disturbed sites were characterized by a more open vegetation structure with a higher proportion of bare ground or stones and a lower cover of the herb layer compared with available host plants (control samples). Among molehills those were preferred that had the highest cover of host plants, especially Agrimonia eupatoria. Molehills are important larval habitats for P. malvae in calcareous grasslands on deeper soils. At these sites succession occurs rapidly and the amount of bare ground is usually low, even when they are managed. In contrast to other known breeding sites in calcareous grasslands, molehills with a high cover of host plants provide ideal conditions for the successful larval development of P. malvae: (i) sufficient food during the larval period and (ii) warm microclimatic conditions.

Вплив іонів Ni на активність аспартатамінотрансферази в листках Glechoma hederacea в умовах рийної діяльності ссавців

Визначено загальну активність ферментів класу трансфераз і вміст білків водорозчинної фракції в листках Glechoma hederacea L. Оцінено середовищетвірну роль рийної активності крота (Talpa europaea L.) в умовах екзогенного забруднення Ni у спектрі концентрацій 0,2, 1,0 та 2,0 г/м2, що відповідає 1, 5 та 10 гранично допустимим концентраціям (ГДК). Виявлено зниження активності аспартатамінотрансферази в листках G. hederacea на 12–65% і концентрації водорозчинної фракції білка на 30–60% відносно контролю (ділянка без забруднення на Ni та рийної активності крота). Комбінований ефект рийної активності T. europaea та дії Ni у дозах 5 та 10 ГДК сприяв збільшенню активності ферменту удвічі – утричі (порівняно з контролем у відповідній концентрації Ni). Концентрація водорозчинної фракції білка в листках G. hederacea L. в умовах рийної активності крота та за внесення Ni у максимальній концентрації знижена удвічі (порівняно з контролем у відповідній концентрації Ni), оскільки системі за даних умов навантаження важко відновити та нормалізувати функції, у той час як за низьких і середніх концентрацій Ni білковий обмін інтенсифікувався на 11–150%. Вивчено вплив рийної активності мишоподібних гризунів Apodemus sylvaticus L., A. flavicollis Melchior, Clethrionomys glareoles Schreber на формування біологічної активності ґрунтів заплав­ної діброви за умов їх забруднення Ni. Важкі метали значною мірою інгібують протеолітичну активність ґрунту, яка визначається активністю мікроорганізмів. Рийна діяльність гризунів сприяє відновленню біологічної активності та відіграє важливу роль у формуванні механізму гомеостазу в едафотопі. У місцях пориїв тварин при концентрації Ni 1 ГДКна глибині 0–30 см протеолітична активність вища в 1,99 раза порівняно з відповідними ділянками без пориїв, при 5 ГДК – у 1,92 раза, при 10 ГДК – в 1,90 раза вища.

High prevalence of Nova hantavirus infection in the European mole (Talpa europaea) in France

Recent discovery of genetically distinct hantaviruses in shrews and moles (order Soricomorpha, family Soricidae and Talpidae) has challenged the conventional view that rodents serve as the principal reservoir hosts. Nova virus (NVAV), previously identified in archival liver tissue of a single European mole (Talpa europaea) from Hungary, represents one of the most highly divergent hantaviruses identified to date. To ascertain the spatial distribution and genetic diversity of NVAV, we employed RT-PCR to analyse lungs from 94 moles, captured in two locations in France, during October 2012 to March 2013. NVAV was detected in more than 60% of moles at each location, suggesting efficient enzootic virus transmission and confirming that this mole species serves as the reservoir host. Although the pathogenic potential of NVAV is unknown, the widespread geographical distribution of the European mole might pose a hantavirus exposure risk for humans.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Papillomavirus Isolated from the European Mole

A papillomavirus was isolated from healthy epithelial tissue of two European moles (Talpa europaea) and the complete genomic sequence was determined. To our knowledge, this is the first papillomavirus to be isolated from a mole. Phylogenetic analysis shows it to be most closely related to viruses of the genus Kappapapillomavirus.

Kisemlősök faunisztikai felmérése Somogy megye északkeleti részén, gyöngybagoly Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769) köpetek vizsgálata alapján

Pellets were collected between 1999 and 2009, from 20 localities (investigated area: BT80, BS79, BS78, BS77, BS89 and BS88, according to 10×10 km UTM grids). In a total of 1570 Barn Owl pellets there were 4127 prey rem-nants. Small mammals were dominating (97.8%). 22 mammal species were evidented: Crocidura leucodon, C. suaveolens, Sorex araneus, S. minutus, Neomys anomalus, Talpa euro-paea, Eptesicus serotinus, Muscardinus avellanarius, Microtus agrestis, M. arvalis, M. oeconomus, M. subterraneus, Arvicola amphibius, Myodes glareolus, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicol-lis, A. sylvaticus, A. uralensis, Micromys minutus, Mus mus-culus, M. spicilegus, Rattus norvegicus). Remnants of birds, amphibians and insects consisted 2.2 % of total prey.