Martes Foina Research Articles

Testing remotely-sensed predictors of meso-carnivore habitat use in Mediterranean ecosystems

The legacy of human use of Mediterranean ecosystems results in spatial and temporal heterogeneity of resources for wildlife. Understanding wildlife use of these ecosystems may be improved by including information on ecosystem type, structure, and function extracted from remote sensing data. To assess whether we can improve our understanding of wildlife-habitat use by including information on ecosystem type, structure and function. We tested whether remote sensing derived descriptors of ecosystem type, structure (tree cover and patch size) and function (productivity and stress) determine the habitat of stone martens (Martes foina), common genets (Genetta genetta), and European badgers (Meles meles) in southern Portugal. We linked radio-tracking data from five stone martens, five genets and eight badgers with aerial photography, and some spectra-selectivity to classify vegetation, its structure, productivity and drought stress. Statistically-derived generalized linear mixed regression models using combinations of remotely sensed descriptors of ecosystem type, structure and function, performed better than single ecosystem type descriptors. Inclusion of information on ecosystem functioning in predictive models of habitat use is more informative than ecosystem type alone, suggesting functional relationships between wildlife and their habitat. However, inclusion of both ecosystem type and function maybe limited to finer spatial resolutions. Our results illustrate the untapped potential of remote sensing to provide detailed descriptors of habitat at adequate spatial scales, now that they are freely available and are systematically collected over space and time. This information adds useful insights on wildlife-habitat relationships under changing patterns of land use and climate.

Development of a Real-Time PCR for a Sensitive One-Step Coprodiagnosis Allowing both the Identification of Carnivore Feces and the Detection of Toxocara spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis.

Studying the environmental occurrence of parasites of concern for humans and animals based on coprosamples is an expanding field of work in epidemiology and the ecology of health. Detecting and quantifying Toxocara spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis, two predominant zoonotic helminths circulating in European carnivores, in feces may help to better target measures for prevention. A rapid, sensitive, and one-step quantitative PCR (qPCR) allowing detection of E. multilocularis and Toxocara spp. was developed in the present study, combined with a host fecal test based on the identification of three carnivores (red fox, dog, and cat) involved in the life cycles of these parasites. A total of 68 coprosamples were collected from identified specimens from Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus familiaris, Canis lupus, Felis silvestris catus, Meles meles, Martes foina, and Martes martes With DNA coprosamples, real-time PCR was performed in duplex with a qPCR inhibitor control specifically designed for this study. All the coprosample host identifications were confirmed by qPCR combined with sequencing, and parasites were detected and confirmed (E. multilocularis in red foxes and Toxocara cati in cats; 16% of samples presented inhibition). By combining parasite detection and quantification, the host fecal test, and a new qPCR inhibitor control, we created a technique with a high sensitivity that may considerably improve environmental studies of pathogens.

Niche partitioning at the edge of the range: a multidimensional analysis with sympatric martens

The structure of mesopredators’ communities is complex and results from a multidimensional web of interactions such as top-down and bottom-up regulation or intraguild interactions. However, these interactions may change geographically along species’ distribution ranges. The pine marten ( Martes martes ) and stone marten ( Martes foina ) are 2 similar-sized mustelids with overlapping ecological traits and a wide distribution overlap. The absence of stone martens from potentially adequate areas has been advocated as resulting from competitive exclusion by pine martens. Particularly, the preference of both species for mammalian rodents could be the main driver of such competitive stress. However, their elusive behavior and morphological similarity of their scats often precluded the evaluation of their ecological traits in areas of co-occurrence. Using camera trapping and diet analysis on genetically identified scats, we evaluated the interactions between pine and stone martens in the southwestern limit of their range along 3 ecological niche dimensions: spatial, trophic, and temporal, under a hypothesis of competitive dominance of pine martens. We found no spatial segregation, and that coexistence was facilitated by seasonally adjusted shifts along the trophic and temporal axes. While both species often co-occurred, during the season of low food resources, pine martens exploited the less profitable feeding resource. Moreover, they not only displayed an activity pattern that limited their access to rodents, but also reduced the probabilities of direct encounters with stone martens. We suggest that the dominance position has changed in favor of the stone marten in our study area, probably as a result of habitat quality and range edge effects. These findings support the relative instability of interspecific interactions among similar-sized species, which should be evaluated using multidimensional and site-specific approaches.

The Ancestral Carnivore Karyotype As Substantiated by Comparative Chromosome Painting of Three Pinnipeds, the Walrus, the Steller Sea Lion and the Baikal Seal (Pinnipedia, Carnivora).

Karyotype evolution in Carnivora is thoroughly studied by classical and molecular cytogenetics and supplemented by reconstructions of Ancestral Carnivora Karyotype (ACK). However chromosome painting information from two pinniped families (Odobenidae and Otariidae) is noticeably missing. We report on the construction of the comparative chromosome map for species from each of the three pinniped families: the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus, Odobenidae–monotypic family), near threatened Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus, Otariidae) and the endemic Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica, Phocidae) using combination of human, domestic dog and stone marten whole-chromosome painting probes. The earliest karyological studies of Pinnipedia showed that pinnipeds were characterized by a pronounced karyological conservatism that is confirmed here with species from Phocidae, Otariidae and Odobenidae sharing same low number of conserved human autosomal segments (32). Chromosome painting in Pinnipedia and comparison with non-pinniped carnivore karyotypes provide strong support for refined structure of ACK with 2n = 38. Constructed comparative chromosome maps show that pinniped karyotype evolution was characterized by few tandem fusions, seemingly absent inversions and slow rate of genome rearrangements (less then one rearrangement per 10 million years). Integrative comparative analyses with published chromosome painting of Phoca vitulina revealed common cytogenetic signature for Phoca/Pusa branch and supports Phocidae and Otaroidea (Otariidae/Odobenidae) as sister groups. We revealed rearrangements specific for walrus karyotype and found the chromosomal signature linking together families Otariidae and Odobenidae. The Steller sea lion karyotype is the most conserved among three studied species and differs from the ACK by single fusion. The study underlined the strikingly slow karyotype evolution of the Pinnipedia in general and the Otariidae in particular.

Assessing Genetic Structure in Common but Ecologically Distinct Carnivores: The Stone Marten and Red Fox.

The identification of populations and spatial genetic patterns is important for ecological and conservation research, and spatially explicit individual-based methods have been recognised as powerful tools in this context. Mammalian carnivores are intrinsically vulnerable to habitat fragmentation but not much is known about the genetic consequences of fragmentation in common species. Stone martens (Martes foina) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) share a widespread Palearctic distribution and are considered habitat generalists, but in the Iberian Peninsula stone martens tend to occur in higher quality habitats. We compared their genetic structure in Portugal to see if they are consistent with their differences in ecological plasticity, and also to illustrate an approach to explicitly delineate the spatial boundaries of consistently identified genetic units. We analysed microsatellite data using spatial Bayesian clustering methods (implemented in the software BAPS, GENELAND and TESS), a progressive partitioning approach and a multivariate technique (Spatial Principal Components Analysis-sPCA). Three consensus Bayesian clusters were identified for the stone marten. No consensus was achieved for the red fox, but one cluster was the most probable clustering solution. Progressive partitioning and sPCA suggested additional clusters in the stone marten but they were not consistent among methods and were geographically incoherent. The contrasting results between the two species are consistent with the literature reporting stricter ecological requirements of the stone marten in the Iberian Peninsula. The observed genetic structure in the stone marten may have been influenced by landscape features, particularly rivers, and fragmentation. We suggest that an approach based on a consensus clustering solution of multiple different algorithms may provide an objective and effective means to delineate potential boundaries of inferred subpopulations. sPCA and progressive partitioning offer further verification of possible population structure and may be useful for revealing cryptic spatial genetic patterns worth further investigation.

Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Wildlife Road Mortality in Golestan National Park-North East of Iran

Nowadays, wildlife road mortality is acknowledged as a main source of threatening long-term survival of wildlife. This paper as the first to analysis wild life vehicle collisions in Iran, aims to reconstruct and interpret the spatio-temporal patterns of WVCs on Asiaei highway in Golestan National Park (GNP). With the collaboration of environmental protection department of GNP, we identified about 1900 WVC Records involving 34 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians between 2004 and 2013. Mammals were involved in more than 50% of overall WVCs, among which wild boar (Sus scrofa), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), stone marten (Martes foina) and porcupine (Hystrix indica) were involved in more than 90% of mammals’ mortalities; So, we focused on analyzing spatio-temporal pattern of vehicle collisions of these six mammal species. During the study period, these species have undergone 95% increase in road mortalities, averagely. Detailed temporal analyses exhibited an increasing trend of road mortalities from spring to summer and then a reducing one to late winter. It was shown that a large number of collisions occurred in holiday periods when recreational trips considerably increased the traffic volume of Asiaei highway. Preliminary inspection of spatial patterns using Kernel density analysis revealed six collision hotspots, mostly located in the road bends with densely forested land cover on both sides; the promenades along the road seemed to play a significant role too. Scale dependency analyses of collision patterns, demonstrated clustering pattern at micro scales less than 10 km, randomness at meso scales 10 - 20 km and both regularity and clustering at macro scales more than 20 km. This paper suggests that road mortality of common species in GNP is a momentous issue, which needs to be considered by relevant governmental and public organizations. We also emphasize that the analyses of spatial and temporal patterns of WVCs are fundamentals to plan for mitigate wildlife road mortality.

Notes on variation in the baculum of Martes foina from Czech Silesia, Czech Republic (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

In this study we investigated variation in the baculum of the stone marten Martes foina from the Czech part of Silesia (north-eastern Czech Republic). The aim of this study was to assess quantitative characteristics of the baculum size, relationships between measurements and description of the variability in baculum morphology. The study presents the morphological variation in six dimensional traits of the baculum based on an analysis of 15 specimens collected in the vicinity of Opava and deposited at the Šariš Museum Bardejov (Slovakia). The descriptive statistics revealed size variation of the bacula, while the statictic analysis (PCA) showed a strong positive correlation between morphological traits of the body and baculum.

Nested species-rich networks of scavenging vertebrates support high levels of interspecific competition.

Disentangling the processes that shape the organization of ecological assemblages and its implications for species coexistence is one of the foremost challenges of ecology. Although insightful advances have recently related community composition and structure with species coexistence in mutualistic and antagonistic networks, little is known regarding other species assemblages, such as those of scavengers exploiting carrion. Here we studied seven assemblages of scavengers feeding on ungulate carcasses in mainland Spain. We used dynamical models to investigate if community composition, species richness and structure (nestedness) affect species coexistence at carcasses. Scavenging networks showed a nested pattern in sites where highly efficient, obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) were present and a non-nested pattern everywhere else. Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) and certain meso-facultative mammalian scavengers (i.e., red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and stone marten, Martes foina) were the main species contributing to nestedness. Assemblages with vultures were also the richest ones in species. Nested species-rich assemblages with vulture presence were associated with high carcass consumption rates, indicating higher interspecific competition at the local scale. However, the proportion of species stopping the consumption of carrion (as derived from the competitive dynamic model) stabilized at high richness and nestedness levels. This suggests that high species richness and nestedness may characterize scavenging networks that are robust to high levels of interspecific competition for carrion. Some facilitative interactions driven by vultures and major facultative scavengers could be behind these observations. Our findings are relevant for understanding species' coexistence in highly competitive systems.

Fréquentation de buses dédiées aux passages de la petite et moyenne faune sous deux autoroutes de l’ouest de la France. Bilan des deux premières années de suivis par pièges photographiques

Use by small and medium mammals of wildlife crossing structures on two motorways in south-western France. Results of the first two years of camera-trap surveys. Since 2012, camera-trap surveys have been carried out to study the use by wildlife of 9 newly-constructed underpasses on two motorways in south-western France (8 modified culverts and 1 underpass for small animals). A total of 5338 successful crossings of 16 small, medium and large mammal species were detected over a 9 to 24 month period (the duration varied with each site). The results comprise the majority of roadkill species, but micro-mammals were excluded from the survey. The mean observed daily crossing rate of 1.20 ± 0.70 SD per structure is comparable to other studies carried out in Western Europe at similar sites. Of the detected crossings, 91 % were made by 5 species : Eurasian badger Meles meles (45 %), Red fox Vulpes vulpes (19 %), Common rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (9 %), Common genet Genetta genetta (9 %) and Stone marten Martes foina (9 %). For these abundant species both the duration of the survey (number of days) and the season were shown to have a significant influence on the number of crossing events. Monitoring began shortly after the installation of each crossing structure. Over a 2-year period, an almost eight-fold increase in use was observed as wild fauna found the crossing structures and incorporated them into their movement patterns through adaptation periods and learning processes. Throughout the survey a decrease in refusal rate by Red fox and Badger was observed, supporting the ''habituation'' hypothesis. Usage was significantly different throughout the seasons for Badger, Red fox, Rabbit, and Stone marten. Each of these seasonal patterns could be correlated with species activity throughout the year. The initial survey results are encouraging and suggest that continued long-term monitoring is important to assess the effectiveness of crossing structures after the period of adaptation. To this end, our camera-trap surveys must be accompanied by appropriate additional sampling to measure the individual and population benefits for wildlife of these underpasses.

Optimization of sampling effort in carnivore surveys based on signs: A regional-scale study in a Mediterranean area

Understanding species distribution is central to ecology, evolution and wildlife conservation. However, detecting species presence in the field may be challenging, especially for scarce, elusive and wide-ranging animals such as mammalian carnivores. Here we undertook a large-scale methodological study to assess scat sampling effort required to detect five mesocarnivore species in a Spanish Mediterranean area. Our goals were to: (1) evaluate the optimal effort (i.e. transect length) needed to detect scats of each species; and (2) examine if this sampling effort depends on environmental factors. First, we constructed “curves of first detection” for each carnivore species and evaluated the most cost-effective sampling effort. Second, we used Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) to relate the transect length to first detection of each species in each positive transect to a comprehensive set of environmental variables. Our results suggested that sampling effort in this study, namely the transect length needed to detect a given species, can be substantially shortened for two species (red fox and stone marten) with a relatively low reduction in the information on their presence. The most efficient scenario corresponded to a transect length of 1.5km, where red foxes and stone martens would be detected in 72.95 and 65.43% of the positive transects, respectively. However, different sampling approaches would be advisable for the remaining species. We also found that the sampling effort was weakly affected by environmental constraints. Our study may contribute to the design of more efficient scat-based carnivore sampling methodologies elsewhere. In particular, we propose that our results can be successfully extrapolated to other areas of the Iberian Peninsula with close abundances of the species considered and similar environmental characteristics.

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in wild and domestic carnivores and their ticks at the human–wildlife interface

Urbanization of natural areas is considered one of the causes of the current apparent emergence of infectious diseases. Carnivores are among the species that adapt well to urban and periurban environments, facilitating cross-species disease transmission with domestic dogs and cats, and potentially with their owners. The prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBP) of zoonotic and veterinary interest was studied in sympatric wild and domestic carnivores into Barcelona Metropolitan Area (NE Spain). Blood or spleen samples from 130 animals, including 34 common genets (Genetta genetta), 12 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 10 stone martens (Martes foina), three Eurasian badgers (Meles meles), 34 free-roaming domestic cats and 37 dogs with outdoor access, were collected either in protected or adjacent residential areas. A total of 309 ticks (chiefly Rhipicephalus turanicus) were collected on these animals. The samples were analyzed with a battery of PCR assays targeting the DNA of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasmataceae, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., and Piroplasmida, and the amplicons were sequenced. The fox showed the highest prevalence (58%) and diversity of VBP (four pathogens), whereas none of the dogs were infected. Bartonella spp. (including B. clarridgeiae, B. henselae, and B. rochalimae) was the most prevalent pathogen. Infection of wild carnivores with Ehrlichia canis, C. burnetii, Theileria annae and Babesia vogeli was also confirmed, with some cases of coinfection observed. The presence of DNA of T. annae and B. vogeli was also confirmed in tick pools from four species of wild carnivores, supporting their role in piroplasmid life-cycle. By the sequencing of several target genes, DNA of Rickettsia massiliae was confirmed in 17 pools of Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineous, and Rh. pusillus from five different species, and Rickettsia conorii in one pool of Rh. sanguineous from a dog. None of the hosts from which these ticks were collected was infected by Rickettsia. Although carnivores may not be reservoir hosts for zoonotic Rickettsia, they can have an important role as mechanical dispersers of infected ticks.

Spatial Niche Segregation of Sympatric Stone Marten and Pine Marten--Avoidance of Competition or Selection of Optimal Habitat?

Coexistence of ecologically similar species relies on differences in one or more dimensions of their ecological niches, such as space, time and resources in diel and/or seasonal scales. However, niche differentiation may result from other mechanisms such as avoidance of high predation pressure, different adaptations or requirements of ecologically similar species. Stone marten (Martes foina) and pine marten (Martes martes) occur sympatrically over a large area in Central Europe and utilize similar habitats and food, therefore it is expected that their coexistence requires differentiation in at least one of their niche dimensions or the mechanisms through which these dimensions are used. To test this hypothesis, we used differences in the species activity patterns and habitat selection, estimated with a resource selection function (RSF), to predict the relative probability of occurrence of the two species within a large forest complex in the northern geographic range of the stone marten. Stone martens were significantly heavier, have a longer body and a better body condition than pine martens. We found weak evidence for temporal niche segregation between the species. Stone and pine martens were both primarily nocturnal, but pine martens were active more frequently during the day and significantly reduced the duration of activity during autumn-winter. Stone and pine martens utilized different habitats and almost completely separated their habitat niches. Stone marten strongly preferred developed areas and avoided meadows and coniferous or deciduous forests. Pine marten preferred deciduous forest and small patches covered by trees, and avoided developed areas and meadows. We conclude that complete habitat segregation of the two marten species facilitates sympatric coexistence in this area. However, spatial niche segregation between these species was more likely due to differences in adaptation to cold climate, avoidance of high predator pressure and/or food preferences by both species than competitive interaction between them.

Isolation by distance, resistance and/or clusters? Lessons learned from a forest-dwelling carnivore inhabiting a heterogeneous landscape.

Landscape genetics provides a valuable framework to understand how landscape features influence gene flow and to disentangle the factors that lead to discrete and/or clinal population structure. Here, we attempt to differentiate between these processes in a forest-dwelling small carnivore [European pine marten (Martes martes)]. Specifically, we used complementary analytical approaches to quantify the spatially explicit genetic structure and diversity and analyse patterns of gene flow for 140 individuals genotyped at 15 microsatellite loci. We first used spatially explicit and nonspatial Bayesian clustering algorithms to partition the sample into discrete clusters and evaluate hypotheses of 'isolation by barriers' (IBB). We further characterized the relationships between genetic distance and geographical ('isolation by distance', IBD) and ecological distances ('isolation by resistance', IBR) obtained from optimized landscape models. Using a reciprocal causal modelling approach, we competed the IBD, IBR and IBB hypotheses with each other to unravel factors driving population genetic structure. Additionally, we further assessed spatially explicit indices of genetic diversity using sGD across potentially overlapping genetic neighbourhoods that matched the inferred population structure. Our results revealed a complex spatial genetic cline that appears to be driven jointly by IBD and partial barriers to gene flow (IBB) associated with poor habitat and interspecific competition. Habitat loss and fragmentation, in synergy with past overharvesting and possible interspecific competition with sympatric stone marten (Martes foina), are likely the main factors responsible for the spatial genetic structure we observed. These results emphasize the need for a more thorough evaluation of discrete and clinal hypotheses governing gene flow in landscape genetic studies, and the potential influence of different limiting factors affecting genetic structure at different spatial scales.

Differentiation of three Martes species (M. martes, M. zibellina, M. foina) by tooth morphotypes

We studied crown morphology of Martes foina, M. martes, and M. zibellina from different regions of the northern Eurasia and described its morphotypes. The following has been identified: three morphotypes for P3, eight morphotypes for P4, 16 morphotypes for M1, four morphotypes for i3, three morphotypes for p3, four morphotypes for p4, nine morphotypes for m1, and three morphotypes for m2. Morphotypes for P4, i3, m1, and m2 are described for the first time. Morphotype frequency is given for each species. It was found that 3 teeth (i3, m1, and m2) are enough for differentiation of the sable, stone marten, and pine marten. We used the above-mentioned dental patterns for species identification of the teeth belonging to the representatives of the genus Martes from archaeological sites of the southern Urals. M. foina, M. martes, and M. zibellina inhabited the territory under study in the Holocene. We have also given some consideration to the morphotypes of Tertiary and Quaternary members of the genus Martes and come to preliminary conclusions about evolutionary trends.

Possible character displacement of an introduced mongoose and native marten on Adriatic Islands, Croatia

AbstractAimCharacter displacement and release can occur quickly in novel environments and communities. Species introductions are ‘natural experiments’ in which evolutionary changes can be studied as community composition varies. We asked whether morphologies of the introduced small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) and the larger native stone marten (Martes foina) on Adriatic islands where they are sympatric or allopatric are consistent with hypotheses of character displacement and release, respectively.LocationThe mongoose is native to Asia and has been introduced to over 60 islands. We measured specimens from several island groups and the native region. The marten is native to Eurasia and several European islands, and we have measurements throughout most of its native range.MethodsWe measured skull length and the maximum diameter of the upper canine tooth in both species on Adriatic islands and compared these traits with those in other sites.ResultsThe mongoose has smaller canines and skulls on the three Adriatic islands it co‐occupies with the marten compared with other islands of introduction, consistent with the hypothesis of character displacement. It is not larger on the Adriatic island where it is the sole carnivore than on other Adriatic islands, which contradicts the hypothesis of character release. Marten skulls are shorter on three islands with no mongooses than on one island where the mongoose is present, consistent with the hypothesis of character release. However, marten canine diameters are similar across Adriatic islands.Main conclusionsOn Adriatic islands, interspecific competition between the mongoose and the marten is most likely what maintains small size in the mongoose and prevents the character release observed on other islands of introduction lacking mammalian competitors. The marten may have undergone character displacement because of the mongoose introduction on at least one Adriatic island and possibly all three islands where the species co‐occur.

Inferring Population Genetic Structure in Widely and Continuously Distributed Carnivores: The Stone Marten (Martes foina) as a Case Study.

The stone marten is a widely distributed mustelid in the Palaearctic region that exhibits variable habitat preferences in different parts of its range. The species is a Holocene immigrant from southwest Asia which, according to fossil remains, followed the expansion of the Neolithic farming cultures into Europe and possibly colonized the Iberian Peninsula during the Early Neolithic (ca. 7,000 years BP). However, the population genetic structure and historical biogeography of this generalist carnivore remains essentially unknown. In this study we have combined mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing (621 bp) and microsatellite genotyping (23 polymorphic markers) to infer the population genetic structure of the stone marten within the Iberian Peninsula. The mtDNA data revealed low haplotype and nucleotide diversities and a lack of phylogeographic structure, most likely due to a recent colonization of the Iberian Peninsula by a few mtDNA lineages during the Early Neolithic. The microsatellite data set was analysed with a) spatial and non-spatial Bayesian individual-based clustering (IBC) approaches (STRUCTURE, TESS, BAPS and GENELAND), and b) multivariate methods [discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and spatial principal component analysis (sPCA)]. Additionally, because isolation by distance (IBD) is a common spatial genetic pattern in mobile and continuously distributed species and it may represent a challenge to the performance of the above methods, the microsatellite data set was tested for its presence. Overall, the genetic structure of the stone marten in the Iberian Peninsula was characterized by a NE-SW spatial pattern of IBD, and this may explain the observed disagreement between clustering solutions obtained by the different IBC methods. However, there was significant indication for contemporary genetic structuring, albeit weak, into at least three different subpopulations. The detected subdivision could be attributed to the influence of the rivers Ebro, Tagus and Guadiana, suggesting that main watercourses in the Iberian Peninsula may act as semi-permeable barriers to gene flow in stone martens. To our knowledge, this is the first phylogeographic and population genetic study of the species at a broad regional scale. We also wanted to make the case for the importance and benefits of using and comparing multiple different clustering and multivariate methods in spatial genetic analyses of mobile and continuously distributed species.

The chronology of the introduction of two species of Martes (Carnivora, Mustelidae) on the Western Mediterranean Islands: first direct radiocarbon evidence

We provide the first direct radiocarbon evidence of the introduction of two species of the genus Martes on two Western Mediterranean islands. The dated bones point to a Roman introduction of the Pine Marten (Martes martes) to Mallorca. The introduction of the Stone Marten (Martes foina) into Eivissa has been previous to eigth century AD. These results predate the currently assumed time of arrival of both species to these islands in several centuries, and establish a benchmark of reference to explore its possible ecological consequences.

Influence of exotic forest plantations on occupancy and co-occurrence patterns in a Mediterranean carnivore guild

The Mediterranean basin is a biodiversity hotspot which is being threatened by land abandonment and afforestation, most notably with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) plantations. We assessed the impact of eucalyptus plantations on niche partitioning in a carnivore community consisting of red fox (Vulpes vulpes), badger (Meles meles), and stone marten (Martes foina). Based on data from camera trapping, we evaluated the influence of eucalyptus plantations on species occupancy and detection in single-species and co-occurrence models and on temporal activity. Eucalyptus cover negatively influenced detection probability across all species in both single and co-occurrence models. Stone marten detection decreased with the presence of the other carnivores but red fox detection increased in the presence of badgers. Eucalyptus plantations had a negative effect on occupancy of red foxes, which preferred open farmland and evergreen oak forest. Stone marten preferred large patches of oak forest, whereas badger occupancy w...

Hidden signatures of the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in Iberia: The pine marten (Martes martes Linnaeus, 1758) and beech marten (Martes foina Erxleben, 1777) from Cova Fosca (Spain)

Zooarchaeological and palaeontological records indicate that whereas the pine marten (Martes martes, L.) constitutes a genuine element of the European fauna, the beech marten (Martes foina E.) is a recent colonizer whose invasion was fostered by the spread of the Neolithic economies. In this paper: (1) we provide the first direct radiocarbon date for the appearance of the beech marten in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, (2) assess the evolution of the abundances of the two species in the eastern Iberian site of Cova Fosca (13,360–4522 cal BC), and (3) explore the causes that may have played a role in the expansion of the beech marten and the retreat of the pine marten to the northern fringe of the Iberian Peninsula. Our study suggests that whereas the beech marten might have benefited from landscape transformations that the Neolithic agropastoral communities fostered, hunting pressure along with a combination of natural and anthropic landscape changes that took place in eastern Iberia after the onset of the Neolithic (ca. 5600 cal BC onwards) may have sealed the fate of the pine marten in the region.

Quantifying the age- and sex-dependent morphological variation in two syntopic mustelids: Martes martes and Martes foina

Age determination is a prerequisite to establish reliable age and sex-specific patterns of morphological variation between individuals, populations and species. In this paper, we explored sex and age morphological variations in pine and stone martens in the same region of Bresse (France) during the same period. Using a large dataset of stone martens and pine martens genetically identified, we discriminated individuals using a set of morphological measurements (body mass, head-and-body length, tooth wear, tail length, neck circumference, posterior foot length, baculum length) and evaluated their power in correctly classifying individuals in three age classes: juveniles, subadults and adults. We then derived cross-sectional growth curves for the two species and estimated the age at the end of growth by adjusting sex and species-specific von Bertalanffy growth curves. Our results showed that sub-adults and adults are difficult to disentangle based on morphological measurements, especially because subadults reached adult size by the age of eight months. On the adults, the sexual size dimorphism in favor of males for all traits we measured was clearly more pronounced in pine martens than in stone martens. Stone martens showed significantly larger measurements than pine martens of the same sex, except for head-and-body length which was not significant and posterior foot length which was larger in pine martens. We discussed our results in the light of various hypotheses concerning biogeographical variation and long-term morphological divergence. Our results suggest that inter-specific differences in morphology might facilitate coexistence of both species in the same area.