Stéphane Aulagnier

Habitat utilization by sympatric European minkMustela lutreola and polecatsMustela putorius in south-western France

The European minkMustela lutreola Linnaeus, 1761 and the European polecatMustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 are related species sympatric in southwestern France. The European mink is rapidly disappearing whereas the polecat maintains good populations. Seasonal habitat use of both species was compared in the Landes de Gascogne region to identify if some vulnerability factors of the European mink were associated with habitats occupied by this mustelid. Potential habitats were mapped using a satellite picture and 12 main types of habitats were defined. Animal locations were recorded by radiotracking 9 European mink and 14 polecats from March 1996 to August 1999. Resting animals were located by triangulation, and, when possible, resting places were described. Animals in activity were tracked by continuous monitoring. Data collected revealed a strong preference of European mink for flooded habitats, particularly open marshes, flooded woodlands and moorlands. They seldom left the corridor of the riparian forest and their resting places were mainly in flooded environments, above ground (under herbs or bushes) or in cavities between tree roots. European polecats were less tightly linked to wetlands. Most of their locations were in the pine forests outside the valleys and their resting places were mainly in burrows. The strong specialisation of European mink in aquatic habitats is probably one of the main reasons for its decline because wetlands suffer drastic damages throughout all of its range. Maintaining adequate water levels is crucial for satisfying habitat requirements of mink.

LEPTOSPIROSIS IN FREE-RANGING ENDANGERED EUROPEAN MINK (MUSTELA LUTREOLA) AND OTHER SMALL CARNIVORES (MUSTELIDAE, VIVERRIDAE) FROM SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE

To study the possible role of disease in the decline of endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola), we conducted a survey of antibody prevalence and renal carriage of pathogenic leptospira (Leptospira interrogans sensu lato) using serum and kidney samples collected from 1990 to 2007 from several free-ranging small carnivores and farmed American mink (Mustela vison) in southwestern France. An indirect microscopic agglutination test using a panel of 16 serovars belonging to 6 serogroups (Australis, Autumnalis, Icterohæmorrhagiæ, Grippotyphosa, Panama, Sejroe) revealed antibodies in all species, with significant differences in antibody prevalences: 74% in European mink (n=99), 65.4% in European polecats (Mustela putorius, n=133), 86% in American mink (n=74), 89% in stone martens (Martes foina, n=19), 74% in pine martens (Martes martes, n=19), 35% in common genets (Genetta genetta, n=79), and 31% in farmed American mink (n=51). Serogroups Australis and Icterohæmorragiæ were dominant in most free-ranging species; serogroup Grippotyphosa had high prevalences in European mink. Such high antibody prevalences have never been reported. They are probably related to the large number of known reservoirs, rats (Rattus spp.), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), and coypu (Myocastor coypu), in the study area. The polymerase chain reaction test specific for pathogenic leptospiral DNA detected renal carriage in 23% of 34 European mink, 22% of 18 polecats, and 15% of 33 free-ranging American mink, with no significant differences. Renal carriage shows that mustelids may shed leptospira for short periods, but their epidemiologic role is probably limited. High antibody prevalences suggest that the disease is unlikely to be highly pathogenic for these species; however, chronic forms of the disease (abortions, renal lesions) could reduce the reproductive success or life span of infected animals. Further studies on the pathogenicity of leptospirosis in these populations are needed to measure its impact on the population dynamics of these rodent predators.

Spatial behaviour of European mink Mustela lutreola and polecat Mustela putorius in southwestern France

The European minkMustela lutreola Linnaeus, 1761 and the European polecatMustela putorius Linnaeus, 1758 are sympatric in southwestern France. They are related species but the former is highly threatened whereas the latter maintains good populations. Nine European mink and 14 polecats were radiotracked in the Landes de Gascogne region to compare their space use and to identify appropriate conservation measures for the European mink. Resting animals were located once a day and active animals were tracked by continuous monitoring. European mink had linear home ranges whose sizes were larger than predicted by Johnson’s model (mean±SD=2971±1888 ha in males and 257±113 ha in females). They travelled long inter-day distances (1.4±1.9 km in males and 0.4±0.6 km in females). Polecats had home ranges of various shapes (linear, circular or combined) and their sizes were consistent with Johnson’s model (707±779 ha in males and 51±58 ha in females). They also had shorter inter-day distances than mink (0.7±0.9 km in males and 0.2±0.4 km in females). However male polecats had longer activity bouts than male mink. Thus European mink exhibit large movements between small and distant activity areas while polecats compensate for their smaller range by a higher activity in restricted areas. The behaviour of the European mink appears to be an adaptation to habitats scattered over linear ranges. This extensive use of space suggests that conservation of this endangered species cannot be achieved in the confinement of Europe’s natural reserves. Conservation plans should aim at maintaining high quality habitats along entire river networks and ensuring safe movements for the animals, preventing particularly the risk of collisions with vehicles.

Unexpected morphometric differentiation of the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus (Rodentia: Muridae) from Kabylie of Djurdjura (Algeria)

Abstract A preliminary morphometric study of the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus in Algeria based on populations collected in the Kabylie of Djurdjura revealed an unexpected strong differentiation when compared with samples from Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, and France. Skull, mandible, and teeth have been measured on an original sample of Algerian animals and on foreign specimens from private collections. A first principal component analysis revealed a noticeable morphometric differentiation within populations of Kabylie of Djurdjura based on several variables including palatal breadth, palatal foramina length, and first lower molar breadth. At the scale of the species range the results of a second principal component analysis were even more distinctive with two clearly separated groups, mice from Algeria vs. mice from all other parts of the range. Mice from Algeria are characterized by a finer nose, a broader palate, and smaller teeth. The evolutionary history of this species cannot explain such a differentiation which is more likely a local adaptation.

PCR-RFLP identification of the endangered Pyrenean desman, Galemys pyrenaicus (Soricomorpha, Talpidae), based on faecal DNA

Abstract The Pyrenean desman is a vulnerable mammal species endemic to Pyrenees and the northern Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this elusive species can be most easily detected by sampling its faeces. However, these faecal samples can be confused with those of other vertebrate species living in the same habitats. This study provides two easy and reliable methods for the identification of the Pyrenean desman faeces based on genetic analyses. The first one consists of a nested PCR and sequencing of a mitochondrial cytochrome b fragment, and the second one is an enzymatic digestion with endonucleases AluI and Sau3AI. The restriction patterns given by the two enzymes were found suitable for the successful discrimination of the Pyrenean desman from the other species based on species-specific sequence variations. Only one restriction pattern was found in the Pyrenean desmans collected in the French Pyrenees, suggesting a low genetic diversity in this area.

The diet of Schreiber’s bent-winged bat, Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae), in northeastern Slovenia (Central Europe)

Abstract The diet of Miniopterus schreibersii was investigated by morphological analysis of prey remains in droppings from the spring to the autumn of 2000 from a bat roost in northeastern Slovenia (Central Europe). Lepidoptera dominated, having an average percent volume (APV) of 79% and constituting the bulk of the diet throughout the year. By decreasing importance in the diet, the insects identified were Neuroptera – mostly Chrysopidae (APV 9.2%), Diptera (APV 7.4%), Trichoptera (APV 2.2%) and Coleoptera (APV 1.4%). The diet was most diverse in late October. It seems that M. schreibersii is an aerial hawker that specialises in eating moths, but can opportunistically switch to other seasonably abundant prey. It hunts small- to medium-sized winged prey (wing length: 2–18 mm), of which most are tympanate insects.

Extralimital presence of small mammals in north-eastern Algerian Sahara

No abstract available