Conference Schedule at a Glance

 

 

Monday 26^th May 2003

1300	Lunch
1400-1730	Registration
1745	Drinks
1800	Welcome by Lord Joicey, Ford & Etal Estates, owner of Ford Castle
1830	Dinner
1930	Plenary talk by Professor John Koprowski, University of Arizona Title: Conservation of tree squirrels: future directions for the study of arboreal squirrels

 

 

 

Tuesday 27^th May 2003

 

0830	Breakfast
930-1245	Oral Presentation Session I
1300	Lunch
1430-1655	Oral Presentation Session II
1830	Dinner
1930	Introduction of evening talk by Grahm Gill, District Forest Enterprise, Manager, Kielder Forest District.
1945	Guest talk by Neville Geddes and Bill Burlton, Forest Enterprise, Kielder Forest District. Title: Multipurpose Management in Forest Ecosystems: Kielder Forest - Raising the values, widening the appeal

 

 

 

Wednesday 28^th May 2003

 

0800	Breakfast
0900	Departure for Farne Island Trip*
1430	Return (return time may change slightly)
1520-1730	Attended Poster Session
1830	Dinner
1930	Workshop/discussion

 

 

 

Thursday 29^th May 2003

 

0830	Breakfast
930-1245	Oral Presentation Session III
1300	Lunch
1430-1645	Oral Presentation Session IV
1830	Conference Dinner

 

 

 

Friday 30^th May 2003

 

0830	Breakfast
930-1245	Oral Presentation Session V
1300	Lunch
1430	Departure

 

Presentation Schedule

 

Tuesday 27^th May 2003

 

Oral Presentation Session I - Chair: Dr Peter Lurz

 

0930	Everything you wanted to know about modelling squirrels, but did not dare to ask.  Presenter: Steve Rushton, University of Newcastle
1010	The effects of forest fire on the squirrel and tree shrew community in southern Sumatra  Presenter: A. A. Dwiyahreni, Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program.
1035	Seeing the forest for the trees: nest-site selection of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis). Presenter: Sadie Taylor, University of Arizona.
1100	Coffee
1130	An automated dispenser for feeding and logging individual squirrels. Presenter Ben Kenward, University of Oxford.
1155	Modelling the role of competition and disease on the replacement of red squirrels by greys.  Presenter: Andy White, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
1220	Conservation of red squirrels: the role of parapoxvirus. Presenter Corrie Bruemmer, University of Newcastle.
1245	End of Session I
1300	Lunch
Oral Presentation Session II – Chair: Professor John Koprowski
1430	Geographical variation in British red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris. Presenter: Andrew Kitchener National Museums of Scotland
1455	Red squirrel ecology in alpine forests: space, seeds, and fungi. Presenter: Sandro Bertolino, University of Turin
1520	Tea
1540	The survival of the red squirrel in Wales – an update on the situation. Presenter: Sarah Cartmel
1605	Mating strategy and natal dispersal in the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans. Presenter: Ilpo Hanski, University of Helsinki.
1630	Spacing behaviour of the Siberian flying squirrel – effects of landscape structure. Presenter: Vesa Selonen, University of Helsinki.
1655	End of Session II
1830	Dinner
1930	Introduction to invited talk by Graham Gill, District Manager, Forest Enterprise, Kielder Forest District
1945	Multipurpose Management in Forest Ecosystems: Kielder Forest - Raising the values, widening the appeal. Presenter: Neville Geddes and Bill Burlton, Forest Enterprise, Kielder Forest District

Wednesday 28^th May 2003

 

 

0800	Breakfast
0900	Depart for Farne Islands
1430	Return (return time may change slightly)
1520	Tea
1540-1730	Attended Poster Session
1830	Dinner
2000	Workshop/discussion

 

 

Thursday 29^th May 2003

 

Oral Presentation Session III - Chair: Professor John Gurnell

 

0930	Population regulation in tree squirrels: effects of food abundance and density dependence. Presenter: Luc A. Wauters, University of Insubria, Varese
1010	Grey squirrel ecology in conifer forests. Presenter: Debbie Smith
1035	Space use of sympatric endangered Mount Graham red squirrels and introduced Abert’s squirrels. Presenter: Andrew Edelman, University of Arizona.
1100	Coffee
1130	Nest-site selection by red squirrels, Sciurus vulgaris. Presenter: Joseph Piqué, Natural history Museum, Barcelona.
1155	Conserving the red squirrel on Jersey, Channel Islands. Presenter: Louise Magris, Environment Department, Jersey.
1220	Controlling grey squirrels for red squirrel conservation in conifer forests. Presenter: Janie Steele
1245	End of Session III
1300	Lunch
Oral Presentation Session IV – Chair: Dr Mike Steele
1430	Grey squirrel impacts and influences on tree growth Presenter Brenda Mayle, Forestry Commission, UK.
1455	Patterns of genetic diversity in the red squirrel: footprints of biogeographic history and artificial introductions. Presenter: Marie Hale, University of Newcastle.
1520	Tea
1540	Life-history tactics of Eurasian red squirrels in subalpine conifer forests. Presenter: Massimiliano Zaninetti, University of Insubria, Varese.
1605	Cone production, squirrel abundance and goshawk fecundity: effects of masting cycles and forest management Presenter Marc Snyder, Colorado College
1630	The comparative energetics of red and grey squirrels: a preliminary study into the constraints of habitat. Presenter: Richard Bevan, University of Newcastle
1645	End of Session IV
1830	Conference Dinner

 

 

Friday 30^th May 2003

 

Oral Presentation Session V - Chair: Dr Sandro Bertolino

 

0930	Food hoarding decisions by tree squirrels: Behavioural mechanisms and ecological consequences. Presenter: Mike Steele, Wilkes University
1010	Effects of habitat fragmentation on red squirrels: what extra information do we get from genetic analyses? Presenter: Goedele Verbeylen, University of Antwerp.
1035	A preliminary study on some taxonomical, ecological and biological characteristics of Sciurus anomalus in Turkey. Presenter: Irfan Albayrak, Kirikale University, Turkey.
1100	Coffee
1120	A comparison of locomotor performance in eutherian and metatherian gliding mammals.  Presenter: John Scheibe, Southeast Missouri State University
1145	Activity and Time Budgets of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel. Presenter: Vicki Greer, University of Arizona
1210	Associated forest structure and geographic distribution of two sympatric flying squirrels in southern India. Presenter: Nandini Rajamani, Auburn University
1235	Searching for effects of tree squirrel caching behaviour on the distribution of oak seedlings.  Presenter: Peter Smallwood, University of Richmond
1300	Lunch
1430	Depart

 

Abstract Booklet

3^rd International Colloquium on the Ecology of Tree Squirrels

7^th European Squirrel Workshop

Ford Castle, Northumberland

26^th – 30^th May 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Organising Committee:

Dr Steve P. Rushton

Professor John L. Koprowski

Professor John Gurnell

Dr Mark Shirley

Dr Peter Lurz

 

Acknowledgements:

 

We wish to thank the Joicey Trust and the Sir James Knott Trust for their generous support of the colloquium bursary scheme. We also thank the Southern Upland Partnership, the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species and Lord Joicey, Roddy Hale and Matt Edwards for their support and help.

 

 

List of submitted titles for the Poster session Wednesday 28^th May:

 

Research on distribution and ecology of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Hungary. Szilvia Bősze, Botond Bakó and Gábor Csorba.

 

Mt-dna haplotype dynamics in two populations of Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis) in continuous and isolated forests. Fumio Hayashi and Noriko Tamura.

 

Sequence Diversity of  Mitochondrial Control  Region in Red Squirrel, Sciurus  vulgaris L. (Mammalia, Rodentia), from Two Most Disjunct Populations of Korea and England. Koh, Hung Sun, Shin Dong  Sun, and Ryu  Mi Hyun.

 

Ecology of native and exotic urban populations of Eastern gray squirrels.

Tommy S. Parker and Charlie Nilon.

 

Space use of Chiricahua fox squirrels relative to fire history.  Bret S. Pasch and John L. Koprowski.

 

Nest site selection by the Mexican gray squirrel, Sciurus aureogaster.

Nicolás Ramos.

 

Differential responses of tree squirrels and other small mammals to acorn masting: an evaluation of the predator satiation hypothesis. 

Steele, M. A., Contreras, T. A., McEuen A. B., Sherick, M., Reed, S., and P. D. Smallwood.

 

Population dynamics and expansion of the Formosan squirrel introduced to Japan. Noriko Tamura

 

How small is too small: minimum viable population size in tree squirrels.

David Wood and John L. Koprowski. 

 

 

 Abstracts

 

 

 

A preliminary study on some taxonomical, ecological and biological characteristics of Sciurus anomalus in Turkey.

 

Albayrak, Irfan¹ and Atilla Arslan²

¹Kirikkale University, Science and Art Faculty, Biology Department, 71450 Yahsihan, Kirikkale, Turkey.

²University of Selcuk, Faculty of  Science and Arts, Department of Biology, 42031, Konya, Turkey.

 

This study is based on a total of 62 Sciurus anomalus specimens obtained from four provinces in the middle of Turkey between 1998 and 2002. As some ecological and biological features, habitat, feeding, nest, fur colour, baculum and phallus were investigated. Karyological analyses indicated that the number of choromosomes in this species was 40. Comparisons were made taxonomically with those data given for the species in relevant literature and discussed at the subspecies level.

Key Words: Sciurus anomalus, ecology, biology, taxonomy, Turkey

 

 

Red squirrel ecology in alpine forests: space, seeds and fungi.

 

Bertolino Sandro, University of Turin, DI.VA.P.R.A. – Laboratory of Zoology.

Email: sandro.bertolino@unito.it

 

Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations occurring in the alpine conifer forests might constitute the only stronghold against the spreading of the introduced eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in northern Italy.

In 2000 we started a study on the ecology of red squirrels in subalpine conifer forests (Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy), investigating the annual variation in food resources (conifer seeds, fungi), seasonal and annual changes in squirrel population density, and spacing behaviour. In summer and autumn 2001 and 2002 we radio-tracked 18 and 13 squirrels respectively. In 2001, after a poor cone crop in 2000, home ranges of red squirrels were very large (94.1± 72.2 ha in males, 78.9 ± 51.5 ha in females) and an unusual high core-area overlap was observed, suggesting a breakdown of the normal social organisation and spacing pattern of this species. This high level of overlap suggested that animals concentrated their activity in patches where spruce seeds were still available or where fungi were abundant.

In 2002, all resident squirrels apparently reorganised themselves in stable home ranges, foraging intensively in small core-areas (mean home range size: 20.6 ± 7.9 ha in males, 14.5 ± 5.3 ha in females, core-areas from 4.5 to 9.5 ha in males, 3 to 6 ha in females). The core-areas of adult females were exclusive between one another, showing the typical intrasexual territoriality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparative energetics of red and grey squirrels and the constraints of habitat?

 

R.M.Bevan¹ & P.W.W.Lurz²

¹School of Biology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

²Centre for Life Science Modelling, School of Biology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.

 

One area of squirrel biology that has not received much attention is their energy usage, even though the energy expenditure of any animal is central to our understanding of many aspects of its ecology. In the UK, the decline in the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) distribution has been attributed mainly to the spread of the introduced grey squirrel (S. carolinensis). Nevertheless, there are ‘poor quality’ habitats, such as spruce dominated forests, where the red squirrel is able to coexist with or even out compete the grey squirrel. This is thought to be due mainly to the constraints of the higher daily energy expenditure (DEE) of the larger grey squirrel.

We used the doubly labelled water technique to measure the DEE of red and grey squirrels in different habitats: (i) red squirrels in typical conifer plantation habitat, (ii) grey squirrels in a typical conifer habitat, (iii) grey squirrels in good quality deciduous habitat. The study was conducted during the breeding season as this is when the females will be most energetically stressed.

Lactating females of both species had a DEE that was 2-2.5 times higher than that of non-reproductive individuals. The DEE of red squirrels was 422 ± 141 kJ.d^-1 (mean ± SD), whereas the grey squirrels had a significantly higher DEE of 1080 ± 387 kJ.d^-1. The DEE of grey squirrels was greater in the coniferous (1127 ± 460 kJ.d^-1) than in the deciduous habitat (961 ± 119 kJ.d^-1) and may reflect an increased foraging effort in this habitat.

 

 

Research on distribution and ecology of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Hungary

 

Szilvia Bősze¹, Botond Bakó² and Gábor Csorba³.

 

¹ Department of Zoology and Ecology, Szent István University, H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. u. 1., Hungary, boszisz@hotmail.com

² Department of Zoology and Ecology, Szent István University, H-2103 Gödöllő, Páter K. u. 1., Hungary, bakobo@freemail.hu

³ Mammal Collection, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1081 Budapest, Ludovika tér 2., Hungary, gcsorba@zoo.zoo.nhmus.hu

 

Thus far, the Hungarian science did not have any comprehensive data on ecological, population-biological and distributional peculiarities of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) populations in the country. Our aim is to establish a nation-wide distribution database, to describe the habitat preference relationships and to maintain the conditions of long-term monitoring of the species.

Firstly, we interpreted red squirrel distribution data from the technical literature, public collections and species lists gained from owl-pellet analysis on 10*10 grid U.T.M. maps. Secondly, we contrasted our distribution map with the arboreal woodland cover map of Hungary. Thirdly, we collected data from places we still do not have but are potentially suitable for red squirrels.

We worked out a so called ‘Squirrel watching’ programme in 2001 to involve wide social strata (school-children, foresters, nature conservationists, etc.) in the collection of distribution data. We asked for locality, coat colour and behaviour peculiarities of specimens observed, and also for local habitat composition. We appraised habitats, based on the origin of it. We differentiated natural forests, anthropogenic biotopes and arboreal woodland locations of invasive species like coniferous, acacia, etc. woodlands. We ranked the data based on the trustworthiness of its origin; whether it is from a school-child or a national park guard for example. We tested our programme in 2002 in a small area of Hungary with attendance of 42 schools. We widened the programme to the whole country in 2003.

We interpret data collected through ‘Squirrel watching’ programme as well on 10*10 grid U.T.M. map. We compare the two distribution maps and the map of arboreal woodland cover.

 

 

The survival of the red squirrel in Wales – an update on the situation.

Sarah Cartmel and John Gurnell, Cymerau Isaf, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. LL41 4BN UK, School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London E1 4NS UK . 

 

It has been nearly three years since the end of the red squirrel project at Clocaenog Forest in North Wales. The results of that survey suggested that red squirrel's could potentially survive in the conifer plantations of Wales (despite the presence of the grey squirrels) on condition that (in broad terms) the right tree species and age classes are present and that there are sufficient links throughout the forest to enable the squirrels to travel between blocks of suitable habitat (i.e. that the forest has not become too fragmented). These theories have been applied to a group of forests in mid Wales that are known to contain a population of red squirrels – although the size and ‘health’ of the red squirrel population is not known. The current state of the forests was determined with regard to their suitability for red squirrels using available information and ground truthing, and their predicted suitability according to the current forest design plans was also explored. This gave an insight into the potential size of the red squirrel population in mid Wales and to their future size over the next 50 years. This study then attempted to come up with some simple solutions to improve the habitat for red squirrels with as little economic loss as possible in order to be acceptable to the forest managers of these mid Wales forests. Finally there will be an update on the work in Clocaenog, which has begun this winter.

The effects of forest fire on the squirrel and tree shrew community dynamic in southern Sumatra.

 

Asri A. Dwiyahreni, Wildlife Conservation Society Indonesia Program, PO Box 311 Bogor 16003, Indonesia.

A study to investigate the effect of forest fire on the dynamic of squirrel and tree shrew community was conducted in the south of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP), Lampung, Indonesia.  The park is surrounded by agricultural and plantation areas but contains some of the largest intact tracts of lowland forest remaining on the island which undergoing the most rapid forest conversion.  The study focused on 8 squirrel (Ratufa bicolor, R. affinis, Callosciurus notatus, Sundasciurus hippurus, Lariscus insignis C. nigrovittatus, S. lowii and S. tenuis; Mammalia: Rodentia) and 3 tree shrew species (Tupaia tana, T. glis and T. minor; Mammalia: Scandentia) and described how forest structure and pre- and post-fire conditions of the habitat affect the density, distribution and niche partitioning among squirrel and tree shrew species in the study area.  Data were collected before the fire in 1997, then each year subsequently after that until 2001.  The population density of each animal species was assessed using line transect and calculated using DISTANCE program.  The study showed that density was significantly lower after the fire and in the burned area. The ground dwelling species were the most suffered species as fire destroyed their preferred disturbed habitat more severely than the undisturbed ones. There was also an interesting change on the average height choice of each species in the burned and unburned areas after the fire.  All ground dwelling species moved slightly higher in the burned compare to the unburned area.  This was probably due to more fallen logs available in the unburned area to sit and scan their surrounding to avoid predators.  The animals living in the burned area might be more profound to predators due to the openness of the canopy.  In the other hand, the tree-dwelling species tend to move to a lower stratum in the burned area probably to avoid predators such as eagle. Analysis of substrate choice among the species showed that height is a more important factor in the choosing of stratum compare to substrate.   Species seemed to just use the available substrate in the associated height although it was not the right substrate for them.  The study has showed that fire caused changes in habitats and moreover would change the structure of the animal community.  Species with high adaptability tend to have higher survival rates to the fire and might drive other weaker species to a temporary or even permanent extinction from their habitats.  In the long run, it seemed that fire could increase the abundance of damaging species whilst further decline the abundance of other species that could counteract those damaging species.

 

 

Space use of sympatric endangered Mount Graham red squirrels and introduced Abert’s squirrels.

 

Andrew J. Edelman¹, John L. Koprowski^1,2, and Sarah R. B. King². ¹Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, School of Renewable Nat. Res., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 & ²Mount Graham Red Squirrel Monitoring Project, School of Renewable Nat. Res., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.

 

The introduction of non-native species into ecosystems can have serious impacts on native biodiversity. Abert’s squirrels (Sciurus aberti) are an introduced species that is believed to contribute to the current decline of the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) through resource competition. The Mount Graham red squirrel is endemic to mesic forests of the isolated Pinaleño Mountains, Arizona. Introduced Abert’s squirrels are sympatric with Mount Graham red squirrels throughout the latter’s habitat. As part of an ongoing effort to examine the ecological relationship between these sympatric tree squirrels, we initiated a space use study in June 2002. We used radio-tracking to determine characteristics of intra- and interspecific space use. Home ranges of Abert’s squirrels were much larger than red squirrel home ranges. Intraspecific overlap of home ranges was higher among Abert’s squirrels than red squirrels. Abert’s squirrel home ranges overlap with more conspecifics than red squirrel home ranges. The percent overlap and number of Abert’s squirrels overlapping red squirrel home ranges were similar to intraspecific overlap of red squirrels. These results demonstrate that red squirrels and Abert’s squirrels differ greatly in space use characteristics. In addition, reduced interspecific overlap may indicate that Abert’s squirrel space use is affected by red squirrel territoriality. Avoidance of red squirrel home ranges by Abert’s squirrels could reduce interspecific competition and allow coexistence between these species.

 

 

Activity and Time Budgets of the Mt. Graham Red Squirrel.

 

Vicki L. Greer and John L. Koprowski, Mt. Graham Biology Programs

School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.

The endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) is found only in the Pineleño (Graham) mountains of southeast Arizona, and is the southernmost population of red squirrels in North America.  Since 1989, as part of a long-term monitoring program, we have studied squirrels around an astro-physical complex in the north-central part of the mountain range.  From September 1989 to October 1991,  we collected over 3000 h of behavior observations at territory centres (middens), in both spruce-fir (above 3110 m elev.) and mixed conifer (below 3110 m elev.) habitats.  Observations consisted of an observer sitting quietly near the midden center for two hours and recording the activities of all squirrels (to the nearest 0.25 min) within a 10 m radius of the midden center. Activities were tallied into nearly 20 different behaviour categories.  Vocalizations within and nearby the midden were also recorded. The original focus of the observations was to detect potential differences in behaviour between squirrels near construction of the astro-physical complex and squirrels in non-construction areas.  A previous examination of these data demonstrated no consistent, distinguishable differences in the behaviour of squirrels related to construction activity; however, we re-examine the data with respect to possible differences in sex, age, habitat (both forest type and “micro-habitat” variables around the midden center), weather, and food availability.  Preliminary analysis indicates that squirrels in both habitats spent more time in food related  (feeding, foraging, and caching) than in passive (grooming, nest building, basking) or defensive (territorial chases and responses to predators or humans) behaviours.

 

 

Mating strategy and natal dispersal in the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans

Ilpo K. Hanski & Vesa Selonen, Department of Ecology and Systematics, PO Box 65, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland

 

Siberian flying squirrel is a nocturnal, strictly arboreal species living in coniferous forests in northern Eurasia. We have studied mating behaviour, social spacing behaviour and natal dispersal of radio-tagged flying squirrels in Finland in 1996-2002. Paternity of offspring was analysed using 7 DNA microsatellite loci. Females of the Siberian flying squirrel are larger than males and they occupy separate home ranges 4-10 ha in size. The male ranges are 5-10 times larger than female ranges, and overlap with each other. One male range may include several female ranges. Before mating period (late March) males spend time in the same nest with one or a few females, and during mating period may visit several females. After a short, one-day receptive period of the female, the sexes separate. Both sexes are promiscuous in their copulation behaviour, both having multiple mates. The DNA analyses revealed that about 40% of litters were sired by several fathers. A half of the males potentially available in the area did not father any offspring. Natal dispersal is female biased. All young females dispersed > 500 m from the natal home range, whereas about 40% of males stayed. The dispersal distances did not differ between sexes. The average distance was less than 3 km, but maximally as long as 9 km.

 

 

Mt-dna haplotype dynamics in two populations of Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis) in continuous and isolated forests.

 

Fumio Hayashi and Noriko Tamura, Email: fhayashi@comp.metro-u.ac.jp

 

The Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis) is distributed on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands in Japan. Recently, populations on south-western Honshu and Shikoku decreased and those on Kyushu disappeared. One of the factors affecting to local extinction of this species seems to be forest fragmentation by human activities. In the present study, we compared genetic heterogeneity between the populations living in the continuous forest in Mt.Takao, western Tokyo, and the isolated forest, ca.70 ha in area, which is neighbouring to the former but interrupted by high way. In the both study sites, we established a 50 ha trapping area arranged 20 live-traps. Trapping was conducted at 1-3 month intervals from June 1999. A small piece of skin was sampled from the tip of ears for genetic analysis and collars for individual identification were attached when the squirrels were first captured. A total of 8 haplotypes in the mt-DNA D-Loop region were ascertained from 57 individuals obtained from the both study sites (6 types in the continuous forest and 4 types in the isolated forest). By repeating captures by traps, the period persisting in the study site was estimated for individuals. The mean number of haplotypes existing per year was 2.25 in the isolated forest while 4.00 in the continuous forest. The number of haplotypes was significantly smaller in the isolated forest than in the continuous forest (Mann-Whitney U-test, U=1, P<0.05). Thus, forest isolation caused temporal decreasing in genetic diversity of the Japanese squirrel in respect of the mt-DNA D-Loop region.

 

 

Patterns of genetic diversity in the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L.): footprints of biogeographical history and artificial introductions.