Landscape Characteristics Affecting Small Mammal Occurrence in Heterogeneous Olive Grove Agro-Ecosystems

Understanding how small mammals (SM) are associated with environmental characteristics in olive groves is important to identify potential threats to agriculture and assess the overall conservation value and functioning of agro-ecosystems. Here, we provide first insights on this topic applied to traditional olive groves in northeast (NE) Portugal by assessing the landscape attributes that determine SM occurrence, focusing on one species of conservation concern (Microtus cabrerae Thomas 1906) and one species often perceived as a potential pest of olives (Microtus lusitanicus Gerbe 1879). Based on SM genetic non-invasive sampling in 51 olive groves and surrounding habitats, we identified seven rodent species and one insectivore. Occupancy modelling indicated that SM were generally less detected within olive groves than in surrounding habitats. The vulnerable M. cabrerae reached a mean occupancy (95% CI) of 0.77 (0.61–0.87), while M. lusitanicus stood at 0.37 (0.24–0.52). M. cabrerae was more likely to occur in land mosaics with high density of agricultural field edges, while M. lusitanicus was more associated with high density of pastureland patches. Overall, our study suggests that the complex structure and spatial heterogeneity of traditionally managed olive grove agro-ecosystems may favor the occurrence of species-rich SM communities, possibly including well-established populations of species of conservation importance, while keeping potential pest species at relatively low occupancy rates

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Altas de mamíferos de Portugal. Cap. Roedores

Roedores. A ordem Rodentia. Apresenta-se um resumo da taxonomia e características do grupo. Para cada espécie refere-se o estatuto de conservação mundial e em Portugal, habitat preferencial, apresenta-se a distribuição global e em Portugal e salienta-se o nível de conhecimento da mesma e prioridades de investigação com vista a suprir lacunas

Altas de mamíferos de Portugal. Cap. Insetívoros

Insectívoros. A ordem Eulipotyphla. Apresenta-se um resumo da taxonomia e características do grupo. Para cada espécie refere-se o estatuto de conservação mundial e em Portugal, habitat preferencial, apresenta-se a distribuição global e em Portugal e salienta-se o nível de conhecimento da mesma e prioridades de investigação com vista a suprir lacunas

Fuels and fire hazard in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal

Fast-growing, short-rotation forest plantations in Mediterranean-type ecosystems are vulnerable to wildfire. This study quantifies fuel characteristics over a wide range of stand characteristics in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal, namely fuel loading by size class and fuel layer and bulk density. We combined destructive and non– destructive methods to estimate fuel loadings in both natural and activity (logging slash) fuels, and then built fuel models to predict fire behaviour characteristics. Classification of National Forest Inventory blue gum plots by fuel model showed that high-intensity fire threatens approximately half of the plots. Fire modelling indicates that wildfire control operations are made effective by treating hazardous fuels in these plantations, even under extreme weather conditions. Stand management against wildfire can greatly benefit from fuel and fire modelling.Plantaciones forestales de crecimiento rápido y rotación corta en ecosistemas de tipo mediterráneo son vulnerables a los incendios forestales. Este estudio cuantifica las características del combustible (carga de combustible por clase de tamaño y estrato de combustible, densidad aparente) en masas de Eucalyptus globulus en Portugal con una amplia gama de características dasométricas. Se combinaron los métodos destructivos y no destructivos para estimar las cargas de combustible en ambos combustibles naturales y de actividad (residuos de explotación), y luego construyó modelos de combustible para predecir las características de comportamiento del fuego. A clasificación por modelo de combustible das parcelas do inventario forestal nacional ocupadas con E. globulus demostró que el fuego de alta intensidad amenaza a aproximadamente la mitad de las parcelas. La modelización del fuego indica que las operaciones de control de incendios forestales se hacen efectivas mediante el tratamiento de combustibles peligrosos en estas plantaciones, incluso en condiciones meteorológicas extremas. A prevención de incendios forestales puede beneficiar en gran medida de los modelos de combustible y de comportamiento de fuego

Fuels and fire hazard in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal

Fast-growing, short-rotation forest plantations in Mediterranean-type ecosystems are vulnerable to wildfire. This study quantifies fuel characteristics over a wide range of stand characteristics in blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) stands in Portugal, namely fuel loading by size class and fuel layer and bulk density. We combined destructive and non¿ destructive methods to estimate fuel loadings in both natural and activity (logging slash) fuels, and then built fuel models to predict fire behaviour characteristics. Classification of National Forest Inventory blue gum plots by fuel model showed that high-intensity fire threatens approximately half of the plots. Fire modelling indicates that wildfire control operations are made effective by treating hazardous fuels in these plantations, even under extreme weather conditions. Stand management against wildfire can greatly benefit from fuel and fire modelling.Plantaciones forestales de crecimiento rápido y rotación corta en ecosistemas de tipo mediterráneo son vulnerables a los incendios forestales. Este estudio cuantifica las características del combustible (carga de combustible por clase de tamaño y estrato de combustible, densidad aparente) en masas de Eucalyptus globulus en Portugal con una amplia gama de características dasométricas. Se combinaron los métodos destructivos y no destructivos para estimar las cargas de combustible en ambos combustibles naturales y de actividad (residuos de explotación), y luego construyó modelos de combustible para predecir las características de comportamiento del fuego. A clasificación por modelo de combustible das parcelas do inventario forestal nacional ocupadas con E. globulus demostró que el fuego de alta intensidad amenaza a aproximadamente la mitad de las parcelas. La modelización del fuego indica que las operaciones de control de incendios forestales se hacen efectivas mediante el tratamiento de combustibles peligrosos en estas plantaciones, incluso en condiciones meteorológicas extremas. A prevención de incendios forestales puede beneficiar en gran medida de los modelos de combustible y de comportamiento de fuego

Serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii in hunted wild boar from Portugal

Toxoplasmosis is an important parasitic zoonosis with a worldwide distribution, being the parasitic disease with the highest occurrence in Europe. Wild boar has an important role in the epidemiological cycle of Toxoplasma gondii as an intermediate host, that can potentially infect humans when the meat is consumed raw or undercooked. The purpose of this work was to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in serum of hunted wild boar. During the hunting season 2011/2012, sera samples were collected from 97 wild boar and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii, using the modified agglutination test. Twenty out of the 97 wild boar (20.6%) were seropositive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that males and older animals were associated with T. gondii seropositivity. These results show that T. gondii has an important presence in wild boar population from Portugal, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk for humans when wild boar meat or meat products are consumed raw or undercooked.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

First Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Serum of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Northern Portugal by Nested- PCR

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne zoonosis in the northern hemisphere. Several vertebrates are crucial in the epidemiological cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, but the role of wild boar as a reservoir is still unknown. Sera were collected from 90 wild boars shot in the Trás-os-Montes region, Northern Portugal (hunting season 2011/2012). In this study, Borrelia DNA was detected for the first time by nested-PCR in three different sera, suggesting that the wild boar may be a potential reservoir for this spirochete. Sequencing results show 100% similarity with Borrelia afzelii. Further studies are needed to evaluate the public health risks associated with boar hunting.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Primeira deteção de DNA de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato em javalis = First Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Serum of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Northern Portugal by Nested-PCR

3º Congresso Nacional de Medicina Tropical, 1º Congresso Lusófono de doenças transmitidas por vetoresResumo A borreliose de Lyme (BL) é a zoonose associada a carraças mais comum no hemisfério norte, mas em Portugal, apesar de doença de declaração obrigatória, continua sub-diagnosticada e sub-reportada. Esta doença emergente é causada por espiroquetas do complexoBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmitidas pela mordedura de carraças infetadas do género Ixodes, em particular I.ricinus, o principal vetor na Europa. Vários vertebrados são hospedeiros de carraças,entre os quais se inclui o javali, espécie cinegética de grande valor económico na região deTrás-os-Montes, e cujo papel no ciclo epidemiológico da BL permanece indeterminado. Soros de 90 javalis abatidos na referida região (época venatória 2011/12) foram recolhidos e analisados pornested-PCR. DNA deBorrelia foi detetado pela primeira vez em três animais, tendo os resultados de sequenciação mostrado 100% de similaridade comB. afzelii, geralmente associada a pequenos mamíferos (roedores, etc.). Estes resultados sugerem o javali como potencial reservatório desta espiroqueta, representando a sua circulação nesta região um risco de infeção para grupos ocupacionais relacionados com a caça (caçadores, gestores, etc.) e seus cães, devido ao contacto recorrente com animais e vegetação infestados por carraças . Este trabalho enfatiza a necessidade de uma abordagem "One Health" quanto a estratégias de prevenção e controlo de doenças zoonóticas emergentes, nomeadamente a BL. Abstract: Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne zoonosis in northern hemisphere, but in Portugal, despite being a notifiable disease it remains under-diagnosed and reported.This emerging disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex spirochetes, transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes genus ticks, par-ticularly I. ricinus, the main vector in Europe. Several vertebrates serve as hosts for ticks, including large hunting species like wild boars, with great economic value for hunting and food sectors in the Trás-os-Montes region, whose role in the epidemiological cycle of LB remains undetermined.Sera from 90 wild boars shot in the Trás-os-Montes region (hunting season 2011/12) were collected and tested by nested-PCR. Borrelia DNA was de-tected for the first time in three sera, and sequencing results showed 100% similarity with B. afzelii, usually associated with small mammals (rodents, etc.).The results suggest that wild boars are a potential reservoir for this spiro-chete and its circulation in this region represents an infection risk for hunt-ing-related occupational groups (hunters, gamekeepers, etc.) and hunting dogs, due to recurrent contact with tick-infested animals and vegetation.This work emphasizes the growing need for a "One Health" approach when it comes to emerging zoonotic disease control and prevention strategies, namely in LB.publishersversionpublishe