Возрастная структура популяции азиатского бурундука (Tamias sibiricus) в Северном Приохотье

The age-related variability of the abrasion degree of the masticatory surface of the first lower molar in the Northern Priokhotye population of the Siberian chipmunk has been studied. It has been revealed that, in young of the current year, from the time they abandoning breeding burrows to the hibernation period, the index of abrasion of the masticatory surface m1 is 0.6-3.5 %. The area of exposed dentin on the molar masticatory surface increases annually by 5-6 % averagely in overwintered adult animals. According to the abrasion index, 4-5 age classes are distinguished in the population. The group of animals aged 1+ yrs dominates in number (40.8 %). The specific survival rate of individuals in the range from 1 to 3 years is approximately 0.5. After three years, it drops sharply (0.23). Less than 3 % of individuals survive up to 4 years or more in the population.

White-Nose Syndrome Confirmed in Italy: A Preliminary Assessment of Its Occurrence in Bat Species

Although no mass mortality has been recorded so far, the precise demographic effect of white-nose syndrome (WNS) on European bats still remains to be ascertained. Following the first isolation of P. destructans in Italy, further surveys were performed to assess the distribution of the fungus in NW Italy and its effects on bats. Data were collected from March 2019 to April 2020 at sites used for hibernation (six sites) and/or for reproduction (four sites) in Piedmont and Aosta Valley. A total of 138 bats, belonging to 10 species, were examined to identify clinical features possibly related to the fungal presence. Culture from swabs and the molecular identification of isolates confirmed the presence of P. destructans in bats from five sites, including two maternal roosts. Dermal fungal infiltration, the criterion to assess the presence of WNS, was observed in biopsies of bats belonging to Myotis blythii, M. daubentonii, M. emarginatus and M. myotis. This is the first report of the disease in Italy. The results suggest a greater susceptibility to the infection of the genus Myotis and particularly of M. emarginatus, possibly due to the long length of its hibernation period. Other fungal dermatophytes were also observed.

Social Inequalities in Mobility During and Following the COVID-19 associated lockdown of the Madrid Metropolitan Area in Spain

Spain has been one of the most affected regions by the COVID-19 worldwide, and Madrid its most affected city. In response to this, the Spanish government enacted a strict lockdown in late March, that was gradually eased until June. We explored differentials in mobility by area-level deprivation in the functional area of Madrid, before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. We used cell phone-derived mobility indicators (% of the population leaving their area) from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), and a composite measure of deprivation from the Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE). We computed changes in mobility with respect to pre-pandemic levels, and explored spatial patterns and associations with deprivation. We found that levels of mobility before COVID-19 were slightly higher in areas with lower deprivation. The economic hibernation period resulted in very strong declines in mobility, most acutely in low deprivation areas. These differences weakened during the re-opening, and levels of mobility were similar by deprivation once the lockdown was lifted. Given the existence of important socioeconomic differentials in COVID-19 exposure, it is key to ensure that these interventions do not widen existing social inequalities.

Hibernation Period in Some Land Snail Species (Gastropoda: Helicidae): Epiphragmal Structure and Hypometabolic Behaviors

In this study, the hypometabolism behavior, epiphragm formation process, and the mineral composition of the epiphragmal structure of the Helix pomacella, Eobania vermiculata, Helix melanostoma, and Helix asemnis land snails were investigated during the hibernation period. 100 snails selected among mature individuals, 25 from each species, were collected from nature for the research. The snails were placed in four 50x50x5 cm pans containing 20-cm-deep humus soil. Snails were fed with lettuce by free feeding until the hibernation period. Hypometabolism behavior of snails that had hibernated between November and December 2018, and January and February 2019 were examined as entering the hibernation stage, hibernation stage, and leaving the hibernation stage. The ionic concentration (Calcium, Iron, and Phosphorus) of the epiphragm layer formed during the hibernation process was analyzed, its formation duration, and its degradation at the end of the hibernation period were examined. In the study, it was determined that the weight before hibernation reduced by 18-22% in all examined species (H. pomacella, E. vermiculata, H. melanostoma, and H. asemnis). The highest values in terms of epiphragm formation duration (19±0.30 days), weight (0.41±0.26 g), and thickness (0.310±0.22 mm) were determined in H. asemnis. In terms of the ionic concentration, the highest Calcium level was determined in H. asemnis (29.96±0.12 mg/g) while the highest Phosphorus level (4.02±0.20 mg/g) was determined in E. vermiculata, and the highest Iron content was found in H. pomacella (19.50±0.33 mg/g). The degradation duration of the epiphragm layer at the end of hibernation was determined the longest in E. vermiculata (7 days) whereas the shortest in H. pomacella (3 days). As a result of the present research, it was seen that the epiphragm layer is important for snails in terms of a sustainable life cycle and that the ecological tolerances of snails depend on the epiphragmal structure.

Over-Winter Survival and Nest Site Selection of the West-European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Arable Dominated Landscapes

The West-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has declined markedly in the UK. The winter hibernation period may make hedgehogs vulnerable to anthropogenic habitat and climate changes. Therefore, we studied two contrasting populations in England to examine patterns of winter nest use, body mass changes and survival during hibernation. No between-site differences were evident in body mass prior to hibernation nor the number of winter nests used, but significant differences in overwinter mass change and survival were observed. Mass change did not, however, affect survival rates; all deaths occurred prior to or after the hibernation period, mainly from predation or vehicle collisions. Hedgehogs consistently nested in proximity to hedgerows, roads and woodlands, but avoided pasture fields; differences between sites were evident for the selection for or avoidance of arable fields, amenity grassland and buildings. Collectively, these data indicate that hibernation was not a period of significant mortality for individuals that had attained sufficient weight (>600 g) pre-hibernation. Conversely, habitat composition did significantly affect the positioning of winter nests, such that different land management practices (historic and current) might potentially influence hibernation success. The limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Patterns of Feeding by Householders Affect Activity of Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) during the Hibernation Period

West European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are likely to encounter unusual ecological features in urban habitats, such as anthropogenic food sources and artificial refugia. Quantifying how these affect hedgehog behaviour is vital for informing conservation guidelines for householders. We monitored hedgehog presence/absence in gardens in the town of Reading, UK, over the winter of 2017–2018 using a volunteer-based footprint tunnel survey, and collected data on garden characteristics, supplementary feeding (SF) habits, and local environmental conditions. Over a 20-week survey period, hedgehog presence was lowest between January and March. Occupancy analysis indicated that SF significantly affected hedgehog presence/absence before, during, and after hibernation. The number of nesting opportunities available in gardens, average temperatures, and daylength were also supported as important factors at different stages. In particular, our results suggest that SF could act to increase levels of activity during the winter when hedgehogs should be hibernating. Stimulating increased activity at this sensitive time could push hedgehogs into a net energy deficit or, conversely, help some individuals survive which might not otherwise do so. Therefore, further research is necessary to determine whether patterns of feeding by householders have a positive or negative effect on hedgehog populations during the hibernation period.

Body temperature and microhabitat use in the hibernating Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus)

This study investigated the little known winter ecology of Japanese dormice by monitoring body temperature patterns and winter activity in captive and free-living animals. Before onset of hibernation, animals exhibited a transitional phase characterized by frequent bouts of daily torpor. During hibernation itself, dormice aroused periodically from torpor but never foraged during arousals. Torpor bout duration tended to be shorter around the beginning and end of the hibernation period than during the intervening mid-hibernation period. In a further radio-tracking study of two free-living dormice, both were observed to construct a shallow underground hibernaculum at a depth of 1–5 cm and to enter hibernation alone. One individual left the nest after it was disturbed, while the other dormouse stayed in its nest and continued hibernating normally, exhibiting periodic arousal but never feeding or moving from the hibernaculum. These first detailed observations of hibernation in Japanese dormice are in good accordance with previous studies of European dormouse species.

Decreases in body temperature and body mass constitute pre-hibernation remodelling in the Syrian golden hamster, a facultative mammalian hibernator

Hibernation is an adaptive strategy for surviving during periods with little or no food availability, by profoundly reducing the metabolic rate and the core body temperature ( T b ). Obligate hibernators (e.g. bears, ground squirrels, etc.) hibernate every winter under the strict regulation of endogenous circannual rhythms, and they are assumed to undergo adaptive remodelling in autumn, the pre-hibernation period, prior to hibernation. However, little is known about the nature of pre-hibernation remodelling. Syrian hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ) are facultative hibernators that can hibernate irrespective of seasons when exposed to prolonged short photoperiod and cold ambient temperature (SD-Cold) conditions. Their T b set point reduced by the first deep torpor (DT) and then increased gradually after repeated cycles of DT and periodic arousal (PA), and finally recovered to the level observed before the prolonged SD-Cold in the post-hibernation period. We also found that, before the initiation of hibernation, the body mass of animals decreased below a threshold, indicating that hibernation in this species depends on body condition. These observations suggest that Syrian hamsters undergo pre-hibernation remodelling and that T b and body mass can be useful physiological markers to monitor the remodelling process during the pre-hibernation period.