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90 results for “Raccoons”
Complex patterns shape immune genes diversity during invasion of common raccoon in Europe – selection in action despite genetic drift
<p>Rapid adaptation is common in invasive populations and is crucial to their long-term success. The primary target of selection in the invasive species' new range is standing genetic variation. Therefore, genetic drift and natural selection acting on existing variation are key evolutionary processes through which invaders will evolve over a short timescale. In this study, we used the case of the raccoon <em>Procyon</em> <em>lotor</em> invasion in Europe to identify the forces shaping the diversity of immune genes during invasion. The genes involved in the defence against infection should be under intense selection pressure in the invasive range where novel pathogens are expected to occur. To disentangle the selective and demographic processes shaping the adaptive immune diversity of its invasive and expanding populations, we have developed species-specific SNP markers located in the coding regions of targeted immune-related genes. We characterised the genetic diversity of 110 functionally important immune genes in two invasive and one native raccoon genetic clusters, each presenting a different demographic history. Despite the strong effect of demographic processes in the invasive clusters, we detected a subset of genes exhibiting the diversity pattern suggestive of selection. The most likely process shaping the variation in those genes was balancing selection. The selected genes belong to toll-like receptors and cytokine-related genes. Our results suggest that the prevalence of selection depends on the level of diversity, i.e. – less genetically diverse invasive population from Czech Republic displayed fewer signs of selection. Our results highlight the role of standing genetic variation in adapting to a new environment. Understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind invasion success would enable predicting how populations may respond to environmental change.</p>
Dataset for density estimation for an island population of raccoon dogs in Japan
<p><span>Estimation of the population</span><span> size</span><span> is essential for understanding population dynamics</span><span>. Estimating animal density using multiple methods and/or multiple attempts is required for accurate estimations. Raccoon dog (<em>Nyctereutes</em> <em>procyonoides</em>) is native to East Asia, including Japan, and has become an invasive species in Europe. Information on raccoon dog density in their native range is important to understand their invasion; however, relatively few studies have been conducted on raccoon dog density in their native range. In this study, we extracted DNA from fecal samples of raccoon dogs inhabiting a small island in Japan and conducted density estimation over two periods using DNA capture-recapture methods: CAPWIRE and SECR. We also investigated sex ratio</span> <span>using genetic sex identification. Density estimates using SECR were approximately threefold different between the two study periods: </span><span>17.2</span><span> individuals per km<sup>2</sup> in 2018 and </span><span>49.0 </span><span>individuals per km<sup>2</sup> in 2020. In contrast, estimates using CAPWIRE were relatively stable: </span><span>21.7</span><span> individuals per km<sup>2</sup> in 2018 and </span><span>24.3</span><span> individuals per km<sup>2</sup> in 2020. A drastic increase or decrease is not expected during the study period, and thus</span><span>, density estimates using CAPWIRE are more reasonable than </span><span>those using SECR. The small number of samples per individual might result in low accuracy of density estimates by SECR. The density estimated by CAPWIRE was similar to that in the main island in Japan</span> <span>and higher than that in Europe. Feeding competition with other omnivorous carnivores and/or predation risk by wolves might maintain the low density in Europe. The sex ratio of raccoon dogs was 1:1, which was similar to </span><span>the values in invasive raccoon dogs and </span><span>other canids. Further genetic census</span><span>, including sex identification in various landscapes in their native and invasive range, will enable us to understand not only the ecology of raccoon dogs but also their adaptations to </span><span>their invading areas.</span></p>
When the natal den is not safe: First evidence of infanticide in the northern raccoon (<em>Procyon lotor</em>)
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Complex patterns shape immune genes diversity during invasion of common raccoon in Europe – selection in action despite genetic drift
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Dataset for density estimation for an island population of raccoon dogs in Japan
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Seasonal activity changes in raccoon dogs and influences of environmental factors from autumn to winter
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Shanghai residents attitudes towards raccoon dogs
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Temporal data from camera trap captures of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and coyote (Canis latrans) across urban-rural gradient Michigan 2015-2020
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Comparing raccoon MHC diversity in native and introduced ranges: evidence for the importance of functional immune diversity for adaptation and survival in novel environments.
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Exposure to humans and task difficulty levels affect wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) learning
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Data from: Fear of feces? Trade-offs between disease risk and foraging drive animal activity around raccoon latrines
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Data from: Modelling the dispersal of the two main hosts of the raccoon rabies variant in heterogeneous environments with landscape genetics
Predicting the geographic spread of wildlife epidemics requires knowledge about the movement patterns of disease hosts or vectors. The field of landscape genetics provides valuable approaches to study dispersal indirectly, which in turn may be used to understand patterns of disease spread. Here, we applied landscape genetic analyses and spatially explicit models to identify the potential path of raccoon rabies spread in a mesocarnivore community. We used relatedness estimates derived from microsatellite genotypes of raccoons and striped skunks to investigate their dispersal patterns in a heterogeneous landscape composed predominantly of agricultural, forested and residential areas. Samples were collected in an area covering 22 000 km2 in southern Québec, where the raccoon rabies variant (RRV) was first detected in 2006. Multiple regressions on distance matrices revealed that genetic distance among male raccoons was strictly a function of geographic distance, while dispersal in female raccoons was significantly reduced by the presence of agricultural fields. In skunks, our results suggested that dispersal is increased in edge habitats between fields and forest fragments in both males and females. Resistance modelling allowed us to identify likely dispersal corridors used by these two rabies hosts, which may prove especially helpful for surveillance and control (e.g. oral vaccination) activities.
Data from: Homogenous population genetic structure of the non-native raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Europe as a result of rapid population expansion
The extent of gene flow during the range expansion of non-native species influences the amount of genetic diversity retained in expanding populations. Here, we analyse the population genetic structure of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in north-eastern and central Europe. This invasive species is of management concern because it is highly susceptible to fox rabies and an important secondary host of the virus. We hypothesized that the large number of introduced animals and the species' dispersal capabilities led to high population connectivity and maintenance of genetic diversity throughout the invaded range. We genotyped 332 tissue samples from seven European countries using 16 microsatellite loci. Different algorithms identified three genetic clusters corresponding to Finland, Denmark and a large 'central' population that reached from introduction areas in western Russia to northern Germany. Cluster assignments provided evidence of long-distance dispersal. The results of an Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis supported a scenario of equal effective population sizes among different pre-defined populations in the large central cluster. Our results are in line with strong gene flow and secondary admixture between neighbouring demes leading to reduced genetic structuring, probably a result of its fairly rapid population expansion after introduction. The results presented here are remarkable in the sense that we identified a homogenous genetic cluster inhabiting an area stretching over more than 1500km. They are also relevant for disease management, as in the event of a significant rabies outbreak, there is a great risk of a rapid virus spread among raccoon dog populations.
Data from: Spatial patterns of neutral and functional genetic variation reveal patterns of local adaptation in raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations exposed to raccoon rabies
Local adaptation is necessary for population survival and depends on the interplay between responses to selective forces and demographic processes that introduce or retain adaptive and maladaptive attributes. Host-parasite systems are dynamic, varying in space and time, where both host and parasites must adapt to their ever-changing environment in order to survive. We investigated patterns of local adaptation in raccoon populations with varying temporal exposure to the raccoon rabies virus (RRV). RRV infects approximately 85% of the population when epizootic and has been presumed to be completely lethal once contracted; however, disease challenge experiments and varying spatial patterns of RRV spread suggest some level of immunity may exist. We first assessed patterns of local adaptation in raccoon populations along the eastern seaboard of North America by contrasting spatial patterns of neutral (microsatellite loci) and functional, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic diversity and structure. We explored variation of MHC allele frequencies in light of temporal population exposure to RRV (0-60 years) and specific RRV strains in infected raccoons. Our results revealed high levels of MHC variation (66 DRB exon 2 alleles) and pronounced genetic structure relative to neutral microsatellite loci, indicative of local adaptation. We found a positive association linking MHC genetic diversity and temporal RRV exposure, but no association with susceptibility and resistance to RRV strains. These results have implications for landscape epidemiology studies seeking to predict the spread of RRV and present an example of how population demographics influence the degree to which populations adapt to local selective pressures.
Data from: Historical invasion records can be misleading: genetic evidence for multiple introductions of invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany
Biological invasions provide excellent study systems to understand evolutionary, genetic and ecological processes during range expansions. There is strong evidence for positive effects of high propagule pressure and the associated higher genetic diversity on invasion success, but some species have become invasive despite small founder numbers. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is often considered as a typical example for such a successful invasion resulting from a small number of founders. The species' largest non-native population in Germany is commonly assumed to stem from a small number of founders and two separate founding events in the 1930s and 1940s. In the present study we analyzed 407 raccoons at 20 microsatellite loci sampled from the invasive range in Western Europe to test if these assumptions are correct. Contrary to the expectations, different genetic clustering methods detected evidence for at least four independent introduction events that gave rise to genetically differentiated subpopulations. Further smaller clusters were either artifacts or resulted from founder events at the range margin and recent release of captive individuals. We also found genetic evidence for on-going introductions of individuals. Furthermore a novel randomization process was used to determine the potential range of founder population size that would suffice to capture all the alleles present in a cluster. Our results falsify the assumption that this species has become widespread and abundant despite being genetically depauperate and show that historical records of species introductions may be misleading.
On following pages: 5. Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti); 6. South American Coati (Nasua nasua); 7. White-nosed Raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus); 11. Northern Raccoon (Procyon loton; 12. Cozumel Raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus) Coati (Nasua narica); 8. Mountain Coati (Nasuella olivacea); 9. Kinkajou (Potos flavus); 10. Crab-eating. in Procyonidae
On following pages: 5. Cacomistle (Bassariscus sumichrasti); 6. South American Coati (Nasua nasua); 7. White-nosed Raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus); 11. Northern Raccoon (Procyon loton; 12. Cozumel Raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus) Coati (Nasua narica); 8. Mountain Coati (Nasuella olivacea); 9. Kinkajou (Potos flavus); 10. Crab-eating.
Data from: Historical invasion records can be misleading: genetic evidence for multiple introductions of invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany
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Data from: Spatial patterns of neutral and functional genetic variation reveal patterns of local adaptation in raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations exposed to raccoon rabies
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Data from: Genetic structure and rabies spread potential in raccoons: the role of landscape barriers and sex-biased dispersal
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Data from: Modelling the dispersal of the two main hosts of the raccoon rabies variant in heterogeneous environments with landscape genetics
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Allen Brain Atlas
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Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
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