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Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease
Article first published online: 28 FEB 2003
DOI: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00417.x
1461-0248/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=e313f39a0d6209f7d805ea0ca3942ff5a49304ad "Ecology Letters")
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How to Cite
Tompkins, D. M., White, A. R. and Boots, M. (2003), Ecological replacement of native red squirrels by invasive greys driven by disease. Ecology Letters, 6: 189–196. doi: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00417.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 FEB 2003
- Article first published online: 28 FEB 2003
- Manuscript received 9 September 2002 First decision made 3 October 2002 Second decision made 15 November 2002 Manuscript accepted 25 November 2002
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Keywords:
- Ecological replacement;
- emerging infectious disease;
- grey squirrel;
- parapoxvirus;
- red squirrel;
- Sciurus
Abstract
Although a parapoxvirus harmful to red squirrels is present in UK squirrel populations it has not been considered a major cause of red squirrel decline, and replacement by the introduced grey squirrel, mainly because diseased individuals are rarely observed. By developing a generic model we show that parapoxvirus is likely to have played a crucial role in the red squirrel decline even though the prevalence of infection is low. Conservationists are quite rightly concerned with the invasion of exotic organisms such as the grey squirrel. Our work emphasizes that they, along with other ecologists, should pay particular attention to pathogens, even when they occur at low prevalence.